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Public Health Solutions
District Health Department
995 East Hwy 33, Ste 1
Crete, NE 68333-2562
888.310.0565
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After the rains - Test your well!!!!
Heavy rains and rising waters can compromise the health and safety of private drinking water wells. Any well that has been overcome by a flood should be tested for coliform bacteria and other pollutants. If your well was topped by flood waters or you are concerned it may have been affected by the recent storms (i.e. there has been a change in color, odor, taste), you can and should obtain a simple $14 water test for coliform by contacting Tom Dittrick at waterlab@cdhd.ne.gov or 308-385-5175, or contact PHS District Health Department at 888-310-0565.
If you can't get a hold of a test kit, the following are some options for making water safe for drinking, cooking, brushing your teeth, cleaning dishes, washing and preparing food, and making ice:
- Use only bottled water for these purposes.
- Bring your water to a rolling boil for 1 minute (DO NOT DO THIS if your well water has high nitrate levels...boiling water with nitrate levels that are at or approaching 10 will only concentrate the nitrates and make the water more dangerous to drink).
- Add 6 drops (1/8 teaspoon) of unscented household bleach to each gallon of water, and let stand for 30 minutes before using. This method only kills bacterial pathogens. Make sure to rinse any other containers being used to store clean/disinfected drinking water with this bleach solution.
- Use chlorine or iodine water disinfection tablets from your emergency supply kit - follow instructions provided.
Contact PHS District Health Department if you have additional questions about safe drinking water - marcy@phsneb.org, or 888-310-0565.
Additional resource:
Planning and Recovering from a Disaster (DHHS)
[June 2008]
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