Wisconsin Administrative Code
Department of Natural Resources
NR 800 - Environmental Protection - Water Supply
Chapter NR 812 - Well Construction And Pump Installation
Subchapter II - New Water Well and Heat Exchange Drillhole Construction and Reconstruction and Filling and Sealing of Wells and Drillholes
Section NR 812.151 - Heat exchange drillhole location and construction requirements

Universal Citation: WI Admin Code § NR 812.151

Current through August 26, 2024

A heat exchange driller is responsible for constructing all heat exchange drillholes in accordance with the requirements specified in ss. NR 812.10 to 812.12 and all of the following requirements:

(1) LICENSE REQUIREMENT. An individual who performs heat exchange drilling is required to be a licensed heat exchange driller except that a license is not required to perform heat exchange drilling if an individual is employed by a licensed heat exchange driller or a person registered as a business to perform heat exchange drilling and all other requirements under this section and ss. NR 812.10 to 812.12 are met.

(2) APPROVALS. A heat exchange driller shall obtain any approvals required in compliance with s. NR 812.09(4) (w), (x), (y), or (z) prior to starting drilling and shall follow any conditions required by an approval.

(3) NOTIFICATION OF DRILLING. A heat exchange driller shall obtain a well notification permit from the department at least 24 hours prior to the start of drilling.

(4) LOCATION.

(a) A heat exchange driller shall ensure that heat exchange drillholes are separated from potential contamination sources. A distance of 10 feet shall be maintained between a heat exchange drillhole and any of the following:

1. A non-municipal water supply well.

2. An on-site waste disposal system.

3. A buried fuel storage tank.

(b) Prior department approval is required for any heat exchange drillhole located within 400 feet of a municipal water supply well.

(5) TEMPORARY CASING. A heat exchange driller may use any of the following materials for temporary casing for heat exchange drillholes:

(a) Steel casing meeting the requirements specified in s. NR 812.11(6).

(b) Thermoplastic casing meeting the requirements specified in s. NR 812.11(7), but only in caving sand formations.

(6) PRESSURE TESTING. Vertical heat exchange loop piping shall be pressure tested with potable water or an approved fluid in the loop, according to manufacturer's specifications.

(7) DRILLING FLUIDS. Drilling fluid shall be less dense than the grout to facilitate proper sealing of heat exchange drillholes.

(8) SURFACE PROTECTION. A heat exchange driller shall protect heat exchange drillholes to prevent surface contamination from entering the drillhole during the drilling operation and when the driller is not at the drilling site. Drillholes may not remain open and ungrouted for more than 24 hours after completion.

(9) GROUTING. All materials used to grout a heat exchange drillhole shall be approved for use under s. NR 812.091 and shall meet the requirements specified in s. NR 812.11. A heat exchange driller shall use one of the following materials to grout heat exchange drillholes:

(a) Neat cement, if potable water or an approved fluid is continuously circulated in the loop pipe to prevent potential loop pipe deformation.

(b) A cement-bentonite mix.

(d) Sodium bentonite-sand grout.

(e) Carbon-bentonite grout.

(10) GROUTING METHOD. A heat exchange driller shall use the following method to grout heat exchange drillholes:

(a) Grout shall be placed in one continuous operation, if possible.

(b) For drillholes 25 feet in depth or more, grout shall be pumped through a tremie pipe under pressure according to the following requirements:

1. The pipe shall be placed to the bottom of the drillhole and the grout shall be placed from the bottom up.

2. The tremie pipe shall be kept submerged in the grout at all times during grouting.

3. The tremie pipe may be pulled back during grouting as long as the end of the tremie pipe remains submerged in the grout.

(c) For drillholes less than 25 feet in depth, grout may be placed using a gravity method as specified in s. NR 812.20(4).

(11) FUSION WELDING. Fusion welding connection for vertical heat exchange piping shall be done using socket fusion, saddle fusion or butt fusion type, in accordance with pipe manufacturer's instructions or as referenced in ASTM D 2610, D 2683 and D 2657. Joint surfaces shall be clean and moisture free.

(12) REPORTING. A heat exchange driller shall submit a report of the heat exchange drillhole project, on a form prescribed by the department, within 30 days following the date of completion of the project.

(13) HEAT EXCHANGE FLUIDS. Only department approved heat exchange fluids may be used in the piping placed in heat exchange drillholes.

(14) FILLING AND SEALING. Unused heat exchange loops and drillholes shall be filled and sealed using the materials and methods specified in s. NR 812.26.

Disclaimer: These regulations may not be the most recent version. Wisconsin may have more current or accurate information. We make no warranties or guarantees about the accuracy, completeness, or adequacy of the information contained on this site or the information linked to on the state site. Please check official sources.

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