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Environmental Health is responsible for ensuring proper installation and testing of wells, well rehabilitation, and proper plugging of abandoned wells and cisterns.

Permits

Applications for private water wells are available here or by coming into the Environmental Health Office. The form must be filled out in detail by your well contractor and returned with payment for issuance of your permit. A well site survey is then conducted to verify that the placement of the well will be in compliance with all regulations. Once your well is drilled, a completed well record is submitted to the Environmental Health Office by your well contractor. A record of all well information is placed on the Iowa Department of Natural Resources website. Once your new well is in operation, you are eligible for a free water sample. 

If your water supply will be serving a new dwelling, a well permit must be issued prior to issuing the building permit. 

Water well permits will not be issued to individuals who have access to community or public water supply.

DNR Grants to Counties Well Program

Please call ahead for verification of funds available before reconstruction or plugging.

Grant funds providing cost-share to Cedar County residents are available for well reconstruction and abandoned well plugging.

Well Reconstruction

  • Grant will pay eligible reconstruction cost up to $2,000 maximum
  • Funds will be granted upon pre-approval by the Cedar County Environmental Health Office
  • Proper well assessment may need to be made by both the driller and Cedar County Environmental Health

Abandoned Well Plugging

  • Grant will pay eligible plugging costs up to $700 maximum
  • Well must be plugged in accordance with the Cedar County and State Codes

Water Tests

  • Water tests are available to rural homeowners or tenants
  • Tests are offered once per year at no charge with grant fund availability
  • Contact Cedar County Environmental Health at 563-886-2248 to schedule your water test

For further information about DNR grants, please contact Cedar County Environmental Health at 563-886-2248.

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