Chapter NR 811

NR 811.11 History History: CR 09-073: cr. Register November 2010 No. 659, eff. 12-1-10.

subch. II of ch. NR 811 Subchapter II — Source Development — Groundwater

NR 811.12 NR 811.12 Wells.

NR 811.12(1) (1) General requirements. Any proposal which would result in a diversion from the Great Lakes basin requires department approval in accordance with s. 281.346, Stats. Wells shall be constructed in conformance with the following requirements:

NR 811.12(1)(a) (a) Termination above the ground surface.

NR 811.12(1)(a)1. 1. All wells shall be terminated above the ground surface.

NR 811.12(1)(a)2. 2. The grouted protective well casing or alternatively, the top of a pitless unit, shall be terminated above grade a minimum of 12 inches above the concrete floor of a pumphouse or enclosure.

NR 811.12(1)(a)3. 3. The portion of the pump discharge piping for permanent wells that will contain the sampling faucets, water meter, valves and other appurtenances shall be exposed above the ground surface within a pumphouse building or enclosure that is secure, weatherproof, and has a concrete floor.

NR 811.12(1)(b) (b) Watertight construction. Permanent wells shall have watertight construction to such depth as may be required to exclude contamination. The depth shall be below the pumping water level except where exempted by the department on a case-by-case basis.

NR 811.12(1)(c) (c) Grout seal. Permanent wells shall have a grout seal surrounding the protective casing and liner casings. The grout seal shall be a minimum of 1.5 inches in thickness to the depths specified in ss. NR 811.14, 811.18, 811.19, and 811.20.

NR 811.12(1)(d) (d) Outer casings.

NR 811.12(1)(d)1. 1. All outer casings used in the construction of permanent wells shall be removed during or after the grouting process unless the exterior of the outer casing is grouted in place to the native formation with neat cement having a minimum thickness of 1.5 inches.

NR 811.12(1)(d)2. 2. The grout level shall be retained above the bottom of the casing during removal of the casing.

NR 811.12(1)(d)3. 3. Starter casings 10 feet in depth or less may be left in place provided that they are incorporated into the pump base in accordance with ss. NR 811.31 (1) and 811.32 (1).

NR 811.12(1)(e) (e) Minimum protective casing. All permanent wells shall have a minimum of 60 feet of grouted protective casing, wherever practicable. Continuous disinfection shall be provided for wells with less than 60 feet of grouted protective casing.

NR 811.12(1)(f) (f) Bacteriologically safe water for drilling. All wells shall be constructed using water from a known bacteriologically safe source that will not contaminate the aquifer. Untreated surface water or untested groundwater shall not be used. A detectable free chlorine residual shall be maintained in the well during drilling operations.

NR 811.12(1)(g) (g) Test wells. Test wells may be drilled to determine aquifer water quantity and quality prior to constructing a final well. Test wells are subject to all of the following requirements:

NR 811.12(1)(g)1. 1. Test wells shall be drilled for permanent wells proposed in unconsolidated formations to determine geologic formation information and water quality and quantity data.

NR 811.12(1)(g)2. 2. Test wells to be converted to permanent wells or test wells to be pumped at a rate of 70 gallons per minute or more for a period of more than 72 hours shall be approved by the department prior to their construction.

NR 811.12(1)(g)3. 3. The department may not require test wells for replacement or additional wells drilled on the same well site unless the geology is highly variable or in locations where the formation yield, cone of depression, and water quality are not known to a high degree of certainty.

NR 811.12(1)(g)4. 4. The department may require a test well where water quality data or geologic data for consolidated formations is not available.

NR 811.12(1)(g)5. 5. Test wells may be converted to permanent wells only if all test well casings and screens are removed prior to reconstructing the well to be converted to the permanent well.

NR 811.12 Note Note: The department recommends that test wells be sampled for regulated drinking water contaminants to ensure the permanent well produces water that meets the drinking water quality standards specified under ch. NR 809.

NR 811.12(1)(h) (h) Flowing wells.

NR 811.12(1)(h)1. 1. Flowing wells shall be provided with a valve to control the flow. The valve shall be throttled as much as practicable to prevent the erosion of the confining bed and to prevent waste of water. The control valve shall be closed if the flow ceases.

NR 811.12(1)(h)2. 2. Flow to waste piping shall be metal pipe welded to the protective well casing or pitless unit a minimum of 6 inches above the pumphouse floor. The piping shall extend horizontally through the concrete pump base and include a check valve and a shut-off valve on the portion of the piping located inside the building. The piping shall terminate outside the pumphouse with a screened downturned pipe elbow and a minimum 2 pipe diameter free air break over the top of a storm sewer inlet structure or other department approved location.

