UNDATED (WSAU)  Residents in northeastern Minnesota whose private wells may have been contaminated by flooding should test their wells before using the water. The Minnesota Department of Health says people should assume their private well is contaminated with potentially hazardous, disease-causing bacteria --- if the well casing was underwater, or the flood water came within 50-feet of the well-head.

Testing kits are free and available from local public health agencies. If you think your well was contaminated use bottled water for drinking, cooking and brushing your teeth, until the well is tested and found to be safe.