Targeted Blue Earth County Well Sealing
Blue Earth County has identified unused wells as a significant threat to our groundwater quality in our comprehensive local water plan. This comprehensive water plan identifies unused wells as one of the main potential sources of groundwater contamination in Blue Earth County. We maintain an inventory of known unused wells and building sites which have the potential to have unused wells. This inventory list is continually changing as unused wells are properly sealed and new unused wells are identified through our environmental review of all land use projects and other program responsibilities. Unused wells on this inventory, especially those located in the Mankato Surface Water Drinking Water Supply Management Area, will be targeted for proper sealing. Blue Earth County will send out regulatory letters outlining State regulations which require all wells not in use to be properly sealed by a licensed well contractor. Approximately 60 wells would be sealed with this funding request.
Annie Felix-Gerth
(Projects and Practices Drinking Water) (b) $10,762,000 the first year and $11,504,000 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.
This project is projected to assist with the proper sealing of 60 wells so there will be 60 less open holes which can allow unfiltered contaminants into the precious groundwater resources that Blue Earth County residents rely on for drinking water.
LOCAL LEVERAGED FUNDS