Due to tidal and storm water flooding caused by Tropical Storm Ernesto, the Board of County Commissioners for St. Mary’s County recommend that all property owners on St. George’s Island that have private wells, boil their water for at least 20 minutes prior to drinking, until such time as county officials can determine if their wells were submerged during the recent flooding. County officials will be surveying all of the wells on the island over the next day or so. Wells that are found to have had flood waters rise above the top of the casing are likely to have been contaminated and should be disinfected prior to drinking without prior boiling.
County officials recommend that property owners in other areas of St. Mary’s County who suspect that their wells were also submerged during flooding contact the St. Mary’s County Health Department for assistance by calling (301)475-4330.