In an "unacceptable" groundwater leak at the Indian Point nuclear power plant, three monitoring wells were discovered to contain "alarming levels of radioactivity," the Governor of New York said, ordering an immediate environmental probe into the issue.

Health and environment commissioners were ordered by Governor Andrew Cuomo to begin an investigation into the leak of "radioactive tritium-contaminated water" at the Indian Point nuclear power plant after the operator, Entergy Nuclear Operations, raised the alarm.

One of the three wells in question, according to Cuomo's statement, had "radioactivity increasing nearly 65,000 percent," while in total the company reported "alarming levels of radioactivity" at three monitoring wells.

The cause of the contamination is unknown. The contamination has reportedly not spread off-site and does not pose an immediate threat to public health, according to the operator. Yet Cuomo noted that his first concern is for the "health and safety of the residents close to the facility."