12 años en Delaware • 1996 - 2008 • 12 years in Delaware

Private well owners should test floooded wells

Flooding can introduce impurities to both public and private drinking water sources. Property owners whose homes, rental units and businesses are supplied water from an individual private well should be aware of potential health hazards should their wells become submerged. This is especially critical for drinking water wells with wellheads that are above ground. Buried wells are less susceptible to the affects of flooding and are not likely to be adversely impacted.

If you suspect your drinking water wellhead has become flooded, take the following precautions:

• Boil tap water for one minute and let it cool before drinking or using it to cook, bathe or wash dishes. By boiling the water, you should avoid becoming ill from bacteria or other microorganisms that may have contaminated the well. Or -
• Purchase enough bottled water to provide one gallon per person per day.
• Test your well water before using it. DPH provides drinking water test kits to detect contamination from bacteria and nitrates.

Test kits will be available at the following sites for $4 a kit:

• Limestone Building, 2005 Limestone Rd., Suite 300, Wilmington (302) 995-8650
• Tom Collins Building, 540 S. DuPont Highway, Suite 5, Dover (302) 744-1220
• Delaware Public Health Laboratory, 30 Sunnyside Rd., Smyrna (302) 653-2870
• Georgetown State Service Center, 544 S. Bedford St., Georgetown (302) 856-5496

If you are on a municipal drinking water system, please contact the Delaware DPH Office of Drinking Water, Blue Hen Corporate Center, 655 Bay Road, Suite 203, Dover, DE 19901 at 302-741-8590

For more information, go to www.dhss.delaware.gov/dhss/dph/index.html

Delaware Health and Social Services is committed to improving the quality of the lives of Delaware's citizens by promoting health and well-being, fostering self-sufficiency, and protecting vulnerable populations.