According to the National Weather Service, approximately 133 million people are at risk for flooding in their communities this year, with
roughly 400,000 at risk for moderate flooding.
If there are residential water well owners in your community who are dealing with a water well flooded by hurricane or heavy rains, NGWA has resources available to share with them.
First steps:
- Do not drink the water or wash with it, but use an alternative supply such as bottled water
- Stay away from the well pump while it’s flooded to avoid electrical shock
- Get a qualified water well contractor or pump installer to —
- Clean and turn on the pump
- Flush the well
- Disinfect the well
- Perform any other necessary maintenance
- Check with the local emergency management agency about any guidance relating to local conditions or specific contamination threats due to area flooding.
NGWA recommends that water well system professionals be used to assess and service the well. Encourage residential water well owners to search for NGWA-member or NGWA-certified professionals at WellOwner.org under “Find a Contractor.”
Also share that Wellowner.org also has resources on well flooding that can be accessed throughout the year.
NGWA also encourages water well contractors to review its best suggested practice, Residential Water Well Disinfection Following a Flood Event: Procedures for Water Well System Professionals.
It contains helpful information to use on-site including the inspection of the flooded well for the presence of organic matter; well flushing and cleaning; the proper mix, contact time, and distribution of well disinfection agents; and water
testing intervals.
Please also read the Water Well Journal article, “Responding to Flooded Wells” by Michael Schnieders,
PG, PH-GW.