foundation provides low-interest loans for water wells

Seymour Herald/Library Photo

published: May 31 2007 09:25 PM updated:: June 01 2007 06:32 AM

Certain low- to moderate-income individuals or families in Tennessee may be eligible for money to construct, repair or improve household water well systems through 1 percent interest loans from the Foundation for Affordable Drinking Water.
Pennsylvania is the latest state to be added to those served by the loan program created by the foundation, which was established through the National Ground Water Association.
Qualified applicants can borrow up to $8,000 at 1 percent interest for a term not to exceed 20 years. To qualify, households must:
* Own the home and use it as the principal residence
* Have as the primary drinking water source an individual household well system located on the property of the home
* Must meet income and other eligibility requirements
* Be located in a city, town, or unincorporated area with a population of less than 50,000.
In addition to Pennsylvania, the program is available in Alabama, Colorado, Idaho, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Maine, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Nebraska, New York, North Carolina, Ohio, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, Vermont, Washington, West Virginia, and Wisconsin.
The foundation will not underwrite a loan once a project is underway or has been completed. Most new home construction projects are not eligible.
Another important aspect of the loan program is to educate loan recipients on the importance of regular well maintenance and annual testing of their well system.
Complete information, including application forms and requirements and income eligibility limits, can to accessed by going to www.ngwa.org and clicking on the link for the Foundation for Affordable Drinking Water. Applications and additional information can also be obtained by contacting the foundation at (800) 551-7379, (614) 898-7791, ext. 544, or by emailing Peg Leach at pleach@ngwa.org. You also can learn more about the program by going to www.wellowner.org and clicking on "Financing."
"Water is essential, and the Foundation is committed to helping those in greatest need," said Paul Humes, foundation director. "If you have a real need and meet the qualifications for this program, we encourage you to apply."

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User Comments

#1 James Wilson commented, on June 1, 2007 at 8:57 a.m.:

This is a great program and I am glad to see that it is also available to the citizens of Tennessee. You may already know that the Rotary Club(s) recently sponsored some water well testing in Sevier County. (Thanks to every Rotary member.)Sevier County has more water wells than any other county in the state. The last time that wells were tested in the county, almost half of them tested positive for bacteria (fecal and E-coli.) The results of the recent tests will be available soon and some homeowners with contaminated wells may be able to take advantage of the program mentioned above. Thanks for providing this information to the public and thank you for caring about clean water in Sevier County. We are trashing our waters as fast as we can and even allow it to be called progress. It is much cheaper to keep water clean than it is to clean it up after it has been contaminated. One day the bill will come due for our carelessness and then we will all understand. Clean Water = Life!! You learn that lesson real fast when you are thirsty. I lived and worked for three years in the Sahara Desert where people spent most of the day searching for and gathering water, and it was almost never clean. We take it for granted but that won't always be the case if we continue with our present ways.