Private Well Grant Information:

Grants are available under the Rural Water Programme for the carrying out of improvement works to a private water supply (this means a water supply providing water intended for human consumption and domestic purposes that serves only one house). 

4 key features of the scheme are:

The grant payable for the provision of a new well is 85% of approved costs subject to a maximum of 5,000 euro, where the housing authority agrees that this is the most appropriate solution.

In recognising the role of the grant in improving water quality, the water quality treatment element (typically filtration and Ultra Violet treatment) qualifies for 100% funding up to a maximum of 1,000 euro. This can be claimed on its own or in addition to either the grant for rehabilitation works or the grant for a new well.

The minimum grant threshold is 750 euro

The grant payable for rehabilitation works is 85% of approved costs subject to a maximum of 3,000 euro.

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How do I apply?

The scheme will be administered by housing authorities on behalf of the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage, you should contact the rural water section in your local authority for application form and further information.

 

Drinking water quality in private wells

Unlike public water supplies or group water scheme supplies, water services authorities do not test drinking water quality of private water supplies. Testing your well water is your responsibility and should be done regularly to make sure your drinking water quality is high. People with VTEC (a form of E.coli) are more than four times more likely than the general population to have consumed untreated water from private water supplies. Maintenance and servicing of wells is also very important for reducing the risk of contamination.

 

You can find more information on testing water quality or wells maintenance on the EPA website. If you have concerns about the quality of your private water supply contact your local authority immediately.

 

Drilling private wells

If you are considering boring your own well, it is important the well is constructed properly, sealed against pollution and disinfected.