Dangerously high levels of the radioactive element radium have been discovered in drinking water wells in Bethpage.

The state of New York has ordered Northrop Grumman to help find the source that is causing radioactive chemicals to seep into the Bethpage water wells.

The Department of Environmental Conservation says radium levels are above state drinking water standards in two public wells that belong to the Bethpage Water District.

While neither of the wells is currently in use for drinking water, state environmental officials say "these levels are of great concern."

As News 12 has reported, officials have already been trying to pinpoint and contain a plume of contamination that leaked into the groundwater near the former Grumman plant when the Bethpage contractor was building fighter jets for the Navy. Now that radioactivity has also been discovered, the state is ordering Northrop Grumman to grant access to additional wells. They also want Grumman to report any and all radioactive materials used while the plant was operational.

Community advocates say the problem now is the same it has always been, a feeling on their part of being stonewalled by those with the information the community believes it needs to protect their families.

Northrop Grumman has said it is reviewing the letter from the DEC.

The DEC says it is prepared to use legal authority to sample the monitoring wells.