2023 Dakota County Well Seal Program

Project Details by Fiscal Year
2023 Fiscal Year Funding Amount
$110,000
Fund Source
Clean Water Fund
Recipient
Dakota County
Recipient Type
Local/Regional Government
Status
Completed
Start Date
February 2023
End Date
September 2024
Activity Type
Grants/Contracts
Counties Affected
Dakota
Dakota
Project Overview

In Dakota County, groundwater supplies more than 90 percent of the drinking water. In order to protect Dakota County's primary drinking water source, this project proposes to support the County well seal grant cost-share program. The project will provide 50 percent cost-share funding to reimburse landowners for the sealing of unused wells. The goal is to permanently seal between 80-100 unused/abandoned wells throughout the county. Unsealed water supply wells that are not in use pose a threat to health, safety, and the environment by providing a potential conduit for contamination to go from the surface down to drinking water aquifers. In addition, Minnesota Statute 103I requires well owners to seal unused wells. Through the Minnesota Department of Health Delegated Well Program, Dakota County staff maintain a well inventory list that identifies potential sites with unused wells. Staff will send communication letters to landowners with suspected unused wells outlining State regulations and encouraging the proper sealing of wells. To reduce risk to municipal drinking water supplies, the project will target suspected unused, unsealed wells within Drinking Water Supply Management Areas (DWSMAs) first and prioritize applicants within DWSMAs.

Project Details

In Dakota County, groundwater supplies more than 90 percent of the drinking water. In order to protect Dakota County's primary drinking water source, this project proposes to support the County well seal grant cost-share program. The project will provide 50 percent cost-share funding to reimburse landowners for the sealing of unused wells. The goal is to permanently seal between 80-100 unused/abandoned wells throughout the county. Unsealed water supply wells that are not in use pose a threat to health, safety, and the environment by providing a potential conduit for contamination to go from the surface down to drinking water aquifers. In addition, Minnesota Statute 103I requires well owners to seal unused wells. Through the Minnesota Department of Health Delegated Well Program, Dakota County staff maintain a well inventory list that identifies potential sites with unused wells. Staff will send communication letters to landowners with suspected unused wells outlining State regulations and encouraging the proper sealing of wells. To reduce risk to municipal drinking water supplies, the project will target suspected unused, unsealed wells within Drinking Water Supply Management Areas (DWSMAs) first and prioritize applicants within DWSMAs.

Competitive Grant Making Body
Board Members and Qualifications
Advisory Group Members and Qualifications
Conflict of Interest Disclosed
No
Conflict of Interest Contact

Annie Felix-Gerth

Legal Citation / Subdivision
The Laws of Minnesota 2021, 1st Special Session, Chapter 1, Article 2, Sec. 6(b), (j), &(p)
Appropriation Language

(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. & (i) $2,904,000 the first year and $2,904,000 the second year are for assistance, oversight, and grants to local governments to transition local water management plans to a watershed approach as provided for in Minnesota Statutes, section 103B.801. & (p) $2,000,000 the first year and $2,000,000 the second year are for grants to farmers who own or rent land to enhance adoption of cover crops and other soil health practices in areas where there are direct benefits to public water supplies. Up to $400,000 is for an agreement with the University of Minnesota Office for Soil Health for applied research and education on Minnesota's agroecosystems and soil health management systems.

2023 Fiscal Year Funding Amount
$110,000
Other Funds Leveraged
$94,747
Direct expenses
$110,000
Administration costs
$9,735
Number of full time equivalents funded
0.082854406
Proposed Measurable Outcome(s)

This project will prevent groundwater contamination by sealing between 80-100 unused/abandoned wells throughout Dakota County.

Measurable Outcome(s)

Provide cost-share payment to seal total of 55 wells throughout Dakota County, of which 13 were located within Drinking Water Supply Management Areas (DWSMAs). Note that there were a couple of highly complex sealing situations that were not anticipated at the time of the grant application. These complicated scenarios cost more than routine sealings, leading to fewer wells sealed than originally proposed.

Proposed Outcomes Achieved
achieved most of the proposed measurable outcomes
Source of Additional Funds

LOCAL LEVERAGED FUNDS

Project Manager
First Name
Valerie
Last Name
Neppl
Organization Name
Dakota County
Street Address
1590 Hwy 55 Hastings, MN 550332372
City
Hastings
State
MN
Zip Code
550332372
Phone
651-437-3191
Email
valerie.neppl@co.dakota.mn.us
Administered By
Administered by
Location

520 Lafayette Road North
St. Paul, MN 55155

Phone
651- 296-3767