NR 811.12(1)(h)3. 3. Every practicable effort shall be made to install the grouted casing below the confining bed.

NR 811.12(1)(i) (i) Materials used as drilling aids, such as drilling muds and foam or other aids shall be compounds approved by the department. Such materials shall be NSF/ANSI Standard 61 approved as required in s. NR 810.09 (5).

NR 811.12(1)(j) (j) The department may require additional or more stringent well construction requirements on a case by case basis when necessary to minimize the entrance of naturally occurring or synthetic contaminants into the well.

NR 811.12(1)(k) (k) The water system owner shall provide notice of the well construction or reconstruction to the department’s regional drinking water representative at least 48 hours prior to the date and time of initiating work.

NR 811.12(2) (2) Well driller requirements. All wells constructed or reconstructed after December 1, 2010, shall be constructed or reconstructed by a well driller licensed or registered by the state of Wisconsin under ch. 280, Stats., and ch. NR 146. A licensed well driller or a registered drilling rig operator shall be on-site during all well drilling, as defined in s. NR 811.02 (77).

NR 811.12 Note Note: Chapter NR 146 contains the registration requirements for well drillers.

NR 811.12(3) (3) Well construction reports. The well driller shall forward to the department, and send a copy to the owner, of a completed Wisconsin Well Construction Report within 30 days of the date of completion of a new well. The well driller shall forward to the department, and send a copy to the owner, of a revised Wisconsin Well Construction Report within 30 days of the date of completion of a reconstructed well. A well reconstruction report is required when a well is deepened, partially backfilled or when installing or removing well casings or screens.

NR 811.12(4) (4) Interference between community water system wells. When the department determines that a proposed community water system well may have a substantial effect on the water levels in one or more wells owned by a neighboring water utility, the following procedure shall be followed:

NR 811.12(4)(a) (a) The department shall provide the owner of a utility well which may be affected by the proposed well with information on its location, proposed constructional features, proposed pumping rate and the anticipated volume of water to be withdrawn.

NR 811.12(4)(b) (b) If the potentially affected utility well owner wishes to object to the proposed community water system well, the owner shall inform the department in writing of the reasons for objection within 30 days of receipt of the information in par. (a).

NR 811.12(4)(c) (c) If notice of objection is filed and good cause is shown, the department may hold a public hearing at which all interested parties may present testimony to be used by the department in determining if a restriction shall be placed on the volume of water withdrawn from the proposed well or existing wells.

NR 811.12(5) (5) Well sites. The suitability of a site for a well is dependent on geologic, hydrogeologic, and topographic conditions and possible sources of contamination. However, a well site shall meet all of the following general requirements:

NR 811.12(5)(a) (a) Well site dimensions. The water system owner shall reserve a lot or parcel of land for the construction of the well that has minimum dimensions of 100 feet by 100 feet. The well shall be located at or near the center of the lot or parcel and shall be located a minimum of 50 feet from any property boundary. These dimensions may be modified by the department on a case-by-case basis where they are unnecessary or inadequate to protect water quality. The department may require a larger well site where necessary to provide adequate wellhead protection. A deeper depth of grouted protective well casing may be required by the department when necessary to compensate for a smaller well site parcel or as a condition of approving a variance to a separation distance to a potential contamination source listed under par. (d).

NR 811.12(5)(b) (b) Flood protection. Wells may be constructed or replaced on sites in the floodplain, as defined in s. NR 116.03 (16), outside of the floodway, as defined in s. NR 116.03 (22), provided that the pumphouse floor is 2 feet or more above the regional flood elevation as determined in s. NR 116.07 (4) and there is year round dry land access to the pumphouse. No new well may be constructed and no existing well may be reconstructed on a site in a floodway. Wells shall be located in an area accessible during the entire year. Where necessary, road improvements shall be installed to provide year round access. Wells shall be located on property owned by the water system owner or for which a long term easement or lease has been obtained. Access roads shall be on property owned by the water system owner or for which a long term easement or lease has been obtained.

NR 811.12 Note Note: Refer to ch. NR 116 for floodplain and floodway requirements.

NR 811.12(5)(c) (c) Well site investigation report submittal. The owner or the owner’s representative shall prepare a well site investigation report, as required by s. NR 811.09 (4) (j) 1., for each well site and submit the report to the department prior to or concurrent with the request for approval of a test well or a permanent well. The report shall be submitted on forms or in a format provided by the department and shall contain sufficient information to evaluate compliance with the requirements of this chapter.

