NewsBits - Issue 8, October 2019

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Electronic newsletter for Wisconsin drillers and pump installers

Issue 8 | October 2019
From the Chief

- by Liesa Lehmann, Private Water Supply Section Chief

In this issue of “NewsBits” you can read about several technology advancements, including a mobile inspection app used by DNR field staff, and online reporting and license renewal systems available to drillers and installers. We’ve also included some compliance and enforcement reminders. Please note, proposed NR 812 Rule Changes are still pending, and are not expected to go into effect until mid-2020. 


Maddy FontaineWhat's New

Welcome Madeline Fontaine

Madeline “Maddy” Fontaine joined DNR in mid-September as a part-time Compliance Assistant. Maddy has a degree in civil engineering and work experience as a hydrogeologist. She will work with Sandy Hershberger to review well construction reports, filling and sealing reports and private well sampling data for compliance with NR 812 requirements. 

 


From the Field

- by Marty Nessman, Private Water Supply Field Supervisor

Drinking Water Program Successfully Launches a Field Inspection Mobile App

Well Drilling

The next time you see your local DNR contact, they may be spending some time on their smart phone. The Private Water program has developed a field inspection application for use on smart phones. The new app was rolled out to field staff on July 1 and allows a Water Supply Specialist to enter the details of a field inspection into a form on their smart phone, eliminating the need to re-enter data into another database back at the office. The inspections can be viewed on a map-based Compliance Inspection Viewer that allows the user to see where inspections have taken place. The app also allows the user to capture the GPS location of a water supply well and upload photos of the inspections easily.

We created the app to provide a more efficient way for staff to document the inspection of well drilling and pump installation activities in the field. Our field staff spend an average of three days conducting inspections throughout their assigned area and this new tool has already saved the program a lot of time. “Everyone on the field team was incredibly grateful and appreciative of the app and how much it has increased the ease and speed of completing and recording our inspections,” said Stacy Steinke, Private Water Supply Field Specialist.


Technology

Now’s the Time to Try Online Well Construction Reporting

- by Sandy Hershberger Private Water Compliance Specialist

Online WCR is the internet-based Well Construction Report system, where drillers can submit their WCRs electronically. All you need is a WAMS ID, password and assigned Unique Well Numbers to use the system. Once you enter data, you can create a First Water Quality Test lab slip and submit your construction report. Online WCR looks for common errors to make sure the information is complete before you submit, and the report goes directly to DNR, saving time and mailing costs. For an overview and step-by-step instructions, watch the “How-to Videos” on DNR’s Driller/Installer web page, click on “Online WCR”. Or go directly to Getting Started with Online WCR and give it a try!

Online License Renewal is Coming!

- by Judy Gifford, Private Water Data Manager

This year you will have the option to pay your annual license renewal online. Watch your email in early November for instructions to renew electronically, or look for it at our website come November.


Compliance Corner

Well Notification required prior to construction, not refundable

- by Deb Lyons-Roehl, Private Water Administrative Support

Wisconsin law requires a property owner to purchase a Notification Number to give advance notice to DNR before construction of any new or replacement private well that is not a high capacity well, and advance notice of any heat exchange drillhole construction (geothermal system) that does not require a written DNR approval. A contractor can purchase the Notification Number on behalf of the property owner by visiting a Licensing Sales Location or making an online purchase using GoWild.

Reminder, a Notification Number must be obtained prior to starting construction. The fee and notification number are not refundable or transferable to a different project, so make sure you have the job before you purchase the number. Regardless of who obtains the Notification Number, the constructor must have a copy of the receipt showing the DNR Notification Number before starting construction, and include the number on the Well Construction Report.


Enforcement

- by Frank Fetter, Private Water Policy Coordinator

If you are contacted by DNR about potential violations of well and pump regulations, cooperating with the Department gives you a chance to tell your side of the story, understand how to return to compliance, and potentially reduce the consequences of any enforcement action.

For example, DNR contacted a business who failed to submit required water samples, follow up on unsafe test results, or submit required reports and timely notifications. Business representatives met with DNR at an enforcement conference and explained the circumstances that led to the violations. DNR issued a single citation, and the business is adjusting their practices to meet these requirements in the future.

In another case, DNR staff observed an individual installing a pump on a recently completed well. The individual had no license and was not working for a licensed pump installing business. During the enforcement conference, the individual explained he was installing the pump for a relative and had done pump work in another state where a pump installer license was not required. The individual agreed in writing that he understands Wisconsin’s pump installer licensing requirements and will not install well pumps in Wisconsin in the future. DNR did not issue a citation, but can pursue additional enforcement if future violations occur.

Recently an individual with a lapsed license was issued a Notice of Violation for alleged violations of well filling and sealing regulations. The individual did not show up for the scheduled enforcement conference and may be avoiding any contact with DNR. This leaves DNR with fewer options as we continue to pursue enforcement.

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.
 DNR hotlines

Final Tidbits
  • Driller/Installer Web Page - Check this web page regularly for the most current forms, approved product lists and links to DNR data systems for online reporting.
  • State well grants provide cost-sharing dollars to low-income well owners to help pay for well filling and sealing or replacement of a contaminated well. Reminder, grant funds do not cover work already completed, and do not cover any local county or state well permit costs. You can help well owners to apply for the grant before any work is done. See DNR’s Well Compensation or Well Abandonment web pages for application forms and more details.

NewsBits

 

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.