County Health Dept. Issues Reminders After Irene

The Anne Arundel County Department of Health has issued a countywide direct water contact advisory for all recreational waterways due to heavy rainfall during this weekend’s hurricane.

Precipitation and flooding can lead to stormwater runoff and high bacteria levels in area waterways. The Department of Health advises residents to avoid wading or any other direct water contact for a minimum of 48 hours after the storm ends.

The advisory could be extended depending on the severity of the storm or if the storm causes any sewage overflows. People coming in contact with affected water should wash well with soap and warm clean water immediately. Clothing should also be washed. 

Wells: If a well becomes submerged due to flooding, it may contain bacteria. Where a private well has been affected by floodwaters, residents and business owners should use bottled water. The Department of Health recommends that the private well be chlorinated with a disinfectant before the water is used for human consumption. The well water is considered safe for laundering, bathing and other household activities. For steps on how to disinfect well water, seehttp://www.aahealth.org/programs/env-hlth/well-septic-systems/disinfect-well. 

Perishable Food: The Department of Health advises that perishable food which reaches a temperature greater than 40 degrees Fahrenheit for a period of two hours or more should be considered contaminated and disposed of rather than eaten. Frozen food will stay good until it has thawed.

The Department requests that all restaurateurs and food service facility managers call the Department if their businesses are closed due to flooding, sewage backups or power outages before they reopen. See 
http://www.aahealth.org/emergency/disaster/well-food-mold. 

Visit the Department of Health’s website, www.aahealth.org, for more information on staying healthy during stormy conditions. Click on “Storms and Floods” under “Hot Topics” or go to http://www.aahealth.org/emergency/disaster/storms.