The Lake County Health Department and Community Health Center issued a statement this week reminding residents with private water wells and septic systems to take precautions to avoid health risks following last month’s flooding.
“Floodwaters often contain bacteria or other contaminants that can cause illness. Floodwater may have contaminated water wells and caused septic systems to fail,” health department officials said in the statement, adding that free water-sample analysis is being offered through Sept. 7 for residents whose water wells were submerged or surrounded by floodwater.
“Residents may pick up sterile bottles to be filled and returned for analysis at the Lake County Central Permit Facility, 500 W. Winchester Road, Libertyville,” the statement added. “Many township and village offices in the county also offer the water testing kits. Please call your village or township to see if they have bottles available.”
According to the statement, residents should assume that if their well was submerged under flood waters, the water is contaminated.
“Do not drink or cook with the well water until it is determined the water does not contain bacteria. In the meantime, use retail bottled water for drinking and cooking needs,” the statement added, with officials recommending that residents flush the well and plumbing by running a hose for an hour or more.
Homeowners are also advised by the department to hire a licensed well contractor to evaluate and properly disinfect the well. The department is posting a list of well contractors at http://www.lakecountyil.gov/DocumentCenter/View/18202.
If the well was not submerged but floodwaters surrounded the well, the statement added, residents should flush the well and plumbing by running a hose for an hour or more, and still collect a water sample and submit it to the health department for analysis.
According to the statement, residents who suspect their septic system might have been damaged should contact a septic system contractor for an inspection and service. A list of licensed contractors has been posted by the department at http://www.lakecountyil.gov/DocumentCenter/View/9966.
“During heavy rains and flooding, septic tanks, aerobic units, lift stations, and holding tanks can fill with silt and debris. Fats may also float and plug the outlet of the tank,” the statement added. “Your system may need professional cleaning after floodwaters recede.”
Residents who suspect their septic systems were damaged by floodwater are also advised by the department to avoid contact with septic system electrical devices. Officials also recommended reducing non-essential water use — including showering, flushing toilets and running dishwashers — if a septic system shows signs of not working properly.
Signs of damage to a septic system include sinks and/or toilets draining slowly; floor drains overflowing; sewage becoming visible on the ground outside the home; or soil settling around the septic tank, according to the statement.
More information on water wells and septic systems is available by calling the Lake County Health Department’s Environmental Health Services at (847) 377-8020.
