NR 811.02(74)(74) “Waterworks” or “water system” means all facilities, structures, pipes, conduits and appurtenances by means of which water is delivered to consumers except piping and fixtures inside buildings served, water services and private water mains as defined in ch. SPS 381.

NR 811.02(75)(75) “Well” has the meaning given in s. 281.34 (1) (h), Stats.

NR 811.02 NoteNote: Section 281.34 (1) (h), Stats., defines “well” to mean “any drillhole or other excavation or opening deeper than it is wide that extends more than 10 feet below the ground surface and is constructed for the purpose of obtaining groundwater.”

NR 811.02(76)(76) “Well driller” or “licensed well driller” has the same meaning as “licensed well driller,” given in s. 280.01 (2m), Stats.

NR 811.02 NoteNote: The statutory definition of “licensed well driller” is any individual who has paid the annual license fee under s. 280.15 (2m) (c) 1., Stats., and obtained a license under s. 280.15 (2m), Stats., as a well driller.

NR 811.02(77)(77) “Well drilling” has the meaning given in s. 280.01 (8), Stats.

NR 811.02 NoteNote: The statutory definition of “well drilling” is the industry and procedure employed in obtaining groundwater from a well by digging, boring, drilling, driving or other methods but not including the driving of points for the purpose of obtaining groundwater. It shall also include all construction work and installation of well casings in said well involved therein for the protection of such well water against pollution.

NR 811.02(78)(78) “WPDES permit” means the Wisconsin pollutant discharge elimination system permit issued by the department under ch. 283, Stats., for the discharge of pollutants.

NR 811.02(79)(79) “Year-round resident” means a resident who resides in the same living unit for 6 months per year or more.

NR 811.02(80)(80) “Zone of influence” means the area of the cone of groundwater depression formed when the well pump is operating.

NR 811.02 HistoryHistory: CR 09-073: cr. Register November 2010 No. 659, eff. 12-1-10; correction in (23), (74) made under s. 13.92 (4) (b) 7., Stats., Register December 2011 No. 672; correction in (54) made under s. 13.92 (4) (b) 6., Stats., Register February 2012 No. 674; CR 22-074: renum. (1) to (1r), cr. (1g), (19m), (29m), (37d), (37h), (37p), (37t), (38m), (46m), (63m), (64m) Register January 2024 No. 817, eff. 2-1-24.

NR 811.03(1)(1) If the owner of a proposed reviewable project determines that compliance with the design requirements of this chapter is impracticable, the owner may submit in writing to the department prior to submission of final plans a request to use alternative criteria. This request shall contain the reasons that compliance with the design criteria is impracticable and alternative criteria for which department approval is sought and all pertinent facts, data, reports and studies supporting the proposed alternative.

NR 811.03(2)(2) If the department determines that compliance with the design requirements of this chapter would be impracticable in any specific case, or that an alternative proposed has additional benefits with adequate safeguards, it may approve alternative criteria which are in substantial compliance with the requirements of this chapter.

NR 811.04NR 811.04 Drinking water standards. Where practical, the quality of the raw water source shall meet the primary maximum contaminant levels of ch. NR 809 and other applicable requirements of ch. NR 809 and this chapter without treatment. In all cases, the quality of finished water supplied to consumers at the point-of-entry to the distribution system shall meet the primary drinking water standards contained in ch. NR 809. Department-approved water treatment shall be installed where necessary to meet this requirement.

NR 811.05NR 811.05 Underground placement of substances. The use of any well, drillhole or water system for the underground placement of any substance shall be prohibited unless it is a department approved activity necessary for the construction, rehabilitation or routine operation of the well or water system.

NR 811.06NR 811.06 Cross-connections and interconnections. Unprotected cross-connections are prohibited. Cross-connections shall be protected as required in s. SPS 382.41. Water system interconnections are prohibited except as provided in s. NR 811.07.

NR 811.07NR 811.07 Interconnections with other acceptable water sources. Interconnections between the public water supply system and another source of water are prohibited unless permitted by the department in individual cases. Approval of the department shall be obtained prior to making the interconnection.

NR 811.08(1)(1) Plans and specifications required. The owner of a community water system shall submit plans and specifications for all reviewable projects in accordance with ch. NR 108. Plans and specifications shall comply with or incorporate the general design and operating requirements in this chapter and chs. NR 108 and 810. Worksheets shall be included with all submittals for reviewable projects for which applicable worksheets are provided by the department.

NR 811.08(2)(2) Approvals required. Written department approval shall be obtained prior to starting construction for all reviewable projects as defined by s. NR 108.03 (1). The department may deny approval or grant a limited approval in cases where the requirements of this chapter are not met.

NR 811.08(3)(3) Projects requiring department approval but not requiring submittal by a professional engineer. The requirements for the submittal of plans and specifications for reviewable projects are in ch. NR 108. The water supply owner or the owner’s representative may submit reviewable projects to the department for approval without the seal of a professional engineer registered in Wisconsin for most operation and maintenance work and for all non-subdivision, other-than-municipal water systems as provided under s. NR 108.04 (2) (c) 2. Plans shall be submitted by a registered well driller or pump installer when applicable. The following are examples of projects not requiring a professional engineer’s seal: