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PA DEP Advises Residents in Ivan Aftermath

Tropical Storm Ivan wreaked havoc on Pennsylvania on September 17-18, 2004. The PA DEP offers residents some tips and assistance for dealing with the aftermath.

Flooding, especially flooding to the extent seen during Tropical Storm Ivan, can cause unforeseen circumstances. The following are some ways the PA DEP is helping residents clean up and resume normal life in the wake of the floods:

	Commonwealth is waiving fees that the state charges to landfill operators in order to hasten cleanup efforts. The waiver applies to any landfill that receives flood debris, regardless of whether or not the site is located in a declared disaster county.
	PA DEP recommends residents conserve water to reduce the load on local wastewater treatment plants, many of which were damaged during the floods.
	DEP is providing free water testing kits to residents who rely on water wells or springs for their drinking water in those counties that have been declared disaster areas. Flood victims with private drinking water wells are urged to properly disinfect the well before sampling if the area around the well head was flooded. Well water should not be consumed until the well has been disinfected and sample results indicate that coliform bacteria are not present.
	PA DEP has announced emergency permitting procedures and other measures to hasten the maintenance, repair, or replacement of flood-damaged bridges, highways, utility lines and other items in or near state waterways.
	Although all the major dams in the state appear to have survived the storm in good shape, DEP’s Division of Dam Safety reminds smaller dam owners that it is their responsibility to inspect for damage after major flood events. Any concerns should be reported to the PA DEP Office of Dam Safety at 717-787-8568.

For information on these programs and other flood cleanup issues, visit the PA DEP flood recovery page at http://www.dep.state.pa.us/dep/deputate/watermgt/general/floods/flooding.htm.