Chapter NR 812

NR 812.29(3) (3) For a well in a floodplain, the top of a well and an overflow outlet from a flowing well shall terminate at least 2 feet above the regional flood elevation. A pit or alcove may not be installed to enclose a well or pump installation.

NR 812.29(5) (5) When a well terminates in a walkout basement meeting the requirements of s. NR 812.08 (2) (d), the top of the well shall terminate a minimum of 12 inches above the basement floor.

NR 812.29 History History: Cr. Register, January, 1991, No. 421, eff. 2-1-91; CR 13-099: renum. section to (1), (3), (4) and am., cr. (2), (5) Register September 2014 No. 705, eff. 10-1-14; CR 18-095: am. (1), (3), r. (4), r, and recr. (5) Register June 2020 No. 774, eff. 7-1-20.

NR 812.30 NR 812.30 Vermin-proof well caps and seals.

NR 812.30(1) (1) Requirements. A new well shall be sealed or covered with a weather- and vermin-proof compression type well cap or seal approved for use under s. NR 812.091 and installed on or in the top of the well casing pipe.

NR 812.30(2) (2) Well seal type. When a sanitary well seal is used to cover the upper well terminal, it shall have a one-piece top plate. A split top plate seal may not be installed unless it is enclosed in a substantial, permanent weather-proof shelter meeting the requirements of s. NR 812.40.

NR 812.30(3) (3) Well vent. A screened downward facing well vent or other vent may be provided for the well cap or seal for drilled wells. When the well is a flowing well and the well head must be maintained watertight or when there is concern for air entrained bacteria to enter the well through the vent, the vent opening may be plugged watertight with a threaded plug. Vent pipes extending above the well casing pipe shall terminate in a downward facing bend and shall be screened. Screens shall be made of material not easily corroded and shall be firmly seated in the vent opening. Vent openings incorporated as part of the underside of an approved well cap or seal are allowed.

NR 812.30 Note Note: The department recommends a vent be provided for the well cap or seal of a well that has significant water level drawdowns during normal pump operation. This recommendation does not apply to flowing wells.

NR 812.30(4) (4) Hold-down device. Well caps or seals may not be used as a hold-down device to prevent submersible pump discharge piping from coming off a pitless adapter or unit. A locking clamp or other similar approved device may be used to hold the submersible pump discharge pipe in place.

NR 812.30(5) (5) Conduit for electrical wiring. Where electrical wiring emerges from an underground installation to supply well pump equipment it shall be protected from physical damage by installing conductors or cables within a nonmetallic or steel raceway. The raceway material shall be: Listed, Schedule 80 sunlight resistant Rigid Polyvinyl Chloride Conduit (Type PVC), Listed, Intermediate Metal Conduit (IMC), or galvanized Rigid Metal Conduit. The conduit shall be threaded tightly into the well cap or shall be secured and sealed in an equivalent manner. Where a direct buried electrical cable supplies the well, the bottom of the conduit providing physical protection shall extend a minimum of 2 feet below grade. The conduit shall be sealed above grade in a watertight manner with a listed fitting, or by use of 100% silicone, urethane, or Butyl caulking. Where the conduit or raceway extends continuously from the well to a building or pump equipment enclosure, both ends of the conduit or raceway shall be sealed in a watertight manner as described in this paragraph.

NR 812.30(6) (6) Preparation of top of the well casing pipe. Any jagged edges or other significant irregularities in the top of the well casing pipe shall be removed by the well driller or the pump installer before the vermin-cap or seal is installed.

NR 812.30 History History: Cr. Register, January, 1991, No. 421, eff. 2-1-91; am. (1), (3) and (5), Register, September, 1994, No. 465, eff. 10-1-94; CR 13-099: am. (3), r. and recr. (5), cr. (6) Register September 2014 No. 705, eff. 10-1-14; CR 18-095: am. (1) Register June 2020 No. 774, eff. 7-1-20; correction in (1) made under s. 35.17, Stats., Register June 2020.

NR 812.31 NR 812.31 Pitless adapters and pitless units. Pump installers or persons installing pumps shall use pitless adapters or pitless units approved for use under s. NR 812.091 to make subsurface connections to wells. Nonpressurized conduits may not be used.

