Chapter NR 811

NR 811.12(12)(g) (g) The owner or an authorized representative shall submit a written report to the department within 30 days of the date of completion of the chemical conditioning and subsequent pumping of the well that includes the static and pumping water levels, gallon per minute pumping rate and specific capacity of the well both before and after chemical conditioning, and the results of any testing for chemical or physical properties for which the well may have been chemically conditioned, if applicable.

NR 811.12(12)(h) (h) All material released from the casings, screen, and borehole as part of the rehabilitation shall be removed from the well.

NR 811.12(12)(i) (i) The department may require additional water quality sampling following a well rehabilitation based on well raw water quality and the rehabilitation methods used to verify water quality and to protect water consumers.

NR 811.12(13) (13) Other methods of well reconditioning. Approval shall be obtained from the department prior to performing any other type of reconditioning procedure, including hydrofracturing and impulse generation techniques. The requester shall submit written information regarding the procedure, the equipment, materials, chemicals, pressures to be used, and the disposal of waste to the department for approval. Reconditioning procedures under this subsection are subject to all of the following requirements:

NR 811.12(13)(a) (a) Hydrofracturing. Hydrofracturing procedures shall meet the following requirements:

NR 811.12(13)(a)1. 1. The department’s regional drinking water staff person shall be given at least 48 hours notice prior to the date and time of the proposed hydrofracturing work.

NR 811.12(13)(a)2. 2. Hydrofracturing shall be performed by or under the supervision of a licensed well driller.

NR 811.12(13)(a)3. 3. 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.

NR 811.12(13)(a)4. 4. When a well is to be hydrofractured within 100 feet of any existing bedrock well, the well driller shall notify the existing well owner or owners and the department’s regional drinking water staff person of the forthcoming hydrofracturing operation at least 48 hours prior to the commencement of the hydrofracturing operation.

NR 811.12(13)(a)5. 5. The upper packer may not be placed at a depth closer than 20 feet below the bottom of the casing.

NR 811.12(13)(a)6. 6. Following the completion of the hydrofracturing procedure, the well shall be thoroughly disinfected, pumped to waste, and safe bacteriological water samples shall be collected according to the requirements of s. NR 810.09 (4).

NR 811.12(13)(a)7. 7. The owner or an authorized representative shall submit a written report to the department within 30 days of the date of completion of the hydrofracturing and subsequent pumping of the well that includes the static and pumping water levels, gallon per minute pumping rate and specific capacity of the well both before and after the hydrofracturing, and the results of any testing for chemical or physical properties for which the well may have been hydrofractured, if applicable.

NR 811.12(13)(a)8. 8. All material released from the casings, screen, and borehole as part of the rehabilitation shall be removed from the well.

NR 811.12(13)(b) (b) Impulse generation. Impulse generation procedures shall meet the following requirements:

NR 811.12(13)(b)1. 1. The department’s regional drinking water staff person shall be given at least 48 hours notice prior to the date and time of the impulse generation work.

NR 811.12(13)(b)2. 2. Impulse generation procedures shall be performed by or under the supervision of a licensed well driller.

NR 811.12(13)(b)3. 3. A report shall be submitted to the department that identifies the impulse method to be used, the means of generating the impulse, the number of passes, the depths in the open drillhole or well screen that the procedure will be started and stopped, the psi strength of each impulse, and the number of impulses per foot. The report shall also include information on all the gases to be used and details of any chemical addition to be performed along with the impulse generation procedures, including the chemicals to be used, the reason for using the chemicals, the strength of each chemical as applied, the means to be used to inject the chemicals, and how the chemicals will be neutralized and disposed of. All chemicals used shall have NSF/ANSI Standard 60 approved for use in potable water as required per s. NR 810.09 (1) (c).

NR 811.12(13)(b)4. 4. Impulse strength shall be maintained low enough to prevent structural damage to well casings, grout, and screens.

NR 811.12(13)(b)5. 5. Following the completion of the impulse generation work, the well shall be thoroughly disinfected, pumped to waste, and safe bacteriological water samples shall be collected according to the requirements of s. NR 810.09 (4).

