Private Well Grant
85% of the approved cost of repairing a well, up to €3,000. 85% of a new well, up to €5,000. 100% of water treatment, up to €1,000. You get the repair grant or the new well grant, not both. The treatment grant can be added to either. No grant if the total cost is under €750.
Last checked September 2026
What it is
For a private well at your home: repairing it, replacing it or treating the water. It pays 85% of the approved cost of repairing an existing well, up to €3,000. A new well gets 85% of the approved cost, up to €5,000. Works needed to treat the water, such as a water treatment unit, get 100% of the approved cost, up to €1,000. No grant is paid where the total cost is under €750. The house must be your normal home and have been fully built for more than seven years, with no well grant on it in the previous seven years. The supply has to be failing on quality or quantity. The house must not be connected to the public water supply or a group water scheme. It must not be reasonably able to connect to either. The water is tested before and after the work. You apply through your council's rural water section.
Who can get it
- The house is your normal home, including a long-term rental. Holiday homes, short-term lets and council, housing association or HSE homes are excluded
- The house was fully built more than seven years ago and has had no well grant in the last seven years, apart from emergencies
- Your well is failing on water quality or quantity. The house is not connected to a public supply or group water scheme and cannot reasonably connect to one
- Do not start any work until the council has inspected and given written approval. Work started early is refused
- The new well rate applies only where the council agrees a new well is the right fix
- The water is tested before and after the work by an accredited laboratory. The cost of the tests counts towards the grant
- It does not cover water softeners or plumbing inside the house. If the well also serves a farm or business, the council can still grant-aid the share that serves the house
- Lead pipes are covered by a separate grant, the Domestic Lead Remediation Grant
How to apply
Apply to your council's rural water section on form PWS 1a with three quotes and your contractors' tax clearance. The council inspects before approving and again when the work is done. You then claim on form PWS 1b with itemised receipts. The grant is paid after that.
Go to the official page →Checked against the official source on 27 September 2026. Always confirm the details on the official page before applying.
Questions people ask
How much is the Private Well Grant?
85% of the approved cost of repairing a well, up to €3,000. A new well instead gets 85% up to €5,000. Water treatment is paid on top, at 100% up to €1,000.
Can a tenant get the Private Well Grant?
Yes, if the house is your normal home on a long-term rental. Holiday homes, short-term lets and council, housing association or HSE homes are excluded.
Can I start the work before I am approved for the Private Well Grant?
No. The council must inspect and give written approval first. Work started before approval is refused.
Is there a minimum cost for the Private Well Grant?
Yes. No grant is paid where the total cost of the work is under €750.
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