Just as too little water can affect the performance and health of a water well, too much water can also prove disastrous. Tennessee residents have weathered severe flooding several times in the past decade alone, with those occurring in 2010 and 2016 being some of the most damaging in terms of life and property.
Rural residents who depend on water wells are wise to be concerned about flooding, especially if they live in a known floodplain area. When floodwaters cover the ground above where a drilled well is located, the water can drain down through the pipe and into the aquifer that feeds the well.
Since floodwaters are potentially filled with contaminants, including human or animal feces, the well becomes contaminated and unsafe to drink. Homeowners who experience flooding that impacts their drilled well should immediately stop drinking water from it and rely on bottled water instead. If bottled water is not available, the well water can be filtered and purified for safety.
The Environmental Protection Agency suggests purifying unsafe water by heating it to a rolling boil for at least one full minute, then cooling to a safe temperature before using it for human consumption or hygiene. Water from the tap will not be potable until the entire well has been disinfected and tested to ensure it is safe to drink.
Flood waters that rise enough to cover the well head, pressure tank, filters, or electrical controls of a private well can damage these components or make them inoperable.
At
Henry Drilling LLC
, we know that safe drinking water is critical for your family's health. We welcome your questions about caring for your water well, whether it’s during a drought, a flood, or just something related to routine maintenance.