Reporting Abandoned Wells
Any well that is abandoned within the management area must be reported to the Nebraska Department of Natural Resources. All abandoned wells must be properly and legally decommissioned according to state law by a licensed pump installation contractor or well contractor.
Abandoned Well Verification Program
State law and Upper Big Blue NRD Ground Water Management Area regulations require that any well that is abandoned must be properly decommissioned. Proper decommissioning means that a well that will no longer be used must be permanently sealed in a manner defined by state regulations. An unsealed, abandoned well is a potential source of contamination to groundwater. Contaminants from the surface such as fertilizer, animal wastes, or agricultural chemicals can travel through the unsealed well to the aquifer. Notification of decommissioning must be made to the Nebraska Department of Natural Resources and the NRD. Improperly decommissioned wells pose a potential groundwater quality and public safety risk.
In 1989, the district began a program to determine the status of wells that have been reported as abandoned or that are not registered with the district. A public education program has been implemented to inform people of the hazards of incorrectly abandoning wells and the importance of notification. In addition, a field survey is being made to identify improperly abandoned wells and encouraging well owners to correct the situation.
AQWACAP: Aquifer Quality Well Abandonment Cost-Share Assistance Program
This program provides cost-share for proper decommissioning of abandoned wells. Wells must be decommissioned according Nebraska Department of Health and Human Services System regulations governing water well abandonment standards. All decommissioning activities must be conducted by a licensed pump installation contractor or well contractor.
r. The cost-share rate is 60% of the actual labor and materials.
The maximum cost-share rates for the proper plugging of wells of various casing diameters is $750.
All below ground pipe and any above ground pipe, tower or apparatus that may impede the plugging activity must be removed. Any cost incurred for this removal is not eligible for cost-share. The district may require that a district representative be present during the actual plugging process. (This will be done on a random basis.)
Application Process
The well owner must submit a completed Aquifer Quality Well Abandonment Cost-Share Assistance Program Application (
forms). State and Federal laws also require that two additional forms be completed and on file with the district. They are the “United States Citizenship Attestation Form” and “Form W-9 Request for Taxpayer Identification Number and Certification” (
forms). The well owner or his/her power of attorney must sign the completed forms. For an application packet please contact the NRD office at (402) 362-6601 or access the
forms on our website. The cost-share application must be approved by the Upper Big Blue NRD before work may begin.
Claim and Payment Process
A copy of the water well contractors itemized billing statement showing quantities of materials used in decommissioning the well must be provided to the Upper Big Blue NRD. All final payments must be approved by the Upper Big Blue NRD board of directors prior to payment.