NR 812.31(2) (2) General requirements.

NR 812.31(2)(a) (a) A pitless subsurface pipe connection to a well casing pipe shall be made with a weld-on, clamp-on, bolt-on or bolt-through pitless adapter or with a pitless unit, except that a bolt-through adapter may only be installed for a well constructed with polyvinyl chloride well casing pipe that has a permanently attached well screen. A weld-on adaptor or pitless unit shall be welded or threaded to the well casing pipe according to sub. (3) or (4). All welding shall be performed in accordance with s. NR 812.18. A pitless adapter or pitless unit shall be installed according to any approval conditions and according to the manufacturer’s instructions.

NR 812.31(2)(b) (b) The inside diameter of a pitless unit may not be smaller than the inside diameter of the well casing pipe. No part of a pitless adapter may extend into the inside of the well casing pipe, except that a bolt-through pitless adapter may be installed for a well with polyvinyl chloride well casing pipe having a permanently attached screen.

NR 812.31(2)(c) (c) An above-ground discharge shall be provided for all school and high capacity wells except that a pitless unit or a weld-on pitless adapter may be installed if the welded or threaded joints are pressure tested for leakage using a packer and pressure gauge or by a comparable testing procedure. The adapter or unit joints shall be tested and proven watertight under a pressure of not less than 14 psi. A soap and water solution shall be applied to welds to identify any leaks, and all leaks shall be repaired with additional welding prior to starting the pressure test. The pressure shall be maintained for at least 30 minutes. The pump installer shall notify the department at least 24 hours before testing, so that a department employee may witness the test.

NR 812.31(2)(d) (d) An above-ground discharge shall be provided for crystalline (granite) bedrock wells approved for installation of 25 or less feet of well casing pipe. When installing the above-ground discharge, the required neat cement grout surrounding the well casing pipe may not be removed.

NR 812.31(3) (3) Pitless unit connections to steel well casing pipe.

NR 812.31(3)(a) (a) When a well casing pipe is not terminated at the desired depth for the installation of a factory assembled pitless unit, the well casing pipe shall be cut off at the desired height, and the pitless unit may be welded or threaded and coupled to the top of the well casing pipe by one of the following methods as depicted in Figure 1 of ch. NR 812 Appendix:

NR 812.31(3)(a)1. 1. Cutting off the well casing pipe squarely, providing a bevel for the top of the well casing pipe and welding the beveled end of the unit to the beveled end of the well casing pipe.

NR 812.31(3)(a)2. 2. Cutting threads on the top of the well casing pipe with a pipe die and threading a full-standard recessed coupling watertight to the threaded end of the unit and to the top of the well casing pipe.

NR 812.31(3)(a)3. 3. Welding a pipe nipple, having threads on one end, beveled on the other end and meeting the requirements specified in s. NR 812.11 (6), to the cut off top beveled end of the well casing pipe and threading a full-length standard recessed coupling watertight to the threaded end of the unit and to the nipple. The top of the well casing pipe and the bottom of the pipe nipple to be welded shall both have beveled ends. If the pitless unit has female threads, the unit may be threaded watertight directly to the threaded end of the nipple.

NR 812.31(3)(a)4. 4. Reaming out the threads of a full standard recessed coupling, at least 1/3 the length of the coupling, and welding the coupling to the top of the cut-off well casing pipe with a fillet weld on the inside or the outside contact surface of the coupling.

NR 812.31(3)(b) (b) When installing a factory assembled pitless unit, the following restrictions shall be followed:

NR 812.31(3)(b)1. 1. The threaded lower end of a pitless unit may not be welded to the cut-off end of a well casing pipe.

NR 812.31(3)(b)2. 2. The threaded ends of a short model, factory-assembled pitless unit may not be welded to the top of a cut-off well casing pipe nor to the section of riser pipe extending from the unit to ground grade, except that the unit may be welded to the cut-off well casing pipe and to the riser pipe if the ends of the unit, the well casing pipe, and the riser pipe are cut and beveled according to par. (a) 1.

