Flooding
Flooding of any kind is distressing. When there is a risk that the floodwater may be contaminated with sewage, then the experience can be particularly unpleasant.
Flooding and your health
Although floodwater and sewage can leave a muddy deposit,
past experience of flooding and sewage contamination suggests that
the risk to health is small. There is no need for booster
immunisations or antibiotics.
Health risks can be minimised when cleaning up by wearing protective clothing like strong waterproof gloves and boots. You may consider wearing a disposable boiler-suit or similar, and beware of the increased risks of slipping hazards.
Hands should be washed with soap and clean water after going to the toilet, before eating and preparing food, and after contact with floodwater, sewage or any other contaminated items.
Children should not play in floodwater areas. Their hands should be washed frequently and floodwater- contaminated toys should be washed with hot water and be disinfected before use.
Open cuts or sores should not be exposed to flood water.
Bacteria such as E. coli O157, Salmonella or Campylobacter may be present in floodwater - although in a substantially diluted form. Medical advice should be sought by anyone developing diarrhoea or vomiting following direct contact with floodwater.
If floodwater contains oil or diesel, it can be removed by using a detergent solution and washing the surface down after initial cleaning is completed. It is possible that an odour problem may arise if diesel, oil, etc are present in inaccessible areas.
Social services may be able to help elderly and vulnerable people who return to their houses after a flood. If illness occurs, the doctor should be informed that the home was flooded.
Gardens and play areas
Sunlight and soil should help destroy harmful bacteria and
significant risks to health should disappear completely within a
week or so. Waterlogged garden equipment should be cleaned and
allowed to dry out before further use.
Inside the home
All furnishing and fittings that are damaged beyond repair
should be removed. Dirty water and silt should be removed from the
property, including from the space under the ground floor if the
floors are wooden.
Disinfect all hard surfaces until visually clean following the manufacturers instructions and isolate the electrical supply.
All affected clothing, bedding and other soft fabric items should be laundered on a hot wash. Other soft furnishings that can not be laundered should be professionally cleaned or disposed of.
Returning to the home
The house should only be fully re-occupied once the above
cleaning regime has been followed. It should be well
ventilated and heated. Ensure the electrical supply is made safe by
a competent person.
Food preparation and storage
Food should be destroyed if it has come into
contact with sewage or floodwater. Hands should always be washed
before and after preparing food. All surfaces that food will come
into contact with, including shelves in fridges, should be
disinfected using a ‘ food safe’ disinfectant such as
Milton,
Dettox or similar. Food should not come into contact with
surfaces that are damaged.
Food that is eaten raw should be washed with boiled water that has been allowed to cool. If the food is to be cooked, it is safe to use unboiled tap water. Caterers should seek advice from environmental health officers.
Opened food should be kept in an enclosed box or tin and frozen food that has thawed should be disposed of. Attempts should not be made to salvage damaged food including tins.
Contaminated drinking water
Follow the advice of the local water company to determine the
safety of its water supply. They have to take all necessary steps
to protect public health. Alternative supplies are usually
available if a water treatment works becomes flooded. Companies may
advise consumers to boil water before drinking or to temporarily
stop using water for domestic purposes.
Water from private supplies should be boiled until the water is tested and shown to be safe. Water taps should be cleaned and disinfected before they are used for the first time.
Further information
Environment Agency
General enquiries: 08708 506 506
Floodline: 0845 988 1188
Watervoice,
The Consumer Council for Water
National number: 0845 039 2837
A leaflet about flooding is available in pdf format.