For
immediate release:
July 26, 2010
DNR RECOMMENDS
CHECKING PRIVATE WELL WATER SAFETY IN NORTHEAST IOWA
MEDIA CONTACTS: Russ Tell at
(515) 725-0462 or [log in to unmask].
DES
MOINES—Private
drinking water wells in flooded areas in northeast Iowa could potentially be
contaminated and should be checked for safety.
“Most
important, if floodwaters overtopped the well and flowed into it, well owners
should call an Iowa-certified well contractor to make sure it’s safe to operate
the pump and the well, said Russ Tell, an environmental specialist with the
DNR’s private well program. They can also help you determine what other
work needs to be done so that your well stands the best chance to recover from
the rain and flood event.”
Trying
to operate a flooded well can result in electrical shock, injury or damage to
the well.
A flooded well also means the water is unsafe to drink.
“Don’t use the water for drinking, cooking, bathing or livestock until the water
has been tested,” he said. “You should find an alternative source for
your water needs.”
Even
if the well hasn’t been flooded, it could be contaminated with human pathogens.
If a private well is close to one that was flooded, contaminants could enter the
unflooded well through the ground water.
Well
owners can contact their local county sanitarian or county health department for
testing. Testing may be available at reduced or no cost under the Grants
to Counties Well Program.
If
tests show the well has been contaminated, the DNR advises pumping the well
until the water is clear, and then shock chlorinating the well. Well owners
should flush the chlorinated water through all of the pipes, running chlorinated
water out every faucet, toilet, livestock waterers and other points of use. Then
the test should be repeated to ensure the well water is safe.
Instructions for shock
chlorination, a list of county sanitarians and more information are available on
the DNR website at http://www.iowadnr.gov/water/wells/index.html.
With the recent heavy rains and flooding in northeast Iowa,
the private wells most
likely to be affected are in the following counties: Black Hawk, Bremer,
Buchanan, Clayton, Delaware, Dubuque, Fayette, Jackson and Jones counties. Karst
terrain is common in some of these counties, allowing flood waters a direct
conduit to ground water.
“Depending upon how the well
was constructed, the shallower wells located in karst terrain may be
more vulnerable to contamination,” he said. “If there’s any doubt, you
should test your well water. We recommend that all private well owners
test their well water at least once per year, or more often if you notice
changes in the water clarity or quality.”
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Karen Grimes
Information Specialist
DNR Communications Bureau
(515) 281-5135