LAKEVILLE BOARD OF HEALTH PRESS RELEASE       March 30, 2010

PUBLIC HEALTH ADVISORY

WARNING:  FLOOD WATERS SHOULD BE ASSUMED TO HAVE CONTAMINANTS AND PRECAUTIONS SHOULD BE TAKEN WHEN COMING INTO CONTACT WITH THESE WATERS. 

The Health Department recommends no ingestion or bare skin contact with flood waters. When bare skin contact is unavoidable, hand washing and/or sanitizer should be utilized as soon as possible.  

In addition, anyone with private wells/water supplies should chlorinate after/if the private well has had a cross contamination with flood waters.   Shallow wells and wells without adequate seals are most susceptible to contamination and would therefore most likely require chlorination after a flood event.  Deep bedrock wells and wells with adequate seals should still be tested (at least annually) to insure potability in contrast to the shallow and unsealed wells that require more frequent monitoring.   

Most hardware stores and plumbing supply stores carry well sanitization kits or contact a water treatment specialist and/or company.  Additional information regarding well disinfection can be found at http://mass.gov/dep/water/drinking/weldsinf.htm.   You can also call the Lakeville Board of Health at (508) 946-3473 if you have any questions or concerns regarding your drinking water. 

Description of our Department

The Board of Health administers and co-ordinates public health programs and services, enforces State and Local Public Health Regulations and Sanitary Codes, including local regulations promulgated by the Lakeville Board of Health. 

Our diverse responsibilities include, but are not limited to, subsurface sewage disposal system permitting and  inspections, food establishment inspections and complaints, Chapter II housing insepctions and complaints, beach water quality testing at all public and semi public beaches.

The Board of Health coordinates the Visiting Nurses who conduct Health Clinics, Immunization Programs, Communicable Disease reportingand follow up, Blood Pressure Screenings and works  together with the Council on Aging providing services to  the citizens of Lakeville. 

The Board of Health also administers the Septic Loan Program where financial help is available for homeowners needing to repair a failed septic system.