Flooding Precautions Fact Sheet

Water may not be safe to drink, cook or clean with after an emergency such as a flood. During and after flooding, water can become contaminated with  microorganisms such as bacteria, sewage, heating oil, agricultural or industrial waste, chemicals and other substances that can cause serious illness. People with private drinking water wells in flooded areas can take precautions and have their water tested and disinfected after a flood. Well disinfection will not
provide protection from pesticides, heavy metals and other types of non-biological contamination. If such contamination is suspected, due to the nearness of
these contaminant sources, Point-of-Use and Point-of-Entry (POU/POE) – whole house or at the tap water treatment – can be used. To learn more about POU/
POE treatment systems contact a water treatment professional. If a treatment system has already been installed, contact a water treatment professional after a flood to make sure the treatment system is continuing to work properly.