Nitrate contamination and the well compensation grant program. (FE)

Under current law, a well that is contaminated only by nitrates is eligible for a grant only if the well is a water supply for livestock, is used at least three months in each year to provide more than 100 gallons of water per day for consumption by livestock, and contains nitrates in excess of 40 parts per million. Under the bill, the only eligibility requirement for a well that is contaminated only by nitrates is that the well is used at least three months in each year.

Current law requires DNR to allocate money for payments of claims under the program according to the order in which claims are received. The bill retains this requirement but provides that, among claims for contamination only by nitrates, DNR must allocate payments according to a specified priority ranking.

Also under current law, a residential well that is contaminated only by bacteria is not eligible for a grant unless the well is in an area that is contaminated by fecal bacteria and the contamination is caused by livestock. The bill eliminates this restriction.

The bill also requires DNR to award grants for the remediation method that is most effective for the health and welfare of the claimant. Finally, the bill requires DNR to report to the Joint Committee on Finance after the end of each fiscal year on the number of applicants under the well compensation program and the number and amounts of grants provided during that fiscal year.