Contact information

Volusia County Hotline
(866) 345-0345

United Way
First Call for Help
211 or (386)253-0563

Volusia County Schools
West Volusia
734-7190 ext. 20000
New Smyrna Beach
427-5223 ext. 20000
Daytona Beach
255-6475 ext. 20000
Deltona/DeBary
(386) 860-3322

DeLand
(386) 734-1711

Deltona
(386) 561-2109

Edgewater
(386) 424-2400

Flagler County
(386) 437-8202

New Smyrna Beach Hotlines
(386) 424-2113
(386) 424-2114

Ormond Beach
Public Works
(386) 676-3220
Police non-emergency (386) 677-0731

Ponce Inlet
(386) 322-6711

Port Orange
(386) 506-5999

FPL Hotline
1-800-4-OUTAGE

FEMA
Assistance number
1-800-621-3362.

American Red Cross:
(386) 226-1400 (daily)
(866) GET-INFO (during crisis)

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Friday, May 22, 2009
Stefany Strong
Public Information Officer
Paul Minshew
Environmental Health Manager

Volusia County Health Department issues precautions for flooding of septic tanks and wells

DAYTONA BEACH - With the recent heavy and frequent rains, there has been some flooding and standing water in many areas of the county. The Volusia County Health Department recommends that certain health precautions be taken where septic tanks or private drinking water wells are flooded.
In the areas where septic systems are used for sewage disposal, residents may not be able to flush toilets, do laundry, shower, etc., for some time. Until such time as floodwaters recede, it is advised that residents with septic systems that are experiencing flushing problems minimize their use of water in the home. Residents should consider washing their laundry at a commercial laundromat and using a portable toilet, which can be rented locally.

Children should be restricted from playing in flooded areas, especially where there are submerged septic systems. Besides bacteria and virus contamination, there may be chemicals from stormwater runoff, snakes, or other unseen hazards (such as broken glass) in the floodwater.

Residents are advised to not use the water from flooded or nearly flooded wells, especially if there is a nearby flooded septic tank. If the well pumps discolored water or water with unusual taste, the water should not be used for drinking purposes.

Water from wells, in which the casings have been submerged, should not be used until after the floodwater has receded and the well has been bacteriologically tested and found to be safe for drinking water purposes. When well water is questionable, residents should use bottled water or boiled water for consumptive purposes. To properly boil water, so that it is free from any disease-causing bacteria, boil the water vigorously for three minutes and then cool prior to usage.

Bacteriological testing can be done by a private certified laboratory or the County’s Environmental Health laboratory, at a cost of $20.00 per sample.

For information on availability of bacteriological testing, call the Volusia County Health Department laboratory at (386) 248-1781 or your nearest Environmental Health office in:

Daytona (386) 274-0692
DeLand  (386) 822-6250
New Smyrna Beach (386) 424-2061

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