Information for Missouri Families And Communties Regarding Flooding

JEFFERSON CITY, MO, JUNE 13, 2008 -- As directed by Lt. Governor Peter Kinder, acting governor, the Missouri Department of Natural Resources is working with the State Emergency Management Agency, federal, state and local agencies as well as the public on environmental concerns due to the flooding issues across the state.

"As we continue to monitor river levels, Missourians need to know that our state is prepared with resources and equipment to address flooding concerns," Lt. Governor Kinder said. "I encourage communities and Missouri families to take necessary steps to minimize potential flood damage and ensure their safety."

The department has several publications and facts sheets available on the Internet to help people affected by the floods or other natural disaster clean up homes and communities. The disaster information includes some of the following documents:

* Additional Contact Phone Numbers.
* Boil Water Notice.
* Disaster Response Guidance for Public Drinking Water and Wastewater.
* Disaster Response for On-Site Wastewater Systems.
* Emergency Guidance for Hazardous Materials and Hazardous Waste.
* Guidance on Wastewater Treatment Plants Affected by Flooding.
* Household Chemicals and Household Hazardous Waste.
* How to Construct a Sandbag Emergency Levee.
* Restoring Drinking Water.
* Water Pollution.
* What to do After the Flood - Regulatory and Permitting Requirements.
* What to do with Disaster Debris.

Visit http://www.dnr.mo.gov/disaster.htm for publications and fact sheets and http://www.dnr.mo.gov/psa/index.html#disaster for public service announcements on disaster assistance. If the fact sheets and documents do not address your questions, or communities and residents are unable to access the Web, please call the Missouri Department of Natural Resources at 800-361-4827.

Residents should contact their public water supply directly for further information and monitor the local news media for notification when any health advisories have been issued or lifted. The local water supplier has the most up-to-date information about problems in the area, such as broken water mains, low water pressure or any other possible sources of contamination. As long as adequate water pressure has been maintained through the flood, people should need only to flush their water pipes.

However, if any area has lost water pressure for any period of time, residents should boil their water for drinking for three minutes. Residents should continue boiling their water until notified that samples have been taken proving the water is safe to drink. If residents need additional information or cannot reach their water supply representative, call the department's Public Drinking Water Branch at 800-361-4827 or 573 751-5331 or your nearest regional office at:

* Kansas City Regional Office -- 816-622-7000.
* Northeast Regional Office -- 660-385-8000.
* Southeast Regional Office -- 573-840-9750.
* Southwest Regional Office -- 417-891-4300.
* St. Louis Regional Office -- 314-416-2960.

Those using private wells that may have been flooded should follow boil order procedures, which are available from their local public health agency.

The department is also working with wastewater treatment facilities as necessary to advise on possible wastewater bypassing from the flooding. Facilities may need to bypass or shut down a treatment system or tributary sewer system where unavoidable to prevent loss of life, personal injury or property damages; or where excessive storm drainage or runoff would damage any facilities or processes necessary for compliance with effluent limitations and conditions of a facility's permit.

Facilities are required to take all reasonable measures to avoid a bypass or shutdown. However, if one occurs a facility must notify the department by telephone within 24 hours and follow up with a written report with five days of all bypasses or shutdowns.

For more information or questions on environmental concerns, contact the Department of Natural Resources at 800-361-4827 or contact one of the department's regional offices in your area. The additional information on the regional offices, visit the department's Web site at www.dnr.mo.gov/regions/regions.htm.

Source: Missouri Lt. Governor

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