NR 812.31(3)(b)3. 3. Factory-assembled pitless units, including those fabricated with pitless receiver tanks, may not be connected to the well casing pipe by means of a compressible joint.

NR 812.31(4) (4) Pitless unit and pitless adapter connections to thermoplastic well casing pipe.

NR 812.31(4)(a) (a) Steel well casing pipe, pitless units or pitless adapters may not be welded after they are attached to thermoplastic well casing pipe. The thermoplastic coupling shall be threaded onto the pitless unit before it is solvent cemented to the top of the thermoplastic well casing pipe. Pitless unit connections for thermoplastic well casing pipe are depicted in Figure 2.

NR 812.31(4)(b) (b) Only approved lubricant specifically intended for use with thermoplastic well casing pipe may be used with threaded couplings used for pitless units and pitless adapters. A threaded joint shall be tightened no more than one full turn using a strap wrench.

NR 812.31(4)(c) (c) Threaded couplings may only be used for installation of pitless units or pitless adapters after placement of the well casing pipe.

NR 812.31(4)(d) (d) The portion of the well casing pipe above a short length pitless unit shall be steel or thermoplastic well casing pipe meeting the requirements specified in s. NR 812.11.

NR 812.31(4)(e) (e) When thermoplastic well casing pipe is extended above the ground surface, the thermoplastic pipe shall be of the type with inhibitors recommended for use in direct sunlight or shall be contained in a pumphouse or in an oversized steel pipe extending from below the frost depth to the top of the thermoplastic pipe.

NR 812.31(4)(f) (f) A permanent tag bearing the message “plastic well casing pipe” shall be attached to the top of the well.

NR 812.31(5) (5) Pitless receiver tanks. Pitless receiver units shall be approved for use under s. NR 812.091.

NR 812.31(5)(a) (a) Steel buried tanks that are part of a pitless unit shall have a minimum wall thickness of 1/4-inch and shall have an identifying seal, label, or plate showing the manufacturer’s name and model number.

NR 812.31(5)(b) (b) An approval under s. NR 812.09 shall be obtained for the installation of a buried pitless receiver tank having a gross volume greater than 1,000 gallons.

NR 812.31 History History: Cr. Register, January, 1991, No. 421, eff. 2-1-91; am. (intro.), (1), (2) (a), (b) and (d), (3) (a) 3., (5) (a) and Figure 28, cr. (5) (intro.), Register, September, 1994, No. 465, eff. 10-1-94; CR 13-099: am. (2), (4) (e) Register September 2014 No. 705, eff. 10-1-14; CR 18-095: am. (2) (a), (c), (3) (a) (intro.), 3., (b) (intro.), (4) (a), (d), (e), (5) Register June 2020 No. 774, eff. 7-1-20; correction in (1) made under s. 35.17, Stats., Register June 2020 No. 774; CR 21-070: am. (2) (a) Register July 2022 No. 799, eff. 8-1-22.

NR 812.32 NR 812.32 Pumps.

NR 812.32(1) (1) General pump installation requirements.

NR 812.32(1)(a) (a) Pump installations shall be carried out so the pump installation will be:

NR 812.32(1)(a)1. 1. Installed so it and its surroundings are in a sanitary condition.

NR 812.32(1)(a)2. 2. Properly sized to provide the volume of water necessary, where obtainable, for an adequate water supply.

NR 812.32(1)(a)3. 3. Designed to meet the well characteristics and not exceed the yield of the well except when the available aquifer is low producing.

NR 812.32(1)(a)4. 4. Installed for operation without priming or breaking suction.

NR 812.32(1)(a)5. 5. Installed in such manner as to provide adequate protection against contamination of the water supply from any surface or subsurface sources.

NR 812.32(1)(a)6. 6. Installed in a manner so that it is accessible for maintenance, repair and removal.

NR 812.32(1)(b) (b) Pump motor lubricant or coolant oil shall be USDA or FDA approved food contact grade formulations.

NR 812.32 Note Note: Such formulations are usually based on National Formulary, white food grade mineral oil or inhibited propylene glycol with FDA approved components.

