Flooding information and advice for
residents, staff & councillors
Flood update
Check the Environment Agency’s website at www.environment-agency.gov.uk
Water supplies
The latest information is on the news section of Severn Trent Water’s website at
www.stwater.co.uk.
Health and safety advice
People affected by flooding should take precautions to protect their health.
Floodwater is likely to be contaminated with harmful bacteria, sewage and other
chemical hazards such as oil, diesel and petrol. Health risks can be minimised by
taking general hygiene precautions and using protective clothing (waterproof boots
and gloves) whilst cleaning up.
There is detailed health and safety advice on the flooding advice pages of our
website.
In particularly people affected by flooding should:
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Always wash their hands with soap and clean water after going to the toilet,
when eating or preparing food, after being in contact with flood water, and
after participating in flood cleanup activities.
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Do now allow children to play in floodwater, sewage or items that have been
contaminated by flood water.
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Wash children’s hands frequently and always before meals
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Wash floodwater-contaminated toys with hot water and disinfectant before
allowing them to be used again.
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Keep any open cuts or sores clean and prevent them being exposed to flood
water, Wear waterproof plasters.
Harmful bacteria may be present in sewage and animal slurry, and this can pass into
flood water, although it is likely to be extremely diluted. Drinking water may also be
contaminated. Affected residents should follow advice from Severn Trent Water
regarding the safety of their water supply. If in doubt they should boil all water
intended for drinking or use bottled water. If anyone affected by flooding gets
symptoms such as sickness, diarrhoea, or tummy cramps, they should talk to GP or
call NHS Direct on 0845 4647.
As your property continues to dry out, vacuum any loose material and dust on a
regular basis.
Very young children should avoid playing directly on timber floorboards or any
damaged tiled floors if possible – be aware of the risk of injury from sharp edges on
tiles or raised nails in the floorboards until these have been repaired.
Help for affected households
Residents whose homes have been flooded should contact their insurance company
as soon as possible as failure to notify them will jeopardise any future claims.
Insurance companies many arrange clean up, disinfectant and replacement of
damaged property. People should take photos of damaged belongings and shouldn’t
throw any way that don’t pose a health risk away until their insurance company gives
the go ahead.
People may be approached by someone offering to help them fill out their insurance
claim. If this is the case please refer them to the insurance advice sheet on our
website which gives advice on such circumstances.
Cleaning up inside your home
When returning to your home after a flood, be aware that floodwater may contain
sewage. Protect yourself and your family by following these steps:
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If there has been a backflow of sewage into the house, wear rubber boots and
waterproof gloves during clean-up.
Keep children and pets out of the affected area until clean-up has been
completed.
Clean walls, hard-surfaced floors, and other household surfaces with soap
and water and disinfected with a solution of one cup of bleach to five gallons
of water.
Wash all linen and clothing in a hot wash (60C or the highest temperature
indicated on manufacturer’s instructions), or dry-clean which will destroy most
bacteria that may be present. Air dry items that cannot be washed or dry
cleaned, such as mattresses and upholstered furniture, in the sun. Then spray
them thoroughly with a disinfectant. Steam clean all carpeting if you can.
Remove and discard all soft furnishings, fittings, wall coverings, cloth, rugs
and drywall (also include mattresses, carpeting, carpet padding, rugs,
upholstered furniture, cosmetics, stuffed animals, baby toys, pillows, foamrubber items, books, wall covering and most paper products) that are
damaged beyond repair.
Remove dirty water and silt from the property including the space under the
ground floor if you have wooden floors. This space may need pumping out.
Wash down all hard surfaces with hot soapy water until they look clean.
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Allow to thoroughly dry – this will also help to destroy bacteria left behind.
Heating and good ventilation will assist the drying. You can also help the drying
process by using fans, air conditioning units and dehumidifiers.
Thoroughly clean all hard surfaces (such as flooring, concrete, mouldings, wood and
metal furniture, countertops, appliances, sinks and other plumbing fixtures) with hot
water and detergent. Then disinfect with a solution of 1 cup of household bleach to 5
gallons of water (this solution should not be used for drinking, cooking or personal
hygiene). After completing the clean-up, wash your hands with soap and water.
Wash all clothes worn during the clean-up in hot water and detergent. These clothes
should be washed separately from uncontaminated clothes and linens.
It is best to wash clothes and linen elsewhere until your property’s wastewater
system has been checked.
Cleaning gardens and play areas
Do not let young children play on affected grassed or paved areas until they have
been cleaned down and restored to their normal condition.
Sunlight and soil help destroy harmful bacteria and there should be no risk to health
after a week or so. The best way to reduce these risks further is to always wash your
hands before eating or preparing food.
Food preparation and storage:
 Don’t eat any food that has been covered by or come into contact with
sewage or floodwater.
 Wash your hands before and after preparing food.
 Ensure all surfaces that food will come into contact with are sound and
disinfected. If work tops and other areas show signs of damage, avoid food
contact with these areas. Particularly make sure that the shelves including
those in your refridgerator where food is stored are cleaned and disinfected.
 Use boiled water which has then been allowed to cool to wash food which is
eaten raw. It is safe to use unboiled tap water in the preparation of food which
is to be cooked. It is safe to use unboiled tap water for cooking if it will be
boiled during the cooking process.
