What should you know about cholera in well water?

Cholera bacteria can reach a well when sewage or faecal waste enters the water supply. A clear-looking well can still be unsafe. Drinking the water, using it to prepare food, or rinsing utensils with it can expose people. Boiled or appropriately treated water is safer for drinking and food preparation while the source is being assessed. Handwashing with soap after using the toilet and before handling food helps limit spread between people.

Watery diarrhoea and vomiting can remove fluid and salts quickly. Read more about [Diarrhoea](/symptoms/diarrhoea/) and watch for dehydration rather than waiting for the water investigation to finish.

Stop drinking untreated well water and use a safe alternative. Do not add untreated water to ice, drinks, infant feeds, or meals. Keep containers covered, use a clean utensil for drawing water, and separate drinking water from water used for washing. If diarrhoea begins, start [Oral Rehydration Therapy](/treatments/acute-and-urgent-care/oral-rehydration-therapy/) according to clinical advice and seek assessment promptly. A clinician may decide whether additional treatment is needed.

Seek urgent medical care for repeated watery stools, frequent vomiting, unusual sleepiness, confusion, faintness, very little urine, a dry mouth, or inability to drink. Young children, older adults, pregnant people, and anyone with another illness can become dehydrated quickly. Severe dehydration may require [IV Fluid Therapy](/treatments/acute-and-urgent-care/iv-fluid-therapy/) in a medical setting.

Ask whether your symptoms fit cholera or another cause of diarrhoea, how to keep household water safe, which rehydration product to use, and whether your well or close contacts need assessment.