Is Your Water Safe After a Storm?
Our country has been devastated by a natural disaster, Hurricane Ian. Hurricane Ian was a large, deadly, destructive Category 4 Atlantic hurricane that caused widespread damage across western Cuba and the southeast United States, especially the states of Florida and South Carolina. Although you may be in survival mode there is a lot to consider at this time and drinking water safety is high on the list.
It is important that you protect you, your family and pets from illness or death from unsafe water.
- Do not use water you suspect it is contaminated to drink, wash dishes, brush your teeth, wash and prepare food, wash your hands, make ice, or make baby formula.
- Use bottled, boiled, or treated water for drinking, cooking, and personal hygiene.
- Follow your state, local, or health department for specific recommendations regarding boiling or treating water in your area.
- Avoid drinking alcohol. Alcohol dehydrates the body, which increases the need for drinking water.
After an emergency, especially after flooding, drinking water may not be available or safe to drink.
Floods and other disasters can damage drinking water wells and lead well contamination. Floodwater can contaminate well water with livestock waste, human sewage, chemicals, and other contaminants that can lead to illness when used for drinking, bathing, and other hygiene activities. Never use water from radiators or boilers that are part of your home heating system.
It is safest to drink bottled water until you are certain your water is free of contaminants and safe to drink.
- If your water comes from a private well that has been flooded, consider the following guidance for making water safe until you are certain your water is free of contaminants and safe to drink.
- If extensive flooding has occurred or you suspect your well may be contaminated, DO NOT drink the water. Use a safe water supply like bottled or treated water.
- Contact your local, state, or health department for specific advice on wells and testing. (Call 866-928-3795 about testing your water)
Water often can be made safe to drink by boiling, adding disinfectants, or filtering.
Water contaminated with fuel or toxic chemicals, or radioactive material will not be made safe by boiling or disinfection. Use a different source of water if you know or suspect that water might be contaminated with fuel or toxic chemicals. If you suspect your water is contaminated with fuel or chemicals, contact your local health department for specific advice.
If you don’t have safe bottled water, you should boil water to make it safe. Boiling is the surest method to make water safer to drink by killing disease-causing organisms, including viruses, bacteria, and parasites.
- Filter it through a clean cloth, paper towel, or coffee filter, OR allow it to settle.
- Draw off the clear water.
- Bring the clear water to a rolling boil for 1 minute (at elevations above 6,500 feet, boil for 3 minutes).
- Let the boiled water cool.
- Store the boiled water in clean, sanitized containers with tight covers.
Possible water sources:
- Water from your home’s water heater tank (part of your drinking water system, not your home heating system)
- Melted ice cubes made with water that was not contaminated
- Water from your home’s toilet tank (not from the bowl), if it is clear and has not been chemically treated with toilet cleaners such as those that change the color of the water
- Liquid from canned fruit and vegetables
- Water from swimming pools and spas that hasn’t been contaminated with floodwater or stormwater can be used for personal hygiene, cleaning, and related uses. Do not drink water from swimming pools or spas.
Listen to reports from local officials for advice on water precautions in your home.
Water Testing
We rely on water in more ways than we realize. Major health concerns as well as economic impact relating to equipment maintenance and life are related to water quality and we believe it is important to know what is in yours. We conduct free ($120.00 Value), in-home or business water analysis. Contact us today for your free water analysis. 866-928-3795
