UPDATE: The following link will provide responses to questions that have been asked, resources for more information, and the DPW's next steps as we continue the Public Notice for the High Bacteria which have been detected in the flood waters that regularly occur on Gentian Road and Greene Street. According to the New Hampshire Department of Environmental Services (DES), the flood waters are not suitable for walking, wading, or any other minor contact.
Link: Response to Questions and Update_07-21-232
You should avoid coming into contact with the flood waters via your skin, shoes, clothing, pets, etc. If you must walk through the water, wear rubber boots. If you come into contact with the flood waters, wash any exposed skin, clothes, and shoes with soap and water or alcohol-based wipes/sanitizer. Exposure to fecal matter in water can cause diarrheal disease such a Salmonella infection among other health issues.
Fecal contamination in surface waters and flood waters could come from several sources including duck and geese waste, dog waste, sewer leakage, and stormwater runoff. It is important to protect yourself from exposure to floodwater regardless of the source of contamination.
The Town of Hampton will be investigating potential sources as well working with the neighborhood and NHDES on addressing this issue.
If there are questions, please contact the DPW main office at 603-926-3202.