NR 812.32(1)(c) (c) Every pump shall be installed with an above-ground discharge, an approved subsurface pitless adapter or pitless unit, or an approved subsurface well casing pipe connection.

NR 812.32(1)(d) (d) When water is pumped or flows to discharge into a body of water, the end of the discharge pipe shall be extended at least 2 pipe diameters above the highest elevation of the water.

NR 812.32(1)(e) (e) All well pump electrical installations shall conform to the Wisconsin Electrical Code, incorporated by reference in the Wisconsin Electrical Code, ch. SPS 316, and the requirements specified in that chapter. In addition to these requirements, no electrical control box or any other electrical device shall be installed inside a well casing pipe, except where the device is directly incorporated into the manufactured pump assembly.

NR 812.32(1)(f) (f) For water systems with multiple wells interconnected to a common plumbing piping system, the department may require additional equipment to reduce the possibility of back-flow or back-siphonage between wells. This equipment may include a separate pressure tank for each well, additional check valves, air gaps, reduced pressure principle backflow preventers, pressure switches, and electronic pump control devices.

NR 812.32(2) (2) Off-set pump installations.

NR 812.32(2)(a) (a) Buried suction pipes.

NR 812.32(2)(a)1. 1. Buried suction pipes shall be enclosed in a pressurized conduit and the annular space between the 2 pipes shall be maintained under system water pressure at all times provided by a pipe extending from the pump watertight to the conduit.

NR 812.32 Note Note: In areas especially prone to lightning strikes to wells having submersible pumps, the department will grant variances to the prohibition against nonpressurized conduits.

NR 812.32(2)(a)2. 2. When a suction pipe crosses a sewer, the suction pipe shall be laid according to the sewer separation requirements of s. NR 812.32 (4).

NR 812.32 Note Note: A well casing pipe nipple, 1/2 threaded-1/2 beveled may be used in lieu of a full pipe coupling.

NR 812.32(2)(a)3. 3. Pressurized conduits may terminate at the end of a horizontal pipe entering a basement. Any unburied pump suction pipe in the basement not enclosed in a pressurized conduit shall be at least one foot above the basement floor. A pressure or box elbow may be used to extend the pressurized conduit to a point above the basement floor. Pressure or box elbows may be buried.

NR 812.32(2)(a)4. 4. A shallow well pump shall discharge to a seal-cross fitting before being connected to a pressure tank. A control valve may not be installed in the discharge pipe between the pump and the seal-cross fitting.

NR 812.32(2)(b) (b) Pump height. The pump impeller or cylinder for off-set pumps shall be located at an elevation at least one foot above the basement, pit, or alcove floor.

NR 812.32(3) (3) Pump intake setting. When a well is constructed in an unconsolidated formation, the pump intake shall be set at least 5 feet above the bottom of the well casing pipe or drive pipe casing or above the top of the screen. When a pump is replaced and set to a greater depth in a well, an attempt shall be made to ascertain the well construction so this requirement can be made. The pump shall provide an adequate quantity of water, where obtainable, for the intended purpose of the well.

NR 812.32 Note Note: The department may grant variances to the 5-foot requirement of this subsection in low permeability, low yielding formations.

NR 812.32(4) (4) Buried discharge lines from submersible pumps.

NR 812.32(4)(a) (a) Pressure requirements. Buried discharge lines from submersible pumps shall meet the requirements of s. NR 812.28 and shall be maintained under system pressure at all times. Check valves may not be placed in the pump discharge pipe beyond a buried section of pipe between a well and a pressure tank. The check valves shall be located at the top of the submersible pump, or in that portion of the discharge pipe before it becomes buried, or on the spool of an approved spool-type pitless unit.

NR 812.32(4)(b) (b) Separation from sewers.

NR 812.32(4)(b)1. 1. When a water discharge line crosses a sanitary sewer, the water discharge line piping within 10 feet of the point of crossing shall be installed:

NR 812.32(4)(b)1.a. a. At an elevation at least 12 inches above the top of the sewer measured from the bottom of the water line; or

NR 812.32(4)(b)1.b. b. At least 18 inches below the bottom of the sewer measured from the top of the water line; or

NR 812.32(4)(b)1.c. c. Within a waterproof sleeve made of materials as specified for sanitary building sewers in ch. SPS 384.

