Protecting Drinking Water Sources in Lac qui Parle County

Project Details by Fiscal Year
2012 Fiscal Year Funding Amount
$53,533
Fund Source
Clean Water Fund
Recipient
Lac qui Parle Soil and Water Conservation District
Recipient Type
Local/Regional Government
Status
Completed
Start Date
January 2012
End Date
December 2014
Activity Type
Restoration/Enhancement
Counties Affected
Lac qui Parle
Lac qui Parle
Project Overview

Private wells provide drinking water for the rural residents of Lac qui Parle County. This project will retrofit 35 well pits allowing the homeowner to continue using a serviceable well while safeguarding the source of their drinking water. Well pits, which are similar to a below-ground cistern, were once a common practice to prevent freezing in the winter. Many of these pits remain in use today. However, well pits are subject to flooding, especially if they are located in a floodplain. Flooding can contaminate the well and groundwater with bacteria from unknown sources. Even when located on the down slope of a hill, well pits may still be subject to flooding from surface runoff. Additionally, well pits harbor vermin such as rodents, snakes, insects, and salamanders - another source of drinking water contamination. Any type of well has the potential to allow contaminants a direct pathway to pollute groundwater, but these pits situated below ground level are especially hazardous.

Competitive Grant Making Body
Board Members and Qualifications

The 20-member BWSR board consists of representatives of local and state government agencies and citizens. Members are appointed by the governor of the state of Minnesota consistent with Minnesota Statutes 103B.101. Board members at the time the grant was made were: County Commissioner Appointees: Quentin Fairbanks; Tom Loveall; Brian Napstad; Soil and Water Conservation District Appointees: Paul Langseth, Louise Smallidge and Bob Burandt; Watershed District or Watershed Management Organization Appointees: Gene Tiedemann, LuAnn Tolliver and Todd Foster; Citizen Appointees: Paul Brutlag ; Gerald Van Amburg; John Meyer; Cities & Townships: Sandy Hooker -Township; Christy Jo Fogarty -Metro City; Keith Mykleseth -Non-Metro City; Agency: Chris Elvrum - Minnesota Department of Health; Rebecca Flood - Pollution Control Agency; Tom Landwehr - Department of Natural Resources; Matt Wohlman - Minnesota Department of Agriculture; Faye Sleeper - Minnesota Extension Service;

Advisory Group Members and Qualifications

Wayne Zellmer -BWSR Grants Coordinator; Matt Drewitz -BWSR South Region Clean Water Specialist; Art Persons -MDH Planning Supervisor Drinking Water Protection; Jeff Hrubes -BWSR North Region Clean Water Specialist; Marcey Westrick -BWSR Metro Clean Water Specialist; Julie Westerlund -DNR Clean Water Coordinator; Robert L. Sip -MDA Environmental Policy Specialist; Anna Kerr -MPCA -Stormwater / TMDL Coordinator; Nick Proulx -DNR Central Region Clean Water Legacy Specialist; Karen Evens - MPCA -Watershed Projects Manager; Joshua Stamper -MDA Research Scientist, Pesticide & Fertilizer Management; Norman R. Mofjeld -MDA Hydrologist P.G. Well Management Section;

Conflict of Interest Contact

Nicole Clapp

Legal Citation / Subdivision
Minnesota 2011, First Special Session chapter 6, article 2, section 7
Appropriation Language

(a) $13,750,000 the first year and $13,750,000 the second year are for pollution reduction and restoration grants to local government units and joint powers organizations of local government units to protect 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 (SSTS) projects and stream bank, stream channel, and shoreline restoration projects. The projects must be of long-lasting public benefit, include a match, and be consistent with TMDL implementation plans or local water management plans.

2012 Fiscal Year Funding Amount
$53,533
Other Funds Leveraged
$14,875
Direct expenses
$53,533
Administration costs
$6,808
Number of full time equivalents funded
0.12
Proposed Measurable Outcome(s)

Retrofit 35 well pits - groundwater

Source of Additional Funds

The source of additional funds varies from project to project, but generally consists of federal, local and non-public sources.

Project Manager
First Name
Terry
Last Name
Wittnebel
Organization Name
Lac qui Parle Soil and Water Conservation District
Street Address
122 8th Ave South
City
Madison
State
MN
Zip Code
56256
Phone
(320) 598-7321 x3
Email
terry.wittnebel@mn.nacdnet.net
Administered By
Administered by
Location

520 Lafayette Road North
St. Paul, MN 55155

Phone
651- 296-3767