As a precautionary measure, the chief medical officer of health for Manitoba advises that all people using water from wells or other sources that may have been affected by flooding should boil their water before using it or find alternative supplies of drinking water until flooding subsides and appropriate tests are satisfactory.

Any well-water system, whether deep or shallow, can become contaminated. The risk for bacterial presence in well water is increased by several factors or conditions including:

• groundwater sources that may be open to the surface because of shallowness and/or water permeable surfaces such as sand, gravel or other non-water-tight materials; wells located in pits or depressions;
• wells with unsealed casings, casings that do not extend at least 30 cm or more above the ground or rusted casings;
• wells near other unsealed, abandoned wells; wells near septic tanks or fields, barns, feed lots, sink holes or quarries;
• and wells or groundwater sources affected by changes in environmental conditions such as floods and heavy rains.

Water from flood-affected wells should be brought to a rolling boil for one minute prior to use for:

• drinking and ice making,
• preparing beverages such as infant formula,
• preparing food, and
• brushing teeth.

It is not necessary to boil tap water used for other household purposes such as showering, laundry, bathing or washing dishes. Adults, teens and older children can wash, bathe or shower but should avoid swallowing the water. Toddlers and infants should be sponge bathed. If boiling is not feasible, an alternate and safe supply of water should be used.

To avoid burn injuries from hot water, caution should be taken. Young children should be kept away from boiled water; kettles and pots should be placed away from counter and stove edges.

Well-water sampling should occur after flooding has subsided. Precautions should remain in place until test results confirm the bacterial safety of the water.

Well-water users not affected by flooding are reminded that annual testing of well water is recommended for all groundwater sources.

For further information on wells and water testing, contact your local drinking water officer, the Manitoba Office of Drinking Water at 204-945-5762, Health Links-Info Santé at 204-788-8200 or toll free at 1-888-315-9257 or visit the website at http://www.gov.mb.ca/health/publichealth/cmoh/water.html to access the Manitoba well-water fact sheets.

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