What is a well interference?
When a pump draws water from a well, it causes the water level in the surrounding aquifer to go down. Sometimes the water level falls below the reach of other, shallower wells, and those wells go out of water. When that happens, it is called a “well interference.” In Minnesota, domestic water supplies have the highest priority when supplies are limited, as established by Minnesota Statute 103G.261.
Figure 1 A high capacity well may cause the water level to drop. Domestic wells may have problems getting water if water levels drop below their pump. This condition is referred to as "well interference."
Sometimes wells go out of water due to a mechanical, electrical, or other problem and not because of well interference. To determine whether the well is in good working order before making a well interference complaint, domestic well owners should contact a licensed well contractor to examine their well and perform the work required to restore their water supply. The domestic well owner should ask the well contractor to fill out the Well Contractor Information Form (Online form | Download form). The domestic well owner should also keep all receipts related to the work done to restore their water supply and for any temporary water supply.
When the domestic well owner suspects that a nearby high-capacity groundwater appropriator, such as an irrigator, public water supplier, or industrial facility, may have caused their lack of water, the domestic well owner can file a complaint (Online form | Download form) with the DNR.
Once the DNR receives a complaint form and the accompanying well contractor information form, the DNR will investigate the situation. If the investigation finds that a high-capacity appropriator(s) caused a well interference, then the domestic well owner and the high-capacity appropriator(s) negotiate a settlement. Generally, the high-capacity appropriator(s) will reimburse the domestic well owner for the eligible costs up to the total amount of receipts submitted to restore the water supply and reimburse or pay for additional well work if necessary to prevent additional interference or return the water supply.
What to do if you run out of water
- Call a licensed well contractor (driller). Have them examine your well, fill out the Well Contractor Information Form (Online form | Download form ), and complete the necessary work to restore your water supply. Purchase bottled water or obtain an alternate temporary water source if you are unable to get a contractor out quickly. Keep all receipts from the contractor and water you purchased.
- If you suspect that a nearby high-capacity water appropriator(s) caused your well’s lack of water, you may contact the high-capacity water appropriator and attempt to work out a solution together.
- If you’re unable to work out a solution with a high-capacity groundwater user(s), complete and submit the Well Interference Complaint Form (online form | PDF ). If your well contractor filled out the paper form rather than the online form, send it to the DNR when you submit your complaint and receipts. The DNR will confirm receipt of your form within two business days.
- Do not seal your old well if you plan to file a well interference complaint! If you seal your old well, then the DNR cannot investigate and must dismiss your complaint (Minn. Stat. 103G.289).
Well interference investigation process
When the DNR receives a completed Well Interference Complaint Form and Well Contractor Information Form, we begin gathering water use data from nearby high-capacity appropriators. We use that and the information from your forms to determine if we can investigate your complaint.
If we investigate, DNR staff may need to visit your well or contact you for additional information. The investigation will usually take one to six months, but can be shorter or longer depending on the situation. You should have your water supply restored by the time you submit a complaint, so you wouldn’t be out of water during the investigation. The investigation examines the connection between high-capacity pumping and the affected domestic water supply, including:
- Examination of water use records and permitting history
- Analysis of the specific geographic and geologic setting of each well and the aquifer from which it draws water
- Modeling the amount of drawdown in the domestic well
The investigation will determine if a high-capacity appropriator(s) has caused the out-of-water situation in the domestic well. If we find that a high-capacity appropriator(s) is responsible for it, we then work through a settlement process defined in Minnesota Rules 6115.0730. This process guides the high-capacity appropriator(s) and domestic well owner to reach an agreement for the high-capacity appropriator(s) to reimburse the domestic well owner for the costs up to the amount of eligible expenses incurred to restore the domestic water supply.
While rare, an appropriator may choose to request a modification or restriction of their permit or request a public hearing before an administrative law judge rather than coming to a financial settlement.
Forms and fact sheets
Contacts
Contact your DNR Area Hydrologist or the State Well Interference Coordinator 651-259-5034 or [email protected] if you have questions.
2021 Drought Relief Funds for Well Interference
Domestic well owners, public or private water suppliers and high capacity water appropriators who paid for costs to restore a water supply for a domestic well owner or public or private water supply due to a well interference during the time period in 2021 are eligible. People assisting domestic well owners, water suppliers and high capacity water appropriators may also apply on their behalf. A domestic well owner may have paid all or part of the costs to restore the water supply for their home. High capacity water appropriators may have paid all or part of the costs to restore a water supply for a domestic well owner or public or private water supplier due to their high capacity pumping interfering with the ability to access water during the eligibility period in 2021.
Applicants must submit a both a completed and signed application form and W-9.
The DNR will accept these applications for reimbursement on a rolling basis through April 2026, or until the funding runs out.