AGRICULTURE
WELL CLOSURE PROGRAM
The Michigan Groundwater Stewardship Program provides technical and
financial assistance to properly seal abandoned wells. The Van Buren/Allegan Conservation
Districts offer cost-share up to 90% of the cost of the well closure. After Cost-Share a
typical well closures cost $30.00 or less. An abandoned well is a well that is no longer
in use or is in such disrepair that groundwater can no longer be obtained from it. Merely
capping an abandoned well is not enough to prevent it from becoming a potential health
hazard. Additional reasons to properly close abandoned wells are:
- Reduce your liability
- Elimination of a physical hazard. Remember little Jessica McClure who fell down an abandoned well?
- Prevention of groundwater contamination by surface water runoff which could contain bacteria, pesticides, fuel or other chemicals from flowing directly into the well.
- Prevention of groundwater loss from artesian or flow wells.
- Prevention of the mixing of desirable and undesirable groundwater.
The well closure program in Van Buren and Allegan Counties is under way. The goal is to close at least 34 abandoned wells in fiscal year 2000. The program has closed 104 abandoned wells since its start in 1995. Many people do not even realize that they have an abandoned well. Often areas near abandoned old buildings, houses, and trailers have an unused well nearby. Windmills that are no longer used for pumping water also indicate the location of an unused well, or that pitcher pump in your yard that you no longer use may be attached to a well that requires proper closure. If you are having a well replaced, the law requires that the old well is properly abandoned by the well driller drilling the new well. If you are purchasing property ask about unused wells! If you think you may have an unused well, call your conservation district for a confidential and voluntary farmstead evaluation. Many of the well closures implemented through the groundwater program have been discovered by the evaluation process. There is no charge for the evaluation, and well closures typically cost less than $30.00. Protect your drinking water. Call Lew Houseman at 269-657-4030 (Van Buren) or 616-673-8965 (Allegan).
