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 812.25 - Springs

Universal Citation: WI Admin Code § NR 812.25

Current through August 26, 2024

The use of a spring as a source of potable water shall comply with all of the following requirements:

(1) The placement or driving of a casing pipe into an undeveloped spring in a location easily accessible to the public regardless of the intended use of the spring water is prohibited.

(2) The unprotected nature of springs subjects them to wide fluctuations in water quality. The department discourages their use as a source of potable water. Springs vary from the standpoint of sources, locations, surrounding land uses, and elevation. Each spring considered for use as a source of potable water shall be evaluated by the department prior to use as a potable source. Development of a spring as a source of potable water may be approved only after a department evaluation and approval under s. NR 812.09(4) (i) and sub. (3).

(3) The department may approve using a spring as a source of potable water only if the spring meets all of the following requirements:

(a) Location.

1. The area surrounding the spring to a distance of at least 100 feet laterally and 50 feet downgrade and the area immediately upslope from the spring to a point beyond the crest of the slope or to a distance of at least 200 feet upslope from the spring is not used for any activity, including human habitation, that may contaminate the spring.

2. The spring outlet is at least 2 feet above the regional flood water level.

3. The spring water flows from an underground source having enough overburden so that a horizontal plane extending back into the slope of the hill 100 feet will be at least 25 feet below the ground surface.

4. The spring meets the minimum separation distance requirements from potential contamination sources specified in s. NR 812.08.

(b) Construction. The spring outlet shall be completely protected against the entrance of surface water runoff, insects, rodents, and contaminants and shall be constructed to meet all of the following requirements:

1. A poured concrete box structure reinforced with 3/8-inch metal bars each way shall be constructed to house the spring outlet. This spring box shall meet all of the following minimum construction requirements:

a. Five-inch thick walls and roof with no cracks or holes, except for the overflow pipe in the wall and the access openings in the roof.

b. A width of 4 feet, with a 24-square foot cross section.

c. A 20-inch diameter round, or a 20-inch square access opening in the roof with a 4-inch thick concrete curbing wall that extends 8 inches above the roof.

d. An overlapping, tight-fitting, shoebox-type cover with 4-inch high skirted sides, constructed from welded sheet steel, to cover the access opening.

e. A 4-inch diameter or larger steel pipe sleeve, comprising a section of well casing pipe conforming to s. NR 812.11(6) extending through the roof to a point at least 12 inches above the roof for the passage of the pump suction and discharge pipe or a service pipe from a pressure tank. The steel pipe sleeve shall be provided with a one-piece top plate sanitary well seal.

f. An overflow pipe with a screened outlet that terminates at least 2 pipe diameters above the maximum water level at its discharge point.

2. Buried discharge pipe from the spring, from a pump or any service pipes from a pressure tank shall be maintained under positive gauge pressure at all times.

3. When the pump, pressure tank, or both, are installed above the spring outlet box, an insulated housing shall be provided for frost protection.

(c) Water quality. The spring shall be capable of producing water that is continuously free from coliform bacteria and free of contaminant levels in excess of the standards specified in s. NR 812.06.

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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