2022 Ramsey County Well Sealing Program
In an effort to protect source drinking water and groundwater, the Ramsey County Soil & Water Conservation Division is proposing to continue the implementation of its successful well sealing cost-share program. The goal is to permanently and professionally seal between 120-140 unused/abandoned wells in Ramsey County by certified well sealers, within the grant period. When contaminants drain into abandoned and unused well shafts, it threatens the health of residents who depend on groundwater as a potable water source. Due to the reliance of many cities on groundwater for drinking water,
numerous Ramsey County cities and water management organizations have prioritized well sealing activities in their plans. To further reduce the risk of drinking water supply contamination, this project will target wells located in the highest vulnerability areas of the Drinking Water Supply Management Areas (DWSMA) and prioritize applicants throughout the DWSMA. Our requested funds will help seal 120-140 wells and compensate administrative time reviewing applications, processing cost-share reimbursements and mapping sealed wells.
Annie Felix-Gerth
(Projects and Practices Drinking Water) (b) $10,762,000 the first year and $11,504,000 the second year are for grants to local government units to protect and restore surface water and drinking water; to keep water on the land; to protect, enhance, and restore water quality in lakes, rivers, and streams; and to protect groundwater and drinking water, including feedlot water quality and subsurface sewage treatment system projects and stream bank, stream channel, shoreline restoration, and ravine stabilization projects. The projects must use practices demonstrated to be effective, be of long-lasting public benefit, include a match, and be consistent with total maximum daily load (TMDL) implementation plans, watershed restoration and protection strategies (WRAPS), or local water management plans or their equivalents. Up to 20 percent of this appropriation is available for land-treatment projects and practices that benefit drinking water.
We estimate to seal between 120-140 wells based on past grant success and past average cost to seal a well. Each abandoned well sealed is the elimination of one potential conduit of contamination to groundwater and drinking water supply.
LOCAL LEVERAGED FUNDS