Important Information for Wells After Flooding and Hurricanes
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Collapse ▲Floodwaters from disasters like hurricanes can be contaminated with hazardous chemicals and bacteria. As your power is coming back on and your well is starting back up you want to make sure it is safe to use.
It is important to inspect, purge, and disinfect the well and household water lines, before you use them especially for drinking, bathing and cooking or other food preparation.
If you suspect your well may be contaminated or if it was submerged in the floods, DO NOT drink the water until you have ensured that it is safe. Buncombe County Environmental Health is available to help with testing for bacteria. Here is the information from the Environmental Health Department.
Well Information
A flooded well is a well where water was over the top of the well at any point in the storm. Flooded or damaged wells need to be disinfected. Here’s how to disinfect wells. Here are instructions in Spanish. After disinfection, water will need to be sampled. Beginning 10/10/24, you can get well water testing kits at 30 Valley Street in Asheville weekdays from 8 a.m.-4 p.m.
Directions For Collecting Water Sample
Follow the well shock chlorination instructions provided. Pay close attention to step #6 of the process. Do NOT run the chlorinated water through your drains into the septic tank.
1. When collecting a distribution tap sample, the water in the service line should be completely flushed.
- Do not sample from taps surrounded by excessive foliage (leaves, flowers, etc) or taps that are dirty, corroded or leaking.
- Never collect a sample from a hose or any other attachment fastened to a faucet.
- The sample bottle should never come in contact with the faucet.
- Do not lay the sample container lid down, splatter water on the lid or container, and never touch the inside of the container or lid.
- Make sure to disinfect your well using the provided instructions BEFORE collecting the sample.
2. The water sample to be tested for bacteria must be collected in the sterilized bottle you received when you applied. The bottle contains a dechlorinating agent, sodium thiosulfate. If the bottle is damaged or the lid is loose, do not use the bottle. Contact this office for replacement.
3. It is best to take your sample from a frequently used distribution tap such as the kitchen faucet.
4. Before taking sample, let the water run from the tap 5 minutes. Before taking sample, ensure cleaning of faucet head with alcohol swabs.
5. When taking the sample, let nothing but the water itself come in contact with the mouth of the bottle or the inside of the cap. Fill the bottle at least to the 100 ml line, but do not fill bottle completely. Leave ½ inch of air space at the top of the bottle.
6. Bring all samples back to Environmental Health at 30 Valley St. the same day of collection. Samples must be analyzed within 30 hours of the collection. Do not mail samples.
7. Do not place a label or sticker on the side of the bottle.
Samples must be returned to 30 Valley Street weekdays from 8 a.m.-4 p.m. Results will be provided in 48 hours by phone or email.
Additional Well Water Resource and Info
A permit for drilling a well is needed so contact their office for more information if you are thinking you want to do that. 828-250-5016.
Updated information for multiple needs after the Hurricaine and Flood. Emergency Information & Services Update