Well filling and sealing

Abandoned or unused wells pose a great threat to the safety and quality of groundwater drinking water supplies. An unused well provides a direct path for contaminants and pollutants to the underground aquifers that supply working wells.

Wells must be properly filled when they are removed from service. If your property is served by a municipal drinking water system, a municipal well filling and sealing ordinance may also require you to obtain a permit or permanently fill and seal any private wells on your property. Drillholes and exploratory boreholes must also be properly filled and sealed when they are no longer in use.

As of June 1, 2008, only licensed well drillers and pump installers can fill and seal wells under Wisconsin law.

A well or drillhole is considered to be permanently abandoned when it has been completely filled and sealed by a licensed driller or pump installer using materials and methods as prescribed in s. NR 812.26, Wis. Adm. Code [exit DNR]. This generally means that the pump and any piping inside of the casing have been removed and the well or drillhole has been filled from bottom to top with proper filling materials, such as cement grout, concrete grout, concrete, a clay/sand slurry mix or, in some cases, bentonite chips.

Topics

• Answers to your Questions on Well Filling and Sealing [PDF]
• Verification process for wells formerly filled and sealed: Verification Guidance [PDF]
• Search for completed Well Filling and Sealing Reports
• Submit an electronic Well Filling and Sealing Report
  • First time user? Create a WAMS User ID through the DNR Switchboard.
    • Note: All WAMs IDs must belong to an individual. They cannot belong to a business and should not be in the business' name. If you are entering and submitting well filling and sealing forms, apply for a WAMS ID in your individual name. When entering data, you will be asked for the license number of the licensed driller or pump installer who did the work.
    • Watch a video to get help using Switchboard or setting up your WAMS ID.
  • Note: Electronic submittal required beginning on July 1, 2016.
  • Submit a paper Well/Drillhole/Borehole Filling & Sealing Form 3300-005 [PDF] - (for Monitoring Wells and Exploratory Drillholes only).
• State funds for replacing contaminated private wells
• Grants available for well filling and sealing
• Chapter NR 812, Wis. Adm. Code [exit DNR]