Alert Issued for Well Owners in Flooded Areas - WMBB News 13 - The Panhandle's News Leader

Alert Issued for Well Owners in Flooded Areas

Posted: Updated:
By Ken McVay - bio | email

The Florida Department of Health advises private well owners affected by flood waters to take precautions against disease-causing organisms that may make their water unsafe to drink.

DOH recommends one of the following:

  • Boil water before use, holding it at rolling boil for at least one minute before using it for
  • drinking, washing, cooking, etc.; or Disinfect water by adding 8 drops (about 1/8 tsp – this would form a puddle about the size of a dime) of plain unscented household bleach (4 to 6%) per gallon of water, and then let it stand for 30 minutes. If the water is cloudy after 30 minutes, repeat the procedure. Use a container that has a cap or cover for disinfecting and storing water to be used for drinking. This will prevent contamination; or
  • Use bottled water, especially for mixing baby formula.

After the flooding subsides:

  • Disinfect your well using the procedures available from your local health department or
  • provided on the Department of Health at http://www.doh.state.fl.us/environment/water/manual/floodinf.htm; and
  • Have your water tested by your local health department or by a laboratory certified by the State to perform a drinking water analysis for coliform bacteria.

For further information, please contact your local county health department or visit www.doh.state.fl.us or www.FloridaDisaster.org. The Florida Emergency Information Line: 1-800-342-3557.

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Information provided by the Florida Department of Health