2026–2027 opportunity officially announced October 26, 2026 and announced open from November 1, 2026, with priority through December 31; permanent grant program webpage still shows outdated 2025 closure, so the active 2026–2027 portal package has not yet been independently verified.
Missouri FY2026–2027 Well Plugging Grants for Public Water Systems (Up to $20,000)
Missouri public-water-system well plugging grants up to $20,000 per project. Priority applications Nov. 1–Dec. 31, 2026; final announced deadline Feb. 28, 2027 subject to available funds. Reimbursement, 25% public-well match, and licensed contractor restrictions. Current portal application package remains to be verified.
FundingUp to $20,000 maximum individual applicant grant per project; overall 2026–2027 funding pool not stated in controlling news release. Reimbursement; 25% match or in-kind on public wells, no match stated for private/multiple-family wells.
DeadlinePriority competitive application window November 1–December 31, 2026; later applications January 1–February 28, 2027 if funds remain. Final deadline February 28, 2027. Exact clock time and time zone not published in October 26, 2026 agency announcement.
Last verified2026-11-01
Required next actionCheck the current Missouri DNR Funding Opportunities Portal and request portal access if new. Read the October 26, 2026 official news release and linked program guidelines, verify the current 2026–2027 application package with DNR, and apply during the November–December 2026 priority period. Do not incur grant-reimbursable costs before executing the assistance agreement.
Broad Eligibility
Missouri community public water systems and not-for-profit noncommunity systems with an active/emergency well; special eligibility for certain nonproducing systems with recently deactivated wells. Compliance with state/federal drinking-water regulation required, or formal progress toward compliance. Licensed Missouri well driller/pump installer required for well plugging; material and contracting costs eligible.
Atlas Analysis
Primary sources reviewed November 1, 2026: official Missouri Department of Natural Resources announcement dated October 26, 2026 https://oembed-dnr.mo.gov/communications/news/department-natural-resources-now-accepting-well-plugging-grant-applications confirms a real applicant-facing Well Plugging Grant for Missouri water systems, individual maximum $20,000, priority open Nov 1-Dec 31 2026, later Jan 1-Feb 28 2027 based on funds, and reimbursements after executed assistance agreement. Official permanent program guidance https://dnr.mo.gov/water/financial-assistance-opportunities/well-plugging-grant confirms eligible water systems, licensed contractors, 25% match/in-kind for each public well, exemptions for private/multiple-family wells, eligible costs/restrictions. IMPORTANT INCONSISTENCY: program page still says application period closed Nov 1, 2025, clearly not updated for latest press release. Current cycle portal application package and required attachments not independently accessible; record MUST remain Pending Review and is not full solicitation verified or authorized for protected publication until new-cycle package is confirmed. No clock time or zone published. Project budget total or pool not substituted for applicant maximum. No WordPress title duplicate found for this program before creation.
Missouri Department of Natural Resources — 2026–2027 Well Plugging Grant
The Missouri Department of Natural Resources announced on October 26, 2026 a new competitive financial-assistance round to help qualifying public water systems plug abandoned drinking water wells and protect groundwater supplies. Awards are up to $20,000 per project, paid through reimbursement of eligible costs. This is a true applicant-facing grant, not procurement.
Deadline and selection
The department announced an application period from November 1, 2026 through February 28, 2027. The priority competitive period is November 1 through December 31, 2026. If funding remains, January 1–February 28, 2027 applications may be considered first-come, first-served. An exact deadline clock time and time zone have not been published in the October 26 announcement.
Applicant eligibility
Eligible organizations are Missouri community public water systems and nonprofit noncommunity public water systems with at least one active or emergency public drinking water well. The program page provides a narrow additional eligibility category for certain nonproducing systems with recently deactivated wells after interconnection. Applicants must be compliant with applicable drinking-water rules or formally working toward compliance.
Award and matching requirements
The maximum applicant award is $20,000. The department’s program guidance requires a 25% cost share or eligible in-kind match for each public well, and says no cost share is required for private or multiple-family wells. The grant reimburses eligible costs; applicants must execute a financial-assistance agreement before incurring any project expenses to be reimbursed.
Allowable and restricted costs
Eligible expenses include materials and supplies necessary to properly plug abandoned wells under Missouri Well Construction Rules and contractor costs for licensed Missouri well drillers or pump installers. Certain oversight/consulting fees may be considered case by case. Incentives and public information activities do not qualify. Costs incurred before a fully executed financial-assistance agreement are not reimbursable.
Application process and source reconciliation
The October 26, 2026 agency news release directs applicants to the Department’s Funding Opportunities Portal and states that a portal access request is available for new users. However, the linked permanent program page still contains a stale statement that applications closed November 1, 2025. The newer agency announcement controls the 2026–2027 dates, but the current cycle’s portal-specific application form and complete attachments have not been independently inspected. Applicants should verify the current solicitation and required form with the Department before submitting.
Official sources: October 26, 2026 Missouri DNR announcement; Program eligibility, matching and project rules. Reviewed November 1, 2026.
Source verificationOfficial government source · oembed-dnr.mo.govAtlas last verified this record 2026-11-01. Always use the funder's current application materials, amendments and portal instructions as the controlling source.View source and application materials ↗
