Chapter NR 812

NR 812.22(1)(c)2. 2. ‘Hydrofracturing or hydroflushing.’ Hydrofracturing or hydroflushing of an aquifer by injecting potable chlorinated water into a crystalline bedrock formation well under high pressure is allowed. Clean washed inert, nontoxic material such as sand may be added to the water for the purpose of holding the joints and fractures open after the pressure is reduced. Hydrofracturing or hydroflushing may only be performed under the supervision of a licensed water well driller. The upper packer may not extend up into the bottom of the well casing pipe nor higher than 40 feet below the ground surface. Hydrofracturing or hydroflushing in limestone or dolomite formations may be undertaken only after prior department notification. The well driller shall submit a report of the results of the hydrofracturing or hydroflushing no later than 30 days after completion of the work on a form specified by the department.

NR 812.22(1)(c)3. 3. ‘Mechanical brushing.’ A well may be mechanically brushed to loosen material attached to the inside of a casing, screen, or open drillhole.

NR 812.22(2) (2) Batch chlorination. All of the following requirements apply to the batch chlorination of a water system by a well driller or well constructor:

NR 812.22(2)(a) (a) The entire water system shall be thoroughly disinfected with a chlorine solution having a concentration of at least 100 mg/L, prepared according to Table D.

NR 812.22(2)(b) (b) The volume of chlorine solution shall be equal to or greater than the volume of water standing in the well.

NR 812.22(2)(c) (c) The chlorine solution shall be brought into contact with the entire inside of the well casing pipe by continuous circulation from the water system.

NR 812.22(2)(d) (d) A contact time of at least 12 hours shall be provided for the disinfectant.

NR 812.22(2)(e) (e) The well and water system shall be thoroughly flushed.

NR 812.22 History History: CR 18-095: r. and recr. Register June 2020 No. 774, eff. 7-1-20.

NR 812.23 NR 812.23 Driven point wells. Driven point wells are typically constructed in sandy soil areas with a high water table and groundwater in these areas is very susceptible to contamination. If a driven point well is constructed, the well driller or well constructor shall ensure that all of the following requirements are met:

NR 812.23(1) (1) Location. A driven point well shall be constructed to meet the location requirements and minimum separation distances specified in s. NR 812.08, and may not be constructed in a floodway.

NR 812.23(2) (2) Material. Well casing pipe and screens used for driven point wells shall meet the requirements specified in s. NR 812.11 (6) and (11).

NR 812.23(3) (3) Final casing height. The final height of a driven point well shall comply with s. NR 812.12 (12).

NR 812.23(4) (4) Minimum diameter. The minimum diameter of a driven point well is 1-1/4 inches.

NR 812.23(5) (5) Depth of casing. The well drive pipe, not including the screen, of a driven point well shall extend to a depth of 25 feet or to a depth 10 feet below the static water level in the well, whichever is greater.

NR 812.23(6) (6) Frost protection. Driven point wells, when protected against freezing, may be installed with a protective outer sleeve below frost depth. When installed in this manner, the top of the annular space between the well and the protective sleeve shall be sealed watertight with a sanitary well seal.

NR 812.23(7) (7) Pump installation. Pump installations for driven point wells shall be completed according to s. NR 812.32.

NR 812.23(8) (8) Screen replacement. Screen replacement is considered new well construction and shall meet all the requirements of this chapter. Screens may not be replaced on driven point wells that do not comply with the location requirements of this chapter.

NR 812.23(10) (10) Starter drillholes. Starter drillholes not exceeding 10 feet deep may be constructed to facilitate driving the pipe. If a starter drillhole is constructed, the annular space shall be sealed using the materials and methods specified in s. NR 812.13 (8) following completion. The temporary outer casing shall be removed if possible.

NR 812.23(11) (11) Flowing wells. The construction of a flowing driven point well shall meet the requirements specified in s. NR 812.15 (1).

NR 812.23 History History: CR 18-095: r. and recr. Register June 2020 No. 774, eff. 7-1-20.

NR 812.24 NR 812.24 Dug type well design and construction. The department discourages the use of dug wells because they often pose a safety hazard and a threat to groundwater quality. Dug wells may only be constructed with the written approval of the department. A well driller or well constructor shall ensure that a dug well is constructed to meet the requirements of the approval and all of the following requirements:

NR 812.24(1) (1) Curbing wall.

