Flooded Private Water Supply

What Do I Do if My Private Water Well has Flooded?

What if my water well has flooded?

If your water well has flooded or surface floodwater enters the well head and goes down into the casing, your water might be contaminated with bacteria or chemicals. Wells in pits or basements can also flood or be contaminated. When flooding happens, your well needs to be checked. Even if your well looks fine, bacteria and chemicals can still get in.

If my water well has flooded can I use the water?

If your well has flooded, don’t use the water:

to drink, cook, or bathe. Use another safe water source (municipal truck-fill, bottled water, or a neighbour’s well that isn’t flooded) instead. If this isn’t possible, boil water for 1 minute in a rolling boil before you use it.
until a licensed water-well contractor has checked your well and the floodwater has been flushed or purged from the casing and then shock chlorinated and tested.

If my water well has flooded, what do I need to do to the well and pump?

Flood waters can carry waste (e.g., wood, rocks, metal objects) that can damage the well casing, electrical parts, and the pump. When the flood waters have gone down (receded), call a licensed water-well contractor to check your well system. The pump (including valves and gears) might need to be cleaned to remove any soil or sand. Don’t turn on the pump until the wiring system has been checked by a qualified electrician or a licensed water-well contractor because there is a risk of being electrocuted and damaging the well and pump.

Do I need to have my well and plumbing disinfected?

If flooded, your well and the whole plumbing system connected to it needs to be shock chlorinated. For more information about shock chlorination, call an Environmental Public Health office in your area.

Do I need to have my well water tested?

Before you use your well again, have the water tested for bacteria. You can get bottles and instructions for testing from an AHS Environmental Public Health office. Your Public Health Inspector (PHI) or Environmental Health Officer (EHO) will tell you if your water is safe to use. If you think your well has been contaminated with chemicals, talk to your PHI or EHO to arrange testing.

How do I protect my well from flooding in the future?

When the flood is over and the well is back to normal, check with a licensed water-well contractor or Environmental Health for more information to protect your well from future floods. This may include:

extending your well casing
installing a flood-proof cap with an extended vent
relocating your well
upgrading pit wells

If you have any questions, call Environmental Public Health.

Current as of: March 7, 2018

Author: Environmental Public Health, Alberta Health Services

This material is not a substitute for the advice of a qualified health professional. This material is intended for general information only and is provided on an "as is", "where is" basis. Although reasonable efforts were made to confirm the accuracy of the information, Alberta Health Services does not make any representation or warranty, express, implied or statutory, as to the accuracy, reliability, completeness, applicability or fitness for a particular purpose of such information. Alberta Health Services expressly disclaims all liability for the use of these materials, and for any claims, actions, demands or suits arising from such use.