Sealing Unused Private Drinking Water Wells
Approximately 70 percent of all Minnesotans rely on groundwater as their primary source of drinking water. Wells used for drinking water must be properly sealed when removed from service to protect both public health and Minnesota’s invaluable groundwater resources. The Minnesota Department of Health with the assistance of the Board of Water and Soil Resources protects both public health and groundwater by assuring the proper sealing of unused wells.” Clean Water funds are being provided to home owners as a 50% cost-share assistance for sealing unused private drinking water wells. These funds are to be used to provide assistance to well owners for the sealing of unused wells in accordance with Minnesota Rules 4725.
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;
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;
$250,000 the first year and $250,000 the second year are for cost-share assistance to public and private well owners for up to 50 percent of the cost of sealing unused wells. MDH provided $250,000 to BWSR to administer and awarded funds to local government units as part of their competitive grant program. Local government units them provided cost-share assistance to private well owners to seal their unused wells.
Evaluation and Outcome PlanEvaluation and outcome plans are required as a part of the grant agreement between BWSR and the grantee. These required plans consist of verifying project installation and creating operation and maintenance plans to ensure the project is functioning as designed. Funded projects meet locally identified water quality goals within the larger scope of Minnesota's clean water efforts. Projects reduce pollutant loads aimed at improving watershed health over time. The long-term evaluation of clean water fund projects will be monitored as part of the state’s intensive watershed monitoring strategy.
Sealed 266 unused private wells.
$250,000 the first year and $250,000 the second year are for cost-share assistance to public and private well owners for up to 50 percent of the cost of sealing unused wells. MDH provided $250,000 to BWSR to administer and awarded funds to local government units as part of their competitive grant program. Local government units them provided cost-share assistance to private well owners to seal their unused wells.
To seal at least 170 unused private wells by December 31, 2016.
Sealed 391 unused private wells.
$113,000 the first year and $112,000 the second year are for cost-share assistance to public and private well owners for up to 50 percent of the cost of sealing unused wells.
To seal at about 226 unused private wells by June 3, 2019.
Sealed 203 unused private wells.
$250,000 the first year and $250,000 the second year are for cost-share assistance to public and private well owners for up to 50 percent of the cost of sealing unused wells.
Sealed 324 unused private wells.