Utah is in a very good position with the water supply forecast between 110 and 140 percent of the state’s average runoff. That is great to fill reservoirs but might be problematic for flooding. The Utah Department of Environmental Quality would like to give a couple tips to prepare residents for such an event. The first concern is often the safety of drinking water. For those that are connected to public water systems the Division of Drinking Water adds chlorine to help protect from contaminates and monitors it continually. If you have a well there can be a real danger especially if it is 10 years old or less than 50 feet deep. Never pump flood water into the sewer as it can over tax the system. If you have a septic system be sure to pump it out as soon as possible after the flood. In the case of indoor sewage contamination, be sure to clean as soon as possible. Kim Dyches, Environmental Program Manager at the Utah Department of Environmental Quality, says the “main goal is the safety of your water and ensuring you have a good supply of it. We will continue to do all we can to work with the various agencies and offer any assistance…to keep your drinking water clean and safe.”
