o
Manual on the Selection and Installation of Thermoplastic Water Well Casing, produced by the National Water Well Association and the Plastic Pipe institute, 1980o
“The Effects of Well Casing Material on Ground Water Quality,” By the USEPA (EPA/540/4-91/005), October 1991o
“Thermoplastic Casing Use Potential in Consolidated Formations in Wisconsin and Using Cementous Grouts with PVC Wells in Wisconsin,” PowerPoint presentation by Bruce Walker, Licensed Wisconsin Well Driller, updated, 2020o
“North America’s Cinderella Pipe Story: A Look at PVC Pipes’ Climb to the Top,” by Bob Walker, JAI, Vol. 8, No. 7o
“Selection of PVC Well Casing Based on Hydraulic Collapse Considerations,” CertainTeed Technical Bulletin No. 40-37-02Do
“Important Design Considerations for the Use of PVC to Construct Large-Diameter Water Wells,” Roscoe Moss Company Technical Memorandum 008-1o
Mechanical Properties of PVC Well Screen and Casing, U.S. Department of the Interior Bureau of Reclamation Denver Office Research and Laboratory Services Division Applied Sciences Branch, July 1989o
AWWA Standard for Water Wells, American Water Works Association, February 1, 1998.o
“PVC Well Casing and Screen – Selection and Precautions,” Boode Waterwell Systemso
“Selecting PVC Casing Using Resistance to Hydraulic Collapse Pressure Data,” CartainTeed Bulletin #2, 1985o
“The Effects of Sunlight Exposure on PVC Pipe and Conduit,” JM Eagle Technical Bulletin, January 200910. Analysis and Supporting Documents Used to Determine the Effect on Small Business or in Preparation of an Economic Impact Report:
The department analyzed information in department well construction records and from interviews with randomly-selected drilling companies to assess the economic impact of this rule. Seven cost proposals for drilling and well installation from existing well construction companies that construct wells using both steel and thermoplastic casing were used.
11. Effect on Small Business (initial regulatory flexibility analysis):
The majority of businesses impacted by the rule are small businesses. There are currently 237 drillers and approximately 1,240 pump installers doing business in the state. The total economic impact of the proposed rule revision is estimated to be a one-time cost of $62,500.
There is also an estimated compliance benefit (cost savings) to new well owners of $727,195 per year.
12. Agency Contact Person:
Frank Fetter, Bureau of Drinking and Groundwater - DG/5
Department of Natural Resources,
101 S. Webster Street
Madison, WI 53703
(608) 264-6139
13. Place where comments are to be submitted and deadline for submission:
A public hearing was held on October 7, 2021. Comments were accepted through October 14, 2021.
RULE TEXT
Section 1. NR 812.07 (79x) is created to read:
NR 812.07 (79x) “Psi” means pressure expressed in pounds of force per square inch of area.
Section 2. NR 812.10 (13) (d) is created to read:
NR 812.10 (13) (d) When a problem well has been identified by the department, the department may test or contract to test the well for damage or leaks by pressure testing or by a comparable testing procedure. If pressure tested, the well shall be proven watertight under a pressure of not less than 14 psi, and the pressure shall be maintained for at least 30 minutes.
Section 3. NR 812.12 (5) (b) is amended to read:
NR 812.12 (5) (b) A drive shoe or casing shoe is not required for any thermoplastic or temporary outer casing.
Section 4. NR 812.12 (5) (c) is created to read:
NR 812.12 (5) (c) For a well constructed with thermoplastic casing, the casing may be held down mechanically within an upper-enlarged borehole during grouting to prevent the casing from floating.
Section 5. NR 812.13 (3) (c), (4) (b) and (8) (a) are amended to read:
NR 812.13 (3) (c) Drilling tools such as drill bits or stabilizers may not be placed in the thermoplastic well casing pipe nor may any drilling or reconstruction occur after placement of the well casing pipe in the well. This restriction does not prohibit the installation or replacement of screens, or the insertion of equipment for the development and cleaning of wells with screens.
