JEFFERSON CITY, MO, MARCH 11, 2023 – The Missouri Department of Natural Resources is accepting applications from eligible public water systems for its Abandoned Well Plugging Grant program through April 30, 2023. The program offers up to $15,000 per project to properly plug abandoned water wells located within or near a groundwater-based public water system’s service area or wells.
Unplugged abandoned water wells not only pose a serious physical risk, but they expose groundwater aquifers to potential contamination from surface sources. Groundwater is the primary water source for more than 80% of Missouri’s public water systems.
Grant awards are only available to eligible public water systems. Funding is limited and projects will be reviewed and ranked according to the priority point criteria described in the grant application instructions. A fully executed financial assistance agreement between the project applicant and the department is required prior to incurring project-related costs.
The department is committed to helping Missouri communities provide reliable, affordable and high-quality drinking water. Proper plugging of abandoned water wells is a critical component in protecting groundwater supplies and ensuring the availability of high-quality drinking water for Missouri’s communities into the future.
The department’s Abandoned Well Plugging Grant program is funded wholly or in part through the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.
For more information on this valuable program, and on source water protection in general, visit dnr.mo.gov/water/what-were-doing/water-planning/source-water-protection.