The Chickasaw County Emergency Management agency has begun testing area wells for contaminates caused by the recent floods.
    Since the flooding began, Chickasaw County Emergency Management Director Ken Rasing said 24 flooded wells tested for coliform bacteria, E.coli bacteria and nitrates. Of those wells tested, seven have come back from the hygienic lab with one or more of the aforementioned contaminants.
    Rasing said five of the wells contained coliform bacteria and two were contaminated with E.coli. E.coli indicated that there is fecal waste present in the water. When either bacteria are present, it is necessary to shock the well.
    Well owners can pick up instructions on how to shock a well at the county sanitarian’s office located at 116 N. Chestnut. Rasing said people can use chlorine bleach to shock their wells.
    “I always tell people there is a risk to doing it themselves because it can burn up their pumps,” he added. “They can also call a plumber to do it.”
    In addition to the bacteria found in the seven wells, Rasing said two wells also had nitrate concentration levels greater than 45 mg/L which exceeds the infant health advisory; however, the high nitrate level was not flood related.
    “They use to call it Blue Baby Syndrome because the baby can’t get the oxygen it needs so their lips turn blue,” Rasing said.
    Adults can handle higher nitrate levels in drinking water, but there is some concern that it can cause other health risks.
    Chickasaw County residents can call the emergency management office at 641-394-2406 to request a well test.