Lutheran Disaster Response: Bringing Help and Hope

North Dakota Department of Health Offers Free Private Well Bacteriological Testing for Residents Affected by Flooding

BISMARCK, N.D. (April 1, 2009) – The North Dakota Department of Health is offering free private well bacteriological testing for residents across the state affected by flooding.

After flood waters recede, residents concerned that their private wells have been flooded are advised to disinfect and flush their well and home plumbing system. (Directions are available at www.ndhealth.gov/flood.)

Following disinfection and flushing, residents may call the Division of Laboratory Services at 701.328.6272 to request a bacteriological sampling kit. The kit includes a specially-prepared container and instructions about how to collect and submit the sample to the laboratory for testing. Only samples collected using the kit can be tested. Residents must also use appropriate mail service to ensure that samples will arrive at the laboratory within 30 hours of collection; otherwise, the samples cannot be tested.

The Department of Health will notify residents regarding the test results.

Department of Health staff will be available to provide technical advice and assistance to residents should testing indicate bacteriological contamination. For more information, please contact Loreeta Canton or Stacy Eberl at 701.328.1312

North Dakota Department of Health Provides Flood Clean-up Guidelines:

BISMARCK, N.D. (April 2, 2009) – The North Dakota Department of Health has prepared detailed information about proper cleanup after a flood. A number of topics are covered, including emergency health precautions, mold in homes, waste disposal, indoor heating oil tanks and well disinfection. The information is available on the department’s website at www.ndhealth.gov/flood or by calling 701.328.5150.

Emergency Health Precautions – This fact sheet deals with personal precautions, issues related to power (electrical and natural gas or propane), flooded food items, and ensuring a safe drinking water supply. A list of labs that can test the bacteriological safety of drinking water is included.

Mold in Homes – Moisture in homes can cause mold problems after a flood.

This fact sheet includes information about the health effects of mold, how to detect mold and general clean-up guidelines.

Proper Waste Disposal – When cleaning up damaged items in the home after flooding, it may be tempting to dispose of everything into one big heap.

However, different types of waste may need to be handled separately. Mixing wastes can slow debris cleanup and cause the waste to be more expensive to dispose of in local landfills.

Indoor Heating Oil – Indoor fuel oil spills can have serious air quality consequences. This fact sheet discusses spill control, reporting and cleanup.

Proper Well Disinfection – Water from wells that have been flooded are considered unsafe for consumption until proven otherwise. This fact sheet gives detailed information about how to disinfect and test private wells so they are safe to use after a flood. A list of labs that can test water for bacteriological safety is included. For more information, please contact Loreeta Canton or Stacy Eberl at 701.328.1312.

1720 3rd Avenue North ♦ Fargo, ND 58102

Lutheran Disaster Response (LDR) is a collaborative ministry of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America and The Lutheran Church - Missouri Synod. The mission of LDR is to demonstrate Christ's compassion for people by promoting health, healing and wholeness for disaster survivors.

In North Dakota, the LDR affiliate is Lutheran Social Services of North Dakota.

"Guided by God's love and grace, Lutheran Social Services of North Dakota brings healing, help and hope."