NR 811.12(13)(b)6. 6. The owner or an authorized representative shall submit a written report to the department within 30 days of the date of completion of the impulse generation and subsequent pumping of the well that includes the static and pumping water levels, gallon per minute pumping rate and specific capacity of the well both before and after the impulse generation, and the results of any testing for chemical or physical properties for which the well may have been treated with impulse generation, if applicable.

NR 811.12(13)(b)7. 7. All material released from the casings, screen, and borehole as part of the rehabilitation shall be removed from the well.

NR 811.12(14) (14) Grouting requirements. The water system owner shall give notice to the department’s regional drinking water staff person at least 48 hours prior to the date and time of the well grouting work. In addition, all of the following requirements shall be met:

NR 811.12(14)(a) (a) Grout types and specifications.

NR 811.12(14)(a)1. 1. Neat cement grout shall be labeled as ASTM C150, Type I, ASTM C595, Type IL, or API-10A, Class A Portland cement and water from a known bacteriologically safe and uncontaminated source, with not more than 6 gallons of water per 94-pound sack of cement. A mud balance shall be used to measure the grout density. Additives, including bentonite to increase fluidity, reduce shrinkage, or control time of set may be used only with prior department approval. No more than 4.7 pounds of powdered bentonite, a maximum of 5 percent, may be added to each 94-pound sack of cement. When bentonite is added, the volume of water shall be increased. When bentonite is added, a pressurized mud balance shall be used to measure the grout density. Bentonite mixed with neat cement grout shall comply with Table 2.

(Bentonite table information provided by the Halliburton Co.)

NR 811.12(14)(a)2. 2. Sand cement grout may be used for annular openings greater than 3 inches. The mixture may not exceed 2 parts by weight of sand to one part of ASTM C150, Type 1 or API-10A, Class A Portland cement and not more than 6 gallons of water from a known bacteriologically safe and uncontaminated source to each 94-pound sack of cement.

NR 811.12(14)(a)3. 3. Concrete grout may be used for annular openings greater than 6 inches. The concrete shall contain not less than 6 sacks of cement per cubic yard and not more than 6 gallons of water from a known bacteriologically safe uncontaminated source to each 94-pound sack of cement. The gravel size may not exceed 0.75 inch. The volumetric ratio of either gravel or sand to cement may not exceed 2.5 parts to one part. Wisconsin department of transportation grade A concrete is also acceptable.

NR 811.12(14)(b) (b) Grouting procedures.

NR 811.12(14)(b)1. 1. All grout shall be placed from the bottom of the annular opening to the surface in one continuous operation. Grouting methods that involve forcing a measured quantity of grout down the inner casing by a plug, such as the Halliburton method, shall not be used. When a conductor pipe in the annular opening is used, the conductor pipe shall meet the material requirements of subd. 8. and shall be submerged in the grout during the entire operation. For grout depths in excess of 100 feet, a pump shall be used to inject the grout.

NR 811.12(14)(b)2. 2. A sufficient annular opening shall be provided to permit a minimum of 1.5 inches of grout around the protective casing, grouted liner pipe, or outer casing when it is intended to grout the outer casing in place, including couplings, if used.

NR 811.12(14)(b)3. 3. Any materials used as drilling aids shall be removed from the annular opening prior to grouting.

NR 811.12(14)(b)4. 4. Prior to grouting through creviced formations, bentonite or similar approved materials shall be added to the annular opening in the manner indicated for grouting and circulated until the bentonite or other approved material flows to the ground surface.

NR 811.12(14)(b)5. 5. Grout shall be allowed to overflow from the annular opening until such time as the density is the same as that of the grout being placed. The specifications shall outline the method to be used to check the grout density and equipment shall be available on site to determine grout density.

NR 811.12(14)(b)6. 6. Standby grouting equipment for grouting annular openings, including a backup grout pump and tremie pipe meeting the material requirements of subd. 8., shall be on site during the grouting of all wells.

NR 811.12(14)(b)7. 7. The grout level shall be maintained above the bottom of any outer casing during the withdrawal procedure.

