Due to all the heavy rain and flooding that has occurred in Reno County over the last 36 hours, the Chairman of the Reno County Board of County Commission, has made a local declaration of disaster.
We have roads and streets across the City of Hutchinson and Reno County that are closed due to high water. We encourage you to limit travel as much as possible to essential trips. Please be careful and travel safely. Do not drive over water covered roads and streets. DO NOT drive around barricades; it is both illegal and not very smart. We have roads that have been washed out, and you could end up with your vehicle disable and trap in high water, or washed down the water course and be seriously injured or killed.
There has been a shelter opened at the Trinity United Methodist Church at the corner of 17th Ave and Main Street in Hutchinson. There has also been one opened at Our Lady of Guadalupe Church in South Hutchinson for the people that were evacuated from Elm Grove Estates.
Do not play in the flood waters.
There have been septic systems, and sewer systems that have back up and deposited waste materials in the water. There is also a considerable amount of run-off from fields that have chemicals applied on them that have been flooded and run-off making it to the Rivers and Creeks. There is also the possibility of submerged obstacles that are not visible that could cause problems also.
And this info is from the Reno County Health Department.
Cleaning and Disinfection of Flooded Private Water Wells
Pump the well out thoroughly to remove all flood water.
Remove all mud, silt, and sediment from the well. The walls and curbing of dug wells should be washed down to remove any mud or sediment that may have collected on the walls. Bailers may be needed to remove mud from the bottom of the wells.
Repair the well, if necessary, to prevent surface water from entering the well. Sediment in a drilled, cased well reaches the groundwater through rapid percolation in sandy or alluvial soils or by direct flow among the casing of improperly grouted wells.
Pump the well until the water runs clear.
Disinfect the well. For drilled wells, pour 1-2 gallons of unscented bleach into the well, according to volume of water in well. For hand dug wells, use two gallons of unscented bleach.
Run a hose down the well to mix the bleach in the well water, at full force for 10 minutes. Allow the mixed water to stand for at least 20 minutes before running the water in the house.
Run water at each tap and faucet until the smell of chlorine is present. When the chlorine smell is present at all faucets, shut off faucets. Allow the chlorine to remain in the system for 12-24 hours. After this period of time, run the water until the taste and smell of chlorine is no longer present.
Use water at a normal rate for one week and then have the water tested to see if well is free of bacteria.