What to do if your well is flooded

September 28, 2022

What to do if your well is flooded

Connect:
Cynthia Leckey, EH director
brevard.ehs@flhealth.gov
321-633-2100

Vieira, F.L.Heavy rains and floods make your tap water safe. If you are unsure about the safety of your well water, use commercially bottled water, contaminated water, or boiled and chilled water for drinking, making drinks or ice, cooking, brushing your teeth, washing dishes, and washing close wounds.

Use commercially bottled water to mix baby formula

For safety reasons, you can clean tap water using the procedures below. Do not rely on unproven methods to pollute water. If the water is cloudy, let it settle and filter it with a clean cloth, paper towel or coffee filter. This helps the disinfection process. If you have any extra water, store it in properly sealed containers (see waterproofing information).

It is the method of choice to pollute water Pour water.

• Bring water to a boil for at least one minute to kill harmful bacteria and parasites.
• To improve the flat taste of boiled water, add a pinch of salt (depending on your health) to every liter or liter of water, or pour the water from one clean container to another clean container several times.

Use if boiling is not possible Household bleach.

• Add 1/8 teaspoon or eight drops of an odorless household cleaner (four to six percent strength) to a gallon of water for about a dime-sized puddle.
  • Do not use paint safe cleaners or cleaners with additional cleaners.
• If a higher strength bleach is used (up to 8.25 percent strength), add only six drops.
• Mix the solution and let it stand for 30 minutes.
• If the water is cloudy after 30 minutes, repeat the process once more.
• If the chlorine taste is too strong, pour the water from one clean container to another and let it sit for a few hours before using.

It can also be used Other immune systems.

Note: Each product may have a different strength, so follow the instructions on the product label.

• Five drops of iodine (two percent tincture) can be diluted in every liter or liter of water.
  Note: as if CDCIodized water is not recommended for pregnant women, people with thyroid problems, those with high exposure to iodine or for more than a few weeks in a row.
• If the water is cloudy or colored, add 10 drops of iodine.
• Stir and let the water stand for at least 30 minutes before use.
• Waterproof tablets containing chlorine, iodine, chlorine dioxide, or other disinfecting agents (available at sporting goods departments or stores).

Water tanks should be washed with a solution of one tablespoon of bleach per gallon of water before use..

If your well has flooded, please call the Florida Department of Health (DOH) in Brevard County (DOH-Brevard) at 321-633-2100 or brevard.ehs@flhealth.gov For information on how to sample your water and where to bring the sample for bacteriological testing. If the test shows bacteria, it is necessary to disinfect the well and the water system.

It is important to clean both well and tap water with an unscented household cleaner to ensure that all infectious agents (germs) are killed. If you have water treatment equipment, remove all covers, cartridges and filters. Replace with a new one after the disinfection process is completed.

The Department recommends the following measures to decontaminate the contaminated well:

• If the water changes color Run the water until it runs clear for up to 10 minutes before adding the cleaner.
  • If the water does not drain after a while, wait until you have clean water before proceeding, this means that the well may still be damaged by flooding.
• Turn off the pump.
• Turn off and then turn off Your hot water heater, because bleach is ineffective in water above 105 degrees.
• Remove All covers, cartridges and filters.
• Replace the removed items After the disinfection process is completed, with the new ones.
• To increase pollution Clean the work area around the top of the well, during disinfection.
  • Remove grease and mineral deposits from parts accessible from the wellhead.
  • Wash exterior surfaces with 1/2 cup of unscented household cleaner in five gallons of water.
• Clean the pump. Remove the cap on the rubber seal or the hole plug.
  • There are many types of manhole caps and plugs. Contact a licensed well driller if you have questions.
  • If you have a jet pump, you can contact a licensed well driller for advice on disinfection procedures.
• Consult the beach chart below and pour the recommended amount of standard unscented bleach (4 to 8.25 percent strength) solution into the well.
  • Try to wear the sides of the cover when pouring.
• If you find bleach on the pump or cordRinse thoroughly with clean water to prevent rotting later.

Conversions: 8 ounces = 1 cup; 16 oz = 1 pint or = 2 cups; 24 oz = 3 cups; 32 ounces = 1 quart; 48 ounces = 1.5 quarts; 64 oz = 2 quarts; 80 ounces = 2.5 quarts; 96 ounces = 3 quarts.

• Re-cap or plug The well is opened and wait 30 minutes.
• Turn on and turn on the pump again if necessary.
  • Open all the faucets on the system one by one.
  • To limit the amount of water entering the septic system, especially if the drainage area is flooded, start with the outside pipes.
  • Allow the water to drain until there is a distinct smell of bleach.
  • You may also want to flush the toilets.
  • If you have outdoor faucets, you may want to divert the water away from sensitive plants.
  • If you cannot detect the odor of the bleach, repeat the disinfection process.
• Turn off all the pipes and allow the cleaner to remain in the system for at least eight hours.
• Backwash water softenersSand filters and metal removal filters in waste water.
• Open all the taps again And pour the water until there is no smell of bleach – up to 15 minutes.
  • Again, start from the outside, approach the hole first.
  • This will limit the amount of both bleach and water from entering and possibly the septic tank and drain field.

Is the water safe now?

Although chlorine bleach is effective against most microorganisms, it does not remove chemical contaminants that may enter your well. If chemical contamination occurs, use commercially bottled water until a safe water source is available. Contact DOH-Brevard at 321-633-2100 or brevard.ehs@flhealth.gov For sampling instructions to test your water.

About the Florida Department of Health

Department, nationally at Public Health Accreditation BoardIt works with state, county and community efforts to protect, promote and improve the health of all people in Florida.

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