NR 811.12(5)(d) (d) Minimum separation from contamination sources. The well shall be adequately separated from potential sources of contamination. Unless a hydrogeologic investigation indicates lesser separation distances would provide adequate protection of a well from contamination or department approved treatment is installed to address the potential contamination concerns, the minimum separation distances shall be:

NR 811.12(5)(d)1. 1. Ten feet between a well and an emergency or standby power system that is operated by the same facility which operates the well and that has a double wall above ground storage tank with continuous electronic interstitial leakage monitoring. These facilities shall meet the installation requirements of s. ATCP 93.260 and receive written approval from the department of safety and professional services or its designated Local Program Operator under s. ATCP 93.110.

NR 811.12(5)(d)2. 2. Fifty feet between a well and a storm sewer main or a sanitary sewer main where the sanitary sewer main is constructed of water main class materials and joints. Gravity sanitary sewers shall be successfully air pressure tested in place. The air pressure test shall meet or exceed the requirements of the 4 psi low pressure air test for plastic gravity sewer lines found in the latest edition of Standard Specifications for Sewer & Water Construction in Wisconsin. Force mains shall be successfully pressure tested with water to meet the AWWA C600 pressure and leakage testing requirements for one hour at 125% of the pump shut-off head.

NR 811.12(5)(d)3. 3. Two hundred feet between a well and any sanitary sewer main not constructed of water main class materials, sanitary sewer manhole, lift station, one or 2 family residential heating fuel oil underground storage tank or above ground storage tank or POWTS treatment tank or holding tank component and associated piping.

NR 811.12(5)(d)4. 4. Three hundred feet between a well and any farm underground storage tank system or other underground storage tank system with double wall and with electronic interstitial monitoring for the system, which means the tank and any piping connected to it. These installations shall meet the most restrictive installation requirements of s. ATCP 93.260 and receive written approval from the department of safety and professional services or its designated Local Program Operator under s. ATCP 93.110. These requirements apply to tanks containing gasoline, diesel, bio-diesel, ethanol, other alternative fuel, fuel oil, petroleum product, motor fuel, burner fuel, lubricant, waste oil, or hazardous substances.

NR 811.12(5)(d)5. 5. Three hundred feet between a well and any farm above ground storage tank with double wall, or single wall tank with other secondary containment and under a canopy; other above ground storage tank system with double wall, or single wall tank with secondary containment and under a canopy and with electronic interstitial monitoring for a double wall tank or electronic leakage monitoring for a single wall tank secondary containment structure. These installations shall meet the most restrictive installation requirements of s. ATCP 93.260 and receive written approval from the department of safety and professional services or its designated Local Program Operator under s. ATCP 93.110. These requirements apply to tanks containing gasoline, diesel, bio-diesel, ethanol, other alternative fuel, fuel oil, petroleum product, motor fuel, burner fuel, lubricant, waste oil, or hazardous substances.

NR 811.12(5)(d)6. 6. Four hundred feet between a well and a POWTS dispersal component with a design capacity of less than 12,000 gallons per day, a cemetery or a storm water retention or detention pond.

NR 811.12(5)(d)7. 7. Six hundred feet between a well and any farm underground storage tank system or other underground storage tank system with double wall and with electronic interstitial monitoring for the system, which means the tank and any piping connected to it; any farm above ground storage tank with double wall, or single wall tank with other secondary containment and under a canopy or other above ground storage tank system with double wall, or single wall tank with secondary containment and under a canopy; and with electronic interstitial monitoring for a double wall tank or electronic leakage monitoring for a single wall tank secondary containment structure. These installations shall meet the standard double wall tank or single wall tank secondary containment installation requirements of s. ATCP 93.260 and receive written approval from the department of safety and professional services or its designated Local Program Operator under s. ATCP 93.110. These requirements apply to tanks containing gasoline, diesel, bio-diesel, ethanol, other alternative fuel, fuel oil, petroleum product, motor fuel, burner fuel, lubricant, waste oil, or hazardous substances.

NR 811.12(5)(d)8. 8. One thousand feet between a well and land application of municipal, commercial, or industrial waste; the boundaries of a landspreading facility for spreading of petroleum-contaminated soil regulated under ch. NR 718 while that facility is in operation; agricultural, industrial, commercial or municipal waste water treatment plant treatment units, lagoons, or storage structures; manure stacks or storage structures; or POWTS dispersal component with a design capacity of 12,000 gallons per day or more.

