JANESVILLE, Wis. -- Health officials in Rock County are warning residents to stay out of floodwater to avoid harmful bacteria.

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E. coli has been found in a Janesville neighborhood as sewage is dumping into the floodwater.

Floodwater has made its way into some of Janesville's popular parks and some neighborhoods, prompting health officials to stop residents from putting anything down their drains. Officials are warning residents that they could become ill after coming into contact with floodwater.

"They haven't thought about it more than property damage and they need to be aware that there's other things in the water that could cause potential harm. I'm not saying it will, but it can. You have to be in the right place at the wrong time I would say," said Joseph Shurhammer, health officer with the Rock County Health Department.

"I'm on my second gallon of bleach. I'm wiping floors and washing everything," said Jean Sickels, a Janesville resident whose neighborhood was flooded.

Health officials are advising extreme caution since sewage treatment plants upstream have sent large amounts of wastewater into the Rock River.

"If you are exposed, make sure your immunizations are up to date. If you get a puncture wound or cut or abrasion, clean it up, call your doctor right away. And say you accidentally swallow some of that water you're probably going to want to call your doctor and let them know what's happening, and get his advice on what to do," Shurhammer said.

Meanwhile, residents in the area have been instructed not to use their bathrooms because officials don't want more sewage being put into the system.

"Somebody made a comment, 'It's like we're camping out,'" Sickels said.

While residents work to save their homes, Sickels said she can't understand why some people who don't live there might think it's a fun place to play in the water.

"I think they're crazy. If they don't have to be in (floodwater), stay away from it," Sickels said.

While residents can't use drains in that neighborhood, the city said that water there is still safe to drink.

Health officials said that those who make contact with floodwater should scrub with soap and clean water and disinfect any boots or clothing they were wearing to keep from getting sick.