Residents Of Coal Creek Canyon Worried About Water Contamination

JEFFERSON COUNTY, Colo. (CBS4) - People living in Coal Creek Canyon are being urged to test their water before using it and water testing bottles could make all the difference.

Health officials were spreading the word and giving away water testing kits at a quarterly pancake breakfast on Saturday.

"With this kind of flooding event wells can be impacted from surface water and get contaminated," Roy Laws with the Jefferson County Health Department said.

Residents will take their sample from an indoor tap. Right now they are looking for bacteria.

"There are other contaminates that we could look for, but that's the first thing we want to test for is bacteria, whether it's present or absent in the well," Laws said.

Much of the roughly 5,000 people of the area rely on well water. Health officials are asking them to look for cloudy water, or even debris, to stop anyone from getting sick.

"We are concerned and we think the only way to know for sure is to take a test," Laws asid.

The Federal Emergency Management Agency, Xcel Energy and other organizations were also on hand. Organizers say it brought in more people than they've ever had at the pancake breakfast.

"We have never seen such a big turnout at our pancake breakfast," the pastor said. "It's really gratifying to see that."

As homeowners turn to testing their water supply they say they're concerned but optimistic.

"Your mind may play tricks on you and you may think you see cloudiness, but it's probably not there," homeowner Tom Lawson said.

County health workers gave out more than 200 testing bottles. Testing results will come back by next weekend.

Colorado Floods: How To Help

The recent floods are impacting families and communities throughout Colorado, so CBS4 has compiled a list of ways you can support the local communities impacted by the floods.