NR 812.32(4)(b)2. 2. When a water discharge line extends parallel or roughly parallel with a sewer, the water discharge line shall be separated a minimum distance from the sewer as follows:

NR 812.32(4)(b)2.a. a. Water discharge lines 2 1/2 inches in diameter and larger shall be separated at least 8 feet horizontally from a sanitary sewer, measured from center to center of the 2 pipes.

NR 812.32(4)(b)2.b. b. Except as provided in subd. 2. c., water discharge lines 2 inches or smaller in diameter shall be separated at least 30 inches horizontally from a sanitary sewer, measured from center to center of the 2 pipes.

NR 812.32(4)(b)2.c. c. Water discharge lines 2 inches in diameter and smaller may be installed less than 30 inches horizontally separated from a sanitary sewer if the bottom of the water discharge line is installed at least 12 inches above the sewer, except that portion of the water discharge line within 5 feet of the point where the line enters the building may be less than 12 inches above the sewer.

NR 812.32(4)(b)2.d. d. A water discharge line shall be separated from a storm sewer by at least 6 inches.

NR 812.32(4)(c) (c) Back-flow and back-siphonage prevention. When a well is installed with a submersible pump and an above ground discharge, it shall contain an UL approved check valve and an air-vacuum relief valve prior to any buried portion of the discharge pipe. When water is pumped to a pond or other body of water, the end of the pump discharge pipe shall be terminated at least 2 feet above the highest elevation of the water in the pond or other body of water.

NR 812.32(4)(d) (d) Other locational restrictions.

NR 812.32(4)(d)1. 1. A water discharge line may not be installed in, under or above sanitary sewer manholes, or under a POWTS treatment, holding or dispersal component, including a septic or holding tank, or any in-ground, at-grade, or mound soil absorption unit.

NR 812.32(4)(d)2. 2. A water discharge line shall be separated at least 10 feet horizontally from a POWTS treatment, holding or dispersal component, including but not limited to a septic or holding tank, or any in-ground, at-grade, or mound soil absorption unit.

NR 812.32(5) (5) Pumps located beside or over the well.

NR 812.32(5)(a) (a) Shallow-well suction pumps, deep-well piston pumps and deep-well jet pumps. When the pump unit does not effectively seal the top of the well casing pipe and the well pump suction pipe or jet pump piping emerges from the top, a threaded fitting, or an approved type seal with expandable rubber or neoprene gasket shall be provided between the well casing pipe and the well pump suction pipe or jet pump piping.

NR 812.32(5)(b) (b) Lineshaft turbine pumps.

NR 812.32(5)(b)1. 1. ‘General sealing requirements.’ Lineshaft turbine pumps shall be mounted on the well or over the well casing pipe on a pump platform or well casing pipe flange so as to effectively seal the top of the well. Any opening through the pump discharge head shall be sealed watertight.

NR 812.32(5)(b)2. 2. ‘Specific sealing requirements.’ The discharge head for a lineshaft turbine pump may be installed over the well casing pipe under the following conditions:

NR 812.32(5)(b)2.a. a. A minimum 12 inch high concrete pump platform shall be poured surrounding the well casing pipe. The well casing pipe shall project at least one inch up into the pump discharge head.

NR 812.32(5)(b)2.b. b. If the pump discharge head does not have enough recess to extend down over the well casing pipe at least one inch, a cast iron or steel subbase sanitary ring at least one inch thick shall be bolted to the base of the discharge head and installed surrounding the well casing pipe. A compressible neoprene gasket shall be installed between the base of the discharge head and the sanitary ring or subbase unless the metal surfaces are machined. As an alternative a flange may be welded to the top of the well casing pipe.

NR 812.32(5)(b)2.c. c. If a concrete pump platform is not to be poured surrounding the well casing pipe, a steel flange shall be welded watertight to the top of the well casing pipe. The base of the discharge head shall be bolted to the casing flange and a compressible neoprene gasket shall be installed between the 2.