The State - News from Oct. 31, 1985

A state engineer advised against pumping water from one of Fowler’s municipal wells “unless it’s absolutely necessary” because of elevated radiation readings. A new set of water tests confirmed results of September tests that showed 29.2 picocuries per liter of radiation and 27.5 ppl of uranium in city well No. 5, said Ted Andrews of the state Health Services Department. The state recommends restricting use of wells or treating or blending water when readings exceed 10 picocuries, and wells are withdrawn from service at readings above 40 picocuries, Andrews said. Testing in Fowler began last summer as part of an inquiry into the cause of three childhood leukemia cases in the Fresno County community of 2,600 people.