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Flood waters and sewer overflows can contain bacteria, fecal material, viruses and other organisms that may cause disease. After flood waters and/or sewer overflows are gone, follow the information below to protect your health and prevent disease. Click here to read After The Flood, a best practices guide on flood safety.

These basic precautions can help to prevent disease:

  • Minimize skin contact with sewer water, especially cuts and sores. Keep them clean and covered. 
  • Do not allow children to play in areas contaminated by sewage overflows. 
  • Do not eat or drink anything exposed to sewer water.
  • Keep contaminated objects, water and hands away from your mouth, eyes and nose.
  • Wash hands frequently, especially after bathroom use, before eating and immediately following contact with sewer water or contaminated objects or surfaces.

Take the following precautions to prevent injury:

  • Turn off main power switches if necessary. Air out and wipe dry all appliances and electrical outlets exposed to water before use. 
  • If you have fuel oil or gas systems, be sure tanks are secure and all lines are free from breaks. 
  • Wear rubber boots, gloves and an N95 or HEPA respirator mask during removal and cleanup.
  • Open windows if possible to ventilate and dry the area. Fans can be used to help with drying. 
  • Keep children from playing in flood and sewer water.

The following cleaning guidelines may help prevent the transmission of disease and reduce property loss:

General Cleaning:

  • Discard any contaminated objects that cannot be thoroughly washed or laundered. 
  • Wash contaminated surfaces and objects with warm, soapy water and disinfect with a bleach and water solution made of no more than 1 cup of bleach per 1 gallon of water. For objects that would be damaged by bleach, use a home or laundry disinfectant.
  • Make sure to read and follow label instructions. Do not use ammonia. Do not mix ammonia and bleach; the vapors are hazardous.
  • Scrub and wash all objects in the affected area of your home, including clothes, exposed to flood waters. Use warm, not hot, tap water with soap.

Specific Cleaning:

Carpets and Rugs 
Carpets and rugs that cannot be thoroughly dried and cleaned should be discarded and replaced. If the damaged area is small, you may be able to save the carpet by cleaning the area with a mild detergent. There also are professional home cleaning services that may be able to clean your carpets.

Floors, Drapes and Furniture 
Floors and hard surfaces should be cleaned with a bleach and water solution made of no more than one cup of bleach per one gallon of water, or use a household disinfectant. A professional cleaner may be able to clean furniture and drapes.

Basement
Pump out standing water and remove all debris. Wait to pump until flood waters have receded below basement level. Allow debris to drain before disposal. Strain away all liquids from trash. After straining trash, wrap in newspaper and store in tight-lid garbage cans until pick up. Paneling and wallboard must be immediately cleaned and dried thoroughly. If the damage is severe, they should be removed and replaced.

Food and Water Safety 
Use only bottled or disinfected water for drinking, cooking, tooth brushing and bathing until you are sure the water supply is safe. Discard food exposed to contaminated waters. If refrigerators or freezers have taken in water, discard food stored there. If no water entered these appliances, but power was lost long enough for foods to thaw, discard all partially thawed foods unless prepared immediately. Discard milk, cheeses and other foods prone to spoilage. Completely thawed meats and vegetables should be discarded without question. Discard all bulging or leaking canned food and any food stored in jars. Undented, intact cans can be cleaned with a bleach solution before use.

This fact sheet was supported in part by funds from the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act trust fund through a cooperative agreement with the Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.

Floodwater can be dangerous and can cause illness. You cannot always see what is in floodwater and the dangers and diseases it can contain.
 

Floodwater can contain: Exposure to floodwater can cause: After coming into contact with floodwater, you should:
Downed power lines Infections Wash with soap and clean water as soon as possible. If soap and water are not available, use alcohol-based wipes.
Human and animal waste Rashes Take care of wounds and seek medical attention if needed.
Household, medical, and industrial hazardous waste (chemical, biological, and radiological) Gastrointestinal illness Wash clothes in hot water and detergent before re-wearing.
Physical objects such as trees, vehicles, and debris Tetanus Avoid exposure to floodwater if you have an open wound.

The best way to protect yourself from injury and disease is to stay out of the water. If you must enter floodwater, wear rubber boots and rubber gloves.

Injuries
If you receive a puncture wound or a wound contaminated with feces, soil, or saliva, have a health care professional determine whether a tetanus booster is necessary based on individual records.

Diarrheal diseases
Floodwater may contain sewage, and eating or drinking anything contaminated by floodwater can cause diarrheal disease (such as E. coli or Salmonella infection). To protect yourself and your family:

  • Wash your hands after contact with floodwater and always before meals.
  • Do not allow children to play in floodwater areas or with toys that have been contaminated by floodwater and not yet disinfected.

Do not bathe in water that may be contaminated with sewage or toxic chemicals.

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