NR 811.12(14)(b)8. 8. Grout conductor, or tremie, pipes shall be metal pipe or a rubber-covered, fiber or steel braided, reinforced hose with a minimum pressure rating of 300 psi. Plastic pipe, including PVC pipe, shall not be used as a grout conductor pipe.

NR 811.12(14)(b)9. 9. The conductor pipe shall be completely withdrawn from the well prior to flushing excess grout from the conductor pipe when grouting down the annular space or shall be disconnected from the grout shoe or street elbow prior to flushing excess grout when grouting within the casing.

NR 811.12(14)(c) (c) Centering guides. Centering guides shall be installed on the protective casing in a manner to permit unobstructed flow and uniform thickness of grout within the annular space.

NR 811.12(14)(d) (d) Grout curing. Drilling operations or other work in the well, including development, may not be performed within 72 hours after the grouting of casings or liners. If the department approves the use of quick-setting cement, this period may be reduced to 24 hours. Use of quick setting cement shall be clearly indicated in the specifications submitted to the department.

NR 811.12(15) (15) Plumbness and alignment requirements.

NR 811.12(15)(a) (a) Every well constructed in rock and all screened wells greater than 100 feet in depth shall be tested for plumbness and alignment by the method outlined in AWWA Standard A100-20 dated July 1, 2020, which is incorporated by reference, or by an equivalent method. The test method shall be clearly stated in the specifications. The department may waive the requirement for plumbness and alignment testing for 6-inch diameter wells that will have a submersible well pump installed.

NR 811.12 Note Note: A copy of AWWA Standard A100-20 dated July 1, 2020, is available for inspection at the Legislative Reference Bureau and may be obtained for personal use from the American Water Works Association, https://awwa.org.

NR 811.12(15)(b) (b) Variance from the vertical of two-thirds the smallest inside diameter of that part of the well being tested per 100 feet of depth to the depth of the pump setting plus 25% may not be exceeded. Also, the well shall allow free passage of a 40-foot section of pipe or a dummy to the depth of the pump setting plus 25%. The outside diameter of the pipe or dummy used may not be more than 1/2 inch smaller than the diameter being tested.

NR 811.12(15)(c) (c) The department will not approve installation of well pumps in wells with kinks and bends which prevent setting a line shaft vertical turbine pump to the desired pump setting plus 25% unless the owner accepts the installation in writing.

NR 811.12(15)(d) (d) A summary and evaluation of the test results shall be submitted to the department prior to permanent pump approval for municipal wells and prior to the department approving the well to be placed in service for other-than-municipal community public wells.

NR 811.12(16) (16) Yield and drawdown test.

NR 811.12(16)(a) (a) A yield and drawdown test is required. The method to be used shall be clearly indicated in the plans and specifications.

NR 811.12(16)(b) (b) The yield and drawdown test shall be performed on every municipal or subdivision well for a period of at least 12 consecutive hours. For non-subdivision other-than-municipal water system wells, the yield and drawdown test shall be performed for a period of at least 4 consecutive hours. In any case, the test shall be performed at a rate no less than the anticipated pumping capacity and for the duration necessary for the water level to stabilize at the anticipated pumping capacity.

NR 811.12(16)(c) (c) The test shall include pumping a minimum of 4 hours at a rate equal to the capacity anticipated for the permanent well pump.

NR 811.12(16)(d) (d) Water depth measurements shall be made at a frequency sufficient to evaluate the production efficiency and recovery rate of the well.

NR 811.12(16)(e) (e) All of the following data regarding the yield and drawdown test shall be submitted to the department:

NR 811.12(16)(e)1. 1. Date and time the test was started.

NR 811.12(16)(e)2. 2. Static water level immediately prior to starting the test.

NR 811.12(16)(e)3. 3. Gallon per minute pumping rate.

NR 811.12(16)(e)4. 4. Drawdown in feet during the test.

NR 811.12(16)(e)5. 5. Date and time the pumping water level was measured.

NR 811.12(16)(e)6. 6. Specific capacity in gpm/ft.

NR 811.12(16)(e)7. 7. Recovery water levels including date and time measured.

NR 811.12(16)(e)8. 8. Depth of pump setting.

