Funding Resources for Drilling Private Water Wells

Domestic Wells

Water and Waste Disposal Loan & Grant Program in Texas

There is a program called Individual Well Program but it does not routinely get funded in Texas. This program would provide money to non-profits who could then use those funds to get wells drilled for low-income families. If no funding is available, they will usually refer callers to their Housing Program. This program is for low-income seniors, and only applies to people aged 62 or older.

USDA Single Family Housing Repair Loans and Grants

Loans may be used to repair, improve, or modernize homes or removed health and safety hazards. Grants must be used to remove health and safety hazards.

Communities Unlimited

The bottom of their webpage has a place to sign up for their newsletter and one of the options for information you’d like to receive is training on Homeowner Water Well/Septic.

They do offer loans in Texas, their program requires that you be in a rural area of less than 50,000 population, you must own or occupy the home on the property (home can be a trailer) and household income cannot exceed 100% of the median non-metro household income for the state – they can help you determine if you meet this requirement.

HUD Exchange – Community Development Block Grant

The Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) Program supports community development activities, which may address needs such as infrastructure, economic development projects, public facilities installation, community centers, housing rehabilitation, public services, clearance/acquisition, microenterprise assistance, code enforcement, homeowner assistance, etc.

Texas Department of Agriculture Community Development Block Grants

The Texas Department of Agriculture has access to $86 million from Community Development Block Grants that could potentially be a resource to communities and colonias needing urgent funding. Those who are not eligible for direct CDBG funding from HUD may apply for funding through any of the Texas CDBG programs.

Contact Jim Reaves for more information.

Texas State Office of Rural Health

Supports access to quality health services for all rural Texans, promoting infrastructure and workforce development.

Water Well Trust

The Water Well Trust (WWT) is a 501(c)3 organization created by the Water Systems Council to provide a clean water supply to American families living without access to a precious resource most of us take for granted.

The WWT and its partners provide funding for wells for low-income families nationwide that need safe drinking water. There are many excellent organizations working to provide safe drinking water to people in need in developing countries. The Water Well Trust is the only national nonprofit organization helping Americans get access to a clean, safe water supply.

They serve Americans living primarily in rural, unincorporated areas or minority communities that may be isolated and difficult to reach. They assist low-income families that cannot afford to pay for public water supplies, and those who live in areas where the extension of public water supplies to serve them doesn’t make economic sense for them, for the public water supply owners, for federal, state or local funding sources.

WaterWellWish.org

The Groundwater Foundation will soon be launching a new program aimed at providing families, who lack the financial resources, an opportunity to apply for a grant to cover the cost of repairing their existing water well or drilling a new water well. Be on the lookout for more information related to their grant program in the coming months. Like and follow The Groundwater Foundation's social media for more updates.

Link to online application: Click to Apply

U.S Department of Health and Human Services Office of Community Services

Contact for the state of Texas: Michael De Young 512-475-2125

Texas Department of Housing and Community Affairs

May provide assistance through their Home Repair/ Accessibility modifications.

Agriculture - Ranching, Livestock, Irrigation Wells

USDA Offers Assistance to Texas Producers Impacted by Drought

This is a news-release that was put out by USDA and contains links to helpful resources for Texas ranchers and livestock producers.

USDA Disaster Assistance Programs

The USDA offers a variety of programs to help farmers, ranchers, communities, and businesses that have been hard hit by natural disaster events. In the link above you’ll find available FSA programs.

Texas Agriculture Finance Authority

Provides financial incentives to individuals to establish or enhance their farm or ranch operation or to establish an agriculture-related business.

The Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP)

The Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP) provides financial and technical assistance to agricultural producers in order to address natural resource concerns and deliver environmental benefits such as improved water and air quality, conserved ground and surface water, reduced soil erosion and sedimentation or improved or created wildlife habitat.

The EQIP does not pay for 100% of well construction, but 75%-90% of the drilling costs can be recouped.

The web page listed above has information on how to apply.