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DEP
OFFERS INSTRUCTION ON TESTING, DISINFECTING PRIVATE WATER WELLS AFTER
FLOODING
Department Providing Free Water-Testing Kits to
Residents in Flooded Areas
HARRISBURG: On behalf of Governor Edward G.
Rendell, Environmental Protection Secretary Kathleen A. McGinty today urged
flood victims with private drinking water wells to properly disinfect the
well before sampling if the well head was covered with water or the area
surrounding it was flooded in the wake of weekend storms.
In addition, flood victims with private drinking water
wells should continue to boil their water for drinking and cooking purposes
for at least one minute, at a rolling boil, until the well has been
disinfected and sample results indicate that coliform bacteria are not
present.
DEP is providing free water-testing kits to residents
who rely on water wells or springs for their drinking water in those counties
that have been affected by flood waters. The $10 fee for this testing kit is
being waived for affected residents. The kits currently are available at
DEP’s regional offices.
The disinfection process explained below should be
followed before a water sample is collected and taken to DEP for analysis.
The required disinfection materials include a two-gallon
or larger bucket; a length of garden hose long enough to reach as far as
possible into the well; a funnel that fits into the end of the garden hose;
and a suitable quantity of a liquid or granular chlorinating compound.
The chlorinating compound would include unscented
laundry bleach containing five to six percent sodium hypochlorite and
swimming pool granules containing 65 percent to 70 percent calcium
hypochlorite.
The process begins by removing the cover over the well
casing, adding the appropriate amount of chlorinating compound to three or
four buckets of water and mixing thoroughly. For liquid chlorinating products
with five to six percent available chlorinating chemical, use about 1.5
quarts of the chlorinating product. For liquid chlorinating products with
more available chlorinating chemical, reduce the amount used.
For granular chlorinating chemicals with 65 percent to
70 percent available chlorinating chemical, use about four ounces (10
tablespoons) of the chlorinating product.
Place one end of the garden hose into the well as far as
possible. Place the funnel into the other end of the hose and pour the
contents of each bucketful of diluted chlorinating product through the hose
while alternately raising and lowering the hose to disperse the disinfectant
throughout the water supply.
When the correct amount of disinfectant has been added,
close the cover if the well has no pump. If it has a pump, draw the
chlorinated water through all fixtures and outlets until the smell of
chlorine is noticed so that all of the piping and fixtures are disinfected.
The chlorinating solution should remain in the entire
water supply system for at least four hours and preferably overnight. Once
the water source is chlorine-free, wait an additional two to five days and
then sample for coliform bacteria. If coliform organisms are present, repeat the
disinfection and sampling process. Heavily contaminated wells may require
several applications of disinfectant.
If the well or spring continues to be contaminated after
repeated disinfection and sampling, the construction or location of the water
supply should be re-evaluated.
Individuals with questions or concerns about testing
wells or other environmental issues should contact the DEP regional office in
their area:
- Southeast Regional Office,
484-250-5900.
- Northeast Regional Office,
570-826-2511.
- Southcentral Regional
Office, 717-705-4741.
- Northcentral Regional
Office, 570-327-3636.
For copies of the fact sheet and more flood recovery
information on re-entering and cleaning homes and businesses, cleaning up
home heating oil, reporting spills and other environmental emergencies,
contact the nearest DEP regional office or visit DEP’s Web site at www.dep.state.pa.us,
Keyword “Flood Recovery.”
# # #
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For
more information contact:
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Name:
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Justin
Fleming
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Title:
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Deputy
Press Secretary
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Email:
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jufleming@state.pa.us
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Voice:
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717
651 2009
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