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TextEmergency Well and Septic
Emergency Well and Septic System Information After Flooding
Wells
People who rely on private wells for their water should consider their
well contaminated if it was submerged or they believe it is possible the
well became submerged during the hurricane.
Water should not be consumed until bacteriological testing indicates the well is not contaminated. Two samples taken on consecutive days are recommended. See Water Bacteria Testing below for information on testing your well water.
If you are unsure if the well
was flooded, assume that it was and use another water source until the
safety of the well is confirmed. Disinfect your well. by adding household
bleach mixed with water to the well. The recommended amount of bleach
varies depending on the amount of water in the well; however a
half-gallon of unscented bleach should be adequate for most home wells.
To be certain that your water lines have been disinfected, turn on the
faucets until a chlorine smell is detected. Turn off the faucets and
allow the bleach to sit in the well for at least four hours (overnight is
preferable). The water should then be turned on until the chlorine smell
dissipates.
Water must be tested after this is done to ensure that the chlorine has destroyed bacteria. High levels of contamination may not be controlled by a single chlorine treatment.
Until the well water is confirmed to be safe, water used for drinking, brushing teeth or cooking or preparing food should be either bottled water or water that has been boiled for a minimum of one minute.
Water Bacteria Testing.
In the event of a hurricane or tornado emergency, the Fairfax County
Health Department Laboratory is available 7 days a week, 24 hours a day
to perform Water Bacteria testing. If you are in need of these services,
please use the following contact information:
Main office during normal business hours (Monday - Friday 8 a.m. - 5
p.m.) 703-246-3218
After Hours Emergency Pager 703-213-8849
Septic Systems
If flooding has occurred, homes may have a damaged or failing onsite
sewage system. The system should be checked to determine if septic area
has been flooded or the system has been damaged. If any part of the
system is exposed or appears damaged, people should contact their local
health department to receive recommendations for proper corrections.
If the septic system has been flooded, sewage can back up into the home. This is more than just a serious nuisance. Sewage contains disease causing microorganisms. When cleaning up be sure to wear gloves, disinfect contaminated surfaces with diluted bleach water, and thoroughly wash yourself and your clothing immediately after cleaning.
If there is an electrical outage septic systems utilizing pumps will not
function. A continued use of water in the home could lead to a sewage
backup. Water usages in the home should be held to a minimum until the
electrical power is restored. If there is evidence that the pump chamber
has been flooded, be sure to check that surface water did not leak into
the system. This can be accomplished by removing the concrete lid of the
pump chamber. Excessive water entering the pump chamber can easily
overload the drainfield causing more expensive repairs. Contact the
health department for guidance or a septic system contractor.
If the system is acting sluggish, this may be a normal reaction to saturated soils around the drainfield. Sewage leaving the septic tank may not be able to seep into the ground because the soil is already saturated. After a major rainfall event like a hurricane, it may take several days for the soils to drain and allow your system to return to normal. When the system is sluggish due to saturated soil around the drainfield, simply pumping the tank may not provide any improvement. Water will simply flow in reverse, filling the septic tank. Water use should be held to a minimum.
After a Power Outage
Septic Tank Systems with Pumps
Interruption of the electrical power supply will prevent sewage effluent pumps serving septic tank systems from pumping sewage effluent into the drainfield area of the system. Alarm systems installed to indicate failure of the pumping system will also be inoperative. Occupants of homes or other structures with such systems should conserve water use by taking laundry elsewhere (to a Laundromat), showering/bathing less often, using disposable foodservice items, and by not flushing the toilet after every se. Overflow of the septic tank, pumping station, and/or sewage back-ups into the structure can be avoided by having the contents of the septic tank and/or pump station pumped by a licensed sewage-handling contractor. If an overflow outside the dwelling occurs, the tanks must be pumped and the affected area spread with hydrated lime.
Well Water Supply Systems
In the event that electrical power is not available, well water cannot
be supplied unless an alternate source of power is available (generator
power). Purchase and use of bottled water for drinking and culinary
purposes is recommended. Water for use in toilets can be obtained from
other sources such as creeks and streams. Some water may be obtained by
draining water storage tanks (including the hot water heater) and melting
ice cubes. Water conservation methods must be employed.
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