The Lewis County Health Department says 77% of the flood-related well-water samples it has tested so far were not potable, meaning the sampled water was not safe to drink.
The percentage applies to the samples submitted through the department's testing work—not to every private well in Lewis County. The department did not publish the number of samples behind the percentage, so the figure should not be read as a countywide estimate. It does, however, show why a flooded well should be tested before a household assumes the water is safe.
Testing is free for Lewis County residents whose wells were affected by the flood. Residents can contact the health department at 304-269-8218 to arrange collection. The department says a trained sanitarian collects the sample and checks whether the well is properly protected.
The first laboratory check looks for total coliform bacteria, which can indicate that conditions may allow disease-causing organisms into the water. If coliforms are found, the testing process looks further for fecal coliforms or E. coli. A positive coliform result does not by itself prove that a pathogen is present, but the department says its sanitarian can give the well owner treatment instructions, help address the problem and arrange follow-up testing.
Residents who used a private well during or after the flood should contact the department for case-specific guidance instead of relying on appearance, taste or smell. The department's water-well testing page explains the sampling process, and the City of Weston continues to list free testing among its flood-recovery services.