The use of private well water poses a serious health risk. Businesses, particularly restaurants, schools and preschools, should definitely avoid using well water to prepare food, wash hands or utensils, as this puts staff, patrons and especially children at serious risk of contracting water-borne diseases.

The Water and Sewerage Corporation treats and monitors its water to ensure that international standards are met and that our water is safe to drink. That is our promise to you our customers.

Our responsibility doesn’t rest there, safe disposal of sewage is also our concern, and we recognize our duty to assist in monitoring and enforcing any laws that seek to protect our already fragile environment from further damage.

Question: Do you use water from a private well to:
• Wash your hands
• Bathe or brush your teeth
• Wash clothing or dishes
• Rinse fruits vegetable or other foods that can be eaten raw

If you answered yes, here are some facts you should know :

Most wells in New Providence contain pollutants including:
• Germs found in untreated sewage from cesspits, septic tanks and out houses
• Chemicals like laundry detergent and bathroom cleaners that are used in households and dumped down drains into septic tanks and soak-a-ways
• Lawn fertilizers, paints and solvents, engine oil, gasoline and engine coolants
• Substances produced by rotting garbage that eventually soak into soil
• Industrial or commercial waste such as commercial cleaners, manufacturing waste or by-products

Chlorine is an effective disinfectant that kills germs in water, provided that it is administered properly and in the right doses, however:
• Most chlorine treatment systems that are sold for home use don’t work continuously to disinfect water. The chlorine is added at intervals and the chlorine levels can be high just after the chlorine is added, then drop below effective levels at other times.
• Many contaminants are odorless and tasteless. Some chemical contaminants are present in such tiny amounts that only expensive and sophisticated equipment can detect them.
• An effective chlorine treatment will kill germs –but it can’t get rid of chemical pollution. Removing chemical contaminants can be time-consuming, expensive and sometimes impossible. The best solution is to get water from a non- polluted source.

Ground water contaminated with bacteria, chemicals, pesticides, gasoline or oil can cause serious health problems.
• You can get sick by drinking it or coming into contact with it. Illnesses can include diseases like Hepatitis A, gastroenteritis, nervous system disorders, liver kidney failure or cancer.

Water Saving Tips
According to the World Health Organization drowning is the leading cause of death in children one to four years old and adolescent boys. Due to their higher activity level, males account for a higher percentage of drowning victims.
• Children younger than one years old commonly drown in bathtubs, buckets or toilets.
• A baby or young child can drown in as little as two inches (five centimeteres) of water.
• For every toddler who drowns, six are victims of near drowning. Near drownings often result in permanent brain damage.
• Children who drown in swimming pools are usually seen five minutes before the acccident occurs.
• In most cases the parents or other responsible adult are present at the time of the drowning.
• Boating accidents often result in drowning.
• Children should be CLOSELY supervised by an adult whose ONLY responsibility is to watch them when they are around the pool, at the beach or bathing. They must also be watched constantly near docks, ponds and open wells.
• Never leave a child unattended in a bathtub even for a moment.
• Bodies of water such as pools and wells should always be fenced in or covered.
• Bathroom doors should always be kept closed and toilet lids down, preferably with a safety latch.
• Buckets should be emptied after use and be kept empty.
• Life jackets should always be worn when swimming or going on boating trips.