NR 812 Revisions – Existing Installations and Water Sampling

To all licensed drillers and pump installers,

Changes to NR 812 – Wisconsin’s well and pump code - are here!

Revisions to chapter NR 812, Wisconsin Administrative Code (NR 812) are going into effect on July 1, 2020. DNR is sending weekly email communications on specific topics to all drillers and pump installers. This week, we focus on NR 812.42: Standards for Existing Installations, and NR 812.46: Water Sampling, Analysis and Reporting Requirements.

Two short training modules on these subjects are now available at:

• Existing Installations: https://p.widencdn.net/a4whkv/Existing-Installations-Module?download=true
• Sampling: https://p.widencdn.net/o7xzva/Sampling-Module?download=true

Key changes to NR 812.42:

There are few changes to the requirements in this section, but it has been revised to be better organized and easy to read.  Two specific changes are worth noting:

1. A well in a pit or alcove that has since had a building constructed over it will be considered a basement well and will need to meet the code requirements for a basement well.
2. Valve pits are only for the housing of piping and valves and they may no longer contain pressure tanks. This is not a change from the previous code, but this has been stated more clearly to avoid confusion.

New section NR 812.46 for Water Sampling, Analysis and Reporting Requirements:

1. Sampling requirements previously found in several different places throughout the code are consolidated to one new section: NR 812.46.
2. The new section provides improved consistency, clarifies requirements and is more concise, and easier to read and understand.
3. Sampling requirements are more consistent for activities that Well Drillers or Pump Installers normally perform.
4. Repeat nitrate and arsenic sampling is waived for instances when the same pump installer performs pump installation activities on the same well within a six-month period.
5. This section now designates specific locations in the system from which to collect water samples.
6. Sample forms or “lab slips” have been revised based on suggestions from well drillers, pump installers, and laboratories. Please use the updated Pump Work – Water Test Request form #3300-265.
7. An updated fact sheet on Water Sample Collection will be available soon.

Make plans now to adjust your construction practices to meet the new requirements. Contact your local DNR Private Water Supply Specialist with any questions.

Where can I get more information?

DNR will post weekly email communications, links to training modules, publications, forms and fact sheets as they become available. This information will be posted on DNR’s NR 812 rule changes web page.