JACKSONVILLE, Fla. -- The Duval County Health Department is issuing a warning to all private well owners about disease-causing organisms that may make their way into wells, making water unsafe to drink.
The Health Department is recommending residents who use a private well for their water source to use one of the following precautions before using water for drinking, cooking, washing dishes, brushing teeth or making ice:
- Boil water before use, holding it at rolling boil for at least one minute.
- Disinfect water before use by adding 8 drops (1/8 tsp - this would form a puddle about the size of a dime) of plain unscented household bleach (4 to 6%) per gallon of water, and then let it stand for 30 minutes. If the water is cloudy after 30 minutes, repeat the procedure. 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, the DCHD advises well users complete the following steps:
- Disinfect your well using the procedures available from your local health department or provided on the DOH's Environmental website.
- Test your water by working with your local health department or by using a state certified laboratory to perform a drinking water analysis for coliform bacteria.
For more information, visit the Florida Department of Health's website or www.FloridaDisaster.org.
First Coast News