NR 812.24(1)(a) (a) Depth. The curbing wall of a dug well shall be watertight to a depth of 25 feet below the established ground surface, or 10 feet below the top of the water table when the water table is encountered more than 15 feet below the ground surface. The curbing wall through the intake area shall be constructed to withstand any external pressure to which it may be subjected and shall be seated firmly enough to prevent settling.

NR 812.24(1)(b) (b) Concrete curbing wall. A concrete curbing wall shall be circular and at least 6 inches thick with concrete placed so as to be free from voids. The concrete mixture shall conform to the requirements of s. NR 812.20 (1). The curbing wall shall be reinforced vertically and horizontally with 3/8-inch metal rods on 12-inch centers. Rods shall overlap by 12 inches and be staggered, but the overlap may not occur at construction joints. The curbing wall shall be poured in one operation. There may not be a construction joint within 10 feet of the ground surface. Construction joints shall be left rough and shall be washed and brushed with neat cement grout before pouring of concrete is continued, if possible.

NR 812.24(1)(c) (c) Steel curbing wall. A steel curbing wall shall have a thickness of at least 1/4 inch and be assembled with welded joints.

NR 812.24(1)(d) (d) Curbing wall installation. The curbing wall shall be constructed at the surface and carried down by excavating from the interior. If wood forms are used on the exterior of a concrete curbing wall, they shall be removed before the curbing is lowered. Exterior wood forms may not be used below the ground surface. Metal forms may be left in place.

NR 812.24(1)(e) (e) Annular opening. The opening between the face of the excavation and the curbing wall shall be filled with clean clay slurry.

NR 812.24(1)(f) (f) Upper terminal. The curbing wall shall extend at least 12 inches above the established ground surface. The ground shall be graded up around the curbing wall to a height of at least 6 inches above the ground surface so surface water will flow away from the well.

NR 812.24(2) (2) Dug well cover. The cover of the well curbing shall be made of reinforced watertight concrete at least 5 inches thick and of a diameter large enough to overlap the curbing wall by at least 2 inches. A drip groove shall be provided within one inch of the outer edge of the underside of the cover. The cover shall be free from joints. A pump installation access sleeve comprising a section of steel well casing pipe conforming to s. NR 812.11 (6) shall be installed in the cover at the time of pouring the concrete to fabricate the cover and shall terminate at least 12 inches above the top of the cover. The top of the cover shall be sloped to drain away from the access sleeve. A manhole, if installed, shall be provided with a 4-inch high metal curb equipped with an overlapping metal cover, the sides of which extend downward at least 1 1/2 inches. A tight joint shall be provided between the top of the curbing and the cover using a nontoxic plastic sealing compound. The manhole cover shall be locked or bolted in place to prevent entrance of water and to be safe from vandalism and accidents.

NR 812.24(3) (3) Equipment location. All pump piping, including the pump discharge or suction pipe, shall extend watertight through an access sleeve in the dug well cover.

NR 812.24 History History: CR 18-095: r. and recr. Register June 2020 No. 774, eff. 7-1-20.

NR 812.25 NR 812.25 Springs. The use of a spring as a source of potable water shall comply with all of the following requirements:

NR 812.25(1) (1) The placement or driving of a casing pipe into an undeveloped spring in a location easily accessible to the public regardless of the intended use of the spring water is prohibited.

NR 812.25(2) (2) The unprotected nature of springs subjects them to wide fluctuations in water quality. The department discourages their use as a source of potable water. Springs vary from the standpoint of sources, locations, surrounding land uses, and elevation. Each spring considered for use as a source of potable water shall be evaluated by the department prior to use as a potable source. Development of a spring as a source of potable water may be approved only after a department evaluation and approval under s. NR 812.09 (4) (i) and sub. (3).

NR 812.25(3) (3) The department may approve using a spring as a source of potable water only if the spring meets all of the following requirements:

NR 812.25(3)(a) (a) Location.

NR 812.25(3)(a)1. 1. The area surrounding the spring to a distance of at least 100 feet laterally and 50 feet downgrade and the area immediately upslope from the spring to a point beyond the crest of the slope or to a distance of at least 200 feet upslope from the spring is not used for any activity, including human habitation, that may contaminate the spring.

NR 812.25(3)(a)2. 2. The spring outlet is at least 2 feet above the regional flood water level.

NR 812.25(3)(a)3. 3. The spring water flows from an underground source having enough overburden so that a horizontal plane extending back into the slope of the hill 100 feet will be at least 25 feet below the ground surface.

NR 812.25(3)(a)4. 4. The spring meets the minimum separation distance requirements from potential contamination sources specified in s. NR 812.08.

