Dealing with floodwater in Oxford
Floodwater can be contaminated with sewage, animal waste and other substances. Although these contaminants are usually diluted, they can still pose a health risk.
Although floodwater may be clear, it might leave a muddy deposit as it recedes and this may contain some harmful bacteria. Contact your doctor if you become ill after accidentally swallowing mud or contaminated water.
Advice for drinking water
If you rely on a private water source like a borehole, take appropriate precautions to ensure its safety.
Cleaning your home or business after flooding
General cleaning tips
- don't overlook spaces under the floor when removing dirty water and silt
Cleaning hard surfaces
- clean all hard surfaces with hot soapy water
- ensure surfaces dry thoroughly to eliminate germs
- use heating and ventilation to aid drying
- if floodwater contained oil or diesel, clean remaining contamination with a hot detergent solution
Cleaning soft items
- wash clothes, bedding and soft toys using a hot machine wash (60°C or as per manufacturer instructions)
- professionally clean or dispose of non-washable soft furnishings
- for bulky waste collection, call Oxford City Council at 01865 249811
Walls, ceilings and cupboards
- address mould growth with a fungicidal solution and ensure good ventilation
Using pumps, driers and heaters
- only operate fuel-powered equipment in open air to avoid dangerous fumes
Oxford City Council grants and loans
Find out about our Essential Repairs Grants and Flexible Home Improvement Loans on our Oxford Home Improvement Agency page.
Food safety after flooding
- don't eat any food that has been in contact with floodwater
- clean kitchen surfaces and utensils with hot water, detergent and a food-safe sanitiser
- discard chipped or damaged kitchenware
- consult your insurer before discarding freezer contents
- dispose of any frozen food that has been at room temperature for a few hours
- recycle your food waste or double-wrap contaminated food in plastic bags and put it in your green bin for your next refuse collection
- if you don't have a green bin, please don't put it out any earlier than necessary, as extra food waste in plastic sacks might attract animals
Disposing of contaminated or damaged property
Use our Household Bulky Waste Collection service for disposing of contaminated or flood-damaged property. Call 01865 249811 to arrange collection.
Garden and allotment produce after flooding
- always wash hands after gardening and avoid soil ingestion
- keep young children away from allotments to prevent soil eating
- discard above-ground, flood-touched produce like cabbages
- cooked produce is generally safe to eat, even if flood-contaminated
- wait at least six months before harvesting new produce from flooded land
Safety first: flood cleanup precautions
- wear waterproof boots and gloves during cleanup
- regularly wash hands and children's hands with soap and clean water
- disinfect toys that came into contact with floodwater
- keep cuts and sores covered using waterproof plasters or gloves
- if anyone gets an upset stomach, contact their GP or NHS Direct for advice
- consult professionals for gas and electrical system safety checks
Handling electricity and gas safely
- wait for an electrician's approval before turning power back on
- don't use electrical equipment exposed to flood water until it has been checked by a qualified electrician
- make sure to properly switch off all electrical appliances before restoring the electricity supply
- have your gas or oil central heating checked by a qualified person before switching on the gas or trying to light any appliance
Caring for flood-affected gardens and play areas
- keep children out of recently flooded areas until areas have thoroughly dried
- expect any health risk from soil to diminish within a week
Managing sandbags after flooding
- discard floodwater-exposed sandbags as they may be contaminated
- you can dispose of used sandbags in the landfill containers at your nearest waste recycling centre
- if you are disposing of the sand in your garden, wear protective gloves and dig it in the garden – do not spread across lawns or use for children’s sandpits
- if the floodwater did not reach the sandbags, they can be stored for future use
Useful contacts for flood-related issues
- Oxford City Council: 01865 249811
- NHS Direct: 111
- Thames Water: 0845 9200 800
- Environment Agency Floodline: 0845 988 1188
