ELKHART — Flood waters aren't just causing problems for people along rivers or ponds. Now, the effects could mean contamination in your drinking water.

High waters are finally starting to recede in some places. Across our area, we saw rivers start rising as heavy rains began falling, combining with nearly two feet of melting snow. The waters devastated homes and businesses, and turned people's land into lakes.

But now the danger extends beyond the riverbanks, into people's drinking water. The Health Department is worried about contaminated water.

In DeCamp Gardens off of County Road 18, water is not just flooding the streets; it’s flooding wells, causing a potential health risk.

"This is the worst it’s been since we've been here, and we've been here 11 years,” said Lesa Thielka, who has a flooded well.

Many people in this neighborhood have been struggling to pump water out of their homes. But now they have something else to worry about — contaminated water.

"I've never heard of that,” she told WSBT News. “We've lived here for 11 years. That's never crossed my mind, I guess."

"No, I never thought about it or anybody mentioned anything about it,” said Roberto Negrete.

The Health Department says flooded wells inside and outside homes could be contaminated with bacteria.

"You might have some of this water coming off of feed lots, manure management pits,” explained John Hulewicz of the Elkhart County Health Department. “There may be potentially some septic or sewer involved in there."

This is caused by the high water. Officials say the wastewater treatment plants in the city can't process it all for an extended period of time.

"So they have what are called combined sewer overflows,” Hulewicz said. “Those combined sewer overflows will actually direct sewage into those receiving bodies of water."

"I drink the water here and so do my dogs,” Thielka said.

The Health Department urges anyone with a flooded well to at least get it tested. It's something Thielka plans on doing right away.

"I don't need any unforeseen, bad things to happen,” she said. “I'm just getting over this you know."

The water has to recede before a well can thoroughly be inspected.