Stevens Point News

Main Menu

  • Covid 19
  • Sports
    • Sports News
    • High School Sports Scores
    • Wisconsin Rapids Rafters
  • Crime
  • Arts & Entertainment
  • Opinion
  • Obits
  • Contact
    • Subscribe
  • Classifieds
    • View Ads
    • Place Ads
  • Legal Ads
    • Our Legals
    • Statewide
  • E-Edition
    • Stevens Point City Times

logo

Stevens Point News

  • Covid 19
  • Sports
    • Sports News
    • High School Sports Scores
    • Wisconsin Rapids Rafters
  • Crime
  • Arts & Entertainment
  • Opinion
  • Obits
  • Contact
    • Subscribe
  • Classifieds
    • View Ads
    • Place Ads
  • Legal Ads
    • Our Legals
    • Statewide
  • E-Edition
    • Stevens Point City Times
Outdoors & SustainabilityState News
Home›Outdoors & Sustainability›DNR: Heavy Rains Can Affect Private Wells, Drinking Water

DNR: Heavy Rains Can Affect Private Wells, Drinking Water

By STEVENS POINT NEWS
July 7, 2014
784
0
Share:

For the City-Times

The recent heavy rains across many parts of the state have created flooding conditions that in turn could affect private wells and drinking water.

Drinking water staff with the Department of Natural Resources are encouraging well owners in those areas of the state with flooding to watch for any changes that may indicate contamination to their drinking water.

“Well owners should watch for signs of flooding and notice any change in the color, smell or taste of their drinking water,” said Liesa Lehmann, private water section chief for the Department of Natural Resources.

Lehmann added that agency drinking water staff advise well owners who observe flooding or changes in their water to assume their wells are contaminated and to take the following steps:

    • stop drinking well water and find an alternate source of safe water to drink;
    • make sure the well is properly disinfected; and

before resuming consumption of the water, sample the well after pumping and disinfection to assure the water is safe.

Flood waters and runoff contain bacteria and other contaminants that can affect water supplies and cause water-borne illness. Wells located in pits, basements and low-lying areas are especially susceptible to contamination. Even without obvious signs of flooding, a well can become contaminated.

“Disinfection and sampling is best done by a licensed well driller or pump installer,” said Lehmann.

Lehman noted that any water supply system submerged by flood waters should be pumped out once the floodwater recedes, then thoroughly disinfected and tested to determine that the water is safe.

Well owners are also encouraged to test their wells annually for bacteria and nitrates, to check for problems and ensure the water is safe to drink. More information on bacteriological contamination of drinking water wells, along with lists of licensed well drillers, pump installers and labs certified to analyze water samples is available by searching for keyword “wells” on the DNR website.

For individuals who receive their drinking water from a public water supply, these systems are designed and operated to keep out contaminants. Anyone with concerns about the safety of their community’s drinking water, contact your public water supplier.

You can also learn more about how to cope with flood issues on the DNR’s web site by searching keyword “flood.”

Previous Article

Two Men Injured in Early Morning Accident

Next Article

Plan Commission to Consider Growth, Changes Along ...

0
Shares
  • 0
  • +
  • 0
  • 0
  • 0
  • 0

Related articles More from author

  • Community NewsOutdoors & Sustainability

    Ciclovia Comes to Point

    September 19, 2012
    By STEVENS POINT NEWS
  • Outdoors & SustainabilityTop Stories

    Farmshed Looking for Board Members

    February 20, 2013
    By STEVENS POINT NEWS
  • State News

    G.A.B. Releases 2012 Local Election Data and Costs

    February 21, 2013
    By STEVENS POINT NEWS
  • Community NewsOutdoors & Sustainability

    Public Meetings Set to Develop Deer Trustee Report Implementation

    February 22, 2013
    By STEVENS POINT NEWS
  • State News

    State Health Secretary Resigns

    February 23, 2013
    By STEVENS POINT NEWS
  • State News

    Mining Bill Passes Senate; On to Assembly

    February 28, 2013
    By STEVENS POINT NEWS

Leave a reply Cancel reply

High School Sports

Go to High School Sports

Free SP Newsletter

  • Sports

  • Commentary

  • Panthers fight off late rally, claim 13th consecutive regional title

    By Jacob Heid
    June 2, 2023
  • Defensive gem lifts Pacelli in regional championship

    By Jacob Heid
    June 1, 2023
  • Cardinals survive and advance in comeback victory

    By Jacob Heid
    May 31, 2023
  • Stevens Point Country Club

    Stevens Point Country Club provides tough test in open qualifying

    By Jacob Heid
    May 30, 2023
  • SPASH softball dominates regional final with 20-hit performance

    By Jacob Heid
    May 26, 2023
  • Pat Wood

    From the publisher: Christmas and Hanukkah

    By Kris Leonhardt
    December 24, 2022
  • Ice fishing contest Reels in $1,500 for Portage County Literacy Council

    By Taylor Hale
    March 17, 2022
  • Kemmeter Column: County celebrates year after quarantine

    By Taylor Hale
    July 12, 2021
  • Isherwood Column: Great engineering projects two

    By Taylor Hale
    July 11, 2021
  • Shoes News Graphic

    Show Column: Odd Jobs

    By Taylor Hale
    July 9, 2021

About Us


The Portage County Gazette is published every Friday by Multi Media Channels. It is locally-owned, locally-operated and locally-written. Subscriptions are $64 annually, delivered via the U.S. Postal Service.


To subscribe, go www.shopmmclocal.com/product/portage-county-gazette or call 715-258-4360

  • PO Box 408, Waupaca WI 54981
  • (715) 343-8045
  • News editor: [email protected]
Copyright © 2022 Multi Media Channels LLC.
All Rights Reserved. No part of this publication or any of its contents may be reproduced, copied, modified or adapted without the prior written consent of Multi Media Channels LLC.
×