There is still time to apply for a well compensation grant under expanded eligibility criteria through the state. The Wisconsin DNR will accept applications until funding runs out or Dec. 6, 2024, whichever happens sooner.
Get more information is available at the DNR’s Well Compensation Grant webpage: https://dnr.wisconsin.gov/aid/WellCompensation.html and the Well Abandonment Grant webpage: https://dnr.wisconsin.gov/aid/WellAbandonment.html
The programs, created in 2022, provide $10 million in financial assistance to well owners to address contamination in their wells by awarding grants for the replacement, reconstruction, treatment, or abandonment of impacted wells. Due to the expanded eligibility under the program, previously ineligible individuals applied over the past year, including some small Wisconsin businesses with a non-community well, including daycare centers, rural restaurants, and churches, among others.
“In 2023, it is unconscionable that folks and families should still have to worry about having clean, safe drinking water in their homes and coming from their taps,” says Gov. Tony Evers. “Whether it’s nitrates, bacteria, PFAS, or any other emerging contaminants, these programs are paying off and helping folks get these contaminants out of their water supplies.”
To date, DNR has awarded more than 46 percent of the $10 million investment to 370 grantees statewide. This includes replacing 207 contaminated wells, treating 43 contaminated wells, and properly filling and sealing 120 unused, abandoned wells.
Of the total number of contaminated wells, 189 had nitrate. The remaining 61 wells had PFAS, arsenic, and fecal bacteria.
Additionally, DNR is in the process of creating a new grant program. This program will help public water systems with drinking water contaminated by PFAS or other emerging contaminants. It aims to help small and disadvantaged public water systems not currently eligible for the ARPA well compensation grants. This includes privately owned community water systems such as mobile home parks and condominium associations. It also includes nonprofit, non-community water systems such as public schools. The grant program is expected to be ready to accept applications in early 2024.
