Water and Septic Safety in Flooded Areas

EMERGENCY OPERATIONS CENTER-- The Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) advised Borough residents near flooded streams and rivers to boil all water and monitor sewer systems. Flooded wells may be contaminated. Properties with flooded on site wells should boil water used for drinking, cooking, bathing, hand washing, or dish washing, for at least two minutes. When flood waters recede, homeowners should chlorinate wells and have water tested for Total Coliform Bacteria to ensure water quality.

Flooded on site sewer systems may be damaged and not functional. To prevent sewage from possibly surfacing or backing up into homes, DO NOT use onsite sewer systems until flood waters and groundwater levels return to normal. Sewage can contain active and harmful bacteria and viruses. Sites where sewage has leaked onto the ground should be disinfected with a light powdering of finely ground garden lime or a solution of water with 5% chlorine bleach.

Water testing is available to those in the affected areas at no cost.(Water Test kits are free, but the testing is paid for by property owners.)Water should be tested within 24 hours of collection for best results. Water testing kits are available at the help centers in Talkeetna and Willow, and also at the MAT-SU Test Lab (located at mile 3.2, Palmer-Wasilla Highway). Samples must be labeled with the following information:Name, Date of Sample, Phone, Property Location, and include "Flood Sample" on the label.

For more information on disinfecting, testing, and damage assessment of sewer, and water systems, call the DEC office in Wasilla at (907) 376-1861 or (907) 376-1852.