 Food preparation surfaces should be wiped down using hot unboiled tap
water containing washing-up-liquid and disinfected, and dishes and other
utensils should also be washed in hot unboiled tap water containing washingup-liquid.
 Try to keep any opened food in an enclosed box or tin.
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All crockery, pots and pans should be thoroughly washed with hot soapy
water before using. If any of these are badly chipped or damaged do not use.
You could use a food safe disinfectant to sanitise them after cleaning.
 Frozen food that has been at room temperature for a few hours should be
discarded, Put contaminated flood-damaged food in black plastic refuse
sacks, seal and put out when your next refuse collection is due. Check with
insurers before disposal.
Don’t be tempted to try and salvage damaged foodincluding tins as they may be
contaminated with sewage and chemicals left from the floodwater.
If your drinking water becomes contaminated
If your water comes through a mains supply, follow the advice of the local water
company regarding the safety of their water supply.
Water companies have a duty to take all necessary steps to protect public health. If a
water treatment works becomes flooded alternative supplies are normally available
but consumers may be advised to boil ater before drinking or temporarily refrain from
using water for domestic purposes.
 If you notice a change in water quality, such as the water becoming
discoloured or there is a change in taste or smell, or if you are unsure, ring
your local water company. If in doubt boil all water intended for drinking or use
bottled water.
 If you have been advised to boil your water, then boil all water for drinking,
brushing teeth, washing food and making ice.
 If your water is a private supply such as a well or spring, then check that it has
not been affected by floodwater. If a private well or spring has been covered
by floodwater, if the water changes colour or taste, or you believe the supply
has been affected by the flood then boil the water before you use it.
 Continue to boil the water until the supply has been tested and shown to be
safe. Boiling water kills pathogenic bacteria, viruses and parasites that may
be present in water. Bring the water to the boil and then allow it to cool before
drinking. It can be stored in a clean jug covered by a saucer in a cool place
(preferably in the fridge). Ice should be made from water prepared for
drinking.
 Use a bleach solution to rinse containers before reusing them after flooding.
Use water storage tanks and other types of containers with caution., This
applies particularly to pans and utensils used in cooking or food preparation.
Also remember:
 Water from the hot tap is not suitable for drinking.
 Ensure the water taps are cleaned and disinfected before using them for the
first time.
If there is a bottle-fed baby in the house make sure their water is boiled and do not
use bottled water unless it is recommended by a doctor or health visitor. Some
bottled water is unsuitable for babies.
Returning to your home
It is recommended that you only fully move back into your home once the above
cleaning has been carried out. There may be additional works to be carried out
evenbtually as advised by your insurance company, housing officer, landlord or
builder. If you decide to return to your home before this further work is completed
you should.:
 Try to have some heating on at all times. Consider the use of a dehumidifier.
Ensure the property is well ventilated. Leave windows open as much as
possible but be mindful of security.
 Ensure that if you have airbricks to any under floor spaces that these are
unblocked to give cross ventilation to these areas.
 Replace manhole covers dislodged by the flood.
 Don’t switch on electrical appliances, which have been in contact with
floodwater unless a competent electrician has check them. Your local
Electricity Board will be checking main supplied.
 Ensure that your home is properly aired to encourage drying.
 Make sure that any mould growth is properly treated.
How to deal with chemical hazards
Be aware of potential chemical hazards you may encounter during flood recovery.
Floodwaters may have buried or moved hazardous chemical containers of solvents
or other industrial chemical contamination, contact the fire and rescue service for
advice in the first instance.
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If the floodwater contained oil, petrol or diesel it should go away with the
floodwater and silt. Any remaining oil, diesel or petrol contamination can be
removed by using a detergent solution and washing the surface down after
initial cleaning has been carried out.
Car batteries, even those immersed in floodwater may still contain an electric
charge and should only be removed with extreme caution by using insulated
gloves. Avoid coming into contact with any acid that may have been split from
the battery.
You should also avoid enclosed areas that may be chemically contaminated,
such as garaged and cellars, where hazardous fumes may build up.
The safe use of emergency generators
Remember that petrol or diesel generators, dehumidifiers and pressure washers
should never be used indoors without adequate ventilation. The exhaust gases
contain carbon monoxide which can build up to poisonous levels without proper
ventilation.
Garden Vegetable produce
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Do not eat garden or allotment vegetables that have been covered by
sewerage or floodwater. Although any health risk may be small, it is better to
dispose of any contaminated produce and start again.
Help with pets and animals
If you need help or advice concerning your pets and animals during flooding please
contact our Environmental Services team.
Skips
We hope to provide some skips at specific points during flooding. These are for
rotting meat, dead pets and other animals only. They are not for domestic waste or
damaged furniture. Residents should leave damaged furniture in their gardens/where
it is for the time being.
Refuse collections
As far as possible refuse collections will resume as normal this week. Residents
whose waste wasn’t collected on Friday should put it out on Monday instead.
Residents should not put flood damaged furniture and bulky items out with their
household waste.
Travel information
The latest information on the county’s roads is available on BBC Herefordshire and
Worcestershire website at www.bbc.co.uk/herefordandworcest - click on the latest on
the roads link. There are also links to rail information.
Contacts:
Wychavon District Council Environmental Services
Tel: 01386 565015
Worcestershire County Council Emergency Helpline
Tel: 0845 6031296
This advice is provided by Wychavon District Councils Environmental
Services and incorporates information provide by NHS Direct.