ARPA Well Abandonment

American Rescue Plan Act of 2021 (ARPA) Well Abandonment Grant Effective Immediately: Funding for the AMERICAN RESCUE PLAN ACT (ARPA) Well Abandonment Grant Program is coming to an end. Applications submitted will now be added to a waitlist. Applicants will be notified if/when grant funding becomes available. Please refer to the statutory Well Abandonment Grant Program to determine whether you are eligible to apply for funding from this program. Note, eligibility criteria is different from the ARPA funded program. ARPA Well Compensation Grant Deadline Reminders for Grantees who have already been issued a grant award The DNR began accepting applications for grants under the reinstated ARPA Well Compensation program on February 3, 2025. All grants issued through this program will need to be paid out by the end of 2026 when the program concludes. To ensure that grants are paid in a timely way, please keep in mind the following deadlines for this round of ARPA grants: July 31, 2026 – All construction and filling and sealing must be complete to ensure the grantee has enough time to submit a reimbursement request to DNR by the final deadline of August 31, 2026. August 31, 2026 – All reimbursement requests and required documentation for completed construction must be submitted to DNR. Paperwork not submitted by this deadline may jeopardize payment of grant as the program concludes. There is absolutely no exception to this deadline. Please see the attached Press Release and Grant Announcement: Press Release: Gov. Evers Kicks Off 2025 Year of The Kid with Efforts to Ensure Kids and Families Have Access to Safe, Clean Drinking Water ARPA Well Grant Program Grant Announcement To determine if you are eligible to apply for a Well Abandonment Grant, please take the Eligbility Questionnaire . The well abandonment grant program provides funding assistance to properly fill and seal abandoned or unused private or non-community public water system wells. Work completed before submitting an application and receiving DNR approval will not be reimbursed. The Grant Announcement describes complete program details. If the Grant Announcement and the information provided on this website differ, the Grant Announcement will govern. Who can apply Who can apply Before you start the application process, determine if you are eligible to apply for a well abandonment grant. Step 1: Determine if your income is eligible For a private well serving a residence, family income may not exceed $100,000 for the prior calendar year. Annual Family Income is determined by the line on the previous year's WI State Income tax that reads, "This is your Wisconsin Income" on a jointly filed return. If you file as an individual, your single income will be used to determine income eligibility. For a non-community public system well business income may not exceed $100,000 for the prior calendar year. Annual Business Income is determined by the line on your previous year's business/partnership WI State Income tax form that reads "This is Wisconsin Net Income" or "Income" . Step 2: Who may apply for a grant? Landowner Spouse of landowner Heir of landowner Assignee or legal representative of landowner Renter of land Shared well owner of a private residential water supply WI business owner of a non-community public water system with a well as a water sources (churches, daycare centers, rural restaurants and other small businesses.) Local governments, school districts, and state or federal agencies cannot apply. Step 3: What costs are covered by a grant? Eligible costs are materials and labor to fill and seal eligible private or non-community wells that are abandoned or unused. Applying DNR IS NO LONGER ACCEPTING APPLICATIONS FOR THE ARPA WELL ABANDONMENT GRANT PROGRAM.

Effective Immediately: Funding for the AMERICAN RESCUE PLAN ACT (ARPA) Well Abandonment Grant Program is coming to an end. Applications submitted will now be added to a waitlist. Applicants will be notified if/when grant funding becomes available. Please refer to the statutory Well Abandonment Grant Program to determine whether you are eligible to apply for funding from this program. Note, eligibility criteria is different from the ARPA funded program. ARPA Well Compensation Grant Deadline Reminders for Grantees who have already been issued a grant award The DNR began accepting applications for grants under the reinstated ARPA Well Compensation program on February 3, 2025.