NR 811.12(5)(d)9. 9. Twelve hundred feet between a well and any solid waste storage, transportation, transfer, incineration, air curtain destructor, processing, wood burning, one time disposal or small demolition facility; landfill; any property with residual groundwater contamination that exceeds ch. NR 140 enforcement standards; coal storage area; salt or deicing material storage area; any single wall farm underground storage tank or single wall farm above ground storage tank or other single wall underground storage tank or above ground storage tank that has or has not received written approval from the department of safety and professional services or its designated Local Program Operator under s. ATCP 93.110 for a single wall tank installation. These requirements apply to tanks containing gasoline, diesel, bio-diesel, ethanol, other alternative fuel, fuel oil, petroleum product, motor fuel, burner fuel, lubricant, waste oil, or hazardous substances; and bulk pesticide or fertilizer handling or storage facilities.

NR 811.12(5)(d)10. 10. The separation distance requirements under s. NR 812.08 (4) apply for all contamination sources listed under s. NR 812.08 (4) that are not listed in subds. 1. to 9.

NR 811.12 Note Note: The department’s database of contaminated properties, established in accordance with ss. 292.12 (3), 292.31 (1), and 292.57, Stats., can be found on the department’s Bureau for Remediation and Redevelopment internet web site. The Bureau for Remediation and Redevelopment Tracking System (BRRTS) is an on-line database that provides information on known contaminated soil or groundwater and tracks the status of the cleanup actions. RR Sites Map is the program’s geographic information system that provides a map-based system of contaminated properties in Wisconsin. The department of safety and professional services Storage Tank Database Information can be found at the department of safety and professional services web site.

NR 811.12(5)(e) (e) Well site inspection. Well sites may be inspected by a representative of the department prior to approval of plans.

NR 811.12(5)(f) (f) Ch. NR 820 compliance. For wells with a pumping capacity of 70 gallons per minute or greater, the well location shall meet the applicable requirements of ch. NR 820.

NR 811.12(6) (6) Well head protection plan. A well head protection plan shall be provided for all new wells for municipal water systems. The owner of the municipal water system or its agent shall develop the plan. No new municipal well may be placed into service until the department has approved the well head protection plan. The plan shall include all of the following:

NR 811.12(6)(a) (a) Identification of the groundwater flow direction.

NR 811.12(6)(b) (b) Identification of the zone of influence for the well consisting of the distance to one foot of aquifer drawdown at the anticipated final pumping rate when pumpage of the well is assumed to be continuous without recharge for 30 days. The zone of influence shall be calculated using the Theis Method with or without groundwater modeling unless another method is approved by the department.

NR 811.12(6)(c) (c) Identification of the recharge area for the well. The recharge area shall be calculated using the Uniform Flow Equation or be computer modeled unless another method is approved by the department.

NR 811.12 Note Note: A copy of A Template For Preparing Well Head Protection Plans For Municipal Wells, in which use of the Uniform Flow Equation is discussed, may be obtained from the department.

NR 811.12(6)(d) (d) Identification of the potential contamination sources within 0.5 mile of the well location and an assessment of the potential for the existing contamination sources within the recharge area of the well to negatively impact the well water quality. The potential contamination sources shall be summarized in a table or list including distance and direction from the well site and shall also be shown on a map surrounding the well site. The table or list shall include information obtained by checking the department’s database of contaminated properties, established in accordance with ss. 292.12 (3), 292.31 (1), and 292.57, Stats.

NR 811.12 Note Note: The department’s database of contaminated properties, established in accordance with ss. 292.12 (3), 292.31 (1), and 292.57, Stats., can be found on the department’s Bureau for Remediation and Redevelopment internet web site. The Bureau for Remediation and Redevelopment Tracking System (BRRTS) is an on-line database that provides information on areas of known contaminated soil or groundwater and tracks the status of the cleanup actions. RR Sites Map is the program’s geographic information system that provides a map-based system of contaminated properties in Wisconsin. Information that appears on the RR program’s database and GIS applications can also be obtained by contacting the regional drinking water staff person responsible for the water system. A copy of A Guide For Conducting Potential Contaminant Source Inventories For Wellhead Protection may be obtained from the department.

NR 811.12(6)(e) (e) Establishment of a well head protection area for the proposed well. The well head protection area shall encompass, at a minimum, that portion of the recharge area equivalent to a 5 year time of travel to the well. The well head protection area may be determined by a hydrogeologic investigation.

NR 811.12(6)(f) (f) A public education program for well head protection.

NR 811.12(6)(g) (g) A water conservation program.

