Rice County Public Health is currently offering free well-testing kits for locals dealing with the aftermath of recent floods. Residents who have private wells located within 50 feet of floodwaters are eligible for these kits, aimed at detecting potential bacterial contamination. The kits are being distributed courtesy of the Minnesota Department of Health (MDH) and can be picked up at the government services building in Faribault.
The necessitated test kits, provided in response to the damages brought by floodwater, include explicit instructions on how to collect water samples, which are essential for a reliable bacteria analysis. Along with the test kits, residents will receive a fact sheet detailing the steps for disinfecting wells that have been exposed to floodwaters. It is vital for homeowners to transport their samples to the Public Health Department on specific days—Monday to Wednesday between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m.—to ensure timely analysis within the strict 30-hour time frame set by the MDH labs, as reported by an official county announcement.
With floodwater presenting a significant contamination risk to private wells and infrastructure, testing is a critical part of ensuring water safety. Post-flooding, residents are urged to inspect and clean their wells if compromised by either sediment or debris. Furthermore, it's emphasized that submerged wells connected to a power source may pose an electrocution risk; therefore, affected individuals should avoid contact until the power supply is safely disconnected.
As part of the county's remedial steps, any wells that were in the path of floodwaters, but not directly impacted, are still advised for bacteria testing as a precautionary measure. For wells that were not submerged, disinfection before testing isn't a prerequisite. Anyone who is in need of assistance or has questions regarding the test kits can reach out to Martha Williams, the Emergency Preparedness Coordinator for Rice County Public Health, at the number provided on their website. Additionally, residents can find more detailed information about private well water quality and testing procedures at the MDH web address dedicated to water quality.
