DON’T USE WELL WATER IF YOUR WELL IS FLOODED: HEALTH UNIT
MUSKOKA — Anyone in flooded areas with a private well that may been flooded is advised to switch to bottled water for drinking or cooking or even washing dishes.
And don’t bother boiling. That won’t help you if your well water is contaminated.
The message is: Stay away from well water all together if your well site has been covered by flood water.
That’s what the Simcoe Muskoka District Health Unit said in a water advisory on Wednesday.
They are telling residents, in a release Thursday, to use an alternate water supply for any of the following purposes:
- drinking, gargling, brushing teeth or rinsing their mouth
- making baby food or infant formula
- washing dishes
- washing fruits, vegetables and other food
- or making any meals, drinks or ice.
Their release April 24 said that during a flood there is an increased risk that drinking water wells may become contaminated with bacteria and/or any other contaminants that may be present in the flood water.
Officials say any well water system, whether deep or shallow, can become contaminated when flooding occurs.
This precautionary drinking water advisory remains in effect until further notice.
Once the flood waters recede, residents with a private water supply that has been affected by flooding should test their drinking water supply, and disinfect their well to ensure the water supply is safe for drinking.
Sample bottles for well water testing can be picked up and dropped off at health unit in Gravenhurst or Huntsville.
For more information on managing flooded property visit www.smdhu.org/flood, or call 705-721-7520 or 1-877-721-7520 weekdays from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
See the attached link for more information, specifically the section on these types of water advisories with wells and flooding.
