By Sam Douglass

State health officials are encouraging private well owners in the Newport Center area to test their well water after a collaborative study found elevated levels of naturally occurring uranium and gross alpha radiation in some wells on the north side of Vance Hill Road. 

The testing was conducted in April of 2026 by the Vermont Department of Health, the Vermont Geological Survey, and researchers at Middlebury College.

According to Tom DeBell, an environmental health engineer with the Vermont Department of Health, the issue has been known in the Newport area for years. The recent testing project built on existing groundwater quality data to confirm and identify the areas where naturally occurring contaminants were suspected. Their findings showed that one in three private wells tested in Newport Town had elevated levels of gross alpha radiation. Some private wells contained uranium at levels roughly three times the standard, DeBell said, and other wells in Newport had 20 times the acceptable level of gross alpha radiation.

According to DeBell, uranium, gross alpha radiation, and other naturally occurring contaminants, including radon, are found in the Earth’s crust. They are more common in Vermont’s bedrock than in many other parts of the country, particularly in areas with granite formations. Because uranium and gross alpha radiation are colorless, odorless, and tasteless, homeowners cannot detect them without laboratory testing.

“The only way to know what’s in your well water is to test it,” DeBell said.

While the presence of uranium can be concerning, DeBell said the health risks are concerned with chronic long-term exposure instead of acute immediate illness.

Drinking water containing elevated levels of uranium or gross alpha radiation over many years can increase the risk of kidney damage and certain cancers. Gross alpha particles lose energy quickly and do not readily penetrate the skin, meaning bathing or showering is not considered a significant health concern. Instead, the primary risk comes from drinking contaminated water or using it to prepare food over an extended period, especially foods that absorb water, including rice or pasta.

DeBell said it is important not to assume the findings explain cancer cases in the community.

“It’s hard to attribute this to specific cancer clusters,” he said, noting there is no clear trend showing an increased risk of cancer in the area.

The Vermont Health Department is working with local officials to increase awareness among residents. Outreach efforts have included posts on Front Porch Forum, and the department is exploring additional methods, including postcards and door-to-door outreach, to encourage homeowners to test their wells. There was also a notice posted on the town website. 

The testing recommendations apply to homes served by private wells. Public water systems are routinely tested for contaminants and are required to treat the water or take corrective action if contaminant levels exceed drinking water standards.

The Vermont Department of Health recommends private well owners test their water every five years and offers a Vermont Homeowner Testing Package, which includes tests for uranium and gross alpha radiation. They also recommend testing annually for bacteria. The testing package costs $159 and can be ordered through the Health Department.

Homeowners whose water tests show elevated levels can install water treatment systems to reduce exposure. The department also says financial assistance for testing may be available through the Newport District Health Office for those who qualify.