Well water at risk from flood water

OTTAWA – While city water remains safe, well water may be contaminated by the rising flood water.

Drinking water supplied by the City of Ottawa remains safe to use despite continued high water levels and flows. All city water treatment plants are functioning properly.

“Private well owners are advised that well water may be contaminated with bacteria, viruses, or other micro-organisms and may not be safe to drink if flood waters have reached the level of the well head, or covered the well head,” city staff released in a statement today (May 1). “Affected private well owners will have to wait until the floodwaters have receded before testing water from their wells for bacteria.”

Residents who have private wells affected by flooding are advised:

• Stop using your well water and use another potable water source such as bottled water for all water use, including drinking, preparing food, cleaning, bathing and hand washing.
• If you do not suspect chemical contamination, bring it to a rolling boil for at least one minute and let it cool before using it for drinking, making infant formula, juices, ice or recipes, brushing your teeth, rinsing contact lenses and washing food or dishes. Refrigerate your boiled water until it is used.
• Visit ottawa.ca for further information about well water and septic systems when flooding occurs.

The city is opening a drive-through Commodity Distribution Point to provide drinking water and hand sanitizer to residents whose private wells are affected by flooding. Impacted residents may pick up water at Ottawa Fire Station 63 at 341 Bayview Dr., between 12 p.m. and 7 p.m. daily beginning on Tuesday, April 30.

Self-service drinking water for residents whose private wells are affected by flooding are also available 24/7 at:

• 5201 Canon Smith Drive
• 274 Morris Island Drive
• The intersection of Greenland Road and Armitage Avenue

For more information on city programs and services, visit ottawa.ca or call 3-1-1 (TTY: 613-580-2401). You can also connect with us through Facebook, Twitter andInstagram.