According to Nathan Saunders, field inspection team manager for the Maine Drinking Water Program, residents with dug or drilled wells should boil water when surface water overflows the cap of a well.

Surface water can contain harmful bacteria which, if ingested, could cause serious illness, Saunders said.

Even if surface water doesn’t overflow a well cap, which for drilled wells is about 18 inches from the ground and about a foot for dug wells, problems can even occur when flood waters overflow the area of the well.

“Even if the well cover isn’t completely submerged, the water can follow the casing down into the well. Residents should be concerned when this happens,” Saunders said.

A boil water order was issued for Friendly Village in Gorham and Camp Ellis in Saco as well as four islands in Casco Bay. No order has been issued in the Lakes Region as of deadline. But Saunders said residents in the area should observe their well to

Saunders advises residents to call the Maine Drinking Water Program if they have any questions about whether to drink well water. If a well has been compromised, the drinking water program can help individuals remedy the situation or put residents in contact with those who can help. Contact 287-2070 with any questions or concerns.

-John Balentine, editor