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Wisconsin Department of Health Services

Flood Home

Prepare for a Flood - ReadyWI (exit DHS)

Re-entering Your Home

Mold: Residents Contractors

Drinking Water

Sewer and  Waste Water

Other Resources for Residents

Health Professionals

 

Flooding - Drinking Water Issues

Test Your Well Water

For Private Well Testing Kits, contact your
  local public health department.

Municipal water users

  • Turn on and run faucets for at least five minutes before using water for drinking or food preparation. 

  • If a "boil water" notice is issued, follow any directions given by the Department of Natural Resources.

Private Well Owners

  • Private well owners whose well has been flooded should wait until the floodwaters have receded and then test the well.
  • Do not use water from a private well that has been or is flooded. 
  • Whenever you notice a change in water quality, or anytime there’s been flooding near your well, have your well tested for bacteria contamination. 
  • For information on how to sample your water, go to the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (DNR). (exit DHS) If you want to obtain the sample yourself, a well water testing kit is available at your local public health department. 
  • If contamination is found, disinfect your well/water supply. (exit DHS) 
  • Until the test results are known, there are procedures you can follow to ensure safe drinking water:  
    • Drink bottled water or water from a known, safe, source. 
    • If necessary, you can make water safe to drink by boiling water for five minutes.
  • When in doubt, if the water is CLOUDY, ODOROUS, COLORED - DO NOT DRINK THE WATER!

  • For more information, go to the Water Issues page.

Disinfecting Your Well and Water System

Private wells can become contaminated in a number of different ways (flooding, insects, soil entry, etc.). 

  • Whenever you notice a change in water quality, or anytime there has been flooding near your well, have your well sampled for coliform bacteria contamination. Coliform bacteria are indicators of surface water or fecal (sewage) contamination. When this occurs, the well and water system will need to be disinfected.
  • Once an inspection has determined that your water system is free from any sources of apparent contamination, you should disinfect the well.

The Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources website provides procedures for well disinfection:

For more information, contact your local public health department.

Last Revised: May 07, 2012