You and Your Well

Is there a new well in your future? Perhaps you are building a new home, are simply considering replacing or upgrading an existing water supply. Whatever the case, here is some information that can help you.

For a free brochure containing the information on this page, contact the nearest DNR office and request publication number WS-002.

Table of contents

1. The well code (from NR 812)
2. When is an approval required prior to construction?
3. Who can construct wells or install pumps?
4. What are the responsibilities of a well driller to the well owner?
5. What are the responsibilities of a pump installer to the well owner?
6. Common well siting restrictions (from NR 812)
7. Common well installation practices
8. Types of acceptible pump installations
9. Well Filling and Sealing information

The well code (NR 812)

Wisconsin has had well regulations since 1936, and today is recognized as a national leader in well protection. NR 812, (formerly NR 112), Wis. Adm. Code, is administered by the Department of Natural Resources (DNR). The Well Code is based on the sound premise that if a well and water system is properly located, constructed, installed and maintained the well should provide safe water continuously without the need for treatment. Most county zoning and public health offices have a copy of the Well Code. For information about the code, contact a DNR district water supply staff person or a licensed well driller or pump installer. Consult with licensed individuals or neighbors for background information on water quality.

When is an approval required prior to construction?

Some DNR approved county ordinances require that a well permit be obtained prior to construction. Check with your local health department or zoning office.

State statutes require that any owner who constructs and/or operates a well or wells on one property capable of producing at least 70 gallons per minute all together, must obtain an approval from the DNR prior to construction.

Approvals are also required for constructing school water systems, wastewater treatment plant water systems and community water systems governed under chapter NR 811 and for some types of water treatment.

Who can construct wells or install pumps?

Well Driller Only those persons holding a current well drilling license from the Department of Natural Resources may construct or reconstruct (deepen or install a liner or screen) potable wells.

Pump Installer Only those persons holding a current pump installer license from the Department of Natural Resources may install and replace pumps, pitless adapters and accessory piping and pressure tanks on both drilled and driven point potable wells.

Exceptions A well drilling license is not required for constructing driven point wells.

A license is not required for a person constructing a well or installing a pump on property owned and occupied by him or her. State law requires, however, that no matter who does the work, it must still comply with the State Private Well Code (ch. NR 812).

A license is not required for an individual constructing a nonpotable well or installing a pump in a nonpotable well, however the installation must comply with the well code.

What are the responsibilities of a well driller to the well owner?

The well must be constructed or reconstructed in compliance with ch. NR 812, and upon completion of a well construction or reconstruction, a well driller or point driver is required to:

1. Test pump and flush the well.
2. Disinfect the well.
3. Collect a water sample for a bacteriological test; submit the sample to a laboratory certified for bacteriological testing; and provide a report of the result to the owner within 10 days of receiving the water test results. (The DNR recommends that the water also be tested for nitrates.)
4. Provide the owner or his agent with a copy of a Well Construction Report, that describes how the well was constructed, within 30 days of completion of the well. The report assigns a unique number to the well.

   The water sample test results and well construction report must also be sent to the Department.

What are the responsibilities of a pump installer to the owner?

1. A pump installer must install the pump, the pitless adapter, pressure tank and sample faucet in compliance with the Well Code
2. disinfect the pump and distribution system after installation, flush it, take a water sample for bacteriological analysis (as described in #3 above) and report the results to the owner.
3. The pump installer may delegate the sample collection to the owner or another agent, by leaving the sample bottle, instructions and form.

Common well siting restrictions (from NR 812)

Note:Well code requirements have been simplified in this presentation. If you are planning to install a well the water supply specialist at the DNR statewide office in your area can provide you with greater detail and recommendations specific to your project.

Always ensure that your well is located upslope and as far as possible from sources of contamination, but at least:

• 8 feet from an approved building sewer pipe or 25 feet from building sewers made of other non-approved materials.
• 8 feet from a swimming pool.
• 8 feet from any clear water drain (for example, a rainwater downspout outlet or foundation drain discharging to the ground).
• 100 feet from any buried petroleum tank, except that only 25 feet of separation is required for a buried fuel oil tank if the tank is used only for private residential heating.
• 25 feet from a septic or holding tank, or laundry or wastewater sump.
• 25 feet from the high water mark of a lake, pond or stream.
• 50 feet from a privy, soil absorption system ( drainfield ) or mound system; or a municipal sanitary sewer or private collector storm sewer, either larger than 6" in diameter or serving more than 4 living units.
• 50 feet from the nearest existing or future grave site in a cemetery.
• 250 feet from a sludge disposal area, a salvage yard or a salt storage area.
• 250 feet from an absorption, storage, retention or treatment pond; ridge and furrow system; or spray irrigation waste disposal site.
• 1,200 feet from any existing, proposed or abandoned landfill site.

