UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. -- Hurricane Ivan Will Go Down In Pennsylvania History For The Flooding It Caused, But An Expert In Penn State's College Of Agricultural Sciences Says What Made The Storm Extremely Unusual Was Its Size, Which Resulted In Deluges Across The State.

Ivan was truly a big brawler that still packed a potent punch by the time it churned into the Keystone State as a tropical depression, wreaking havoc from border to border.

"No region of Pennsylvania was spared by Ivan," says Bryan Swistock, water resources extension specialist, "and we rarely get tropical storms powerful enough by the time they get this far north to cover our whole state."

Flooding from Pittsburgh to Wilkes-Barre caused hundreds of millions of dollars of damage, and the cleanup will go on for months. One result of the high water that Swistock worries doesn't get much attention, but should, is flooded drinking water wells.

"Thousands of wells were flooded by the runoff from this storm," he says, "and they all should be disinfected because any well will become contaminated when surface water rushes into it. If residents suspect that their wells may be contaminated, they should contact their local or state health department or county Penn State Cooperative Extension office for specific advice on disinfecting it."

Swistock urges residents to follow the suggestions below, found on the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Web site, http://www.epa.gov/safewater/privatewells/whatdo.html, for dealing with a well that likely was flooded:

--Well and Pump Inspection: If flood conditions are known to have occurred or are suspected at a well, the well and pump should be inspected. Swiftly moving flood water can carry large debris that could loosen well hardware, dislodge well construction materials or distort the casing. Coarse sediment in the flood waters could erode pump components. If the well is not tightly capped, sediment and flood water could enter the well and contaminate it. Floods also may cause some wells to collapse.

--Check the Electrical System. After flood waters have receded and the pump and electrical system have dried, do not turn on the equipment until the wiring system has been checked by a qualified electrician, well contractor or pump contractor. If the pump's control box was submerged during the flood, all electrical components must be dry before electrical service can be restored. Get assistance in turning the pump on from a well or pump contractor.

--Monitor Pump Operation. All pumps and their electrical components can be damaged by sediment and flood water. The pump, including the valves and gears, will need to be cleaned of silt and sand. If pumps are not cleaned and lubricated properly, they can burn out. Get assistance from a well or pump contractor, who will be able to clean, repair or maintain different types of pumps.

--Emergency disinfection of wells that have been flooded. Before disinfection, check the condition of your well. Make sure there is no exposed or damaged wiring. If you notice any damage, call a professional before the disinfection process. Materials needed include a gallon of non-scented household liquid bleach, rubber gloves, eye protection, old clothes and a funnel. (Penn State Cooperative Extension offers a fact sheet that explains the procedure in detail, including exactly how much bleach to add based on the well diameter and depth. See it on the Web at http://www.sfr.cas.psu.edu/water/shock%20chlorination.pdf or get it from your county extension office.) To disinfect, follow these steps:

1. If your water is muddy or cloudy, run the water from an outside spigot with a hose attached until the water becomes clear and free of sediments.
2. Determine what type of well you have and how to pour the bleach into the well. Some wells have a sanitary seal with either an air vent or a plug that can be removed. If it is a bored or dug well, the entire cover can be lifted off to provide a space for pouring the bleach into the well.
3. Take the gallon of bleach and funnel (if needed) and carefully pour the bleach down into the well casing.
4. After the bleach has been added, run water from an outside hose into the well casing until you smell chlorine coming from the hose, then turn off the outside hose. If chlorine odor never develops at the faucet, you may need to add more bleach to the well.
5. Turn on all cold water faucets, inside and outside of the house, until the chlorine odor is detected in each faucet, then shut them all off. If you have a water treatment system, switch it to bypass before turning on the indoor faucets.
6. Wait 6 to 24 hours before turning the faucets back on. It is important not use this water for to drinking, cooking, bathing or washing during that time period --- it contains high amounts of chlorine.
7. Once the waiting period is up, turn on an outside spigot with hose attached and run the water into a safe area where it will not disturb plants, lakes, streams or septic tanks. Run the water until there is no longer a chlorine odor. Turn the water off.
8. The system now should be disinfected, and you can use the water. However, the water should not be used for drinking until a bacteria test indicates that the disinfection procedure was effective.
9. Have your water tested for bacteria 7 to 10 days after disinfection.

For more information, visit the EPA's Web site on flooded well safety at http://www.epa.gov/safewater/privatewells/whatdo.html.

For more news from Penn State's College of Agricultural Sciences, visit http://aginfo.psu.edu.

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Writer/Editor: Jeff Mulhollem Office 814-863-2719 FAX 814-863-9877