Wisconsin DNR again accepting applications for ARPA well compensation and abandonment grants

Governor Evers recently announced an additional round of federal grant funding of up to $5 million to support the replacement, reconstruction, treatment or abandonment of contaminated private wells.

The expanded grant programs provide more support to private well owners and increase access to clean drinking water, including expanding eligibility to those facing PFAS contamination in their wells. Many previously ineligible individuals will now be eligible to apply, including some small Wisconsin businesses with a non-community well, such as daycare centers, rural restaurants and churches, among others.

The DNR began accepting applications for grants under the reinstated program on Feb. 3, 2025. The expanded eligibility criteria include these changes to the contamination requirements:

Eligibility Criteria: 

• Any well contaminated with nitrate at concentrations at or above the state’s public health standard of 10 parts per million (ppm) is now eligible. Previously, only nitrate-contaminated wells with concentrations above 40 ppm that were used as a water supply for livestock were eligible. 
• Any well contaminated with arsenic at concentrations at or above the federal drinking water standard of 10 parts per billion (ppb) is now eligible. Previously, only arsenic-contaminated wells above the threshold of 50 ppb were eligible. The arsenic threshold for arsenic-contaminated wells has been lowered from 50 ppb to 10 ppb to comply with federal drinking water standards. 
• Any well with a source of bacterial contamination that presents a human health risk is now eligible for the program. Previously, only wells contaminated with fecal bacteria caused by livestock were eligible. 
• A well with PFAS exceeding the drinking water standard in Ch. NR 809 (70 parts per trillion for PFOA+PFOS) or subject to an advisory from the Department of Health Services due to the levels of PFAS in the well is eligible for well compensation.

In this second round of funding, applicants must provide laboratory results from one water sample that confirms the contamination in their well. For bacteria contamination, two water samples are still required. Samples must be tested at a certified laboratory, and testing needs to have been done within the last two years of the application date to be eligible. 

Award Amounts: 

• The maximum award amount under the program will be $16,000.
• The cost share requirement under the program will be $0.

Other Important Information And Contacts: 

• Well owners interested in applying should first determine if they are eligible by completing the Well Compensation Grant Preliminary Eligibility questionnaire. Well owners who are eligible for a Well Compensation Grant can follow the steps to apply on the Well Compensation Grant Program webpage.
• Financial assistance is also available from the American Rescue Plan Act Well Abandonment Grant Program to properly fill and seal abandoned or unused private or non-community wells. Applicants must meet the income limit of $100,000 to apply. Eligibility can be determined by completing the Well Abandonment Grant Preliminary Eligibility questionnaire. Well owners who are eligible for a Well Abandonment Grant can follow the steps to apply on the Well Abandonment Grant Program webpage.
• The DNR will accept applications and issue awards on a continuous basis until all funding is expended. Application materials will be updated and posted to the Well Compensation Grant Program webpage and the Well Abandonment Grant Program webpage.

Questions about the program can be sent to DNRARPAWellGrants@wisconsin.gov.