NR 811.12(16)(e)9. 9. Drawdown and recovery measurements from any observation or monitoring wells monitored during the test pumping including date and time measured.

NR 811.12(16)(e)10. 10. Elevation of the reference point of measurement of the water level data at each monitoring point.

NR 811.12(16)(f) (f) In addition, representative samples of the well water shall be collected as required by subs. (19) and (20) and the laboratory results shall be submitted directly to the department in a department approved electronic format. The laboratory results of any exploratory or investigative water quality analyses shall be submitted to the department on paper lab forms.

NR 811.12(17) (17) Geological data.

NR 811.12(17)(a) (a) Formation samples shall be collected from all new test wells and final wells and from deepening of existing wells at 5-foot intervals and at each pronounced change in geologic formation. The formation samples shall be submitted to the Wisconsin State Geological and Natural History Survey, 3817 Mineral Point Road, Madison, Wisconsin 53705, in collection bags provided by the survey or in equivalent plastic bags. The formation depths sampled shall be clearly and permanently marked on each bag.

NR 811.12(17)(b) (b) Geological data shall be recorded on the completed Well Construction Report form submitted to the department.

NR 811.12(18) (18) Capping requirements.

NR 811.12(18)(a) (a) Wells in which no pump is installed shall be capped by welding a steel plate to the top of the casing to form a watertight and airtight seal.

NR 811.12(18)(b) (b) During construction, a temporary means of capping or covering the well shall be provided to prevent debris or any contaminants from entering the well or any annular space.

NR 811.12(19) (19) Bacteriological quality. Every new, modified, or reconditioned groundwater source shall be disinfected during or after installation of the pumping equipment. Representative samples for bacteriological analysis shall be collected as required in s. NR 810.09 (4).

NR 811.12(20) (20) Chemical quality. Every new well shall be sampled for chemical quality. Reconditioned or reconstructed wells shall be sampled for chemical quality in cases where changes in water quality may occur. The samples shall be representative of the well water and collected and analyzed for the parameters indicated in the department’s approval letter for the well construction, reconditioning or reconstruction. The samples shall be collected near the end of the test pumping period after the well construction, reconditioning, or reconstruction has been completed and where applicable, the well developed. Where not existing, a smooth-end sampling faucet shall be installed on the test pump discharge piping at a location suitable for the collection of water samples for volatile parameters and a suitable throttling device shall be provided on the pump discharge piping to facilitate sample collection. The samples shall be submitted to a laboratory certified by the state of Wisconsin. Prior to collection of the samples, the department shall be provided with a detailed description of the sampling protocol for each parameter. Wells that do not meet the primary drinking water standards of ch. NR 809 may not be placed into service unless adequate treatment is provided in accordance with. s. NR 811.04.

NR 811.12(21) (21) Observation wells and test wells.

NR 811.12(21)(a) (a) Observation wells, monitoring wells, test wells, treatment wells or other wells constructed as part of the water system shall be constructed in accordance with the requirements of this chapter for permanent community wells if they are to remain in service after completion of construction of the community well and if they are located on the well site. When taken out of service these wells shall be abandoned in accordance with s. NR 811.13. Temporary or permanent observation wells, monitoring wells, test wells, treatment wells, or other wells constructed off the well site shall meet the construction and abandonment requirements of ch. NR 141, 812, or this chapter.

NR 811.12(21)(b) (b) The wells shall be protected and secured at the upper terminal to preclude entrance of foreign material and minimize the potential for vandalism. The wells to remain in service shall be provided with locking covers.

NR 811.12(21)(c) (c) Specifications documenting the methods and materials for the temporary abandonment of test wells or test borings to be converted into final wells shall be submitted to the department for review and approval.

NR 811.12 History History: CR 09-073: cr. Register November 2010 No. 659, eff. 12-1-10; correction in (5) (d) 1., 4., 5., 7., 9., (11) (a) made under s. 13.92 (4) (b) 6., 7., Stats., Register December 2011 No. 672; corrections in (5) (d) 1., 4., 5., 7., 9. made under s. 13.92 (4) (b) 7., Stats., Register October 2013 No. 694; CR 22-074: am. (1) (c), (d) 1., cr. (1) (g) (intro.), 5., (k), am. (5) (intro.), (a), (d) 9., cr. (5) (d) 10., am. (7) (b), (c), (h), r. and recr. (9), am. (10) (c), (11) (intro.), (12) (intro.), (f), cr. (12) (h), (i), am. (13) (intro.), cr. (13) (a) 8., (b) 7., (14) (intro.), am. (14) (a) 1., (15) (a) Register January 2024 No. 817, eff. 2-1-24.

