The glacial geology of Ramsey County includes many layers of impermeable and semi-permeable material that can protect aquifers from contaminated waters. Many municipal public supply wells exist to draw water from these aquifers to supply thousands of consumers on a daily basis. Unfortunately, abandoned/unused wells also penetrate the protective layers of glacial material and can "short-circuit" the natural protection our glacial geology can provide allowing unfettered movement of contamination to even deeper aquifers below the ground. These abandoned/unused wells are a significant threat to our drinking water quality especially within the recharge zones of these public water supply wells.

With a grant from the Clean Water Fund the Ramsey Conservation District (RCD) will implement a well sealing cost-share program targeted to drinking water supply management areas and well-head protection areas within municipal water supplies. Sealing of these wells will prevent surface water from flowing into deep aquifers directly. Through this grant the RCD will provide cost share to homeowners to help in the cost of sealing their abandoned/unused wells.