813F93001
EPA REGION VII IRC
069054
I p f.
PRIVATE WELLS - GUIDANCE FOR WHAT TO DO AFTER THE FLOOD
WARNING ! DO NOT TURN ON THE PUMP
There is danger of electrical shock and damage to your well or pump if they
have been flooded.
WARNING! DO NOT DRINK OR WASH WITH WELL WATER
People drinking or washing with water from a private well that has been
flooded will risk getting sick.
This Guidance is intended to supplement flood precautions issued by State and local
health and environmental departments.
WELL AND PUMP INSPECTION
• Flood Conditions at the Well - Swiftly moving flood water can carry large
debris that could loosen well hardware, dislodge well construction materials
or distort casing. Coarse sediment in the flood waters could erode pump
components. If the well is not tightly capped, sediment and flood water
could enter the well and contaminate it. Wells that are more than 10 years
old or less than 50 feet deep are likely to be contaminated, even if there is
no apparent damage. Floods may cause some wells to collapse.
• Electrical System - After flood waters have receded and the pump and
electrical system have dried, do not turn on the equipment until the wiring
system has been checked by a qualified electrician, well contractor, or
pump contractor. If the pump's control box was submerged during the
flood all electrical components must be dry before electrical service can be
restored. Get Assistance in turning the pump on from a well or pump
contractor.
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Pump Operation - All pumps and their electrical components can be
damaged by sediment and floodwater. The pump including the valves and
gears will need to be cleaned of silt and sand. If pumps are not cleaned
and properly lubricated they can burn out. Get assistance from a well or
pump contractor who will be able to clean, repair or maintain different types
of pumps.
CLEANING THE WELL
Drilled, driven or bored wells - To avoid damage to the well, contact a
well or pump contractor to remove mud, silt and other debris from around
the top of the well. Consult the contractor if you suspect that excessive
mud, silt or sediment has entered the well. The pump may need to be
removed for bailers to remove mud and silt from the bottom of the well.
Dug wells - It is not recommended to attempt to disinfect or use a dug well that
has been flooded.
PUMPING THE WELL
• After the contractor services and cleans the well, pump the well until the
water runs clear to rid the well of flood water. Depending on the size and
depth of the well and extent of contamination, pumping times will vary. If
the water does not run clear, get advice from the county or state health
department or extension service.
EMERGENCY DISINFECTION OF WELLS THAT HAVE BEEN FLOODED
• Drilled, driven or bored wells - These wells are best disinfected by the
well or pump contractor because it is difficult for the private owner to
thoroughly disinfect these wells. However one method that can be tried is:
1. After you are sure that the pump unit and electrical components are
in operating order, pump the well for several hours to reduce
cloudiness and contaminant levels in the water.
2. Pour about four gallons of chlorine bleach solution into the well (one
gallon of bleach mixed with three gallons of clean water). Use
bottles of chlorine bleach that have not been previously opened.
Chlorine bleach substitutes cannot be used. Calcium hypochlorite
may also be used (contact your state or county officials for amount
to use). Pgmp water through all outlets in the plumbing by opening
faucets until water smells of chlorine. If it does not, add more
chlorine bleach to the well.
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3. With all faucets off, let system sit for 24 hours.
4. Turn on the pump by running water from all faucets until the chlorine
odor disappears. Adjust the flow of water faucets or fixtures that
discharge to septic tank systems to low flow to avoid overloading the
septic system.
5. After 10 days, have the water sampled and tested by an approved
laboratory pr health department. This water is not safe for drinking.
6. If the testing indicates contamination, do not use the water for any
purpose unless the water is first disinfected. If testing indicates no
contamination is present, water should be used only for bathing and
washing, not letting the water enter the mouth. This water can be
used for drinking or cooking by disinfecting it. To do this, boil the
water for 3 - 5 minutes or add 10 drops of bleach to one gallon of
water (Mix and let stand for 30 minutes before drinking).
CAUTION: Because of the extensive flood area and the speed and direction of
ground water flow, your well may not be a safe source of water for many months
after the flood. The well can become contaminated with bacteria or other
contaminants. Waste water from malfunctioning septic tanks or chemicals seeping
into the ground can contaminate the ground water even after the water was tested
and found to be safe. It will be necessary to take long range precautions,
including repeated testing, to protect the safety of drinking water.
SAMPLING AND TESTING THE WELL WATER
• Contact the local health department to have well water sampled and tested
for contamination.
• If the health department issues sterile bottles for the private well owner to
collect water samples, follow all instructions for the use of these bottles.
• After the pump is back in operation, the health department should sample
and test the water at regular intervals.
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CONCERNS AND ADVISORIES
If in doubt about the well water supply, follow health department drinking and
bathing advisories.
Remember that there is a danger of electrical shock from any electrical device
that has been flooded; consult a certified electrician. Rubber boots and gloves are
not adequate protection from electric shock.
Well disinfection will not provide protection from pesticides, heavy metals and other
types of non-biological contamination. If such contamination is suspected, due to
the nearness of these contaminant sources, special treatment is required.
Information on home water treatment units (also called point-of-use and point-of-
entry units) is available from U.S. EPA by phoning the Safe Drinking Water
Hotline (1-800-426-4791). If you observe chemical containers (including barrels
and drums) that have moved to your property, call your state or county health
department or the EPA Superfund Hotline (1-800-424-9346).
For information on long-term water quality conditions in the area, consult the state
or county health department. Well owners may have information about the
construction, or testing of their well and this information will be helpful to the health
department in determining water quality conditions.
Septic systems should not be used immediately after floods. Drain fields will not
work until underground water has receded. Septic lines may have broken during
the flood.
Listed below are State flood hotline numbers to call for assistance:
(Note that some states have the same number)
Minnesota 800-621-3362
Wisconsin 800-621 -3362
Missouri 800-853-3362
Iowa 800-858-6918
Illinois 800-820-1125
Nebraska 800-853-3362
South Dakota 800-330-4250
Kansas 800-853-3362
North Dakota 701-250-4501 (Disaster Field Office number to use until hotline
number established)
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