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Flooding: Information for Homeowners About Private Wells, Sewage and Clean-Up

  

 

Flooding wells should be considered contaminated and disinfected before homeowners resume using them.

 

Those most at risk would include water sources that are in areas where flooding has occurred and is imminent, such as drilled wells located in well pits where groundwater tables have risen in the pit above the top of the well head, and shallow wells or springs located down gradient from open pollution sources such as agricultural or animal waste run-off or nearby septic systems.  Other indicators of pollution may include water discoloration or unusual taste or odor to your private water supply.

 

Homeowners should frequently check their water sources before storms, and shortly after, to make sure that their wells are safe from pollution and possible contamination.  If you feel that your water supply may be contaminated, disinfection of the source followed by water sampling (both bacteriological & certain chemical parameters) is encouraged.
 
 You should also contact your local health department or the DPH Private Well Program at (860) 509-8401 for additional advice if necessary.  If you notice any unusual changes to the water (color, taste or odor), precautionary measures should be taken such as using bottled water for drinking and cooking until water testing is done to find if contamination is present in the water supply.
 
For more information about private wells, flooding and the disinfection of wells, please visit the DPH Private Well Program website at www.ct.gov/dph/privatewells or call (860) 509-8401 or send an email to DPH.PrivateWellProgram@ct.gov.
 

Additional Resources

Information for Homeowners with Private Wells:
Information about Sewage:
Information About Clean-up After a Flood:
Flood Insurance Information:
Other Links: