7 Tips for Protecting Wells During Floods

Floods can severely damage wells and contaminate your water supply with bacteria, chemicals, and debris. To protect your well and ensure safe water, here’s a quick guide:

Before a Flood: Elevate well components above flood levels and move hazardous materials like fuel and pesticides away from your well.
During a Flood: Cover the wellhead with waterproof plastic and secure it with tape and sandbags. Turn off the power to your well pump to prevent electrical damage.
After a Flood: Hire a certified contractor to inspect your well, disinfect it with chlorine, and test the water for contaminants. Use bottled water until tests confirm your water is safe.

Takeaway: Preparation, quick action, and professional help are crucial to safeguarding your well and water supply during floods.

How to Protect Your Well from Flooding

Steps to Take Before a Flood

It's essential to protect your well system before floodwaters hit. Focus on two main tasks: elevating critical well components and relocating hazardous materials. These steps help safeguard your well's structure and keep the water safe.

Elevate Well Components Above Flood Level

Work with a certified contractor to ensure your well components are positioned at a safe height based on local flood risks. They can help elevate key parts like the well casing, electrical controls, and pressure tanks above potential flood levels. This reduces the chance of damage and contamination.

Keep Hazardous Materials Away from the Well

Floodwaters can carry harmful substances into your well, leading to contamination. Relocate items like fuel, pesticides, motor oil, and pool chemicals to a secure location, far from your well. Consult professionals to determine the appropriate distance, considering your property's layout and local conditions.

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Actions During Flooding

When floodwaters start rising, take immediate steps to protect your well and keep it from getting contaminated. After handling pre-flood preparations, focus on these measures to safeguard your well during the flood.

Cover the Wellhead

Clear away any debris around the wellhead. Use heavy-duty waterproof plastic to cover it, and secure the plastic with waterproof tape, making sure all seams are tightly sealed. Build a sandbag barrier around the wellhead, stacking the bags in overlapping layers to help keep floodwaters away.

While securing the wellhead is important, don’t forget about protecting the electrical components.

Turn Off Power to the Well

Locate your home's electrical panel and find the breaker for the well pump. Before approaching any electrical connections, put on protective gear. If the breaker isn’t clearly labeled, refer to your documentation or contact a licensed electrician for help. Switch off the circuit breaker dedicated to the well pump and any related control boxes. Use a non-contact voltage tester to double-check that the power is completely off.

Clean-up After Flooding

Once floodwaters have receded, it's important to inspect and clean your well to avoid potential health risks. Here's how to safely get your well back in working order:

Hire a certified well contractor to check essential parts of your well, including the casing, cap, electrical connections, and pump system, for any flood damage.
Clear the area around the wellhead by removing debris, standing water, and sediment.
Disinfect the well with a chlorine solution, and flush it thoroughly until the chlorine smell is gone.
Test the water for contaminants like coliform bacteria, E. coli, and nitrates before using it again.

Until your water is confirmed safe, stick to bottled water or another approved source for drinking, cooking, and cleaning. Even if the water looks clear, it might still carry harmful contaminants.

If you use the Water Well Map platform, you can easily find certified well contractors nearby who are experienced in post-flood well restoration and water testing.

Conclusion

Protecting your well during floods requires preparation, quick action, and professional help.

Take steps like installing waterproof well caps and scheduling thorough post-flood cleanings to minimize contamination and damage. After a flood, it’s essential to rely on licensed well contractors for repairs and testing - handling it yourself could lead to bigger issues.

You can use Water Well Map’s directory to find licensed contractors who specialize in flood restoration, ensuring your water supply is safe and reliable.

Keep emergency contacts handy and stay on top of well maintenance. Safeguarding your well protects both your property and your family’s health.