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Floodwaters contaminating wells, causing infections

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Flooding photos

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JANESVILLE — It was just one drop of floodwater.

But it caused a lot of irritation for city utility director Dan Lynch.

While working near the floodwaters two weeks ago, a splash sent a drop of water into Lynch’s eye.

An infection started, and a couple days later his eye swelled shut, sending him to urgent care. Swelling persisted even after antibiotic eye drops, forcing Lynch back to the doctor for three different kinds of eye drops.

“It was actually very nasty,” he said. “If people don’t have a reason to be in this water, they sure as heck shouldn’t be.”

The Rock County Health Department and area doctors are reporting no major flood-related illnesses, though many private wells are contaminated.

Doctors have treated a few people who were in floodwater with scratches on their legs that became infected, said Dr. Stephen Lindahl of the Mercy Mall Urgent Care in Janesville.

But Lindahl reported seeing no patients with water-born illnesses.

If people get scratches while working in floodwater, they should clean the wound immediately with soap and water, then cover it, he said.

Infections don’t occur until the second, third or fourth day, he said.

People working in the floodwater should make sure they’ve had a tetanus shot within the last 10 years.

Well contamination

If your well is in a flood-affected area, you shouldn’t drink the water or assume it is safe until you test it, officials say.

Of the 131 flood-related well water samples tested through Tuesday, 36 were contaminated, said Tim Banwell, environmental health director at the health department.

All 36 tested positive for coliform bacteria, and six also tested positive for E. coli, he said.

The contaminated wells are along the river in flood-prone areas, particularly in the Newville/Mallwood/Charley Bluff areas, he said.

People should not drink the contaminated water, though coliform-positive water can be used for showering, he said. Banwell doesn’t recommend people showering with water that’s tested positive for E. coli, especially for young children or older people.

If water is clear and doesn’t smell, it can be treated with a couple caps full of bleach and used for washing dishes, he said.

Homeowners can decontaminate their wells themselves using chlorine or hire a professional. Step-by-step instructions are available through the health department or the Department of Natural Resources at http://dnr.wi.gov/org/water/dwg/flood.htm.

Floodwaters approached only two of Janesville’s eight municipal wells, Lynch said, but “we never had any contamination of the public water supply in any way, shape or form.”

As a precaution, the city “tweaked” up the amount of chlorine in its southern distribution zone, he said. When conditions start to return to normal, the chlorine level will be adjusted, he said.

WELL WATER TESTING

The Rock County Health Department will test flood-related well water for free, with a $2 shipping fee. For more information, call (608) 757-5441 or (608) 364-2010.

Well water sample bottles are located at:

-- Beloit Town Hall, 2871 S. Afton Road, Beloit.

-- Rock County Health Department, 3328 N. Highway 51, Janesville or 61 Eclipse Center, Beloit.

-- Rock Town Hall, 5102 S. County D, Afton.

-- Fulton Town Hall, 2738 W. Fulton Center Drive, Edgerton.

-- Milton Town Hall, 23 First St., Milton.