Winona County Water Well Sealing
The Winona County Well Sealing Costshare Program will utilize Clean Water Funds to speed water well sealing in a continuing effort to protect the groundwater aquifers used for drinking water in Southeast Minnesota. Since 1990, 1303 unused water supply wells have been sealed in Winona County with costs ranging from $500-$10,000+ per well. This costshare program will provide some financial assistance to well owners in protecting a shared resource.Permanently sealing unused wells blocks contaminants from having uncontrolled pathways into our groundwater, which otherwise allow contaminated stormwater to enter our groundwater systems. This is essential to the long term protection and management of Minnesota's water supplies. The quantity and quality of groundwater located in Southeast Minnesota will only increase in importance to the state for future generations. Money spent to encourage the sealing of unused water wells is an "ounce of prevention" when compared to the cost to clean up contaminated water supplies.
Nicole Clapp
(c) $3,000,000 the first year and $3,000,000 the second year are for nonpoint source pollution reduction and restoration grants to watershed districts, watershed management organizations, counties, and soil and water conservation districts for grants in addition to grants available under paragraphs (a) and (b) to keep water on the land and to protect, enhance, and restore water quality in lakes, rivers, and streams, and to protect groundwater and drinking water. The projects must be of long-lasting public benefit, include a local match, and be consistent with TMDL implementation plans or local water management plans. Up to five percent may be used for administering the grants. (2011 - Clean Water Assistance)
The Winona County Well Sealing Costshare grant funded through the Clean Water, Land & Legacy Amendment enabled 30 water supply wells to be sealed permanently closing off pathways into three regional aquifer systems