NR 811.12(6)(h) (h) A contingency plan for providing safe water and protecting the well from contamination based on the inventory and assessment of potential contamination sources.

NR 811.12(6)(i) (i) A management plan, which assesses alternatives for addressing potential contamination sources, describes the local ordinances, zoning requirements, monitoring program, and other local initiatives proposed within the well head protection area established in par. (e), and addresses maintaining the minimum contamination source separation distances established by well siting in sub. (5) (d).

NR 811.12 Note Note: A copy of Example Wellhead Protection Ordinances may be obtained from the department’s Bureau of Drinking Water and Groundwater located in Madison.

NR 811.12(6)(j) (j) The well head protection plan shall be labeled with the name and signature of the person who prepared the plan, the date that the plan was signed, and the name of the company or water system which the person represents. An owner approval letter shall be submitted when required in accordance with s. NR 811.10.

NR 811.12(7) (7) Casing and liner pipe for drilled wells.

NR 811.12(7)(a) (a) The protective casing shall be new prime steel pipe produced to and meeting ASTM, A 53 Grades A or B, ASTM A 106; ASTM A 589 Type I, Grade A or B, Type II, Grade A or B; or API 5L specifications. Previously used or reclaimed pipe may not be used.

NR 811.12(7)(b) (b) Each length of casing shall be legibly marked in accordance with s. NR 812.11 (6) (d). The protective casing shall have the minimum weights and thicknesses given in Table 1.

NR 811.12(7)(c) (c) Liner pipe installed to seal off a caving zone shall be new, unused, and non-reclaimed steel pipe and shall have the minimum weights and thicknesses given in Table 1. The department may, on a case-by-case basis, approve the installation of ungrouted stainless steel repair sleeves, but only if the well is bacteriologically safe and water quality of the well meets all of the primary drinking water quality standards specified under ch. NR 809.

NR 811.12(7)(d) (d) Outer casings can be unmarked, used, or reclaimed pipe but shall have the minimum weights and thicknesses given in Table No. 1.

NR 811.12(7)(e) (e) All casings and liner pipe shall have additional thickness and weight if the Table No. 1 standard thickness is insufficient to assure reasonable life expectancy or to withstand the forces to which they may be subjected.

NR 811.12(7)(f) (f) Casing and liner pipe shall be equipped with a drive shoe when driven and centering guides when set. The locations of all centering guides to be installed shall be shown on the plans or noted in the specifications, or both.

NR 811.12(7)(g) (g) Casing and liner pipe shall be assembled watertight by means of joints welded in accordance with the standard welding procedure specifications of s. NR 812.18 or by threaded couplings meeting or equivalent to the specifications listed in par. (a).

NR 811.12(7)(h) (h) Protective casings shall rest on native formation during grouting for new well construction. Hung liner casings may be used for reconstruction of existing wells. Hung liner casing shall be securely attached by welding steel bands to the outer casing or by other approved methods, and the grout shall be supported on a steel ring welded to the bottom of the liner pipe or on an approved packer attached to the bottom of the liner pipe. The bottom of the protective casing or liner pipe may be flared out to meet this requirement.

NR 811.12 Note Note: Copies of the forgoing specifications and standards are available for inspection at the central office of the department of natural resources and may be obtained for personal use from the American Society for Testing and Material (ASTM), 100 Barr Harbor Drive, PO Box C700, West Conshohocken, Pennsylvania 19148-2959, and the American Petroleum Institute (API), 1220 L Street NW, Washington, DC 20005-4070.

NR 811.12(8) (8) Concrete wall casing. Concrete wall casing shall meet all of the following requirements:

NR 811.12(8)(a) (a) Be used only in dug wells and collectors.

NR 811.12(8)(b) (b) Be reinforced and at least 6 inches thick.

NR 811.12(8)(c) (c) Be poured in one operation, if possible.

NR 811.12(8)(d) (d) Not have a construction joint within 10 feet of the original ground surface.

NR 811.12(9) (9) Packers. A packer may be utilized for test pumping, isolating portions of a well for water quality sampling, and for grouting liner casings. Permanent well reconstruction may not be completed with an inflatable packer. The packer shall be of a material that will not impart taste, odors, toxic substances, or bacterial contamination to the water in the well. Lead packers may not be used.

NR 811.12(10) (10) Screens. Screens shall meet all of the following requirements:

NR 811.12(10)(a) (a) Be constructed of stainless steel which will not be damaged by chemical action of groundwater, disinfection chemicals, or future cleaning operations.

NR 811.12(10)(b) (b) Have size of openings based on sieve analysis of the aquifer and gravel pack materials.