​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​How can flooding affect my well water?

Heavy rain and flooding can cause surface water to enter your private water well. This means there is a risk of harmful germs like bacteria getting in and making the water unsafe (contaminated).

When should I test my water to make sure it’s safe after my well has flooded?

After the heavy rain stops and the floodwaters go down, send a water sample to a lab to test for bacteria.

Is it safe to drink my well water after my well has flooded?

Don’t drink untreated well water if you think it has been contaminated with floodwaters. If you think your well is contaminated with floodwater, use an alternative water source.

Take a sample of your water and drop it off for testing after the heavy rain stops and the floodwaters go down. It takes 2 to 3 days for your water sample to get tested. A public health inspector will only call you if your sample is unsafe or was not processed by the lab. If you do not get a call from a public health inspector within 4 days of dropping off your sample, your bacteria test showed an absent/nil result for total coliforms and E.coli.

What bacteria does the Public Health Laboratory (Prov-Lab) test for?

Prov-Lab can test your water for the following bacteria:

• Total coliforms: Total coliforms are a group of bacteria found everywhere (such as in soil, on plants, and in lakes and rivers). They can get into your drinking water because of floodwater or well maintenance problems.
• E. coli: E. coli is a type of bacteria that people and some types of animals have in their bowels. If you have E. coli in your drinking water, the water is not safe. Your water has been contaminated by human or animal waste (stool).

What do my water test results mean?

If you did not receive a call from a public health inspector within 4 days after submitting your first water sample, your bacteria test showed an absent/nil result for total coliforms and E. coli. Send another sample 14 to 30 days later to make sure the water is still free of total coliforms and E. coli.

If your first water sample results after your well has flooded show there are bacteria, then a public health inspector will call you. They may tell you to shock chlorinate your well.

Learn more about drinking water bacteria test results.

Where can I learn more about water safety?

Visit Alberta Health Services Environmental Public Health​ to learn more about drinking water safety.​