Posted at: 10/05/2012 4:40 PM
Updated at: 10/05/2012 6:13 PM
By: Brianna Long

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Wells Drying Up Becoming Big Concern

(ABC 6 News) -- The dry conditions over the summer have affected people all across Minnesota and Iowa, especially farmers. However, farmers aren't the only ones with reasons to worry.

"Every time I turn on my faucet, I'm wondering, is there going to be water?" said Lynn Wytaske, a single mom with two kids. Like everyone, water is an important part of Wytaske's life.

"We need it for clothing, feeding, bathing," said Wytaske.

She lives out in the country, in Wasioja. Like everyone around her, she has well water. Her well is pretty old, and she's concerned about it drying up, because of the drought-like conditions from the summer.

"I don't know what I'd do. Hope and pray it doesn't," she said.

Wytaske's neighbor, Shadow Minto has already seen problems with his well.

"It's a pretty big concern because it's not that deep of a well," said Minto.

Shawn Peterson, with Peterson Well Drilling, says most wells will be fine in the drought. They are dug around 400 feet underground, and there is more than enough water in the aquifers to keep them full. However, if a well is old, or was dug shallow, also called a sand point well, there could be problems.

"You're pretty much out of luck if it dries up, because we can't drill deeper. You have to start over, drill a new well," said Peterson.

That's something that is easier said than done for most people.

"It's scary. Where will we come up with the money to dig a new well," said Wytaske.

"If we don't get rain soon, I'm very concerned. Especially for the elders out here and people that don't have the income to drill a new well," said Minto.

Some residents in Wasioja say they are contacting local legislatures, to see if there is any drought assistance available to them, should their wells go dry.