FY 2023 CWF Projects & Practices Drinking Water Quality Application
This project will ensure that two old municipal wells within the city of Faribault are properly sealed. Well unique number 220997 is a 1000-foot-deep multi- aquifer well which is located within the Inner well management Zone (200') of Faribault well #1 which is a primary well for the city. The outer casing is a 12" in diameter. The depth of this casing is unknown. It is also possible the well may telescope down in diameter.
Well unique number 277577 is a 750' deep multi- aquifer well located in the same area as the other well but outside the Inner Well Management Zone for any existing public water supply wells. The outer casing of this well is also 12" in diameter. The depth of this casing is unknown. It is also possible this well may telescope down in diameter.
Both wells penetrate three of the common aquifers within the region. These wells are thought to have been constructed in the late 1890's based upon available information. Based upon the age, depth, and construction these wells not only pose a risk to public water supply well(s) but also private wells and the aquifer itself. These well have had casings added to extend to the surface. There is cement located in well unique number 220997 and other material in well #277577 so they will need to be drilled out to determine the sealing status of the wells. MDH well management staff will make the determination what needs to be completed to properly seal the wells including removing obstructions and/or perforating or casings.
The city and MDH have been in contact over the years regarding the sealing status of these wells. This project will result in the determination that the wells are properly sealed or will result in the wells being properly sealed. Due to the depth and potential steps that may be required to properly seal these wells the cost to seal these wells will exceed the costs associated with sealing other public water supplies wells. They will need to be set up over and drilled out to verify the depth of concrete and other material present to verify sealing status. If other material not associated with an approved sealing technique is within the well it will need to be removed prior to sealing. It is also possible that casings will need to perforated prior to sealing. All these factors plus the depth of the well(s) lead to the significant cost of sealing these wells. The main purpose of this grant request is to make sure that these wells do not negatively impact any public and private wells or groundwater resources within the region. The abandoned wells unique numbers 220997 and 277577 that this grant will be used to investigate and properly seal if necessary are in the highly vulnerable portion of the DWSMA
Annie Felix-Gerth
(b) $8,500,000 the first year and $8,500,000 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.
Two abandoned municipal wells within the Faribault DWSMA will be properly sealed, protecting multiple aquifers including those that city wells utilize. Sealing old deep multi-aquifer wells is a priority activity in Source Water Protection Plans.
LOCAL LEVERAGED FUNDS