How it Works & Apply Online – Water Well Wish

Provides water well grants to families in need of access to clean water.
Grants up to $20,000.
Repair, replace, or drill new water well.
WaterWellWish.org is a program solely owned and operated by the Groundwater Foundation.

Applicants must first apply for a loan through the USDA Household Water Well Systems Grant program. If you haven’t yet applied for that loan, you are encouraged to do so at this time by contacting the loan partner(s) on this list.
The applicant must own the home and use it as the principal residence. This means that the applicants’ name must be listed on the deed or mortgage for both the home and property.
Applicant(s) and property must be within the continental United States or US Territories.
There are no tax liens on the home and/or property.
Total household income must be below the national poverty level.
Primary drinking water source or household water system must be located on the property of the home.
The applicant must obtain a description of the work needed, why it is necessary, alternative solutions and costs, and an estimate of the cost of the proposed solution from two licensed contractor(s)
Grant must be approved prior to start of well construction project.

Includes all income received by all occupants of the home: salary, wages, child support payments, commissions, bonuses, interest and dividends, business net income, retirement income, social security, public assistance money, insurance disability payments, and all other payments received by any member of the household.

Once eligibility is confirmed, your application may also be evaluated based on the following considerations:

Household Details: Consideration will include the number and ages of household residents.
Health Conditions: Medical conditions of any household residents may also be taken into account.
Military Service: Military service or any military-related disability of household members will be considered.

Application Process: The homeowner obtains the application from the Groundwater Foundation, which includes all necessary forms and supporting documents.
Contractor Assessment: The homeowner contacts two local licensed water well contractor to assess the situation, recommend a solution, and provide a written proposal with estimated costs. Click here to use the Contractor Lookup Tool on Wellowner.org.
Submission: The homeowner completes the application and returns it, along with supporting documents, to the Foundation. No application will be accepted without all required documents.
Application Review: Within six weeks, the Foundation will review the application and notify the homeowner of grant approval or denial.
Project Management: If approved, the Foundation assigns a project manager who will oversee the entire project.
- Project manager will do a site visit, well inspection, and submit a report to Water Well Wish.
- Water Well Wish will approve or deny the project.
- If approved, the project manager will then proceed with the project and oversee thru completion.

By mail:
Robin Richards
Water Well Wish
c/o The Groundwater Foundation
601 Dempsey Road
Westerville, OH 43081

By email: customerservice@ngwa.org

By fax: 614-898–7786, ATTN: Robin Richards

Water Well Wish: How it Works & Online Application