A New Worry for Flooding Victims

There is something new to worry about, this time if you have experienced flooding.

An expert at South Dakota State University says flooding increases the risk of surface water getting into the well, which could put contaminants into your water supply.

Jeppe Kjaersgaard, an assistant professor in Agricultural & Biosystems Engineering Dept. at SDSU, says those contaminants can include harmful bacteria, nitrate or chemicals from petroleum storage tanks or pesticide containers.

And Kjaersgaard says the contaminants could pose a risk to humans and animals, and especially to babies, pregnant women and those whose health is already compromised.

Kjaersgaard says if you suspect your well has been contaminated. stop using the water and have it tested.

A list available from the State of South Dakota at http://denr.sd.gov/des/dw/certie.aspx tells about the laboratories that do the testing.