BARABOO, Wis. -- Sauk County authorities said the debris from entire homes that were washed into the Wisconsin River and the widespread flooding are causing health and environmental concerns.

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"We've got pontoon boats and parts of piers and I'm sure boats that were washed into the Wisconsin River that we don't know where they are and the immediate concern is hitting them with navigation," said Ken Johnson, a water leader for the Department of Natural Resources.

Johnson said a sewage line that was broken during the surge of floodwaters is now fixed and shouldn't have a lasting impact on the lake or its residents.

"During the breach, there was up around 30,000 cubic feet per second. The discharge that you'd see coming out of a sewer would only be insignificant comparatively," he said.

"The environmental impact is bad right now, but a lot of this flushes through the system pretty fast," said Brett Hulsey, president of Better Environmental Solutions in Madison.

Husley advised onlookers on the now-empty lake to take safety precautions.

"If you come in contact with it, wash it off with soap and water, and also wear shoes, knee boots, waders if possible so you don't come in contact with that water," he said.

DNR officials are asking people to dispose of washed up debris by taking it to a landfill. They said people shouldn't bury or burn the debris. (For more information on managing debris is available in a downloadable PDF file. )

Sauk County residents using well water that has been in contact with floodwater are urged to test the water first. Residents can pick up a free testing kit at the Sauk County Health Department in Baraboo.

Floodwaters can contain bacteria and waste contaminants that threaten water supplies. Wells located in pits and basements are especially susceptible to such contamination.

Officials said that any water supply system overtopped by flood waters should be thoroughly disinfected with a strong chlorine solution or chlorine tablets and not used for 24 hours before flushing the system and submitting a water sample for bacteriological testing.