Radioactive Material Found in Groundwater Below Indian Point Energy Center

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Radioactive Material Found in Groundwater Below Indian Point Energy Center
A boat moves along the Hudson River in front of the Indian Point nuclear power plant March 18, 2011 in Buchanan, New York. (Mario Tama/Getty Images)
The Associated Press
2/6/2016
Updated:
2/6/2016

BUCHANAN, N.Y. —A radioactive material has been detected in the groundwater below a nuclear power plant north of New York City.

Democratic Gov. Andrew Cuomo (KWOH'-moh) said Saturday that water contaminated by tritium leaked into the groundwater at the Indian Point Energy Center in Buchanan, 40 miles north of Manhattan.

Officials say the contamination has remained contained to the site and there’s no risk to the public.

FILE:The Indian Point nuclear power plant on March 18, 2011 in Buchanan, New York. (Mario Tama/Getty Images)
FILE:The Indian Point nuclear power plant on March 18, 2011 in Buchanan, New York. (Mario Tama/Getty Images)

Cuomo says the state’s environmental conservation and health departments will investigate.

A spokeswoman for Indian Point hasn’t responded to a request for comment.

Elevated levels of tritium were found in two monitoring wells at the plant in 2014. Officials said then the contamination likely stemmed from an earlier maintenance shutdown.