My three dogs wag their tails when they see a puddle, but even with their amazing canine noses they can't sniff out the hidden contaminants. And they can't see the dangerous debris hidden in the mud.
Flood water may appear safe for pets to consume, but too much water flowing in rivers and streams actually creates an unsafe mix of contaminants and debris. According to the Examiner.com:
Heavy rainfall can cause flooding. This may overwhelm storm drains, sewer treatment plants, local septic and leach fields and manure lagoons. All of those situations can lead to contaminated water.
If your community has issued a warning for bacterial contamination of the municipal water supply, follow their directions including boiling water, etc. If you have a private well and you live in an area with flooding, have your water supply tested.
Here are just a few of the contaminants that may get into the water supply or be present in the floodwaters after heavy rains according to OSHA:
- intestinal bacteria such as E. coli, Salmonella, and Shigella;
- Hepatitis A Virus;
- agents of typhoid, paratyphoid and tetanus.
Using bottled water for indoor pets and collecting rainwater (not flood water) in tubs for outdoor pets are safe alternatives when contaminated water is suspected.
Tips for making drinking water safe
How can you make your water safe to drink? Listen to local officials for their recommendations. I am not a medical professional, but here are three methods.
According to CDC
If tap water is clear:
- Use bleach that does not have an added scent (like lemon).
- Add 1/8 teaspoon (8 drops or about 0.75 milliliters) of household liquid bleach to 1 gallon (16 cups) of water.
- Mix well and wait 30 minutes or more before drinking.
If tap water is cloudy:
- Use bleach that does not have an added scent (like lemon).
- Add 1/4 teaspoon (16 drops or 1.5 milliliters) of household liquid bleach to 1 gallon (16 cups) of water.
- Mix well and wait 30 minutes or more before drinking.
According to the EPA:
If your water isn't safe, bring drinking water to a rolling boil for 1 minute (not including the time to bring the water to a boil) to kill water-borne diseases.
According to OSHA:
If no safe water supply is available for washing, use bottled water, water that has been boiled for at least 10 minutes or chemically disinfected water. (To disinfect water, use 5 drops of liquid household bleach to each gallon of water and let sit for at least 30 minutes for disinfection to be completed.). Water storage containers should be rinsed periodically with a household bleach solution.
Wash your hands
Of course, one of the most basic precautions you can take is to wash your hands with clean water after coming in contact with flood water. Here is a list of other precautions from the OSHA:
Wash your hands with soap and water that has been boiled or disinfected before preparing or eating foods, after using the bathroom, after participating in flood cleanup activities, and after handling articles contaminated by flood waters.
In addition, children should not be allowed to play in flood waters or with toys that have been in contact with flood waters. Toys should be disinfected.
Downed power lines
In areas with tree damage and other damage downed power lines increase the risk of encountering electrical or fire hazards in the flood water. Don't be fooled because the "puddle" seems shallow and safe–even professional rescue workers use special equipment to located these hazards.
Infections of skin from debris
Walking your pets through flood water or even puddles increases your risk of getting cut by debris such as broken glass or nails or other sharp objects. Because of the flooding, these objects may be contaminated with bacteria such as Tetanus. If you or your pets have an open wound, stay away from the contaminated water which can cause infections. Consult a medical professional if you think a wound is infected. Some infections do not appear right away and may appear days or weeks after coming in contact with bacteria in the water.
Wildlife
The displacement of wild animals due to the flooding means you need to keep a close eye on your family and your pets when outdoors. If you get a bite from wildlife, seek medical help immediately.
Cleaning toys for kids and pets
The CDC has an excellent PDF for tips on cleaning and sanitizing toys.
Illustration by me, Chris Olson
