FLOOD WATCH: Floodwaters can contaminate food and tap water

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Floodwaters are often very dirty and food or water that has come into contact with flood water can become contaminated and make people sick.

Questions about the quality of city drinking water should be directed to the City of Kamloops.

For residents on private systems or individual wells that suspect their water supply has been affected or contaminated by the flood, water should be boiled or an alternative source of drinking water should be used until the water source can be assessed.

For information on having private water sources tested, refer to the list of province-approved drinking-water testing laboratories, which can be found online at http://www.phsa.ca/AgenciesAndServices/Services/PHSA-Labs/Testing-Requisitions/Environmental/Enhanced-Water-QA/default.htm.

Food that has come into contact with floodwaters should be destroyed unless it has been packaged in waterproof containers that can be easily cleaned and sanitized.

It is hard to make food that has been directly exposed to flood waters safe to eat. In most cases, washing and sanitizing food cannot be done well enough. Normal cooking temperatures may not be enough to destroy disease causing bacteria and viruses if the food has been heavily contaminated.

Never eat or drink uncooked foods exposed to flood waters, including raw foods you have tried to wash and sanitize. Perishable foods such as meat, poultry, eggs and dairy products should always be thrown out.

n BC Hydro also has advice in the event of a home being flooded:

• If you must evacuate, only turn off the electrical main power switch if the building is dry. If the building is already flooded, do not attempt to turn off the main power switch.

• Move any portable electrical items to an upper floor or somewhere not at risk of flooding.

• Do not enter flooded basements or buildings that may have energized wires or appliances.

• Do not touch damp walls.

• If you are boating in a flooded area, avoid power lines.