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Board adopts updated water-well construction and licensing rules after stakeholder review; members press for local notice on landfill variances
Summary
The Natural Resources Board approved two related rule packages to update private water supply construction standards (DG-3-23) and licensing and registration for well drillers, pump installers and heat-exchange drillers (DG-4-23). Board members pressed staff about variance processes for wells near landfills and requested follow-up briefings.
The Natural Resources Board on Sept. 24 approved two related rule packages intended to modernize requirements for private water-supply wells and the licensing and training of well and pump professionals.
DG-3-23 revises portions of NR 812 (standards for well construction) to clarify when prior approvals are required, set minimum standards for dewatering wells, and clarify compliance for existing installations that do not meet historical casing-size standards. DNR staff said these subchapter-3 provisions had not been substantially updated since 1994 and the changes were developed with input from a study group that included licensed drillers and pump installers.
DG-4-23 updates NR 146, the licensing and registration rules for well drillers, heat-exchange drillers and pump installers. The item reduces some mandatory training hours, adds options for fulfilling training requirements, adds a framework for continuing education, clarifies supervisory responsibilities and requires online license renewal unless a registrant cannot do so. DNR staff said the changes aim to retain professional standards while lowering barriers to entry and improving renewal processes.
Board discussion centered on variances for wells near landfills. Board member Jeff Hastings recounted a local case where developers sought to site housing and wells near an older township landfill and expressed concern that the state could grant a construction variance without prior consultation with the township that owns the landfill. "The township's liable for these landfills," Hastings said, arguing the state should consult local owners before granting variance approvals. DNR staff replied that the rules had not changed setback distances but explained the variance-review process: the department's hydrogeologists review applications, consult the landfill owner as part of the process and may require protective conditions such as deeper casing and post-construction sampling; an appeal right exists for affected parties.
Board members asked for a follow-up briefing explaining how the department handles landfill-related variance requests and how local jurisdictions are notified; staff agreed to provide that briefing.
Both rules were adopted in separate votes. Marty Nussman, private water supply section manager, presented the items and said the package reflects sustained stakeholder input from the Wisconsin Water Well Association and a private-water advisory council.
Why this matters: the two packages together update decades-old construction standards and licensing requirements for personnel who install and maintain private wells and geothermal heat-exchange drillholes. Board members said clearer public notice and variance procedures near sensitive sites like old landfills deserve attention for future action.
Next steps: staff will provide the requested briefing on landfill variance practice and proceed with final administrative steps to publish the adopted rules.