NR 812.25(3)(b) (b) Construction. The spring outlet shall be completely protected against the entrance of surface water runoff, insects, rodents, and contaminants and shall be constructed to meet all of the following requirements:

NR 812.25(3)(b)1. 1. A poured concrete box structure reinforced with 3/8-inch metal bars each way shall be constructed to house the spring outlet. This spring box shall meet all of the following minimum construction requirements:

NR 812.25(3)(b)1.a. a. Five-inch thick walls and roof with no cracks or holes, except for the overflow pipe in the wall and the access openings in the roof.

NR 812.25(3)(b)1.b. b. A width of 4 feet, with a 24-square foot cross section.

NR 812.25(3)(b)1.c. c. A 20-inch diameter round, or a 20-inch square access opening in the roof with a 4-inch thick concrete curbing wall that extends 8 inches above the roof.

NR 812.25(3)(b)1.d. d. An overlapping, tight-fitting, shoebox-type cover with 4-inch high skirted sides, constructed from welded sheet steel, to cover the access opening.

NR 812.25(3)(b)1.e. e. A 4-inch diameter or larger steel pipe sleeve, comprising a section of well casing pipe conforming to s. NR 812.11 (6) extending through the roof to a point at least 12 inches above the roof for the passage of the pump suction and discharge pipe or a service pipe from a pressure tank. The steel pipe sleeve shall be provided with a one-piece top plate sanitary well seal.

NR 812.25(3)(b)1.f. f. An overflow pipe with a screened outlet that terminates at least 2 pipe diameters above the maximum water level at its discharge point.

NR 812.25(3)(b)2. 2. Buried discharge pipe from the spring, from a pump or any service pipes from a pressure tank shall be maintained under positive gauge pressure at all times.

NR 812.25(3)(b)3. 3. When the pump, pressure tank, or both, are installed above the spring outlet box, an insulated housing shall be provided for frost protection.

NR 812.25(3)(c) (c) Water quality. The spring shall be capable of producing water that is continuously free from coliform bacteria and free of contaminant levels in excess of the standards specified in s. NR 812.06.

NR 812.25 History History: CR 18-095: r. and recr. Register June 2020 No. 774, eff. 7-1-20.

NR 812.26 NR 812.26 Well and drillhole filling and sealing.

NR 812.26(1) (1) Applicability. The requirements of this section apply to all wells and drillholes not regulated under ch. NR 132 or s. NR 141.25. An individual who fills and seals a well or drillhole shall complete the work in accordance with all of the requirements of this section.

NR 812.26(2) (2) Protection of groundwater quality. The filling and sealing of noncomplying, unused wells or wells with contaminant levels in excess of the standards specified in s. NR 812.06 or drillholes and noncomplying water systems is a crucial step in the protection of the local groundwater quality. Wells or drillholes, especially those with structural defects, may act as conduits for the vertical movement of contamination from or near the ground surface into the groundwater or from one aquifer to another.

NR 812.26(3) (3) License requirement. An individual who fills and seals a well shall be a licensed water well driller or licensed pump installer and an individual who fills and seals a heat exchange drillhole shall be a licensed heat exchange driller, except that a license is not required for any of the following individuals provided all other requirements of this section are met:

NR 812.26(3)(a) (a) An individual who is employed by a licensed water well driller, licensed pump installer or a person registered as a business to perform well drilling or pump installing may fill and seal a well.

NR 812.26(3)(b) (b) An individual who is a water system operator certified under s. 281.17 (3), Stats., and the well is within the service area of the local governmental water system for which the individual works may fill and seal a well.

NR 812.26(3)(c) (c) An individual who is employed by a licensed heat exchange driller or a person registered as a business to perform heat exchange drilling may fill and seal a heat exchange drillhole.

NR 812.26(3)(d) (d) An individual who is filling and sealing a drillhole that was not constructed to obtain groundwater or install a heat exchange loop.

NR 812.26(4) (4) Criteria for filling and sealing.

NR 812.26(4)(a) (a) A well or drillhole owner shall hire an individual who meets the license requirements of sub. (3) to fill and seal a well or drillhole in any of the following situations:

NR 812.26(4)(a)1. 1. The well water is contaminated with biological, bacteriological, viral, or parasitic agents and 3 attempts at batch chlorination by a well driller or pump installer fail to eliminate the problem.

NR 812.26(4)(a)2. 2. The well or drillhole poses a hazard to health or safety, or to groundwater.

NR 812.26(4)(a)3. 3. The well or heat exchange drillhole construction or location does not comply with the minimum standards of this chapter.

