Location: Pearce, Cochise County, Arizona

Problem:  Low-income homeowners lack financial resources to repair or replace dry wells

Solution: Rural Community Assistance Corporation’s (RCAC) Loan Fund provides low-interest financing

For many rural Arizonans, private wells are the only source of water for drinking and household uses, however drought has left groundwater availability uncertain in some areas. A Cochise County resident faced just that situation in the summer of 2017. His well went dry, and he lacked financial resources to pay the well driller who was called to deepen his well.

The resident called U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), Rural Development (RD) for help. RD referred him to RCAC, which operates a household well loan program.

RCAC provided the homeowner with a 1 percent, long-term loan to pay the well driller and maintain affordable monthly payments. He noted that there were no other resources available to him when he was looking for financial assistance.

The homeowner now has a reliable source of water for drinking, cooking and other household use.