WUPDH Advisory: Floodwaters May Be Contaminated

If you live in the Baraga, Gogebic, Houghton, Keweenaw, and Ontonagon Counties, the Western U.P. Health Department (WUPHD) encourages everyone to avoid contact with any floodwaters.

Floodwaters may contain sewage or other contaminants that may be harmful to public health. 

Combined sewer systems are common across the area and are designed to collect rainwater runoff, domestic sewage, and industrial waste water in the same network of pipes. Heavy rainfall and a fast spring snowmelt frequently result in an overflow to the surface.

If you or your belongings come into contact with the floodwater, please wash with soap and water.

Residents with a flooded basement should wear rubber boots and gloves, and throw away any foodstuffs that may have come in contact with the floodwater.

If homeowners have a well on their property that may have been under floodwater, please test and disinfect it according to instructions on the health department website.