2023 Dakota County Well Seal Program

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.