VERNON -- The Department of Health says that tests confirm that two cracked underground pipes at the Vermont Yankee reactor were a source of the radioactive tritium that has contaminated groundwater wells at the plant.

The health department said that tests on the advanced off-gas line pipe tunnel verified that the area when the tunnel means a drain line leaked.

"Results of the leak test and soil tests is good evidence that the crack revealed by excavation....represents a significant pathway for radioactive water from the AOG pipe tunnel into the environment," the departmented stated.

The health department said that the ground tested positive for several other radionuclides including cobalt-60, cesium-137, and radioactive forms of zinc and manganese.

A nuclear steam leak had been stopped on Feb. 14, along with a clogged drain in the tunnel. The two cracked pipes were discovered on Feb. 26.

The health department cautioned that additional leaks could also exist.