Sussex Takes Next Steps to Reduce Radium in Well

Sussex leaders taking the next steps toward reducing the levels of radium discovered in a municipal well near Maple Avenue. 

In May village officials agreed to a consent order with the Department of Natural Resources to develop a plan to reduce radium levels in the well. Amounts of radium slightly exceeded the conservative minimums set by state and federal authorities. The consent order stipulates that the village would have 18 months to install a method to reduce radium levels after a plan is submitted. 

Therefore, the village is seeking assistance from outside consultants to steer a best course toward a solution. 

The village has taken bids from consulting firms to update its 2006 radium compliance plan. Village staff want the update to include at least two other cost-effective alternatives to reducing radium levels in the Maple Avenue well, or planning for multiple future wells. 

The Public Works Committee on Tuesday agreed to contract the work to Crispell-Snyder Inc., at an hourly rate of $89 to $140 and $2,500 to update the study. Crispell-Snyder consultants will meet with village staff in July, and will present the report in August. 

At a May 14 Village Board meeting, Village Manager Jeremy Smith said the levels of radium exceeded the state and federal limits by a very small amount. He said most home water softener systems remove about 90 percent of radium, which brings levels well below the mandated amount. 

However, the village will need to install a mitigation system to avoid continual fines from the DNR.