Fecal Coliforms or E.coli are indicators that drinking water has been contaminated by sewage or aminal waste that contain disease. When flooding occurs, water treatment plants have a harder time treating these microorganisms.

Turbidity

Turbidity is the measure of the clarity of a water sample and is effectively used to indicate that the disease risk from waterborne microorganisms is significantly increased. Also, high levels of turbidity may reduce the efficiency of disinfection.

Nitrate

Exposure to nitrate in drinking water poses a risk mainly to infants. Nitrate is used on golf courses and on homeowners lawns to improve the "look" of the landscape. During flooding, the nitrates seep into ground water and runs into rivers and streams which increase the contamination in drinking water.

Atrine

Atrine is a herbicide used in corn and soybeans and commonly found in drinking water. It is a possible carcinogen, and has been found to cause cancer of certain glands in animal studies. The risk of it showing up in drinking water, dramatically increases during flooding.

Main Page