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Long Prairie council approves donations to meet wellhead protection obligations
Summary
The council approved two $250 donations to Todd County programs to meet requirements of the city’s Wellhead Protection Plan, while staff outlined options and grant programs to seal unused wells in the drinking‑water source management area.
The Long Prairie City Council on July 23 approved two $250 donations to Todd County programs to satisfy requirements tied to the city’s Wellhead Protection Plan.
City Administrator and Clerk Candace Bruder presented the request and explained that the donations—one to the Todd County Enviro Fest and one to Todd County Soil and Water for a water‑tower model—would demonstrate continued public‑education support required under the plan. Council Member Lilah Gripne moved for the first $250 donation to the Enviro Fest; Council Member Clint Krueger seconded and the motion passed unanimously. Mayor Jim Kreemer moved the second $250 donation to Soil and Water; Krueger seconded and that motion also passed unanimously.
Why it matters: staff said the city counts about 165 wells in the city’s drinking‑water source management area (DWSMA). Unused wells can act as conduits for contaminants to reach the aquifer serving Long Prairie residences. Bruder said the city was advised that a small donation—$150 was suggested—would qualify for a matching grant mechanism that could return 50% of the donation in grant funds, although council approved $250 per request.
Staff outlined available funding and technical options: Minnesota Department of Health Source Water Grants, Todd County funding and cost‑share through Todd County Soil and Water Conservation District (SWCD). The SWCD’s cost‑share was described as covering 75% of the lowest bid for sealing an individual unused well, with property owners required to pre‑approve work through the county office before work begins. The Long Prairie Watershed comprehensive plan includes a goal to seal 200 wells over the next 10 years.
The council did not set a citywide schedule for well‑sealing work at the July 23 meeting; the donations are intended to satisfy elements of the educational and outreach components of the Wellhead Protection Plan and to keep the city eligible for available cost‑share and grant funding.
Next steps: staff said they will continue outreach about unused wells and the county cost‑share options, and will provide additional information as grant opportunities and program details develop.
