Wells_Content Page_Information for delegated counties

Information for delegated counties

The well delegation program gives counties an opportunity to form a partnership with the DNR to protect public health and safety and enhance the potable groundwater resource.

This page contains information for Wisconsin counties that are, or wish to become, delegated to administer a Well Construction and Pump Installation program under ch. NR 845, Wis. Adm. Code. These counties have programs that allow county ordinance administration pertaining to ch. NR 812, Wis. Adm. Code.

County delegation program overview

Chapter NR 845 creates the authority for counties to regulate private water systems within their boundaries. It is an opportunity for counties to protect public health and the environment as well as provide for the protection and safety of its citizens by inspecting new and existing well installations, discovering old wells that should be filled and sealed, and learning more about groundwater and soil conditions within their county.

This is a totally voluntary program. Counties can participate in or leave the program at any time. Flexibility is built into the program. There are five levels of participation available for a county to select from. A county can choose the level that most comfortably fits its ability to administer the program.

Fees can be established by the county. The money collected through permit and user fees remains in the county to be used to manage the county’s well delegation programs.

How to become a delegated county

In order to become a delegated county, the county will need to adopt a private water systems ordinance that meets the requirements outlined in ch. NR 845. The county will also need to submit a formal letter specifying which delegation levels the county would like to be authorized for, which staff positions will be administering the program, what the plans are for enforcement procedures and other necessary requirements.

A county must agree to administer the Level 5, Well and Drillhole Filling and Sealing Program, in order to be able to participate in any of the remaining four well delegation levels. Level 5 is required because it has the greatest potential for impacting the life, health and safety of the county’s residents.

County staff in the program will have an appointed administrator, will be required to pass an examination related to the delegation level(s) for which their county is authorized and must attend periodic training sessions.

The complete list of steps counties will be required to take when applying for authority to administer a county well delegation program can be found in the Uniform Private Water Systems Guidance Manual.

Delegation level responsibilities

Level 1 – Private Well Location
With this program the county issues permits for and inspects new, replacement, reconstructed or rehabilitated private wells.

Level 2 – Pump Installation
In combination with the Level 1 program responsibilities, this program requires the county to also issue permits for and inspect the installation of well pumps.

Level 3 – Existing Private Water Systems
With this program the county inspects and samples private water systems, conducts follow up inspections on all bacteriologically unsafe water tests and requires the upgrading of all noncomplying private water systems.

Level 4 – Private Well Construction
In this level, the county inspects new private wells during or immediately after construction to ensure compliance with the state ch. NR 812 well construction requirements.

Level 5 – Well and Drillhole Filling and Sealing
With this program the county can require the filling and sealing of all unsafe, noncomplying and unused wells.

Useful Forms and Applications

DNR PDF forms

If you have trouble opening, saving or submitting fillable PDF forms in your web browser see PDF help (or try the Non-fillable version of the form).
If you are still having problems opening your form, please contact the Bureau of Drinking Water & Groundwater at 608-266-1054.

County Permit Forms

Inspection Forms - NR 812 Compliance Report

Contamination too close to proposed well

Property Transfer Well and Pressure System Inspection (Level 3 Delegate Counties Only)

Level 1 resources - well location

Well driller viewer

The Well Driller Viewer provides a visual map view of certain setback, construction and approval information to assist well drillers in planning projects and meeting requirements of NR 812, Wis. Adm. Code.

Special well casing depth area requirements

Separation Distance Requirements

  • NR 812 Table A – July 1, 2020 to Present (Minimum Separation Distance Requirements Between Potable or Nonpotable Wells, Reservoirs, Springs and Possible Contamination Sources)
  • NR 812 Table E – All wells constructed prior to July 1, 2020 (Historic Minimum Separation Distance Requirements Between Potable or Nonpotable Wells, Reservoirs, Springs and Possible Contamination Sources)

Well Casing Heights Fact Sheet and Flow Chart [PDF]

Well Cap and Seal Requirements

Search for completed Well Filling and Sealing Reports

Verification process for wells formerly filled and sealed: Verification Guidance

Level 2 resources - pump installation

Well driller viewer

The Well Driller Viewer provides a visual map view of certain setback, construction and approval information to assist well drillers in planning projects and meeting requirements of NR 812, Wis. Adm. Code.

Separation Distance Requirements

  • NR 812 Table A – July 1, 2020 to Present (Minimum Separation Distance Requirements Between Potable or Nonpotable Wells, Reservoirs, Springs and Possible Contamination Sources)
  • NR 812 Table E – All wells constructed prior to July 1, 2020 (Historic Minimum Separation Distance Requirements Between Potable or Nonpotable Wells, Reservoirs, Springs and Possible Contamination Sources)

NR 812 Subchapter III — Requirements for New Pump Installations and Water Treatment

NR 812 Subchapter IV — Standards for Existing Installations

Fact Sheets and Flow Charts:

Level 3 resources - existing private water systems

Bacteria in drinking water

Manure and drinking water

Flooded wells

Property transfer well inspections

NR 812 Compliance Report:

Fact Sheets for Existing Installations

NR 812 Subchapter IV — Standards for Existing Installations

Level 4 resources - private well construction

Licensed well contractors

NR 812 Subchapter II — New Water Well and Heat Exchange Drillhole Construction and Reconstruction and Filling and Sealing of Wells and Drillholes

Approved products and equipment

Level 5 resources – well/drillhole filling & sealing

Well filling and sealing

NR 812.26 - Well and drillhole filling and sealing

Overview of NR 812 Revisions - 2020

NR 812 Revisions Training Video

Training

NR 845

2024 Training

Contacts