Hurricane Irma Could Contaminate Public Water Supply

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Volusia County, FL - Volusia County residents are strongly encouraged to listen to public service announcements about the safety of the municipal water supply. Currently the water is safe to drink. However, heavy rainfall from Hurricane Irma may contaminate the public water supply, especially if accompanied by a tidal surge or flooding. During and after the storm, water treatment plants may not be operating. Even if they are functional, storm damage and flooding can contaminate water lines. Drinking contaminated water may cause illness. Individuals should not assume the water in the storm-affected area is safe to drink.

Flooded wells needs to be tested and disinfected after the storm passes and the floodwaters recede. The only way to verify the water is safe to drink is to have it tested. Although chlorine bleach is effective against microorganisms, it will not remove chemical contamination that may have gotten into your well.

Water for Drinking and Cooking

Safe drinking water includes bottled, boiled or treated water. General rules concerning water for drinking and cooking are:

  • Do not use contaminated water to wash dishes, brush your teeth, wash and prepare food or make ice.
  • If you use bottled water, know where it came from. Otherwise, water should be boiled or treated before use. Drink only bottled, boiled or treated water until your supply is tested and deemed safe.
  • Boiling water kills harmful bacteria and parasites. Bringing water to a rolling boil for one minute will kill infectious organisms (germs).
  • Water may be treated with chlorine by mixing eight drops (1/8 teaspoon; about the size of a dime) of unscented, ordinary household chlorine bleach (4-6 percent active ingredients) per gallon of water. Mix the solution thoroughly, and let stand for about 30 minutes. Use a container that has a cap or cover for disinfecting and storing water to be used for drinking. This will prevent contamination. However, this treatment will not kill parasitic organisms that may have entered a flooded well. Iodine or other disinfection tablets available at sporting goods stores may also be used.

Containers for water should be rinsed with a bleach solution before reusing them (one tablespoon bleach per gallon of water). Use water storage tanks and other types of containers with caution. For example, fire truck storage tanks as well as previously used cans or bottles may be contaminated with microbes or chemicals. Do not rely on untested devices for decontaminating water.

How do I disinfect my well?

It is important to disinfect both well and plumbing water with unscented household bleach to ensure that all infectious agents are destroyed. If you have water treatment devices, remove all membranes, cartridges, and filters and replace them after the chlorination process is completed. The amount of chlorine determines the length of time you allow the bleach to remain in your system. DOH recommends the following steps to disinfect a contaminated well:

  • If the water is discolored before adding the bleach, run the water until it is clear for up to 10 minutes.
  • Turn off and then drain your hot water heater— bleach is not effective in water above 105 degrees.
  • Remove and replace charcoal filters after the disinfecting process is completed.
  • To avoid adding contamination to the well during disinfection, clean the work area around the top of the well. Then, remove grease and mineral deposits from accessible parts of the well head and flush the outside surfaces with 1/2 cup of unscented household bleach in 5 gallons of water.
  • Turn off the pump. Remove the cap or the well plug on the rubber seal. There are many types of well caps and plugs. If you have questions, you should contact a licensed well driller. If you have a submersible pump, you may also want to contact a licensed well driller for advice on disinfection procedures.

Try to coat the sides of the casing as you pour in one gallon of unscented household bleach (4-8.28% strength). If you get chlorine on the pump or wiring, flush it thoroughly with fresh water to prevent later corrosion.

  • Re-cap or plug the well opening and wait 30 minutes.
  • Turn on and, if needed, re-prime the pump. Open all of the faucets on the system one at a time. Allow the water to run until there is a noticeable smell of bleach. You may also want to flush the toilets. If you have outside faucets, you may want to direct the water away from sensitive plants. If you cannot detect a bleach odor, repeat the disinfecting process.
  • Turn off all of the faucets and allow the bleach to remain in the system for at least eight hours.
  • Backwash water softeners, sand filters, and iron removal filters with bleach water.
  • Again, open all the faucets and run the water until there is no bleach smell—for up to 15 minutes.

For information, please call the Department of Health in Volusia County at 386-274-0714.