Note:Well code requirements have been simplified in this presentation. If you are planning to install a well the water supply specialist at the DNR statewide office in your area can provide you with greater detail and recommendations specific to your project. Figures A and Figure B show well location requirements.

Common well installation practices

Note:Well code requirements have been simplified in this presentation. If you are planning to install a well the water supply specialist at the DNR statewide office in your area can provide you with greater detail and recommendations specific to your project.

DO Make certain the well constructor extends the well casing pipe at least 12 inches above the finished ground surface and two feet above the floodplain. (Take future landscaping into account.)

DOMake certain any underground connection to the well is made with an approved pitless adapter or unit. Properly installed, this will provide a water tight connection to the well and allow pump repair or well cleansing without further excavation around the well, unless it is a driven point well.

DO Properly fill and seal any unused wells from the bottom to th top (a DNR brochure on Well Filling and Sealing is available).

DO Collect a water sample for bacteriological analysis at least once each year and anytime you notice a change in taste, odor, color or appearance. Sample for nitrate if the water is to be used for an infant or a pregnant woman.

DO Construct your driven point well to a depth of at least 25 feet, or, 10 feet below the static water level, whichever is greater. Shallow wells are not recommended in areas of small lots and high density homes.

DO Install an accessible downward-facing, non-threaded sampling faucet between the pump and the pressure tank or on the T for the tank. It must be at least 12 inches above the floor to allow for sampling water directly from the well.

DO Use only approved well casing pipe. (see NR 812.17).

DON'T Install a well in the basement or crawl space of your home or the well won't be accessible for repair. If the basement is of the walk-out type, installation is permissible (but not recommended), if certain requirements are met. Offset pumps may be installed in dry basements.

DON'T Construct a well, pump, or pressure tank pit. Pits may only be constructed after obtaining State approval and must be built to stringent State specifications. The DNR does not recommend pits because of the potential for flooding and subsequent contamination of the water supply. Pitless adapters and units have made pits unnecessary and obsolete.

DON'T Bury an unprotected suction line from a well to a pump installed in a basement. If it develops a hole or crack, it could allow surface water to enter. Instead use a pitless adapter or unit with a concentric pressurize piping arrangement (inner-suction, outer-pressure) to connect the offset pump to well. Also, do not use a non-pressure conduit to enclose the suction piping.

DON'T Use any well for disposal or drainage of solid wastes, sewage, surface water or wastewater. This includes water from heat exchangers (heat pumps). This can contaminate our precious aquifers.

DON'T Develop a spring as a drinking water source without obtaining advance approval from DNR. The DNR does not recommend the use of a spring as a source of water from drinking because they usually are not properly protected from contamination.

Types of acceptable pump installations

Offset Pumps (usually installed apart from the well in house basement or separate building) with a seal-cross fitting or a flange adapter and pressurized, concentric discharge. Connections are made below frost depth, eliminating the potential for freezing.

1. Shallow-well pump (Figure C)
2. Packer jet pump (Figure D)

Submersible Pumps installed inside well and below water level with:

1. An above-ground discharge pipe enclosed in a heated shelter (Figure E); or
2. Approved above-ground discharge unit, directed to an inside pressure tank (Figure F); or
3. A below-ground discharge with approved pitless adapter or pitless unit (Figure G); or
4. A buried pitless receiver tank (Figure H).

Note:Well code requirements have been simplified in this presentation. If you are planning to install a well, the water supply specialist at the DNR statewide office in your area can provide you with greater detail and recommendations specific to your project. For specific details on the Wisconsin Well Code (NR 812), contact the water supply specialist at the DNR statewide office nearest you.

For more information, contact: Margie Damgaard, IS Professional, Public Water Section

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