NR 812.26(4)(a)4. 4. Except as provided in subd. 5., the well has not been used for any water supply purpose for more than 90 days.

NR 812.26(4)(a)5. 5. The well is a seasonal well or high capacity irrigation well that has not been used for any water supply purpose for more than 3 consecutive years.

NR 812.26(4)(a)6. 6. The heat exchange drillhole will not be used as part of the heat exchange system.

NR 812.26(4)(a)7. 7. The pump installation is not operational, or it does not comply with the requirements of this chapter.

NR 812.26(4)(b) (b) The department may require a well or drillhole owner to fill and seal a well or drillhole in any of the following situations:

NR 812.26(4)(b)1. 1. The well or drillhole is required to be filled and sealed under par. (a).

NR 812.26(4)(b)2. 2. The well water contains contaminant levels in excess of the standards specified in s. NR 812.06.

NR 812.26(4)(b)3. 3. The well or drillhole was not constructed by an individual meeting the license requirements of s. NR 812.10 (1) or 812.151 (1).

NR 812.26(4)(c) (c) A well driller or well constructor shall, no later than 30 days after receiving notice from the department, fill and seal a well that the well driller or well constructor constructed or reconstructed, in any of the following situations:

NR 812.26(4)(c)1. 1. The well construction or location does not comply with the minimum standards of this chapter at the time the well was constructed.

NR 812.26(4)(c)2. 2. The drillhole is an unsuccessful attempt to construct or reconstruct a well.

NR 812.26(4)(d) (d) A heat exchange driller shall, no later than 30 days after receiving notice from the department, fill and seal a heat exchange drillhole that the heat exchange driller constructed, in any of the following situations:

NR 812.26(4)(d)1. 1. The heat exchange drillhole construction or location does not comply with the minimum standards of this chapter at the time it was constructed.

NR 812.26(4)(d)2. 2. The drillhole is an unsuccessful attempt to construct or reconstruct a heat exchange drillhole.

NR 812.26(4)(e) (e) Any person who constructs a drillhole that is not a well or heat exchange drillhole shall fill and seal the drillhole at the completion of drilling and sampling activities.

NR 812.26(4)(f) (f) The department may require any person who has filled and sealed a well or drillhole using a method or material or in a manner not in compliance with this section to take corrective action so that the well or drillhole is filled and sealed in a complying manner.

NR 812.26(5) (5) General filling and sealing requirements.

NR 812.26(5)(a) (a) Filling and sealing prior to construction or demolition. Unless exempted under s. NR 123.23, any well or drillhole removed from service shall be filled and sealed prior to any demolition or construction work on the property.

NR 812.26(5)(b) (b) Removal of obstructions prior to filling and sealing. All debris, pumps, piping, ungrouted liner pipe, and any other obstruction known to be in the well or drillhole shall be removed if possible before the well or drillhole is filled and sealed. When a pump is stuck within the well, a reasonable attempt shall be made using the best available technology to pull it out. If the pump cannot be pulled, a tremie pipe shall be placed in the well to a depth just above the top of the pump and neat cement grout shall be pumped in to entomb the pump and fill and seal the entire well.

NR 812.26(5)(c) (c) Circulation of drilling mud in fractured formations. In a highly fractured or highly permeable geologic formation, sodium bentonite drilling mud may be circulated in the drillhole or in the well prior to the filling and sealing procedures.

NR 812.26(5)(d) (d) Use of a tremie pipe. The sealing material to be used to fill and seal a well or drillhole greater than 3 inches in diameter shall be placed through a tremie pipe or by means of a dump bailer except when bentonite chips or bentonite pellets are used. Tremie pipe shall meet the requirements specified in s. NR 812.11 (2). The bottom end of the tremie pipe shall be submerged in the filling and sealing material as the grouting proceeds.

NR 812.26(5)(e) (e) Wells or drillholes with inadequate grouting or sealing of the annular space. Wells or drillholes with inadequate grouting or sealing of the annular space outside the well casing pipe or liner shall be filled and sealed. Techniques are situation dependent and may include reaming a new annular space outside the well casing pipe, use of pressure grouting methods, or perforation of the well casing pipe. When perforation of the well casing or liner pipe is undertaken, it shall be done in accordance with the requirements specified in par. (i).

NR 812.26(5)(f) (f) Termination of filling and sealing material. The well casing pipe and filling and sealing material may be terminated as much as 3 feet below the ground surface or to a depth below any future building foundation at the time of the filling and sealing procedure.