Well water - in flood conditions

Water from individual wells may be contaminated after a flood and is therefore considered undrinkable until there is proof to the contrary. It can be contaminated by both river water and nearby septic systems.

During flooding: the water from any well in a flooded area must be considered as unsafe. The affected people should be supplied with drinking water from an alternative source (eg water from a distribution system or bottled water), or must boil their water for one minute when used for ingestion or the preparation of uncooked foods.
After the flood: once the flood waters have permanently receded, the owner should first check the integrity of the well's equipment, in particular the electrical circuit. He should then wait a minimum of 10 days before disinfecting the well, and ensure that the results of the two sets of analysis recommended thereafter are consistent before consuming the water.