Evaluation of Preparedness and Recovery Needs of Private Well Users After the Great Louisiana Flood of 2016

Abstract

Context:The August 2016 Louisiana flood marked the second 500-year flood in the state in 1 year. Objective: The aim of this study was to identify private well user needs in the aftermath of the flood and to develop disaster planning and recovery recommendations for flood-prone well-reliant communities. Design: A descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted to collect information from a convenience sample of floodimpacted well users via surveys and water sampling kits, which were distributed to well users 9 to 11 weeks after floodwaters receded (n = 106). Setting: Surveys and kits were distributed at roadside flood response and recovery stations set up by local churches in French Settlement, Livingston Parish, Louisiana, an area at the epicenter of the flood-impacted area. Participants: Subjects were included if they self-reported having a flood-impacted well. Main Outcome Measures: Surveys collected information to characterize knowledge gaps, risk perceptions, flood impacts, resource accessibility, and well maintenance barriers. Well water tests evaluated total coliform and Escherichia coli. Results: Among those in low-risk flood zones (n = 22), 27% were in areas designated as having flooded. Among floodimpacted wells that were shock chlorinated after the flood (n = 16), 31.3% tested positive for total coliform and 12.5% for E coli. Only 26% of respondents received well-related information after the disaster. Conclusions: Results highlight critical needs for disaster planning and well user education in flood-prone areas, changes to flood risk maps, and concerns with the efficacy of disinfection strategies. Information and resources needs for floodimpacted well users are presented and recommendations on how to improve flood preparedness and recovery are made.

Microbial Contamination of Drinking Water Supplied by Private Wells after Hurricane Harvey

“…These reductions could be likely associated with remediation efforts (e.g., well disinfection, flushing, or regular water use), natural attenuation of microbes within groundwater supplies or well water, and/or the decline in samples collected. 7,17,24,25 Flood Impacts Were Not Isolated to Private Wells in Rural Counties. Private wells are often thought of as rural drinking water systems, likely attributed to the high percentage of residents in rural counties reliant on well water; however, urban counties often have substantially larger numbers of well users but well users are a smaller percentage of the total population.…”

“…EC reduced from 15.9 to 3.1% in the same timeframe, at an average reduction of 2.4% each month. These reductions could be likely associated with remediation efforts (e.g., well disinfection, flushing, or regular water use), natural attenuation of microbes within groundwater supplies or well water, and/or the decline in samples collected. ,,, …”

“…While the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and Texas Commission on Environmental Quality rapidly assessed 2238 municipal drinking water facilities and 203 boil water notices were issued to notify customers of potential health risks, well users were solely responsible for the safety of their water. 4,5 This is concerning because participation in post-flood well water stewardship activities are known to be low, 6,7 and there was well-documented surface water contamination after Hurricane Harvey associated with the release of untreated and partially treated wastewater. 8,9 There is a critical need to evaluate well water quality immediately after flooding events to understand how system characteristics and user behaviors influence microbial contamination rates.…”

“…Hurricane Harvey made landfall on the Texas Gulf Coast on August 25, 2017, as a Category 4 hurricane, causing 60 counties to declare a state of emergency due to 1.5–3.7 m (5–12 ft.) storm surges, 209 + kph (130 + mph) winds, and nearly 1.4 m (4.5 ft.) of rainfall. , The National Ground Water Association (NGWA) estimated that the resulting widespread flooding affected 215 906 private wells, potentially introducing waterborne contaminants into the well system. While the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and Texas Commission on Environmental Quality rapidly assessed 2238 municipal drinking water facilities and 203 boil water notices were issued to notify customers of potential health risks, well users were solely responsible for the safety of their water. , This is concerning because participation in post-flood well water stewardship activities are known to be low, , and there was well-documented surface water contamination after Hurricane Harvey associated with the release of untreated and partially treated wastewater. , …”

Expecting Mother Nature: Uncertain Hurricane Forecasts Disrupt Prenatal Care and Impair Birth Outcomes

“…We further investigate the nature of potential physical exposures by focusing on statewide groundwater contamination. During Hurricane Irene, over 2 million individuals that represent over 20% of North Carolina's population (24) relied on private wells that are federally unregulated and particularly vulnerable to contamination from severe weather and flooding events (25)(26)(27)(28).…”