NAPLES — The Florida Department of Health in Collier County (DOH-Collier) is urging the public to be mindful of potential issues with sewage.

Following a storm, you may experience problems with the operation of your sewage system. If you have a septic system that runs by a dosing pump, it will not work without electricity. You should stop using water in your home as much as possible until the electricity comes back on. Without the pump working, the septic tank will fill and may cause backup of sewage in your home.

General precautions
• Do not let children play in flood waters, as these waters may be contaminated by sewage.

• If you live in a low-lying or flood prone area, the ground in your area may be soaked with heavy rainfalls or flooding from a storm/heavy rains/tropical storm/hurricane.
• You should use household water as little as possible to prevent backup of sewage into your home.

What should I do if sewage backs up into my home?
• If a sewage backup has happened in your home, stay out of affected areas and keep children away.

• If your entire home has been soaked, abandon the home until all affected areas, including but not limited to carpets, rugs, sheetrock, drywall, and baseboards, have been thoroughly cleaned and disinfected.
• If sewage has overflowed in open areas or streets, avoid these areas and do not let children play in these areas.
• If you are having problems in areas served by public sewer systems, please contact your utility company to make sure they are aware of problems in your area.

For more information, please contact your county health department or visit www.floridahealth.gov or www.FloridaDisaster.org