Environmental Health offers funds for private wells

Jones County Environmental Health provides a program to rural county residents that many might be unaware of. 

DNR Grants to Counties offers funds to county residents needing their private wells reconstructed or abandoned wells plugged. 

Paula Hart, Environmental Health administrator, said the grant program has been in place for at least 15 years or more. She is trying to get the word out about how more county residents can take advantage. 

The grant cycle runs from July 1 through June 30, the county’s fiscal year. That means private well owners have until June 30, 2020 to request funds. 

For FY 2020, Hart was awarded $30,927 from the Iowa Department of Public Health to disperse to private well owners. Last fiscal year, $18,000 was spent for this purpose. 

The state reports that the Grants to Counties program is valuable, but certainly underutilized. “Nearly 300,000 Iowans rely on private wells for the primary drinking water supply,” the Center for Health Effects policy report states. “Because private water wells fall outside the jurisdiction of the Safe Drinking Water Act, there are no federal regulations for the quality and routine testing of private well water. Instead, the EPA states that it is the homeowner’s responsibility to ensure the safety of their water.” 

One way to do that is to have your well tested, and to take advantage of the Grants to Counties program, which is part of the Groundwater Protection Act. The grants are funded by pesticide manufacturers/dealer fees and fertilizer fees. 

While the grant funding is intended for private well owners, Hart is also able to use the funds for training purposes, as well as field work when conducting water tests. 

“It covers free water tests for rural residents,” she said. 

Up to $500 can be requested for well plugging, and $1,000 for well reconstruction. 

When testing well water, Hart looks for such things as E. coli, nitrates, and total coliform. 

“We just recently added arsenic,” Hart said. 

Should any of these issues arise from a well test, owners need to rectify the situation. You can request funding from Environmental Health if needed, and Hart will return to test the well water again, this time at no cost. 

“It’s free as long you try to remedy the situation,” Hart stipulated. 

After your well has been plugged or reconstructed, you must turn in your receipts to Hart within 30 days to receive reimbursement. Hart said the work must be done by a certified contractor to qualify. 

“It doesn’t cover fixing the well,” she stipulated. 

While Hart has many repeat customers, there is still plenty of money available for those who have yet to utilize the Grants to Counties program. 

“Repeat customers can only test their well once a year,” Hart said. “That’s what’s recommended by the DNR.” 

For those rural residents who operate a childcare facility out of their home, Hart said well testing must be done once a year. 

If people are looking to sell their property and want their well tested before the home is placed on the market, then you must purchase a $25 water test kit. 

Hart said the grant program exists to urge people to have safe drinking water. 

“Our mission statement is to protect the health of the citizens of Jones County,” shared Hart. Ensuring people have safe and healthy drinking water is a big part of that overall health. 

To inquire about the Grants to Counties program, contact Hart at 319-462- 4715 or environmental@ co.jones.ia.us. You can also visit her webpage at www. jonescount y i owa .o rg/ environmental-health for additional information.