The Private Well Grants (PWG) Program was established in 1987 when the Iowa Legislature passed the Iowa Groundwater Protection Act to help prevent further contamination of one of Iowa's most precious resources, our groundwater.

Grants are available to local county health departments to provide financial assistance to their residents for private water well services. Grants provide reimbursement for the following activities: 

  • Water tests to ensure that private well water is safe to drink
  • Well closure to ensure that abandoned wells do not create groundwater to become contaminated
  • Well reconstruction or repair to bring the well up to current standards

The Bureau of Environmental and Local Public Health oversees the financial administration of the PWG Program. The bureau also works closely with the Iowa Department of Natural Resources Private Well Program, which provides technical oversight of water well testing, water well closure, and water well reconstruction through the PWG program. Individual well owners who would like to receive reimbursement should contact their local county environmental public health office.

Resources for Well Owners

Contact your local environmental public health office to see if your county participates in the PWG Program. 

Local Environmental Health Resources

For more information contact: