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Watch for flooded wells

Heavy rains and the threat of flooding are prompting officials from the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources to urge private well owners to keep an eye on their well. Steve Ales with the DNR says if you see your well surrounded by floodwaters, stop drinking from the well and have it tested. “Flood waters contain bacteria and waste contaminants that can threaten water supplies. Wells in pits and basements are especially susceptible to such contamination.”

If a well does become contaminated it will need to be disinfected with a chlorine solution, Ales says that is best done by a licensed well driller or pump installer.” The DNR has a list of licensed well drillers, pump installers and laboratories certified to test well water for bacteria on their website, just click on the “Recommendations for private wells inundated by flooding” link found here: