Remediation News
Missouri is paying up to $20k to plug abandoned wells. Here’s how residents sign up.
Officials estimated there could be as many as 500,000 abandoned wells across the state. They’re hoping this initiative aids in bringing that number down considerably.
In an effort to get more wells plugged in the Show Me State, the Missouri Department of Natural Resources announced that it is accepting applications for residents and companies to apply for a grant for up to $20,000 to plug abandoned wells before they can contaminate groundwater resources and public water systems.
Requests for funding will end on Feb. 28, 2027, but after Dec. 31, the period from Jan. 1-Feb. 27, DNR noted that awards will come on a first come, first-served basis until funds expire. Interested applicants can access the application via the department’s Funding Opportunities Portal Access Request located on Missouri’s DNR website.
Two things of note to qualify and receive funding:
Community and not-for-profit noncommunity public water systems with at least one active or emergency well are eligible to apply for reimbursement funding through this program.
A fully executed financial assistance agreement between the project applicant and the department is required prior to incurring project-related costs.
“The Missouri Department of Natural Resources is committed to helping Missouri communities protect their drinking water sources and human health,” read a release on the DNR’s website. “Water wells must be plugged properly to protect groundwater resources from contamination and to protect Missouri communities’ health and economic vitality.”
According to the Missouri DNR, grants will be awarded on a per project basis and will have a priority application period beginning Nov. 1 through the end of the year. The renewed concern is mainly that the state has a considerable amount of abandoned wells, anywhere from 150,000 to half a million according to estimates. These would include domestic wells, abandoned water wells, and even old cisterns.
The main concern is that if left abandoned at this level, contamination could reach groundwater that supplies drinking water to over 80% of Missouri’s public water systems, that could affect over six million residents, looking at statistics from the most recent U.S. Census Bureau data.
Looking for a reprint of this article?
From high-res PDFs to custom plaques, order your copy today!
