The City’s Wellhead Protection Project is Underway!

The City of Hastings is plugging abandoned water wells within the City’s water supply or Wellhead Protection Area (WPA). The Wellhead Protection Area includes almost the entire City of Hastings as well as some outlying areas, as illustrated on the map to the right. Plugging activities are expected to take place in the fall and will include the following types of wells: Water wells that are being used, water wells that are no longer being used, groundwater monitoring wells, basement wells and irrigation wells.

We Need Your Help

Over the years area residents have installed a large number of wells. While a lot of those wells are still being used, some are not. Other wells were constructed generations ago and there are no records of their locations. The wells that are no longer being used are called “abandoned wells”. As homeowners and residents, you can help with this project by letting us know if there is a well on your property. If you have an abandoned well, we will be able to have the well plugged at no cost to you! In addition, if you report a well and authorize plugging, the City will give you a $50 credit on your water bill after the well has been plugged as a part of this project.

What is the Problem with Abandoned Wells?

Wells that are not in use and have not been plugged are both a safety and a health threat.

Abandoned wells are a health threat since they provide a direct route to groundwater. If contaminants enter one well, they may pose a serious health hazard to other nearby wells, including the City’s water sources. Large diameter wells (dug wells) can also be a safety hazard. Small children and animals have fallen into old, abandoned wells.

What Can I Do?

Take the time to find out if you have an old well on your property. Houses built in areas before city water & sewer were run are a good bet for an abandoned well. Ask older neighbors if they remember a well on your property.

How Do I Know If I Have an Abandoned Well?

Drilled or pounded wells usually are 2” to 4” in diameter and have metal or plastic casing. Also, abandoned wells may be large dug wells, 18 to 24 inches, lined with brick or stone. You may have an abandoned well on your property if you have any of the following:

ü Windmill or wishing wells

ü Well casings aboveground or through a concrete floor

ü Circular concrete pads in the floor

ü Small buildings that may have been a former pump/well houses

ü Hand pump or faucet

ü Concrete pit or cistern with old pipes or plumbing

What Should I Do If I Have an Old Well?

For a limited time, the City of Hastings will have grant funds from the Michigan Department of Environmental Quality (MDEQ) to plug wells in the Hastings Wellhead Protection Area (WPA). This means you can have your well properly plugged at no cost to you. If you have an abandoned well, simply fill out the Well Report Form below and return it to the Barry Conservation District, our project partner. A Barry Conservation District staff member may contact you to verify the location and size of your well. Then, you will receive information on when your well will be plugged.

If you are unsure whether you have an abandoned well, or if you just need more information, call the Barry Conservation District at (269) 948-8056 ext. 3. Since this is a short-term grant, call today!

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WELL REPORT FORM:

Name:

Address:

Daytime Telephone Number:

Well Location:

Well Diameter (if known):

Well Depth (if known):

PLEASE RETURN THIS PORTION BY MAIL, FAX OR HAND DELIVERY TO:

City Wellhead Protection Project

c/o Barry Conservation District

1611 S. Hanover, Suite 105

Hastings, MI 49058

Fax: (269) 945-553