Well Compensation

Well Compensation Grant Program The well compensation grant program provides funding to eligible landowners or renters to replace, reconstruct or treat contaminated private water supplies that serve a residence or provide water to livestock. To be eligible, family income may not exceed $65,000 for the prior calendar year. The grant program will pay 75% of eligible costs up to $16,000. The maximum grant possible is $12,000. Who can apply Who can apply Before you start the application process, determine if you are eligible to apply for a well compensation grant. Work completed before submitting an application and receiving DNR approval will not be reimbursed. Step 1: Landowner or renter determines if your income is eligible Family income may not exceed $65,000 for the prior calendar year. Learn how to find your Wisconsin income on your Wisconsin Income Tax Return. Step 2: Who can apply for a grant Landowner Spouse of landowner Dependent of landowner Heir of landowner Assignee or legal representative of landowner Renter of land Shared well owner of a private residential water supply Local governments, school districts and state or federal agencies cannot apply. Step 3: Landowner or renter determines if contamination is eligible To determine if your well is contaminated, have samples of your well water tested by a certified laboratory . To be eligible for a well compensation grant the private water supply must be considered contaminated based on one of the following criteria. Chemical contamination DNR or Department of Health has issued landowner or renter of private water supply advisory letter; and/or the same water supply has been tested twice (at least two weeks apart) and the results exceed the state or federal water standard for contaminants. Examples of chemical contaminants include: organic chemicals contained in products such as industrial and fuel oil. Bacteria and nitrate contaminants are excluded. Arsenic contamination Private water supply has been tested and arsenic concentration at or exceeding 50 ug/l (parts per billion) has been found. Nitrate contamination Private water supply has been tested and nitrates concentration at or exceeding 40 parts per million expressed as nitrate-nitrogen has been found. These cases are grant-eligible only if a private water supply is used as a source of drinking potable water for both livestock and the residence. The residence must be used at least three months each year and while in use provide an estimated average of more than 100 gallons per day for consumption by livestock. Bacterial contamination Private water supply has been tested and livestock fecal contamination has been found. Private water supply has been tested and found to have livestock fecal bacteria and is located in a DNR-declared area of special well compensation . Other contamination Wells contaminated by other substances such as PFAS; and DNR, a Doctor, or Department of Health has issued the well owner or renter an advisory letter recommending that the well or private water supply not be used because of potential human health risks. If you still have questions regarding contamination after having your well water tested by a certified laboratory contact a DNR Private Water Supply specialist . What is eligible What items are grant eligible The following items are eligible for reimbursement under the well compensation grant. Eligible items Water tests that determine if the well is contaminated Reconstruction of a contaminated well Construction of a new well Connecting to an existing private or public water supply Installation of a new pump, including the associated piping for a replaced well Proper abandonment of a contaminated well Equipment for water treatment (if no other option is feasible) Providing a temporary bottled or trucked water supply Ineligible items

The well compensation grant program provides funding to eligible landowners or renters to replace, reconstruct or treat contaminated private water supplies that serve a residence or provide water to livestock. To be eligible, family income may not exceed $65,000 for the prior calendar year. The grant program will pay 75% of eligible costs up to $16,000. The maximum grant possible is $12,000. Who can apply