In observance of the nationwide Source Water Protection Week running through October 4, the Iowa Department of Natural Resources Source Water Protection Program, Iowa Source Water Agricultural Collaborative, and Iowa Department of Health & Human Services are partnering to raise awareness. Together, the organizations are promoting the importance of protecting Iowa’s drinking water and the resources available to private well owners through the Private Well Grants Program.
While public water systems are regularly tested and regulated, thousands of Iowans rely on private wells as their main source of drinking water. Unlike public systems, these wells are not subject to routine monitoring, which means the responsibility for ensuring water quality falls directly on the well owner. Without regular testing and proper maintenance, wells can be vulnerable to contamination, potentially putting households at risk.
The Private Well Grants Program was created to help ease the financial burden of maintaining and protecting private wells. The program provides funding to assist well owners with the cost of testing their water for bacteria, nitrate, and other potential contaminants. It also offers support for repairing or reconstructing wells that are no longer in good condition, helping ensure that they remain a safe and reliable source of water. In addition, the program provides assistance for closing abandoned or unused wells. These wells, if left open, can act as direct channels for pollutants to enter groundwater, threatening not only individual households but other communities that may be using that aquifer.
For more information, see here.
