NewsBits - Issue 7, August 2019

- by Liesa Lehmann, Private Water Supply Section Chief

Summer is almost over!  I hope you all stayed busy with both work projects and family fun.  In this issue of “NewsBits” you can read about several new DNR staff, a new process and forms for approving Nonpressure Storage Vessels at dairy farms, reminders about how to use your WAMS ID and DNR technology systems to comply with the code, an overview of the enforcement process, and a few other tidbits.  Enjoy!

Welcome Bob Gundrum

Robert “Bob” Gundrum joined DNR in early March 2019 as the Private Water Licensing Coordinator, filling the position formerly held by Dorie Turpin.  Bob is DNR’s lead for reviewing driller license applications, approving continuing education courses, and interpreting NR 146 licensing requirements.

Jared Niewoehner becomes Private Water Hydrogeologist

After Randell Clark’s retirement, Jared Niewoehner transferred the Private Water Hydrogeologist position in April 2019.  Jared develops special well construction specifications to address both site-specific and areawide groundwater quality issues around the state - this includes special well casing depth areas, landfill variances, heat exchange projects, and other NR 812 approvals.  Jared also reviews well grant applications and approves products for use in wells and water systems. 

Tom Puchalski transfers to Fitchburg

Tom recently transferred from DNR’s La Crosse office to Fitchburg, where he continues to work as a Private Water Supply Specialist for counties in southcentral Wisconsin.

- by Marty Nessman, Private Water Supply Field Supervisor

DNR is partnering with well professionals to help dairy farmers maintain dairy producer licenses. The Wisconsin Department of Agriculture (DATCP) rules require that the construction and operation of a water system used for Grade A or Grade B dairy production comply with NR 812. To ensure compliance, DATCP may ask a dairy producer to have a licensed well driller or pump installer perform an inspection of the dairy’s well and water system. If the water system contains a non-pressure storage vessel or spring box, DATCP is also requiring the dairy producer to show they have the required NR 812 approval from the DNR prior to issuing a dairy producer license. As part of the approval process for a non-pressure storage vessel, a copy of an NR 812 Compliance Inspection Report and Addendum (Forms 3300-305 and 3300-305a) must be submitted to DNR with the application. Existing spring boxes must be evaluated by the DNR as part of the approval process. If you are asked to do an inspection of a non-pressure storage tank or have any questions about the approval process for a non-pressure storage tank or spring box, please contact your local Private Water Supply Specialist for assistance.

- by Sandy Hershberger Private Water Compliance Specialist

Know your WAMS ID and Password

You need your WAMS ID and password each time you log in to submit an electronic report for filling and sealing or well construction.  When you set up your account, choose a WAMS ID, password and “secret question” that you can remember.  If you already have an account, document the ID and password somewhere so you can find them when you need to submit reports.  DNR staff do not know and do not have access to your password – that’s confidential to you.  So if you can’t remember your password or get locked out, go to your log in screen (shown below) and click on the “Forget your password? Is your account locked out?” link to get help.

- by Jared Niewoehner, Private Water Hydrogeologist

Use the Well Driller Viewer to check for Landfills / Location Data

DNR would like to remind all drillers to check the location of any proposed well on the Well Driller Viewer prior to drilling, to see if any variances or approvals are required. For example, the viewer displays red circles to show a 1,200-foot distance around all landfill boundaries. NR 812.08(4)(g)1. requires a 1,200 foot separation distance between a well and a landfill, so if your proposed well falls within a red circle, you must obtain a landfill variance prior to well construction. This simple step could potentially save you thousands of dollars if it later turns out that a variance cannot be granted and the well has to be relocated or replaced. And when you fill out the well construction report after drilling a well with a variance approval, remember to check the “yes” box indicating that you have a variance.

The Well Driller Viewer can help you find location data, by plotting latitude-longitude coordinates and/or identifying the section-town-range. Zoom into an area using the + or – button near the top left, or scroll with your mouse wheel. Click the “plot coordinates” button on the top ribbon, then click on a place on the map to get the Lat/Long. You can also type in the coordinates if known. Compare these coordinates by clicking “Layers” near the bottom left and then clicking the box next to “township, range and section”. To avoid errors, make sure the ¼ ¼ , Section, Township and Range match with the Lat/Long before submitting a well construction report.

For more information, see DNR’s “How to Use the Well Driller Viewer”.

- by Frank Fetter, Private Water Policy Coordinator

The Stepped Enforcement Process

“Stepped enforcement” means that when DNR discovers a noncompliance issue, we start with the lowest level of action that is appropriate to the violation and needed to gain compliance. The levels of stepped enforcement are Informal contact, Primary and Secondary Enforcement.

Informal contacts are those instances in which no formal enforcement action is taken, and usually consist of a phone call, email or informal letter. This step is used only for easily resolved minor violations.

In Primary Enforcement, DNR issues a Notice of Noncompliance (NON), which is a letter outlining the alleged noncompliance, and the action needed to return to compliance. The NON step is for more serious violations that can still be easily corrected.

Secondary Enforcement is used for those instances for which Primary Enforcement was unsuccessful in bringing about a return to compliance, for repeat violations, or for violations that are serious enough that primary enforcement is inappropriate. This step consists of DNR issuing a Notice of Violation (NOV).  The NOV is a formal enforcement letter that outlines the alleged violation(s) and requests attendance at an enforcement conference, at which the recipient can provide their perspective on the allegations.  After the enforcement conference, the recipient may receive an Enforcement Conference Summary Letter, and sometimes a compliance agreement.

In some cases, further enforcement actions may be required.  The DNR may issue citations, suspend or revoke a license, and in extreme cases, refer the case to the Wisconsin Department of Justice for civil or criminal prosecution.

If you are aware of or suspect safe drinking water violations - such as unlicensed work, noncompliant well construction practices or failure to properly sample drinking water - you can confidentially call or text this information to the numbers below, or submit a report online.

• Reporting Spills – Any hazardous substance spill must be reported to DNR within 24 hours. This includes a spill of more than 1 gallon of gasoline, or more than 5 gallons of other petroleum product such as hydraulic fluid.  To report, call the Spills Toll-Free Hotline at 1-800-943-0003.
• Measuring separation distances – NR 812.08(4) requires that separation distances be measured from the well to the nearest edge of the contamination source. For septic systems, measure to the nearest edge of the drain field or to the toe of the mound, not to the vent or inspection pipe.
• Forms and Fact Sheets for variance applications, inspection reports and code requirements are available on the Driller/Installer Web Page. If you have trouble downloading the Fillable PDF version of a form, try opening the Nonfillable PDF versions or use Internet Explorer as your web browser.

NewsBits is published by the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources, Bureau of Drinking Water and Groundwater. 

Archived issues are available at: dnr.wi.gov/topic/wells/newsbits.html.