Flooding - Sewer and Surface Water
Do NOT swim or bathe in rivers, streams, creeks, or lakes in flooded
areas!
Surface Water
Flood waters may contain many contaminates, such as sewage,
fertilizer, manure, gasoline, pesticides, hazardous materials, and other
potential toxins. Surface water may also contain large pieces of debris,
such as tree limbs, metal objects, sharp objects like nails and glass,
fence posts, pieces of fencing, etc.
Your family and pets should NOT have contact with potentially
contaminated floodwater.
For public beaches and access points to surface water, contact your
local parks department or local health department for monitoring
information at these sites. Additional
recreational
water testing can be found at at the Wisconsin State Lab of Hygiene
webpage.
Private Sewage Systems
Private sewage systems that are flooded are no longer reliable.
Portable toilets or other facilities should be used. For information on sewage systems affected by a flood,
contact your local
zoning office, code administrator, or sanitary inspection office.
More information is available at the
Environmental
Protection Agency (EPA) (exit DHS).
Sewage
may back flow from your septic or municipal system through floor
drains, toilets, etc. Any affected areas, such as basements, must be
cleaned and disinfected, as with a chlorine solution. Anything that
cannot be cleaned should be thrown out.
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