The Louisiana Department of Health and Hospitals recommends testing private well water for total coliform bacteria following floods.

After a major storm or flood, you must assume that all water sources are contaminated until proved safe. Food that has been contaminated by floodwaters should also be handled carefully. Learn how to purify your water and what flooded foods to discard and keep.

Information on flood insurance claims, electrical systems, food and water sanitation, carpets and rugs, and other necessary steps to take in cleaning a flood-damaged home.

After a flood, you’ll be anxious to use your normal water supply – your private well. But, when floodwater covers your well, or neighboring wells, there’s a possibility the water in your well will become contaminated.

Disinfecting a well can sometimes be done by the well owner; however, for some wells it can be difficult to get the disinfectant into the well or other parts of the system that need disinfecting. If professional help is not available for cleaning the well, follow these procedures.

The loss of power from hurricane winds, fire or flood could endanger the safety of your food within as little as four hours.