DARLINGTON — In light of recent flooding in Lafayette County, the Lafayette County Health Department is reminding the public that they provide the following free services:

●  Information/consultation on flood clean-up

● Information on health concerns associated with flooding

● Information on mold clean-up

● Environmental health consultations

● Tetanus booster immunization (as needed) 

● Private well bacteria testing

Water

Private water well owners whose wells flooded from the recent rains should assume their well water is contaminated until tested. The Lafayette County Health Department and the Wisconsin State Lab of Hygiene are offering free well water testing to private well users who were impacted by recent flooding. Those interested must use proper forms and bottles from the health department that are available for a limited time only. 

Sample test kits are available for pick-up from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday through Friday at the health department.

Do not swim or bathe in rivers, streams, creeks or lakes in flooded areas.

Water from a flooded well should not be used for drinking, cooking, making ice, brushing teeth or even bathing until it is certain that the water is not contaminated. 

When in doubt, if the water is cloudy, odorous or colored it should not be consumed. Those who are not certain about the safety of their water supply should have the well tested for bacteria.

Drink bottled water or water from a known, safe source. If necessary, bacteria-contaminated water can be made safe to drink by boiling the water for five minutes. Boiling does not work for nitrates or chemical contamination. 

Also, do not swim or bathe in rivers, streams, creeks or lakes in flooded areas.

Mold and Cleanup

Many people are allergic to mold. Young children, the elderly and people with asthma and/or other medical issues may have serious illnesses as a result of mold exposure. The following recommendations should be considered: 

Discard any porous item (furniture, carpeting, insulation) that was wet for more than two days/48 hours. 

Get rid of any drywall that was wet for more than 48 hours, even if it looks OK on the outside. 

Sewage may backflow from a septic or municipal system through floor drains, toilets, etc. Any affected areas, such as basements, must be cleaned and disinfected, as with a chlorine solution. Anything that cannot be cleaned with bleach such as carpeting and furniture should be thrown out. 

Brief cleaning instructions: use bleach solution (one cup bleach per gallon water), follow with soap and water, scrubbing. Finally, run fans and a dehumidifier in the area to dry it out completely before repairing or re-occupying.

Inspect for mold growth throughout the house, including attics, basements and crawlspaces. 

While cleaning flood damaged areas, boots, gloves, and eye protection should be worn. If generating dust from work, use a dust mask. If going in a week after flooding, then use an N95 respirator if medically able. Those working to muck out mud, cut out drywall or pump water, do not need a respirator as those things are all wet. Those who have a preexisting condition should talk to a physician. Those with a respiratory issue should do outdoor cleanup only. 

Hands should be washed frequently, and especially before eating and drinking. 

Food

When in doubt, do not eat suspicious food. If a refrigerator or freezer has been without power for a period of time, all stored items should be carefully checked. 

A full freezer will hold a safe temperature for approximately 48 hours (24 hours if it is half-full and the door remains closed). Food may be safely refrozen if it still contains ice crystals or is at 40 degrees F or below, however, its quality may suffer. 

Do not eat any food that may have come into contact with flood water. Discard any food that is not in a waterproof container if there is any chance that it has come into contact with flood water. 

Undamaged, commercially canned foods can be saved if the can labels are removed, the cans are washed and disinfected with a solution consisting of six ounces of bleach to one gallon of water. Cans should be re-labeled, including the expiration date, with a marker. 

Food containers with screw-caps, snap-lids, crimped caps (soda pop bottles), twist caps, flip tops, and home canned foods should be discarded if they have come into contact with flood water because they cannot be disinfected. 

Perishable food left at room temperature for more than two hours should be discarded. 

Never taste food to determine its safety. 

For infants, use only pre-prepared canned baby formula that requires no added water, rather than powdered formulas prepared with treated water.