Crow Wing County offers grants to residents for safe water quality

By Dispatch staff report

August 27, 2022 06:00 AM

BRAINERD — Crow Wing County received more than $90,000 in grants for local residents to seal unused wells and upgrade septic systems for protecting groundwater.

A well that is not in use or abandoned can be a source of groundwater contamination by providing a potential direct path for surface water runoff, contaminated water or improperly disposed of waste to reach an uncontaminated groundwater source. Unused larger-diameter wells can also be a safety hazard for children and animals.

The county will provide up to a maximum of $1,000 in cost-share funds per well. A state-licensed well contractor must conduct the work. Residents are encouraged to contact a licensed well driller to begin the application process.

Proper septic maintenance ensures that groundwater is being protected from human contaminants.

“Having properly maintained and functioning septic systems will help protect groundwater in Crow Wing County. We are here to help provide information to landowners on septic system upgrades and financial assistance when available” stated Nicole Erickson, environmental services coordinator, in the news release.

Those interested in learning more about funds for upgrading your septic system, contact Stephanie Barney with the Region Five Development Commission at 218-296-5201.

Groundwater protection is identified as a priority in the Crow Wing County Water Plan and Pine River One Watershed, One Plan, and most of the Crow Wing County’s residents rely on groundwater for their source of drinking water. Residents can go to https://www.crowwing.us/242/Grants to read more information on the county’s well sealing and septic upgrade grant opportunities.

By Dispatch staff report

Our newsroom occasionally reports stories under a byline of "staff." Often, the "staff" byline is used when rewriting basic news briefs that originate from official sources, such as a city press release about a road closure, and which require little or no reporting. At times, this byline is used when a news story includes numerous authors or when the story is formed by aggregating previously reported news from various sources. If outside sources are used, it is noted within the story.

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