| Flood
waters can wash dangerous contaminants into your well water
supply. Water testing can detect them and pave the way for
the right water filter to remove them.
As is common this time of year, many parts of North America
have experienced severe flooding as a result of the record
rainfalls and spring thawing.
Many rivers, lakes and streams become swollen and flood hundreds
of square miles in the central U.S. during this time. The
resulting flood waters pose a health danger for anyone with
a private well. The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA),
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the Health
Department all strongly urge well owners within these flooded
areas to test their drinking water immediately.
People living in these flooded areas should take precautions
to determine if their wells have been contaminated. Flooding
will literally wash the land surface of many harmful contaminants,
and will transport these pollutants across many miles. As
the underground aquifers that feed all private wells are recharged
by surface water, flooding poses a tremendous risk to ground
water quality.
Chemical and Biological Contaminants
Besides the risk of chemical contamination, naturally occurring
biological contaminants, such as bacteria, viruses and parasites,
are transported by flood waters and can enter into private
wells. Water-borne contaminants can enter private wells through
loose-fitting well caps or by seeping down along a well’s
shaft casing. The result is contaminated water that is unsafe
for drinking, bathing, brushing teeth and preparing food.
Shallow wells and wells found in low-lying areas are especially
susceptible to flood contamination.
AquaMD urges the owners of private wells to check their wells
for signs of contamination and to test their water with a
certified laboratory. If contamination is detected, the actual
well water and home's plumbing system should be disinfected
using treatment chemicals.
If well owners notice ANY change in their water quality--odor,
color, sediment, taste, etc.--they must assume that their
drinking water is contaminated and conduct a certified test
immediately (however, please also be aware that many contaminants
cannot be detected by human senses).
Wells That Don’t Appear Flooded are Also Vulnerable
Just because your own well has not experienced severe flooding,
you should not assume your water is safe. Underground aquifers
are often replenished by surface water run-off coming from
many miles away. Even though your well may not have been flooded,
other nearby wells that also tap into your aquifer may have
been flooded. In the case of shallow wells, your water is
vulnerable to contamination entering shallow aquifers through
cracks and crevices, if the surrounding area becomes flooded.
Water and health experts all agree that if well contamination
is even suspected, you should obtain water for drinking and
cooking from a safe source, like an emergency community water
supply or bottled water. Boiling water can provide protection
against bacterial contamination, but may not protect against
an assortment of chemicals, like Volatile Organic Compounds
(VOCs), herbicides or pesticides.
To summarize, if your area has experienced severe flooding
recently, you really should have your well water tested before
resuming normal use. It's just good common sense.
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