A flooded private well in the San Luis Valley is more than a cleanup problem: it can turn a household’s drinking water into a health risk.

Floodwater may carry sediment, bacteria, fuel, or agricultural chemicals into a well, even when the water coming from the tap looks clear.

For households that depend on private wells, the safest response begins before anyone turns on a faucet.

Turn off power to the well pump and do not use well water for drinking, cooking, bathing, or washing while its condition is uncertain.

Keep away from exposed wires, flooded controls, and unstable ground; electrical shock and collapsing soil are immediate dangers.

Look for mud lines, debris, erosion, a cracked or shifted casing, and a loose well cap, but only if you can reach the area safely.

Do not restart a pump if electrical equipment got wet or floodwater may have entered the well.

Instead, ask a qualified electrician or well professional to inspect the damage and make necessary repairs.

A well that appears intact can still have contaminated water.

Once a professional confirms the system is safe to operate, the well may need disinfection before water testing.

Disinfection procedures depend on the well and plumbing, so seek professional guidance rather than guessing how much bleach to use.

During disinfection, keep the water out of food preparation and follow the professional’s instructions about bathing and flushing the system.

To check for well water contamination, arrange bacteria testing through a certified laboratory or local health department after disinfection, following its recommended timetable.

Ask about separate chemical testing if floodwater may have carried fuel, pesticides, or runoff near the property; disinfection does not remove those hazards.

In the San Luis Valley, where homes and working land can sit close together, that distinction matters.

Keep using a safe alternative water supply until test results and any applicable health guidance support returning to normal use.

Because groundwater conditions can change after flooding, consider repeat testing if concerns persist or the water changes in smell, taste, or appearance.

Well flood damage is stressful, but rushing the pump back into service is not worth the risk.

Colorado Offers Free PFAS Testing for Private Wells

Colorado private well owners can apply for free testing for PFAS, sometimes called “forever chemicals,” through the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment’s PFAS Testing and Assistance Program (PFAS TAP). The program is available statewide while supplies last.

PFAS are long-lasting manufactured chemicals that may be present in drinking water without changing its taste, smell, or appearance. Well owners can request a sampling kit, collect a water sample using the supplied instructions, and mail it for analysis. Eligible participants may also qualify for a free water filter.

Important: PFAS testing is not a substitute for testing a flooded well for bacteria or other flood-related contamination. A negative PFAS result does not mean flood-affected well water is safe to drink. Follow the inspection, disinfection, and appropriate water-testing guidance above before returning a flooded well to use.

Learn more and find the application through the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment’s PFAS testing program.