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For Immediate Release
Date: August 29, 2017
Contact: Hannah Goering
(847) 377-8099
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Health Risks May Still Be Present for
Residents Impacted by Flooding
Waukegan, Ill. – With flooding cleanup and
recovery efforts well underway, the Lake County Health Department and Community
Health Center reminds residents with private water wells and septic systems to take
precautions to avoid health risks. Floodwaters often contain bacteria or other
contaminants that can cause illness. Floodwater may have contaminated water
wells and caused septic systems to fail.
The health
department is continuing to offer a free water sample analysis until September
7, 2017 for residents whose water wells were submerged or surrounded by
floodwaters. 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. 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.
If the well was submerged under flood waters:
- If your well was submerged
under floodwaters, assume the well 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.
- Flush
the well and plumbing by running a hose (not to septic system) for an hour or
more.
- Hire
a licensed well contractor to evaluate and properly disinfect the well. A list of well contractors can be found at: http://www.lakecountyil.gov/DocumentCenter/View/18202
- Collect
a water sample and submit it to the health department for analysis.
If the well was not submerged but floodwaters surrounded
the well:
- Flush
the well and plumbing by running a hose (not to septic system) for an hour or
more.
- Collect
a water sample and submit it to the health department for analysis.
Tips for
residents on septic systems:
- If you suspect your septic system may have been damaged, contact
a septic system contractor for an inspection and service. A list of licensed
contractors can be found at: http://www.lakecountyil.gov/DocumentCenter/View/9966.
- Avoid contact with septic system electrical
devices.
- Reduce non-essential water use (showering, flushing toilets,
running dishwashers, etc.) if your septic system shows signs of not working
properly (e.g., 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).
- 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. Your system may need professional
cleaning after floodwaters recede.
Do not hesitate to ask questions if you have any
doubts about the safety water and conditions around your home. For more
information on water wells and septic systems, call the Lake County Health Department’s Environmental
Health Services at (847) 377-8020.
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