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Residential Well Flooding? Read This Before Drinking the Water!

Four generations of experience installing, maintaining and
repairing wells throughout Utah and Wyoming.
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Residential Well Flooding

Your residential well probably doesn’t occupy your thoughts too often.

You may schedule your annual maintenance inspection and quality testing but, other than that, you may not give the well a second thought as long as water is flowing into your home.

But if the water starts flowing outside – and if your home is hit with flooding – you definitely need to give your well some attention before you use the water.

Flooded Residential Well Water May Not Be Safe

If flooding occurs near your well or, worse, if it has covered the top of the casing, you must assume that the well is contaminated.

The water may not be safe to drink, and it should not be used for cooking, bathing or brushing your teeth until taking the proper precautions.

That means you’ll need to find another source of safe water to use until your residential well can be treated. Bottled water is the go-to choice, but some homeowners opt to boil their water instead. If you decide to go with boiling, heat the water until it comes to a full rolling boil, and then let it continue at a full boil for at least two minutes.

Don’t be tempted to use your household water as it is, even it if looks clear. Sewage and bacteria can seep into your well or into the groundwater during a flood, polluting your well and leaving your family with severe gastrointestinal problems.

Disinfecting Your Residential Well

So, what do you need to do when flooding reaches your home?

Once the flood waters have receded, the entire system must be cleaned of sediment and disinfected. You can disinfect yourself; however, you’ll be working with water and electricity, so you’ll need to use safety precautions. In addition, you’ll need to use strong chemicals.

The disinfection process involves several steps, each of which must be done carefully and in strict accordance with proper procedures. Failure to do so can result in physical harm or injury and, after it’s all over, your well still may not be safe,

Consequently, most homeowners elect to hire a well contractor to make sure the job is done safely and correctly.

Testing Your Residential Well Water

After the disinfection process is complete, your water must be tested for bacteria. Water samples are collected and submitted to a certified laboratory for analysis. If you plan to handle this process yourself, it’s critical that you follow the lab’s instructions and use a special container for the water sample.

The contractor who handles your disinfection can also take care of your water quality testing.

Either way, don’t use any water until you have received word from the lab or your contractor that it is free of bacterial contamination.

For emergencies like these, call on the professionals at Mike Zimmerman Well Service LLC. Serving Utah and South Wyoming, The Z Team can ensure the safety of your water. Contact us today for any questions or service you may need for your residential well.