June 23, 2005

The Department of Environmental Quality Director Steven E. Chester today announced that 18 community public water utilities will be receiving a total of $955,125 through the state of Michigan’s Abandoned Well Management Grant Program. The program helps communities to safeguard public water supply wells and protect the groundwater aquifers that residents depend upon.

“These funds allow communities to locate and plug abandoned wells that may threaten nearby drinking water supply wells,” said Director Chester. “Protecting our drinking water ensures the health of our communities and their residents.”

The grant program is funded through the Clean Michigan Initiative, a $675 million general obligation bond overwhelmingly approved by Michigan voters in 1998. To be eligible to receive the 75 percent state cost share funding through the CMI, a community must have identified the recharge area for their wells and must provide a 25 percent local match.

The following 18 communities have been awarded Abandoned Well Management Grants:

• City of Brighton - $55,750
• City of Charlotte - $12,750
• Village of Concord - $34,250
• City of Davison - $77,250
• City of Durand - $45,000
• City of Fremont - $45,000
• Gun Plain Charter Township - $23,500
• City of Houghton - $12,750
• City of Ithaca - $66,500
• City of Jackson - $195,500
• City of Lowell - $12,750
• Village of Lyons - $66,500
• Village of Mendon - $28,875
• City of Mount Pleasant - $55,750
• Village of Posen - $45,000
• City of Sturgis - $66,500
• Summit Township - $98,750
• City of Whitehall - $12,750

For more information on the Abandoned Well Management Grants Program contact James McEwan, Well Construction Unit, Drinking Water and Environmental Health Section, Lansing Operations Division, Water Bureau, at (517) 241-1413.

Editor’s note: DEQ news releases are available on the department’s Internet home page at www.michigan.gov/deq.

Revised June 23, 2005 by Pat Watson