NR 811.13 NR 811.13 Well filling and sealing. Filling and sealing of community water system wells are subject to all of the following requirements:

NR 811.13(1) (1) Criteria for filling and sealing. The owner shall permanently fill and seal all unused permanent wells, test wells, and monitoring wells for permanent wells or test wells unless the department agrees to the delayed filling and sealing of the well as part of an extended well filling and sealing agreement. Wells shall be filled and sealed in accordance with all of the following criteria:

NR 811.13(1)(a) (a) Test wells and monitoring wells constructed as part of the test well or permanent well construction and test pumping evaluation processes shall be permanently filled and sealed prior to placing the permanent well in service unless the department approves the wells to remain in service in accordance with the requirements under s. NR 811.12 (21).

NR 811.13(1)(b) (b) Permanent wells with one or more water quality parameters exceeding a primary drinking water standard under ch. NR 809 shall be permanently filled and sealed unless the owner obtains department approval to continue the well in service and only if department approved water treatment is installed to provide point-of-entry water quality compliance or the owner obtains an extended well filling and sealing agreement from the department under s. NR 810.22. The owner shall contact the department and obtain written department approval for the filling and sealing of contaminated wells. The department may require more stringent filling and sealing requirements to protect lower aquifers from additional contamination.

NR 811.13(1)(c) (c) The department may allow existing permanent wells that are not constructed in accordance with the minimum requirements of this chapter to remain in service if the well water quality continues to meet all of the primary drinking water standards under ch. NR 809 or if department-approved water treatment is installed to provide point-of-entry water quality compliance. All ungrouted municipal wells shall be immediately reconstructed by grouting in a liner casing to a depth approved by the department or the well shall be taken out of service and filled and sealed.

NR 811.13(2) (2) Qualifications of persons filling and sealing wells. All wells shall be filled and sealed by a person who meets all of the following qualifications:

NR 811.13(2)(a) (a) For wells located within a municipal water system, the person shall be a licensed well driller, a licensed pump installer, a water system operator certified under s. 281.17 (3), Stats., working for the municipal water system, or a person under the supervision of a licensed well driller, licensed pump installer, or a water system operator certified under s. 281.17 (3), Stats., working for the municipal water system.

NR 811.13(2)(b) (b) For wells not located within a municipal water system, the person shall be a licensed well driller, a licensed pump installer or a person under the supervision of a licensed well driller or licensed pump installer.

NR 811.13(3) (3) Temporary abandonment. When a well is temporarily removed from service, the top of the well casing shall be sealed with a watertight threaded or welded cap. The well shall be permanently filled and sealed no later than 5 years after the well is temporarily abandoned. The department may enter into a written extended well filling and sealing agreement with the owner under s. NR 810.22 to allow an unused or standby well to remain operational for more than 5 years after the well is temporarily abandoned.

NR 811.13(4) (4) Pre-filling and sealing requirements.

NR 811.13(4)(a) (a) All debris, pumps, piping, ungrouted liner pipe that can be removed, inner ungrouted casings and well screens, and any other obstruction known to be in the well shall be removed if possible before the well is filled and sealed.

NR 811.13(4)(b) (b) Well casing pipe may be removed from a well to be abandoned if the end of the pipe remains in the well sealing material as the pipe is pulled from the well.

NR 811.13(4)(c) (c) Wells that have uncertain construction details shall be televised prior to filling and sealing if required by the department to allow for a proper filling and sealing.

NR 811.13(4)(d) (d) All casings and liner pipes located within ungrouted annular spaces and that cannot be removed from a well prior to filling or sealing shall either be shot or ripped in place prior to filling and sealing of the well. All of the following minimum requirements shall be met: