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ARPA Well Compensation Grant Program

Tuesday, October 11th, 2022 -- 10:01 AM

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The recently unveiled ARPA Well Compensation Grant Program expands eligibility beyond the current Wisconsin Well Compensation Grant Program to support more private well owners and non-community well owners to improve access to clean drinking water.

The recent $10 million investment by Governor Tony Evers and the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources will support the replacement, reconstruction, treatment, or abandonment of contaminated private wells and is estimated to fund awards for 1,036 private well owners.

Private well owners and owners of a contaminated non-community well, such as churches, daycare centers, rural taverns, restaurants, and other small businesses can apply for up to $16,000 in eligible costs. To be eligible, family or business income may not exceed $100,000 for the prior calendar year.

In addition, the private water supply or eligible non-community public water system well must be considered contaminated based on one of the following criteria:

  • Chemical contamination: Examples of chemical contaminants may include metals, pesticides, volatile organic chemicals contained in products such as industrial solvents, degreasers, paint, gasoline, and fuel oil;
  • Bacterial Contamination based on two laboratory reports showing presence of E. coli bacteria;
  • PFAS Contamination if the results of the two samples indicating that PFAS compounds at greater than or equal to the Wisconsin Department of Health Services (DHS) groundwater recommendation standards;
  • Arsenic Contamination if the arsenic concentration is at or exceeding 10 ug/l (parts per billion);
  • Nitrate Contamination if the nitrates concentration is at or exceeding 10 parts per million has been found;
  • Other Contaminants if an advisory issued by Wisconsin Department of Health Services indicates that the well should not be used for drinking water due to the presence of the contaminant.

Water samples must be tested by a certified laboratory to determine if the well is contaminated and meets contamination criteria. To find a certified laboratory near you, visit: https://dnr.wisconsin.gov/topic/labCert/certified-lab-lists.

The Marathon County Public Health Laboratory is one of many certified laboratories available to Marathon County private and non-community well owners. If you are a Marathon County private or non-community well owner that meets the eligibility criteria mentioned above, you can apply for this program by visiting: https://dnr.wisconsin.gov/aid/WellCompensation.html.

Applicants will be required to provide well construction reports as part of their application. To obtain these reports, please contact the Marathon County Conservation, Planning, and Zoning Department at 715-261-6000.

For more information on the Marathon County Public Health Laboratory and provided services, please visit: https://www.co.marathon.wi.us/Departments/HealthDepartment/EnvironmentalHealth/WaterTestingLab.aspx.

For questions about water sampling, please contact the Marathon County Health Department by calling 715-261-1900.

Feel free to contact us with questions and/or comments.