By Emily Enfinger
The Selma Times-Journal

The Alabama Department of Public Health (ADPH) released an advisory for residents with on-site septic tanks and wells on Dec. 30, in regard to recent flooding around the state.

The release from ADPH said residents with on-site septic tanks and wells may be experiencing performance problems because of saturated ground from recent storms and flooding.

Residents are suggested to reduce water usage such as reducing toilet flushing, dishwashing, showering and to use laundromats as opposed to washing clothes at home to provide relief and prevent possible damage to the septic system.

Residents with wells are advised to avoid contact from standing water that may contain sewage, assume that any water wells that have been covered by flood water to be contaminated and to test their private water wells before consuming water from them.

Sample kits may be obtained from local and state health departments for testing. Even after obtaining a satisfactory result, residents are encouraged to continue sampling their wells to ensure water quality.

Residents should only use clear water that has been brought to a full boil for one minute until water supply is confirmed to be free of contaminates.

According to the Centers of Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) floodwater may cause diarrheal disease if consumed or cause infections in rashes or open wounds if exposed and suggests practicing good hygiene such as washing hands after contact with floodwater and before eating meals as precaution.

“If they do have some issues and they’re not real sure about who they can call, they can contact their environmentalist with the local county health department,” said Thad Pittman, ADPH division of community environmental protection director. “That person can then put them in contact with the private professionals that could pump their tank, repair their system and help them out to make sure they have a properly operating system.”

The Dallas County Health Department is located at 100 Samuel O. Moseley Drive in Selma. Their office hours are Monday – Friday from 8 a.m. until 5 p.m. with extended hours on every second Thursday from 8 a.m. until 7 p.m.

For more information, please contact the Dallas County Health Department at 334-874-2550 or Alabama Department of Public Health at 334-206-5534.

To view the full advisory, please visit www.adph.org.