From The Chief
Welcome to the fall edition of "News Bits". In this issue, learn about new staff, changes to how licensing exams are administered, a new tool for submitting variance requests, reminders about license renewals and annual compliance reports and other tidbits.
-Marty Nessman, DNR Private Water Supply Section Chief
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From The Field
Pump Work Inspections
The DNR is seeking to establish pump installer relationships and observe more pump installation work in the field. Every three months, several pump installers statewide will be placed on notice and asked to notify the water supply specialist in their area of pump work conducted in accordance with s. NR 812.03(1). Through these efforts, we meet license holders in the field, observe work and answer questions to help you comply with code requirements.
Tools & Reminders
We have a lot of great tools to make finding the information you need fast and easily available to help you keep up with the current high demand of well and pump work.
- Stacy Steinke, DNR Private Water Field Supervisor
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What's New
Welcome Emily McParlane
Emily McParlane joined the DNR on Oct. 11 as the Private Water Compliance Specialist, filling the position formerly held by Sandy Hershberger. Emily's focus is on reviewing and approving well construction and well abandonment reports for compliance with NR 812 requirements.
Stacy Steinke Promoted to Field Supervisor
Stacy Steinke was appointed to the DNR's Private Water Field Supervisor role on Aug.16. Stacy has been with the DNR for nearly 10 years and has spent much of that time as a Private Water Field Specialist working with well drillers and pump installers, coordinating with our DNR team and helping customers with their private well and drinking water questions. Prior to her career at the DNR, she completed a bachelor’s degree in water resources and master’s coursework in natural resources at UW-Stevens Point and spent several years traveling Wisconsin and the upper Midwest as an environmental consultant. She will continue to be stationed in Eau Claire.
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Technology
New Online NR812 Approval Tracking System (N.A.T. system)
Private Water has developed a new system to provide the option for well drillers or pump installers to submit variance applications online. The new system has been used by Private Water staff since September of 2020 for uploading, reviewing and approving variances. The system will soon be available to drillers and pump installers to submit variance applications online using a WAMS ID. The system has the same look and feel as the well filling and sealing and well construction reporting systems. Users will be able to submit applications, view the status of submitted applications and view the approvals of applications they have submitted. The submittal of variances in this online system will be optional. This new system will eventually be used to house all historic variances issued by the department so that well owners and drillers may easily find previously issued variances. It is also planned that the system will be used for any approval required under NR 812.
WCR Entry System
Online-only well construction reporting starts January 1, 2023. Click here to get started: WCR Entry System.
Rules
NR 812 Revision for PVC Casing
The public hearing for the NR 812 code revision for the expansion of use for PVC casing was held on Oct. 7 with the public comment period closing on Oct. 14. The hearing addressed three possible scenarios including expansion of PVC casing use as part of the rule, expanded use under a variance process or no change to the current rule.
Six people spoke at the public hearing, and we received 11 written comments. The next opportunity for public input will be at an upcoming Natural Resources Board meeting.
Compliance
Annual Report for Well Drillers and Pump Installers
After a two-year gap, annual reports for well drillers and pump installers were sent out in July. If you received a letter with any missing data, check the report information with your records, and if you find inconsistencies, contact the DNR's Private Water Supply as soon as possible. Things to look for are sample data from a particular license holder in your company that are not showing up in the report, missing well construction reports or sampling data that should be listed.
A number of well drillers and pump installers contacted the Private Water Supply Program in the last 90 days to clarify the incorrect data. The Private Water Supply Program will be sending out a follow-up letter to all of the remaining well drillers and pump installers soon asking for additional information.
Online Renewals for 2022
The online renewal portal is now open and available to renew licenses and registrations for the 2022 calendar year. To ensure prompt and accurate processing of applications, the department again encourages all licensees and registrants to renew online. The online process makes it easy to pay renewal fees by credit card and to print license cards and certificates following renewal. The online process will alert you if you are not yet eligible to renew and why.
Before you renew, note the following requirements for 2022 renewal eligibility:
- Continuing education attendance – 6 credit-hours of attendance completed during the 2021 calendar year.
- The license or registration is not expired (you renewed for 2020 before 01/01/2021).
- Your license or registration is in good standing with the DNR and other state agencies including the DOR, DCF and DWD.
Access the online renewal portal here: https://dnrx.wisconsin.gov/elcrenewal/ . Click on “Let’s get started >>” to begin.
If you would like to walk through the online process before renewing, feel free to call (920) 946-1149 or send an email request to DNRDGLicensing@wisconsin.gov. Someone will be happy to assist. For those who cannot renew online, the department will still be sending renewal applications by mail as in the past.
Final Tidbits
Private Water Supply License Exam Update
The DNR’s Operator Certification program is now offering computer-based exams administered through third party provider PSI. Two exam options are available for pump installer, water well driller and heat exchange driller license applicants. The “in-person” proctored exam can be taken at one of seven computer lab locations across Wisconsin. The “remote proctor” exam option allows an applicant to take an exam from any location including a computer at home. Both options provide open-book access to administrative code references. Applicants are no longer allowed to use their own copies of code, but the same code references are provided in hard copy for in-person exams and digital PDF format for the remote proctored exams.
To schedule an exam, the applicant must obtain the appropriate exam application form from the DNR. Pump installers can download the application form directly from the Operator Certification Exams Page. Drillers need to request an application form by email to: DNRDGLicensing@wisconsin.gov. The exam registration fee is $90.00.
Visit the DNR's Private Water Supply Licenses and Registrations webpage for more details.
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