Widespread flooding could lead to contamination concerns for private well water.
State officials are urging residents who rely on private wells for drinking water to be careful. DNR water supply specialist Marty Nessman says wells should be inspected to see if any flood water overtopped it or flowed past the location. If that appears to be the case, Nessman says the water should be tested.
Nessman says flood waters can let harmful bacteria into wells, which require chlorine treatments to eliminate. He says wells in pits or below grade areas are particularly at risk.
Water sampling kits are available through the state Laboratory of Hygiene or local health departments. However, Nessman says you can skip testing if you know your well was submerged by flood waters. If that's the case, he says you should go ahead and just have the water treated right away, then test the water afterwards.