Cost-Share Program to Seal Wells in Sensitive Groundwater Aquifers

Crow Wing County, in cooperation with the municipalities within the County, plans to continue its successful well sealing program that pays 50% of the cost to seal unused/abandoned wells up to a maximum of $1000 per well. The amount of funding requested is $31,000 which is estimated to allow for the sealing of 80-100 wells. From 2012 to 2015, Crow Wing County sealed 65 wells as part of an earlier MDH well sealing grant from the Clean Water Fund. Priority will be given to wells located in or near existing wellhead protection areas. Additional ranking criteria would include the well size, whether it is public or private, whether it is a safety hazard, subject to flooding, within the isolation distances of MN Rules 4725, and its location in relation to other wells or areas with known contamination. Eligible entities would be required to contract with a licensed well contractor to conduct the work. Upon completion of the project (including the submittal of the necessary well sealing log to MDH), the licensed contractor would then submit the bill to the County for reimbursement.