Read Me File For Plate VIII and Associated GIS Layers*:
Gross Alpha for Public Water Supply Wells in Vermont that Utilize Groundwater
(This read me file written by: Jonathan Kim, Vermont Geological Survey, August 2002)

Required Files        
Pwsgwonlys.dbf, Pwsgwonly.shp, Pwsgwonly.shx

The Pwsgwonly.shp point coverage shows the locations of all public water supplies in Vermont that are utilizing a groundwater source (surface water bodies have been removed); this coverage was extracted using Arcview 3.2a from a grossalpha.shp coverage produced by the Water Supply Division of the Vermont Department of Environmental Conservation. Internal to this coverage is a max result field that gives the unadjusted gross alpha result (in picocuries/ liter) for each of the wells.

Geodetic Information NAD 83 Vermont Stateplane coordinates (Zone 5526) in meters


The only way to determine with certainty if groundwater from a particular well has elevated radionuclide levels is to have the water tested by a certified lab. The Vermont Department of Health recommends that all private well owners test their wells for naturally-occurring alpha radiation every 5 years http://healthvermont.gov/enviro/ph_lab/water_test.aspx#two. This map should not be used as a replacement for detailed, site-specific studies by competent technical personnel.

This map (and the other eight maps in this series) displays geological and geophysical data compiled from surveys conducted at various times over several decades. The information used in preparing the map(s) represents the best data possessed by the Vermont Agency of Natural Resources at the time of production. The data is subject to revision at any time and the map user should contact the Vermont Agency of Natural Resources to determine whether there have been any changes in the data on which the map was based.

Although every effort has been made to faithfully portray the information from the surveys, the Agency of Natural Resources cannot vouch for the accuracy of the data on which the map(s) was based. No warranty as to the accuracy or the usefulness of the data on the map(s) is expressed or implied.
*GIS Data available from Vermont Geological Survey, 103 South Main Street, Waterbury, Vermont 05671, 802/241-3608, marjorie.gale@state.vt.us