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relatively easy task. However, water plants damaged by flood waters can take days or weeks to put back on-line. Protozoans are often present in floodwaters. One protozoan of concern is Cryptosporidium, which can produce severe nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea in humans. Cryptosporidium outbreaks may be fatal to persons with depressed immune systems. To make matters worse, cryptosporidium is highly resistant to the standard chlorine disinfection process. Should this protozoan be introduced into a water system, it may be weeks before potable water supplies can be restored. Notes Private wells require special attention after a flood. All wells should be thoroughly flushed, disinfected, and tested by competent authorities to assure the safety of tlte water supply. Local health officials should be contacted for advice on the need for special testing procedures for cryptosporidium and chemical contamina- tion. It is highly recommended that wells be closely monitored for several months if they have been subjected to flood waters. Many restoration activities will require local or state permits. These may include general building, electrical, plumbing, occupancy, and health permits. To simplify the permitting process, some communities establish one-stop compliance centers where residents or contractors can quickly obtain all of the necessary permits required to begin restoration actions. Building departments and inspectors will face major workload increases during the restoration phase. Some building departments have entered mutual aid systems for building inspectors as one solution to the problem. Others have provisions for the temporary certification of building inspectors to handle the increased work IOao:- Whetlfenlfese or other memo-d'S are usOO;1lfeoemanofOr-- building inspections may dramatically increase during tlte recovery phase. Following a significant high water event, building contractors, restoration services, and others can be expected to flock into a community to meet the increased demand for products and services. This may greatly increase the demand for business licenses and tax permits. While most contractors and restoration services are reputable, problems with unscrupulous vendors will arise. Police and consumer protection agencies should be capable of handling increased consumer complaints and fraud accusations after the flood. Zoning and planning departments usually face a difficult period after the flood waters recede. Zoning regulations may prevent Page9-5