Hurricanes cause flooding. Flooding can wash dangerous contaminants into your well water supply. Water testing can detect what is in your well water so you can select the proper water filter to treat the problem.

Just over the past six weeks, 2004 has quickly become known as the "Year of the Hurricane." You'd have to be living in a cave not to have heard about all the turmoil that Charley, Francis and Ivan have caused so far in the United States alone. With the end of the hurricane season coming soon, let's hope all the rest will take it easy on us.

As most of us have seen on the news -- and some of us have experienced first hand -- hurricanes can devastate property and the surrounding environment. But what you don't see on CNN or the Weather Channel is the impact a powerful storm can have on water supplies in hard-hit areas.

When accompanied by flooding or tidal surges, hurricanes can contaminate a town's water supply. As we know, consuming contaminated water can cause serious illness, so you should never assume that the water in the hurricane-impacted area is safe to drink.

Another thing to consider is that in areas affected by a hurricane, even the water treatment facilities may not be operating properly. Moreover, the chemicals used to treat everyday water quality may be completely inadequate to handle a drastic increase in contamination. And, even if the water companies are prepared, flooding, tidal surges, storm damage and the resulting debris can contaminate water mains and service lines.

One more obvious hazard: Overflowing sewage systems, which can result in dangerous levels of bacteriological pollution. When in doubt, keep an ear out for public announcements about the safety of the municipal water supply.

For people connected to private wells in areas affected by hurricanes, the scenario is even more urgent. No matter how deep your well is, assume the water is no longer safe to drink. Even if your well has not been flooded, another nearby well that taps into the very same aquifer may have been impacted.

After The Storm Blows Over

Once the storm passes and the floodwaters begin to recede, folks in the hard-hit areas begin to return home. Meanwhile, the high winds and torrential rains from a hurricane have washed pollution and contaminants off the surface and into surrounding lakes, streams and reservoirs. From there, contaminated water will make its way down into the underground aquifers from the surface supplies, where it will affect private wells in the area.

What can you do to safeguard your family?

Make sure you have plenty of bottled water on hand, or at the very least boil your water for at least two minutes prior to drinking it. Although bathing in contaminated water is not ideal, drinking or preparing food with it is out of the question. Don't forget overflowing sewers and septic systems are also a common and dangerous bacterial threat to the surrounding environment and drinking water.

Time To Test

When the water level finally returns to normal, that's the best time to assess the impact to your water quality. Remember, even in something like a hurricane, you will not be able to detect many harmful contaminants. That's why you should always use a certified lab to provide the most accurate analysis of your water quality. In fact, wherever you go, make sure the lab you use conducts certified testing.

Once water quality problems are identified, you can take appropriate action. Private well disinfection, boiling water, filtration and other forms of treatment can all be useful solutions for improving water quality. The key is to identify the problems upfront.

When in doubt, never assume your water is safe to drink. Be smart, take precautions and protect your family.

Is Your Water Safe? Use AquaMD's Water Diagnostic Service.

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