The Minnesota Department of Health is advising owners of private water wells to take precautions against floodwater contamination.
If floodwater has reached a well, do not use the water for drinking, cooking or brushing teeth until the floodwater recedes and the well is disinfected and tested.
If floodwater has come within 50 feet of a well, but did not reach the well, homeowners still might want to have well water tested for coliform bacteria as a precaution, health department officials advise.
Once floodwaters recede from a well, homeowners should prepare to have it disinfected and tested.
According to the National Weather Service, the St. Croix River is expected to crest at Stillwater at 7 a.m. Sunday about 2 1/2 feet above flood stage.
The Mississippi River at St. Paul is expected to reach major flood stage on Thursday and crest about three feet above that by Sunday.
For more information about flood precautions for private wells, go to https://www.health.state.mn.us/communities/environment/water/wells/natural/floodprecautions.html
