HURRICANE SEASON

The 2008 Hurricane Season is upon us. To get ready for the Hurricane Season, see our hurricane tops below or download our hurricane tips flier.  The Water & Sewerage Corporation wants customers to know what is expected of them during a hurricane with respect to water and sewerage services.  The following tips are what you should know in the event of a hurricane:

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PREPAREDNESS

1. Because you might lose water supply during a hurricane you are advised to save an adequate supply of water for domestic use.
2. Store water in bathtubs or containers.
3. Boil water that has been stored for several days for at least two minutes to ensure that pollutants are destroyed prior to use.
4. If you are on city supply, listen to the radio for an announcement from the Department of Environmental Health Services or the Water and Sewerage Corporation in the event of municipal supply becomes unsafe for domestic use.
5. Due to the possibility of private well contamination, residents using private well systems are advised not to use the water for potable purposes but wait for the Department of Environmental Health Services to advise on chlorination treatment.
6. If you would like to have your well tested after a hurricane to ensure the water is safe to use, call 325-1873 for further information.

Old or leaky wells may contaminate groundwater by allowing rain or floodwater to get to the water table without being filtered through soil. If a well is in a depression or pit, or if it isn't well sealed and capped, surface water (runoff) carrying nitrates, bacteria, pesticides, organic and other pollutants can contaminate it. This is further exacerbated during storm conditions. 

During flooding, septic tanks are awash, so raw sewage contaminate water settled on the ground, and washes into wells.                  

Other pollutants like car oil, pesticides and chemicals typically found in developed properties and roads will also wash into wells. Organic matter (e.g. algae) will develop in the water causing discolored water. Tiny water-dwelling creatures may proliferate. In the aftermath of Hurricane Floyd, some people noticed tiny worm-like creatures in their untreated groundwater. Bacterial contamination and other pollutants may run off into the sea.  

Near the coastline where waves come into shore, salt water flooding or high sea level can damage or break up the water lens, creating salt water intrusion from the top. This can permanently damage the water lens making wells salty. WSC harvest floodwaters in its well fields. That is why it is important to keep our well fields pristine and free of encroachment from human or farm animals. 

It is vital that customers be connected to city supply even if they have private wells.

Customers often come to the Water and Sewerage Corporation during flooding seeking to get urgent connections. This takes time, and during severe conditions (downed trees, power lines, severe flooding) crews may be unable to make connections, or more emphasis may be placed on restoring damaged infrastructure.

Maintaining your well means keeping the well area clear, accessible and keeping pollutants as far away as possible. It is important to have a qualified well driller or hydrogeologist check the well periodically.