Heavy rainfall may result in flood waters that are contaminated with sewage. Proper cleaning and disinfecting procedures are recommended to prevent illness.

How to clean up sewage contaminated items and sewage spills inside your home:

• Wear protective clothing such as rubber boots and waterproof gloves.
• Clean walls, hard-surfaced floors, and other household surfaces with soap and water and disinfect with a solution of 1/4 cup of bleach in one gallon of water. Once cleanup is complete, dry out affected items to prevent the growth of mold.

• Do not mix ammonia cleansers with bleach as toxic vapors will form.
• Wash all linens and clothing in hot water or dry clean them.
• Discard Items that cannot be washed or dry cleaned, such as mattresses, carpeting, wall coverings and upholstered furniture. 

For spills outside your home:

• Contact your utility or a registered septic tank contractor for clean up.
• Do not have the septic tank and drain field repaired until the ground has dried. Often systems will work when dry conditions return. Any repair must be permitted and inspected by your county health department.
• Minor spills requiring immediate attention may be disinfected with regular garden lime from a garden shop. Follow the lime container’s label instructions for personal protective equipment needed.
• Sprinkle the lime onto the spill so the spill is dusted mostly white on the surface. If the residue is thicker in some places use a rake to mix the lime and the residue.
• After a day, rake up the thicker residue and place it in a trash bag for disposal with the other trash. Use a sprinkler or hose to water the lime and residue into the soil.
• Let the area dry in the sun a day before allowing access. If there is still white lime dust visible on the yard, water it in until the white dust is gone.

Follow proper hygiene procedures to prevent illness:

• Keep hands and fingers away from the nose, mouth, eyes and ears.
• Wash hands with soap and water immediately after cleanup efforts as well as before eating or drinking.

• Keep fingernails short and clean. Use a stiff brush to remove dirt and foreign materials.
• Do not wade through standing water. If you do, bathe and put on clean clothes as soon as possible.
• Do not store fresh work clothes with used work clothes.

For further information, please visit mypolkhealth.org or www.FloridaDisaster.org.

Image courtesy of coward_lion at FreeDigitalPhotos.net

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