(4) (b) A packer or shale trap shall may be used to provide a sand seal between the bottom of a well casing pipe and the top of a screen. Packers and shale traps shall meet the requirements of s. NR 812.11 (13). (8) (a) Grouting material shall meet the requirements of s. NR 812.11 (15) and shall be placed in an annular space in accordance with the requirements specified in s. NR 812.20. A flowing well constructed with steel or thermoplastic casing shall be grouted using the materials specified in s. NR 812.15. Potable A potable high capacity wellswell shall be grouted using the materials specified in s. NR 812.152. Section 6. NR 812.13 (8) (d) 3. and 4. are created to read:
NR 812.13 (8) (d) 3. Neat cement.
4. Sand-cement.
Section 7. NR 812.14 (3) (a) is amended to read:
NR 812.14 (3) (a) Material. Only steelEither steel or thermoplastic well casing pipe meeting the requirements of s. NR 812.11 (6) or (7) may be used as permanent casing for bedrock wells.Thermoplastic well casing pipe meeting the requirements of s. NR 812.11 (7) may only be used as a liner for bedrock wells. Section 8. NR 812.14 (3) (e), (f) and (g) are created to read:
NR 812.14 (3) (e) Thermoplastic casing use restricted. Thermoplastic casing may only be placed in an upper enlarged drillhole and may not terminate in crystalline bedrock or be driven or jetted into place.
(f) Damaged or deformed thermoplastic casing. A well using thermoplastic casing terminating in bedrock shall be free of cracks and free of deformation and the inside diameter shall remain within manufacturer’s specifications after construction or reconstruction. A failed well constructed with thermoplastic casing shall have the casing removed or drilled out prior to filling and sealing.
(g) Drilling tool use restricted. Drilling tools such as drill bits or stabilizers may not be placed in the thermoplastic well casing pipe nor may any drilling or reconstruction occur after placement of the well casing pipe in the well. This restriction does not prohibit the insertion of equipment for the development and cleaning of wells.
Section 9. NR 812.14 (4) (intro.), (b) (intro.) and (c) are amended to read:
NR 812.14 (4) Driving or advancing casing. A well driller or well constructor may drive or mechanically advance steel casing from the ground surface to the top of bedrock when the depth to the top of bedrock is equal to the minimum casing depths under sub. (3) or deeper. When steel casing is driven or mechanically advanced to the top of bedrock, it shall be completed in accordance with all of the following:
(b) Annular space sealing. Clay slurry, sodium bentonite slurry, or granular bentonite shall be maintained around thesteel casing during advancement using any of the following methods:
(c) Driving to a firm seat. The Steel casing shall be driven or advanced to a firm seat into the top of bedrock.
Section 10. NR 812.14 (4) (d) and (5) (c) 3. are created to read:
NR 812.14 (4) (d) Mechanically holding down thermoplastic casing. For a well constructed with thermoplastic casing, the casing may not be driven to a firm seat. However, the casing may be held down mechanically within an upper enlarged borehole during grouting to prevent the casing from floating.
(5) (c) 3. For a well constructed using thermoplastic casing, to a depth not more than 5 feet into the top of firm limestone, dolomite, or shale.
Section 11. NR 812.15 (2) (c) is amended to read:
NR 812.15 (2) (c) Grouting requirement. The annular space of a flowing wellswell shall be grouted with neat cement using the methods specified in s. NR 812.20. Flowing wells constructed with thermoplastic casing may be grouted with neat cement. Section 12. NR 812.31 (2) (a) is amended to read:
NR 812.31 (2) (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 clamp-on, bolt-on or bolt-through pitless adapter may only be installed for a well that will serve a single family residence. Weld-on adapters A weld-on adaptor or pitless unitsunit 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. Section 13. NR 812.46 (1) (a) 5. is amended to read:
NR 812.46 (1) (a) 5. After corrective action following a total coliform bacteria−
(8).
Section 14. Effective Date. This rule takes effect on the first day of the month following publication in the Wisconsin Administrative Register as provided in s. 227.22 (2) (intro.), Stats. Section 15. Board adoption. This rule was approved and adopted by the State of Wisconsin Natural Resources Board on February 23, 2022.
Dated at Madison, Wisconsin _____________________________.
STATE OF WISCONSIN
DEPARTMENT OF NATURAL RESOURCES
BY ______________________________________
For Preston D. Cole, Secretary
