Precautions for Private Well Owners

The Florida Department of Health (DOH) advises private well owners affected by flood waters to take precautions against disease-causing organisms that may make water unsafe to drink.

DOH recommends one of the following: 

• Boil water before use, holding it at rolling boil for at least one minute before using it for drinking, brushing teeth, washing food, cooking, or washing dishes.
• Disinfect water by adding 8 drops (about 1/8 tsp – this would form a puddle about the size of a dime) of plain, unscented household bleach (4 to 6 percent active ingredient) per gallon of water, and then let it stand for 30 minutes. If the water is cloudy after 30 minutes, repeat the procedure once. Use a container that has a cap or cover for disinfecting and storing water to be used for drinking. This will prevent contamination.
• Use bottled water, especially for mixing baby formula.

After the flooding subsides:  

Disinfect your well using the procedures provided by your county or state health department:
https://www.floridahealth.gov/environmental-health/private-well-testing/index.html 

You may also visit the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s website for instructions:
https://www.epa.gov/privatewells 

If available, have your water tested through your county health department or by a laboratory certified by the state to perform a drinking water analysis for coliform bacteria.

For more information, please contact us at 904-253-1270 or visit www.floridahealth.gov or www.FloridaDisaster.org.