NORTHUMBERL AND COUNTY -If your well becomes submerged, then your drinking water could be at risk, says Anne Alexander, director of environmental health with the Haliburton, Kawartha, Pine Ridge District Health Unit.

Heavy rain and melting snow are causing river and lake levels to rise in parts of Northumberland County, and, as a result, the local health unit warns that drinking water quality may be affected for residents in low-lying areas who rely on private wells or who draw surface water.

They warn that people who rely on private wells should be aware that their drinking water supply could become contaminated if the well head is or has been submerged under water.

“Residents who draw surface water from lakes or streams without using a disinfectant unit are at particular risk,” says Alexander. “However, even those with a disinfectant unit should note that these systems could become overwhelmed by the higher water flows, also resulting in contamination.”

In all cases, the Health Unit urges people to use bottled water or boil their water to a rolling boil before drinking. Water should be brought to a rolling boil for one minute, and cooled before drinking.

“Given the present conditions, we think it’s best to err on the side of caution, and that is why we are issuing this advisory,” says Alexander.

This boil water precaution should continue until residents can get their water tested through the Health Unit and receive back a satisfactory result. Samples should not be taken, however, until water levels recede. Water testing bottles and kits can be picked up at any local health unit office.

Drop-off times and locations are available at www.hkpr.on.ca under the ‘What’s New’ section. You can also call the health unit at 1-866-888-4577 for more information. The water testing service is free to local residents. The health unit will forward the samples to the provincial lab in Peterborough, which then tests the water and reports results to the resident.

The health unit is also reminding local residents to note that excess water could cause septic systems to malfunction. People should limit the use of their septic systems to prevent overloading and check after water levels subside for any malfunction.