Well Abandonment Grants

The Wisconsin Legislature expansion of the Well Compensation Program includes claims for compensation for a well that is subject to abandonment because it is unused or poses a hazard to health or safety. This program expansion has created a condensed grant program effective October 26, 2007 called: "Well Abandonment Grants."

Since January 1, 1985, the State of Wisconsin has been fortunate to have a program that can help owners of contaminated private water supplies. This program, called "Well Compensation," was established by the comprehensive Groundwater Bill of 1984. It was designed by the Wisconsin Legislature to provide replacement private water supplies to help assure access to water free of toxic chemicals, regardless of fault. Read more: Well Compensation Program

State funds for the proper abandonment of unused Private Wells

(s. 281.75, Wis. Stats., and ch. NR 123, Wis. Admin. Code)

The Well Abandonment Grants provide financial assistance for individuals to properly abandon unused private wells.

1. Eligible claimants
2. How to submit an application claim
3. Allocation of state funds
4. Eligible costs
5. Grant Award and DNR Program Manager Contacts
6. Claimants share of cost
7. Ineligible cost
8. During the grant period
9. How to submit a payment claim
10. Appendix: DNR forms

Eligible Claimants

• The landowner or landowner's spouse, heir, assignee/legal representative, or renter.
• Prior calendar year family income was less than $65,000.
• A private well(s) is located on your property that is unused and needs to be abandoned.

How to Submit an Application Claim

The Well Abandonment Grant application form is provided in the "Appendix DNR Forms." See form 8700-314 and instructions on page 2 regarding how to complete.

Allocation of State Funds

The Wisconsin State Legislature (Assembly Bill 100) allocates continuing segregated state funds annually to the "Environmental Aids - for Well Compensation" appropriation for spending by the DNR on grant awards. The "Well Abandonment Grants" are included in this funding appropriation. The amount of state funds received as a result of the bi-annual budget depends on the historical use of needs for the grant program. The DNR shall allocate money for the payment of completed claims and amendments according to the order in which completed claims and amendments are received by the DNR. Grant funds are awarded on a first-come, first-served basis. If funds are available for your application claim you will receive a grant award agreement.

If Funds are Not Available

If funds are not available, your application claim will be placed on a waiting list for possible funding in the future. You will receive a notice to proceed letter from the DNR instead of a grant award agreement. This notice to proceed letter will allow you to start your unused well abandonment prior to the issuance of the grant award agreement. A notice to proceed letter only assures the claimant that their application claim will not be denied due to incurring costs prior to the DNR issuance of the grant award agreement. If the Wisconsin State Legislature adds more money to the "Environmental Aids-for Well Compensation" appropriation, your application claim will be processed. However, there is no guarantee that more money will be added.

Eligible Cost

The well abandonment cost only, this grant reimbursement is for 75% of total cost for a maximum possible grant award of $9,000:

• Properly abandoning the unused well;
• Other cost if deemed necessary and approved by the DNR Ground Water Program Manager.

The eligible cost amounts for these activities are set by DNR funding tables. Well abandonment work must be done according to DNR specifications and the unused private well must be properly abandoned and filled before payment will be made.

IMPORTANT: The costs for any work done before your application claim receives issuance of a grant award agreement or notice to proceed indicating DNR "Approval to Proceed" with the work to abandon your well are not eligible for a grant award.

Grant Award and DNR Grant Manager Contact

The maximum grant award allowed for the Well Abandonment Grant is 75% of the cost of the total well abandonment with a maximum grant award of $9,000. This grant award is issued for one year, a time extension may be requested if reasons are justified for not completing the work within the one year grant period.

After the DNR Drinking and Ground Water Program Manager has completed and approved the application claim, your application claim is delivered to the DNR Grant Manager. On receipt of the DNR approved application claim, the DNR Grant Manager completes the final check for complete submittal, reviews and approves for a grant award agreement.

You will receive a grant award package in the mail from the DNR Grant Manager: Enclosed for you to keep is your copy of the grant award agreement and payment claim form to be completed when the well abandonment work is completed. An additional copy of the grant award agreement will be provided in the grant package for your licensed well driller or licensed pump installer.

Contact Information

Following is the contact information for the Well Abandonment Grants:

Claimants Share of Cost

The claimant is responsible for the remaining well abandonment cost not provided by the Well Abandonment Grant.

The Well Abandonment Grant claimant is responsible for providing payment to the licensed well driller or licensed pump installer servicing the private well abandonment from the payment provided from this grant award. Any remaining costs are the responsibility of the private water supply owner and not the DNR. Failure to provide proof of payment to the licensed well driller or licensed pump installer with the payment claim will result in the check mailed to the licensed well driller or licensed pump installer that provided the well abandonment services.

Ineligible Cost:

• Payment may not be made for ineligible cost. Only DNR approved well abandonment cost are allowed for grant payment.

During the Grant Period

You have one year from the date of the grant award agreement to complete the abandonment of your old well and request payment on this grant. Unless an extension is submitted in writing to the DNR Drinking and Groundwater Program Manager prior to the expiration date, the grant award will expire one year from the date of issuance.

How to Submit a Payment Claim

After abandonment is completed, your licensed well driller or licensed pump installer should help you fill out the eligible cost portion of the Payment Claim Form (8700-315) to reflect actual costs, this form will be enclosed with your grant award package. Your licensed well driller or licensed pump installer should also provide you with the completed Well Abandonment Report Form 3300-005 required by the DNR.

How to Submit a Payment Claim: The Well Abandonment Grant Payment Claim form is provided in the Appendix - DNR Forms. See form 8700-315 and instructions on page 2 regarding how to complete. Attach the Well Abandonment Report Form 3300-005 with the proofs of payment to the licensed well driller or licensed pump installer and send to the DNR Drinking and Groundwater Program Manager. After all required DNR Drinking and Groundwater approvals are obtained, the payment claim application is provided to the Grant Program Manager for processing of the final payment letter and the grant award check.

Appendix: DNR Forms

• Application claim form: 8700-314
• W9 Form (Word Fillable Document) - (for check processing purposes)
• Payment Claim form: 8700-315
• Well Abandonment Report: 3300-005
• Affidavit of Income Exempt Filing
• Affidavit of Income Reduction
• Affidavit of Projected Income for Current Year