Funds available to drill wells locally
Anyone who has ever lived in a rural region and had to depend on a private well knows it is something one can’t afford to take for granted.
Only a few decades ago, a quality well could be obtained by drilling 250 to 300 feet. While there are still several wells in this region that operate at depths around 200 feet, the shallow depth of the casing, which may not be more than 10 to 12 feet, is a common source of contamination from ground water. It is not uncommon for the average depth to reach 600, and in some cases, 800 feet. Today, all wells for drinking water must be cased at a minimum of 80 feet at the time they are drilled. With the rapid growth of the poultry industry and the population, a drop in the water table has gradually occurred while the cost of a new well has increased.
Gail Purves, a lifetime resident of Barry County, was recently researching options for homeowners with compromised water sources. During this research, Purves became familiar with the South Central Ozark Council of Governments (SCOCOG) located in Pomona. SCOCOG is a not-for-profit group created to assist residents of eight counties in southern Missouri in obtaining low interest loans for the drilling of a safe, dependable household water well. He and Niki Null, AVP with Freedom Bank of Cassville, are in the beginning stages of establishing a group such as this for Barry, Lawrence, McDonald and Stone Counties.
The funds are made available to this not-for-profit group from the USDA in the form of a Community Development Block Grant. These funds are then loaned to the individuals and families who own their homes or have secured a mortgage that they are currently paying. SCOCOG then accepts applications. Once approved by the board, they are loaned the money for the rest of the well. In return, SCOCOG secures a second mortgage on the real estate where the well is being drilled. The interest rate on the loan is 1.0 percent, and the loan is paid back over a term of 20 years with monthly principal and interest payment. The payment would average approximately $51 per month. In addition, there are no pre-payment penalties.
In a recent conversation with Johnny Murrell, the Director of SCOCOG, Mrs. Null learned that there are still considerable funds available from the grant. Approval was obtained from the SCOCOG board for the remainder of the available funds to be offered for use in Barry, Lawrence, Stone, and McDonald Counties. Below are the following requirements:
Proof of ownership and occupancy is required
No new construction or rental properties
Combined household income less than $44,306 per year
Loan recipient must pay a minimum of $250 toward total project cost
Ability to make payments at 1 percent interest rate over a maximum of 20 year period
Maximum loan amount of $11,000
Agricultural wells not included (livestock or irrigation)
Individuals interested in applying for this funding may obtain an application by contacting Niki Null at Freedom Bank in Cassville at (417) 846-1719 or Gail Purves at (417) 847-7880.
Only a few decades ago, a quality well could be obtained by drilling 250 to 300 feet. While there are still several wells in this region that operate at depths around 200 feet, the shallow depth of the casing, which may not be more than 10 to 12 feet, is a common source of contamination from ground water. It is not uncommon for the average depth to reach 600, and in some cases, 800 feet. Today, all wells for drinking water must be cased at a minimum of 80 feet at the time they are drilled. With the rapid growth of the poultry industry and the population, a drop in the water table has gradually occurred while the cost of a new well has increased.
Gail Purves, a lifetime resident of Barry County, was recently researching options for homeowners with compromised water sources. During this research, Purves became familiar with the South Central Ozark Council of Governments (SCOCOG) located in Pomona. SCOCOG is a not-for-profit group created to assist residents of eight counties in southern Missouri in obtaining low interest loans for the drilling of a safe, dependable household water well. He and Niki Null, AVP with Freedom Bank of Cassville, are in the beginning stages of establishing a group such as this for Barry, Lawrence, McDonald and Stone Counties.
The funds are made available to this not-for-profit group from the USDA in the form of a Community Development Block Grant. These funds are then loaned to the individuals and families who own their homes or have secured a mortgage that they are currently paying. SCOCOG then accepts applications. Once approved by the board, they are loaned the money for the rest of the well. In return, SCOCOG secures a second mortgage on the real estate where the well is being drilled. The interest rate on the loan is 1.0 percent, and the loan is paid back over a term of 20 years with monthly principal and interest payment. The payment would average approximately $51 per month. In addition, there are no pre-payment penalties.
In a recent conversation with Johnny Murrell, the Director of SCOCOG, Mrs. Null learned that there are still considerable funds available from the grant. Approval was obtained from the SCOCOG board for the remainder of the available funds to be offered for use in Barry, Lawrence, Stone, and McDonald Counties. Below are the following requirements:
Proof of ownership and occupancy is required
No new construction or rental properties
Combined household income less than $44,306 per year
Loan recipient must pay a minimum of $250 toward total project cost
Ability to make payments at 1 percent interest rate over a maximum of 20 year period
Maximum loan amount of $11,000
Agricultural wells not included (livestock or irrigation)
Individuals interested in applying for this funding may obtain an application by contacting Niki Null at Freedom Bank in Cassville at (417) 846-1719 or Gail Purves at (417) 847-7880.
