LOUISVILLE, Ky. — The Ground Water Foundation is launching a new national grant program. The goal is to help families have access to clean drinking water by providing water wells.

What You Need To Know

  • Two million Americans face water insecurity, or lack of access to clean water for drinking, cooking and more

  • To drill and install a water well can cost up to$30,000 dollars

  • Life expectancy is reduced by 20 years without access to clean drinking water

  • Water Well Wish helps low-income families repair or drill a new water well 

It’s hard to imagine, but over two million Americans face water insecurity, or lack of access to clean water for drinking, cooking and more.

That’s where Water Well Wish comes in.

Water wells have a huge impact, especially in rural and underserved areas all over the county.

According to the National Ground Water Association, private water wells provide water for close to 40 million Americans. However, they’re expensive, to drill and install a water well can cost up to $30,000.

Water Well Wish wants to help low-income families repair or drill water wells so they can have access to water at no cost.

“You know you see these commercials in third world countries that lack access to water. Like Africa, South America, you name it, but what the average American doesn’t know is that same challenges, that same need exists here in the United States, all 50 states,” said National Ground Water Association CEO Terry Morse. 

Morse added,  “Life expectancy is reduced by 20 years without access to clean water."

Currently, Water Well Wish is seeking applications for wells all over the country, including Kentucky.

For a family to be eligible, they must own and live in their home, meet income requirements, and have been denied a low-interest loan through a federal, state or local government rural water program.

Water Well Wish’s mission is to provide life’s most basic need and it will not end until every American has access to clean and safe water.

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