Program helps New Hampshire homeowners with drought-stricken wells
Low-income residents can get help with replacement water, well mitigation
Low-income residents can get help with replacement water, well mitigation
Low-income residents can get help with replacement water, well mitigation
As New Hampshire continues to deal with varying levels of drought, a program is being launched to help low-income homeowners who are experiencing problems with their wells.
The program from the state Department of Environmental Services is designed to make sure people have safe and reliable drinking water.
>> How to get help: Water Assistance for Natural Disasters Program
There are income limits to qualify for the program based on the size and location of a household. A licensed well driller or pump installer also has to certify that the well is drought-stricken.
State officials said assistance has been provided in the past for people whose wells ran dry, but this program is designed to be a little more flexible. Depending on the income level of the household, the state could cover up to 100% of the cost of bottled water and well mitigation assistance.
The homeowner also must own the well, and the household must be a primary residence.
With the state in its third drought in a decade, the DES said some wells are especially vulnerable.
"It's being widely used by folks that have dug wells," said John Pasquale, of the DES. "It seems to me that's the most likely applicant."
The assistance can include anything from digging a new well to installing a new pump to hydrofracking an existing well, depending upon the recommendation. Officials said the program is particularly aimed at helping older homeowners and people on fixed incomes.