Floodwaters triggered by storms Lee and Irene threaten public health in parts the Northeast, according to Pennsylvania Gov. Tom Corbett.

“We face a public health emergency because sewage treatment plants are underwater and no longer working,” Corbett said on Friday, according to the Associated Press. “Flood water is toxic and polluted. If you don’t have to be in it, keep out.”

Floodwaters are present in the central and eastern parts of the state.

A municipal wastewater plant in Waterbury could not handle the floods as sewage flowed into the Winooski River, according to the report.

Vermont’s health commissioner Dr. Harry Chen said one of the biggest concerns after any disaster, including flooding is the state of water.

There have been no reports of illness in the state because of unsafe drinking water, Chen said.

Waters may include chemicals and paints and oil.

The Vermont Agency of Natural Resources Department of Health said Friday that sediment and soil deposited by flood waters may be contaminated if there was a disruptions to:

Septic systems, sewage disposal systems, water treatment systems, agricultural animal waste or fertilizers, dislodged industrial chemicals including agricultural chemicals, or spilled fuel oil, gasoline or diesel fuel.

The most likely health threats are gastrointestinal illness from bacterial contamination.