NEWS
MONTGOMERY COUNTY OFFICE OF COMMUNICATIONS
COURT HOUSE, NORRISTOWN, PA., BOX 311, 19404-0311
PHONE (610) 278-3061 FAX 278-5959
COMMISSIONERS:
THOMAS JAY ELLIS, ESQ. Chairman, JAMES R. MATTHEWS , RUTH S. DAMSKER
RELEASE: IMMEDIATELY 06/28/06 PR#06-30
FLOODED WELLS MAY POSE A HEALTH HAZARD
Properties that get their water supplies from private wells that become flooded could pose a public health hazard and people who use those properties need to take precautions.
Wells inundated by floodwater may be contaminated and should not be used until tested. If your well is flooded, follow these guidelines from the Montgomery County Health Department (MCHD) :
1.) Do not drink the water from your well at this time. Consume only bottled water.
2.) Boil all water for 2 to 5 minutes that you plan to use for consumption. Allow the water to cool sufficiently before use to avoid scalding.
3.) Once the floodwaters have receded, inspect your well to ensure that it has not been damaged. If there is damage, contact a well drilling contractor and continue to drink bottled water until the well is repaired.
4.) As a precautionary measure run the water from an outside garden hose spigot until the water is clear and free of mud and sediments. Water should not be consumed until it is tested and/or shock chlorinated.
5.) Conduct shock chlorination individually or contact a professional well driller or plumbing contractor and have your well disinfected by chlorination. The well must remain unused for 8 to 24 hours once shock chlorination is completed. Purge the water until the chlorine is out of the system. For those choosing to individually conduct shock chlorination treatment, fact sheets are available from the PA Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) website or link through the MCHD website as listed below.
6.) Wait several days after chlorination and have the water tested for potability (safe for drinking).
Please be advised MCHD’s public health laboratory continues to offer free water testing for bacteria. Please contact the lab at 610-278-5117 for further information or access our county website at www.health.montcopa.org or DEP at www.depweb.state.pa.us.
For additional information, contact Kyle Schmeck, Director, Division of Water Quality Management at 610-278-5117, x6725.
