Wis. Admin. Code NR 812.08

Water well, reservoir and spring location

Last amended: 2026Year: 2026Length: 1,002 wordsOfficial source

Cite as Wis. Admin. Code NR § 812.08

Water well, reservoir and spring location. (1) General. Any potable or nonpotable well, reservoir, or spring shall be located: (a) So the well and its surroundings can be kept in a sanitary condition. (b) So that the well, reservoir or spring is protected from surface water flow and flooding, and located at the highest point on the property consistent with the general layout and surroundings if reasonably possible. (c) As far away from any known or possible contaminant source as the general layout of the premises and the surroundings allow. (d) Such that any potential contaminant source, not identified in this section or in Table A, is a minimum of 8 feet from the well, reservoir, or spring. (e) So that it is reasonably accessible with proper equipment for cleaning, treatment, repair, testing, inspection and any other maintenance that may be necessary. (f) In a manner to meet the additional location and construction specifications of s. NR 812.12 (3) and (4) . (g) Such that the location of a spring meets the requirements under s. NR 812.25 . (1m) General prohibitions. No person may locate a well, reservoir, spring, or a contaminant source in a manner that fails to comply with any requirements established in this section. (2) Relation to buildings. In relation to buildings, all of the following apply to the location of any potable or nonpotable well: (a) No well may be located directly in line with a rainwater downspout outlet or other clear water discharge. (b) When a structure is built over a drilled well, the structure shall have an easily removable access hatch, or provide other practicable access to allow for pulling and servicing the pump. The well casing pipe shall extend at least 12 inches above the ground-grade or above the ground-grade floor of the building and shall be sealed watertight at the point where it extends through the floor. (c) No well may be located, nor a building constructed, such that the well casing pipe will terminate in a basement or extend through the basement of any building or terminate under the floor of a building having no basement. A well may not terminate in or extend through a crawl space. (d) The top of a well casing pipe may terminate in a walkout basement if all of the following conditions are met: 1. It is possible to walk directly outside from the walkout basement without walking upstairs or upslope. 2. The surface of the ground around the outside exit door of the walkout basement slopes down away from the door. 3. The well and pump installation are accessible for repair and removal. 4. The well produces water free from contaminant levels in excess of the standards specified in s. NR 812.06 . 5. The well casing pipe depth meets the requirements of ss. NR 812.13 (2) and 812.14 (2) . 6. The well and pump installation are in compliance with all other requirements of this chapter. 7. The walkout basement is not subject to flooding. 8. The walkout basement is not in a floodway or floodplain. (e) A well may not terminate in or extend through a crawl space having a below grade depression or excavation. (f) If a well must be located in a driveway, parking area, walkway, or other high traffic area due to lot size or to meet minimum required separation distances between the well and contaminant sources, the well may be contained within a driveway ramp structure without department approval providing the driveway ramp meets the specifications of s. NR 812.36 . A driveway ramp may not be constructed or located in a floodway or floodplain. (g) A yard hydrant may not be installed within or on a well. (3) Relation to floodplains. (a) A well may be constructed, reconstructed or replaced in a floodfringe provided that the top of the well is terminated at least 2 feet above the regional flood elevation for the well site. The regional flood elevation is determined by the city, village, or county floodplain zoning ordinance. (b) A well may be reconstructed or replaced in a floodway provided that the top of the well is terminated at least 2 feet above the regional flood elevation for the well site. (c) A new well may not be constructed in a floodway unless allowed by s. NR 116.12 (1) (f) and city, village, or county ordinance. (4) Relation to contamination sources. Separation distances shall be measured from the edge of the well, reservoir, or spring, to the nearest edge of the contaminant source or as specified in Table A. Separation distance requirements to possible contaminant sources may not be waived because of a property line. The location of newly constructed wells, reservoirs, and springs shall meet all of the following additional requirements that are applicable: (a) Wells. A well driller or well constructor may not construct or reconstruct a well that is less than the minimum separation distance from a possible contaminant source as specified in Table A, except as specified under par. (c) . (b) Reservoirs and springs. A pump installer may not install a reservoir or develop a spring that is less than the minimum separation distance from a possible contaminant source as specified in Table A. (c) Exceptions. The minimum separation distances of this subsection do not apply to dewatering wells approved under s. NR 812.09 (4) (a) . The department may require greater separation distances for wells requiring plan approval under s. NR 812.09 . (5) Heat exchange drillhole separation distances. Minimum separation distances between any heat exchange drillhole, water supply wells, and existing sources of contamination; or between new sources of contamination and existing heat exchange drillholes shall be maintained as described in this subsection. Separation distance requirements to possible sources of contamination will not be waived because of property lines. Minimum separating distances are ten feet between a heat exchange drillhole and each of the following: (a) Non-municipal water supply well. (b) Onsite waste disposal system. (c) Buried fuel storage tank.
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