Submission of Dead Birds for West Nile Virus Surveillance

Dead birds are important indicator for early WNV activity.  For this reason Illinois Department of Public Health requests all local health departments to submit at least 3 “eligible” birds for testing.  All perching birds such as the crow, bluejay, grackle, starling, sparrows, finches, robin, cardinal, flycathers, swallows, catbird, mockingbird, warblers and wrens will be accepted for testing. 

Dead birds are now being accepted through October 15, 2010.    Please contact the Jasper County Health Department, environmental division at 783-5206 if you find an “eligible bird” with no obvious cause of death.  Birds should be believed dead less than 48 hours with no signs of decomposing.

 
Sealing Abandoned Wells 

Each year many wells are abandoned because they have been replaced by a new well or homes are connected to community water systems.  A large number of abandoned wells are large diameter dug wells constructed with brick or stone casings, and range in depth from 15 to 40 feet.

An abandoned well can become a health and safety hazard if it is improperly sealed or not sealed at all. A sealed abandoned well brings peace of mind.  An abandoned well can lead either to an accident or groundwater contamination.  Open or dilapidated wells are a cause for concern.  Children or animals can fall into abandoned wells that are left in disrepair.  Sealing these wells prevents accidents from occurring.  If improperly sealed, an abandoned well can serve as a route for contaminating groundwater.  Contaminated surface water, agriculture runoff, and effluent from private sewage systems can enter the groundwater through such wells and cause pollution of other wells in the area used for drinking water.  When a well is sealed properly, it is no longer a direct route for contaminates. 

A homeowner may seal his well if an application is  made to the local environmental health division of the Jasper County Health Department describing procedures and materials, all of which must comply with the well code.  The local health department must be notified at least 48 hours prior to the start of the sealing.   

The basic concept in sealing an abandoned well is restoring the geological conditions that existed before the well was drilled.   

To insure safe groundwater for future generations, we must sustain and safeguard this resource today.  The sealing of abandoned or unused water wells will have an immediate and long-term impact on the protection of this resource.  We all tend to take clean, safe drinking water for granted.  Protect yourself, the safety of the public, and the safety of the groundwater - seal your abandoned well. 

For more information on obtaining a well sealing application call this office at 783-5206.