VDH is offering free testing for private wells affected by the recent flooding

The Virginia Department of Health (VDH) is offering free testing kits to individuals whose private drinking water wells were affected by recent flooding in Southwest Virginia. Any well that was flooded during the recent flood is likely contaminated, even if there is no obvious damage.

The free private well testing kits are available to residents of Bland, Buchanan, Carroll, Dickenson, Floyd, Giles, Grayson, Lee, Montgomery, Pulaski, Russell, Scott, Smyth, Tazewell, Washington, Wise and Wythe counties and the city of Radford. To qualify for the test, the well must first be disinfected and flushed. VDH recommends hiring a well driller for this process. For those who want to disinfect the fountain themselves, all safety precautions and instructions should be followed using these instructions.

Once well users have disinfected and flushed their well, they can request a free testing kit by calling the VDH call center at 877-829-4682, Monday through Friday (no holidays) from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., or by completing the online survey. Test kits will also be available at Hurricane Helene Disaster Recovery Centers (DRC). To find the nearest DRC, use the FEMA DRC Locator at https://egateway.fema.gov/ESF6/DRCLocator.

Well water affected by flooding can contain germs that can lead to gastrointestinal illnesses. The kits contain the necessary tools to collect samples for testing for total coliforms and E. coli. The test results only indicate whether the well is contaminated.

Tests must be returned to the nearest Hurricane Helene Disaster Recovery Center or local health department in the Cumberland Plateau, LENOWISCO, Mount Rogers or New River Health Districts Monday through Thursday. Samples should be dropped off at one of the available locations by 4:00 p.m. on the day of sample collection.

For more information about the free well testing program, visit VDH’s Hurricane Helene Post-Storm Response webpage. For more information about specific concerns regarding private wells, contact your local health department or a licensed well driller.