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Tewksbury Board of Health
EMERGENCY PROCEDURES FOR FLOODING
CLEANUP
June, 1998
Floods
can have a devastating effect on those who go through them. Flood
damage could be the result of a catastrophic rain fall that causes
water bodies to overflow, heavy snow melt that enters basements,
back up of septic and sewage systems into the home, or even the
collapse of a nearby pool. This document is designed to provide
guidance in ensuring that the home is cleaned thoroughly and
properly.
Disinfectants
Disinfectants
can either be bought or made at home. When using a commercial
product, always follow the manufacturer’s recommendations, and never use it in concentrations greater than recommended (too much
of a good thing is not good!).
A
bleach solution can be prepared by adding 2 ounces of bleach to a 5
gallon bucket of water. Wipe onto the desired surface and rinse with
cold water.
Cellars
If
possible, wait for ground water or flooded surface water to
naturally recede to below floor level. If unable to wait, pump water
to a street drainage system (pumping flooded stream water back into
the flooded stream will only perpetuate the problem), being mindful
that the pressure of the water saturated soils on the outside of the
foundation could cause the foundation to buckle or collapse. If you
note this type of damage to your foundation, stop all pumping and
consult a structural engineer or your Building Department.
All
wet surfaces should be cleaned of dirt and then washed with a
disinfectant (see section on preparing disinfectant).
Floors
Mud
and other debris should be removed as completely as possible, and
then the floors should be washed and sanitized. Rugs should be
removed and flushed with fresh water, then scrubbed with a detergent
and disinfectant. Air dry rugs in the sun following a rinse (note
that wool fibers may shrink more than synthetic materials)
Furniture
Clean
and wash metal and leather surfaces with mild soap and water, wiping
dry immediately. Some upholstery may be washed on the surface with
soap and water, and air dry.
Clothing
Clothing
should be laundered or dry cleaned as soon as possible. Use special
deodorizing compounds available from hardware stores and local
cleaners to remove musty odors and kill mildew.
Electrical Appliances
Be
sure that all electrical appliances are dry and in good repair.
Check for loose or frayed cords, and consult manufacturers to ensure
that the product is safe for use following immersion in water.
This
information is adapted from a document entitled “Brookline Health
Department Environmental Health Services Emergency Procedures for
Flooding, 1996”.
Safety Precautions
Never
enter a flooded area where electrical power is still connected and
appliances may still be “hot”. Contact your local power company
or electrician to disconnect the power before entering that area.
Always
follow the instructions of your licensed professional electricians
and plumber/gas fitters, and never conduct plumbing or electrical
repairs on your own.
Well Water
If
your drinking water supply is from a private well, do not consume
the water until it is tested. Surface water flooding may contaminate
the supply itself, or your well head and supply tubing.
Contact your town’s water or waste water treatment plant,
or a private testing laboratory for assistance in sampling; do not
submit a sample unless it has been drawn directly into a bottle
supplied by the lab. At a minimum, water should be tested for fecal
coliform bacteria. It is advised that more in depth testing for
certain chemicals be conducted if the well is in an area that could
receive runoff from an industrial area.
Septic Systems
It
is unclear what permanent damage may result from having a septic
system submerged in flood waters. If the septic system is submerged
and the house is occupied, do not dispose of waste water through
your drain. If the system has not backed up into the home, it very
well could with that extra flow. Dispose of all waste water at a
neighbor’s home that is unaffected by the flood.
Once
flood waters have receded, have the septic tank pumped and inspected
by a licensed pumper. He/she can make recommendations on what needs
to be done for your system. Never attempt to make any repairs by
yourself; improper repairs can damage both your system and the
environment.
You
may wish to seal off the tank outlet while the leaching facility
dries out. This turns the tank into a “tight tank”, meaning that
the water will not leave it unless it is pumped out, but it will
prevent ground water from backing into the tank and into your home.
Consult your pumper for pumping frequency.
LOCAL RESOURCES
Board
of Health
640-4470
Building
Dept.
640-4430
Fire
Dept.
640-4410
Plumbing/Electrical
Insp.
640-4435
Dept.
of Public Works 640-4440
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