Tritium found in Connecticut River

VERNON, Vt. (AP) - Vermont Yankee says a small amount of radioactive tritium was found in a Connecticut River water sample, but follow-up samples showed no signs of it and the finding poses no risk to public health or safety.

The nuclear plant says it learned Tuesday that a small amount of tritium was found in a sample taken near the plant on Nov. 3.

The amount was significantly below the federal drinking water limit, and samples taken Nov. 7 and 10 showed no signs of tritium.

Plant officials expected that tritium would eventually reach the river after turning up in groundwater monitoring wells on the Vermont Yankee grounds last year.

The Nuclear Regulatory Commission and the departments of health in Vermont, New Hampshire and Massachusetts have been notified of the findings.