Emergency Well Treatment

Emergency Treatment for Private Wells

If your well has been contaminated or you suspect that it may be contaminated, DON’T drink the water. Contact your local, state, or tribal health department for specific advice. You need to properly disinfect or treat the water and have it tested before drinking/using the water!

If your well has been contaminated (or you think it may have been contaminated), drink bottled water or clean water from another source. If none of these options are available, follow Boil Water Advisory (BWA) guidelines to minimize the risk of contracting a waterborne illness.

Boiling water will kill germs in the water. However, be aware that boiling water does NOT remove most chemicals from water. During a chemical contamination, you should not use the water for any use, including drinking and bathing unless you have a water treatment system that is known to remove the chemical. Contact your local, state, or tribal health department for specific advice.

• Disinfecting Wells Following an Emergency
• EPA – What to Do After the Flood
• EPA – Emergency Disinfection of Drinking Water