Sealing an Unused Well in Minnesota: The Law, Cost and Who Can Do It

Sealing an old or unused well

Short answer: In Minnesota, a well that is not in use must be sealed by a licensed well contractor unless the owner has a maintenance permit ($225 a year). You can't seal it yourself. The contractor files a sealing record with MDH and gives you a copy.

Source: Minnesota Statutes 103I.301 (sealing) · Minnesota Statutes 103I.208 (fees) · MDH, Sealing unused wells. Checked Nov 4, 2026.

Old wells are common on farms and older lots, sometimes hidden under a deck or in a basement. Find a company near you that seals wells.

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Why it matters

MDH says an unused well that isn't sealed is a direct path for surface water and contaminants into the groundwater, including the water your neighbors drink. Open wells and old well pits are also a danger to children, pets and livestock. It is illegal to put waste in an old well.

What the law says

A well that is not in use must be sealed, unless the owner has a maintenance permit. The permit costs $225 a year.
A well must also be sealed if it is contaminated and can't be fixed, was sealed wrong before, or threatens health, safety or groundwater.
Only a licensed well contractor or licensed well sealing contractor may seal it. The contractor notifies MDH first ($125).

How a well is sealed

Clear it out. The old pump, pipe and any debris come out. Sometimes the casing is perforated so grout fills both inside and outside.
Fill it with grout, a special cement, concrete or bentonite clay, pumped in from the bottom up through a pipe until it comes out the top.
Get the record. The contractor sends a Well and Boring Sealing Record to MDH and to you. Keep it with your property papers.

What drives the cost

MDH gives no price. It depends on how deep and wide the well is, how easy it is to reach, the ground it is in, and what is stuck inside. MDH suggests getting more than one estimate. It can cost less if a contractor is already on site drilling a new well, or if neighbors seal several wells at once.

Help paying for it

Ag Best Management Practices loans from the Minnesota Department of Agriculture, through counties and soil and water conservation districts: up to $200,000 at no more than 3 percent, for sealing or replacing a private drinking water well. No income limit, and you don't have to be a farmer.
Cost-share from some soil and water conservation districts, mostly for rural and farm properties, and from Ramsey County and the Capitol Region Watershed District for properties there.
Minnesota Housing Fix Up loans and USDA Rural Development repair loans and grants, with income limits.

MDH says most programs need approval before the well is sealed. Details: MDH's financial help page.

Finding a lost well

Look for a pipe sticking out of the ground, a pit or a concrete slab in the yard or basement, or an old windmill. Check the Minnesota Well Index and the seller's well disclosure. MDH says most wells built before 1974 are not on file.

Sources: Minnesota Statutes 103I.301 (sealing) · Minnesota Statutes 103I.208 (fees) · MDH, Sealing unused wells · MDH, Well Owner's Handbook (PDF, 2014) · MDH, Financial help for wells (Sep 2025) · MDH, Minnesota Well Index

Questions

Do I have to seal an old well in Minnesota?

Yes, if it is not in use and you don't have a maintenance permit. A well must also be sealed if it is contaminated and can't be fixed, was sealed wrong before, or threatens health, safety or groundwater.

Can I seal a well myself?

No. Minnesota law says only a licensed well contractor or a licensed well sealing contractor may seal a well, even though owners may build some wells themselves.

How much does it cost to seal a well?

MDH gives no price. It depends on how deep and wide the well is, how easy it is to reach, and what is stuck in it. The MDH sealing notification fee is $125.

Is there help paying to seal a well?

Sometimes. MDH lists the Ag Best Management Practices loan program (no income limit), soil and water conservation district cost-share in some counties, and state housing loans. Most need approval before the work starts.