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1. How much do permits cost in Blue Earth County?

• New Well Permit - $300
• Well Maintenance Permit (Annual Fee) - $100
• Well Reconstruction Permit - $50
• Well Sealing Permit - Currently No Charge

2. Where can I find information about existing wells on my property?

Information on in-use wells can be obtained from the Minnesota Department of Health (MDH) Minnesota Well Index or by calling the Blue Earth County Property & Environmental Resources Department (BECPER) - Property & Land Division / Wells & Septics  (507-304-4251).  Information on sealed wells can also be obtained by calling BECPER.

Additionally, a property owner may obtain well information from a local well contractor. Look for a contractor sticker on the well control panel or pressure tank. If there is no sticker, then call the nearest well contractor since they usually work a specific area around where their business is located. Information on the location of wells on a property may be obtained from the state’s well disclosure database or other county or city resources like building or zoning permits, septic system permits, etc.

3. When is a Well Disclosure required?

When property changes ownership, the seller of the property is required to disclose to the buyer, the presence and status of ALL (in-use, not-in-use, or properly sealed) water wells located on the property. If the well status has not changed since the last well disclosure was filed, a new disclosure is not required. If the property has never had a well located on it, a well disclosure is not required. Well disclosure requirements started November 1, 1990 - so property transactions prior to that date will not have previously filed well disclosures.

4. What happens when a disclosure is not filed or when it is filed with inaccurate information?

If all of the wells on a property are not properly disclosed, the buyer has up to six (6) years to initiate civil action to recover the costs for properly sealing unused wells. They can include their attorney costs associated with this civil action.