By Bryan Thompson, Kansas Public Radio
http://stream.publicbroadcasting.net/production/mp3/kcur/local-kcur-973710.mp3
SALINA, Ks. – With the prospect of several weeks of flooding along the Missouri River, many people may be tempted to wade into the water in areas where they think they know the underlying terrain. But the advice from the Kansas Secretary of Health and Environment, Robert Moser?: Don't do it! Bryan Thompson has more.
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In addition to the danger of being swept away by the current, Moser says floodwaters can cover high levels of toxic chemicals and dangerous bacteria from places that have flooded upstream.
"It could be anything from waste water treatment facilities discharged from animal-confined feeding operations," says Moser. "But that all gets into the water, and so the concentration and other agents in there could cause health harm."
In addition to staying out of the floodwater yourself, KDHE says you should also prevent pets and livestock from coming into contact with contaminated water.
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