Assistance available to seal abandoned or unused wells

HARTINGTON—TheLewisandClarkNaturalResources District(LCNRD)providescostsharetosealunusedorabandoned irrigation or domestic wells. If you have a well that is no longer serviceable and needs to be permanently removed, LCNRD can help protect your property and groundwater by having it properly sealed.

Sealing unused wells protects the health and safety of the residents of the district by preventing personal injury due to accidents that can occur around forgotten, unused wells. Improperlysealedwellsincreasetheriskofgroundwatercontamination by sediment, fertilizers, and pesticides. Left open wells are a direct passage for these and other contaminates to reach the groundwater supply, bypassing the earth’s natural filter – soil and subsoil components.

It is important that unused wells are sealed properly to achieve maximum protection from accidental injury and or groundwater contamination. LCNRD provides financial assistance through cost-share to properly seal abandoned wells. Applications are available from LCNRD or from the county Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS). Completed applications must include a bid from a licensed well contractor. The work to seal the well cannot begin until the request is approved. The approved cost of sealing the well is reimbursed by LCNRD at a 75% rate upon receipt of the contractor’s bill. Components of sealing a well that are not eligible for cost-share include but are not limited to, the removal of windmill towers, pumps, and concrete covers.

If you have an abandoned well on your property, take advantage oftheopportunitytosealitproperly.Protectyourself, your family, and your neighbors by protecting groundwater.