Contact:
Kent Donahue
Kent.Donahue@flhealth.gov

407-723-5429

ORLANDO, FL – The Florida Department of Health in Orange County reminds residents with private well water, if your well is affected by flood waters, there may be disease-causing organisms in your water making it unsafe to drink.

Learn about testing your well water by visiting: https://www.floridahealth.gov/environmental-health/private-well-testing/index.html

Find Out if your Water is Safe Have it tested by a certified laboratory for coliform bacteria by visiting: https://floridadep.gov/DEAR/Florida-DEP-laboratory/content/nelap-certified-laboratory-search

While waiting to get your well tested, the Florida Department of Health recommends you do ONE of the following:

1. Boil tap water and hold it at a rolling boil for at least one minute. Let it cool
   completely before using to avoid burns.
2. Disinfect tap water by adding eight drops of plain, unscented household bleach (4-6% strength), per gallon of water. If a higher strength bleach is used (8.25% strength), only add seven drops of bleach. Mix the solution and let it stand for 30 minutes. If the water is cloudy after 30 minutes, repeat the procedure one more time. If still cloudy after the second treatment, dispose of water and start the process over again, OR use bottled water.

• Always store water in a clean, closed containers.

3. Use commercially available bottled water, especially for mixing baby formula.

About the Florida Department of Health

The department, nationally accredited by the Public Health Accreditation Board, works to protect, promote, and improve the health of all people in Florida through integrated state, county, and community efforts.

Follow us on Twitter at @HealthyFla and on Facebook. For more information about the Florida Department of Health please visit www.FloridaHealth.gov.