PRIVATE WELL-OWNERS

If you’re unsure if your well has been impacted by flooding, you should assume it’s been contaminated. 

Signs that a well may be affected by a flood include: 
Floodwaters that came into contact or ran over the top of a well.
Noticeable changes in the taste, smell, or color of the water.

Use safe water for drinking, food preparation, and personal hygiene until your well water is tested and found to be free of bacteria. Safe water is:

1) Bottled water

2) Tap water that has been boiled for one minute

3) Water from an uncontaminated well

To ensure safety, test private well water for bacteria. Test kits are available through Waukesha County’s Environmental Health Division.

Get Well Water Tested: Order a test kit here: https://www.waukeshacounty.gov/.../private-well-water.../


MUNICIPAL WATER USERS:

Contact your local water utility regarding water safety concerns; follow any instructions provided.

Run water faucets for at least five minutes before using water for drinking or food preparation.

Always wash your hands with soap and water that has been boiled or disinfected before preparing or eating food and after using a toilet, participating in flood clean-up activities, and handling articles contaminated with flood water or sewage.

Keep open cuts or sores that have been exposed to flood water clean by washing the affected area with soap to control the infection. If a wound develops redness, swelling, or drainage, seek immediate medical attention.

Baby formula:

• Use only prepared, canned baby formula that requires no added water.

Food not in waterproof containers:

• Discard if they have come into contact with floodwater.

Canned foods:

• Discard if damaged.
• Undamaged, commercially canned foods can be saved if you remove the can labels, wash cans, disinfect with one cup bleach to five gallons of water. Relabel cans, including expiration date, with a marker.

Screw-caps, snap-lids, crimped caps (soda pop bottles), twist caps, flip tops, and home canned foods:

• Discard if they have come into contact with floodwater.

Refrigerated or frozen food:

• Check food for spoilage by their odor and appearance.
• Perishable foods left at room temperature for more than two hours should be thrown out.
• Frozen food that has thawed should be thrown out

• Take items that were wet for two or more days outside. Items that are wet for two days have mold growing on them even if you can’t see it.
• Take out things made of cloth, unless you can wash them in hot water. Also remove items that can’t be cleaned easily like leather, paper, wood, and carpet.
• Use bleach to clean mold off hard things like floors, stoves, sinks, certain toys, countertops, flatware, plates, and tools.
• Never mix bleach with ammonia or other cleaners, it can create a toxic gas.
• Wear rubber boots, rubber gloves, goggles, and a respirator mask rated for protection from mold spores.
• Open windows and doors to get fresh air in while you use bleach.
• Mix no more than one cup of bleach in one gallon of water.
• Wash the item with the bleach and water.
• If the surface of the item is rough, scrub the surface with a stiff brush.
• Rinse the item with clean water.
• Dry the item or leave it out to dry.

For Assistance:
• Non-Emergency Help: Residents in need of assistance can call 211 for information on resources.
• Call 211 to report any damages to your property or surrounding areas.
• 911: Please only call 911 if it’s a life-threatening emergency.

Avoid Floodwaters

Never walk or drive through flooded areas. Remember: "Turn Around, Don’t Drown."

Even small amounts of water can be dangerous.

Stay Informed

Monitor local news, social media, and official channels for real-time updates on flood conditions and evacuation orders.

Electrical Safety

Avoid contact with electrical appliances or outlets if they are wet or if you're standing in water. Turn off the power at the main breaker if possible.

Gas Leaks

If you smell gas or hear a hissing noise, leave your building immediately and call 911 from a safe location.

Floods | Ready.gov (FEMA)

Flood Safety Tips and Resources (National Weather Service)

Flooding | Waukesha County

All Waukesha County Parks remain OPEN, but some areas may be impacted. The Park Alerts webpage is being actively updated with the latest info: