DOH-Palm Beach Urges Private Well Owners to Have Wells Tested Following Recent Flooding

Contact: Public Information Office • [email protected] • 561-671-4013

The Florida Department of Health in Palm Beach County (DOH-Palm Beach) urges private well owners to get their wells tested following recent flooding. Heavy rainfall and flooding associated with storms can contaminate private wells and pose potential health and safety risks.

DOH-Palm Beach's Environmental Laboratory offers well owners quick and easy testing solutions to ensure safe drinking water.

What Should I Do if My Well is Flooded?

If floodwaters have reached your well, if you notice any change in the appearance or taste of your water, or if you are unsure about the impact of flooding on the water quality in your area, you should boil water you use for drinking, making beverages, cooking, brushing teeth, washing dishes, and washing areas of the skin that have been cut or injured (be sure to cool water first). Water should be brought to a rolling boil for at least one minute. Bottled water can also be used for all of these purposes.

Is My Water Safe to Drink After the Flooding Subsides?

No. If your well has been flooded, you should first contact DOH-Palm Beach for information on how to sample your water and where to bring the sample for bacteriological testing. If the test reveals bacteria, the well and water system need to be disinfected.

Water Laboratory Testing Services

The Florida Department of Health Environmental Laboratory in West Palm Beach is a NELAP-certified laboratory that provides microbiological testing services, including total Coliform and E. coli analysis in drinking water.

The cost for drinking water bacteriological testing is $30 per analysis, and an official report with the results will be provided the day after the sample is received.

The laboratory also offers sample collection services for an additional fee, including on-site pH and chlorine measurements.

For more information, please contact The Florida Department of Health Environmental Laboratory in West Palm Beach at [email protected] or 561-822-4553.

How Do I Disinfect My Well?

It is important to disinfect both the well and plumbing with chlorine bleach to ensure that all infectious agents are killed. If you have water treatment devices, remove all membranes, cartridges and filters, and replace them after the chlorination process is completed.

Use chlorine bleach for well and plumbing system disinfection. The amount of chlorine and the length of time you allow it to remain in your system are equally important. Common unscented laundry bleach can be used effectively as a chlorine disinfectant. Do not use scented bleach or bleaches containing other additives. The bleach should be diluted with 10 parts water. For example, dilute one (1) cup bleach with 10 cups water before pouring it into your well.

1. If water is discolored before chlorination, run water until clear for up to 10 minutes.
2. Turn off and then drain hot water heater - chlorine is not effective in water above 105 degrees.
3. Remove and replace charcoal filters after the chlorination process is completed.
4. To avoid adding contamination to well during disinfection, first clean work area around top of well. Remove grease and mineral deposits from accessible parts of well head and flush outside surfaces with 1/2 cup laundry bleach in five (5) gallons water.
5. Turn off pump. Remove cap, or well plug, on rubber seal. There are many types of well caps and plugs. If you have questions, contact a licensed well driller. If you have a submersible pump, contact a licensed well driller for advice on disinfection procedures.
6. Pour recommended amount of bleach solution into well. Try to coat sides of casing as you pour. If you get chlorine on pump or wiring, flush it thoroughly with fresh water to prevent corrosion.
7. Re-cap or plug well opening and wait 30 minutes.
8. Turn on, and, if needed, reprime pump. Open all faucets on system one by one. Allow water to run until there is a noticeable smell of chlorine. Flush toilets. If you have outside faucets, direct water away from sensitive plants. If you cannot detect a chlorine odor, re-chlorinate well.
9. Turn off all faucets and allow chlorine to remain in system for at least eight (8) hours.
10. Backwash water softeners, sand filters, and iron removal filters with chlorinated water.
11. Again, open all faucets and run water until there is no chlorine smell for up to 15 minutes.

Is It Safe Now?

The only way to verify that 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 could have gotten into your well.

Contact The Florida Department of Health Environmental Laboratory in West Palm Beach for sampling instructions to get your water tested at [email protected] or 561-822-4553.