Wisconsin Administrative Code
Department of Natural Resources
NR 800 - Environmental Protection - Water Supply
Chapter NR 812 - Well Construction And Pump Installation
Subchapter III - Requirements for New Pump Installations and Water Treatment
Section NR 812.32 - Pumps

Universal Citation: WI Admin Code ยง NR 812.32

Current through August 26, 2024

(1) GENERAL PUMP INSTALLATION REQUIREMENTS.

(a) Pump installations shall be carried out so the pump installation will be:
1. Installed so it and its surroundings are in a sanitary condition.

2. Properly sized to provide the volume of water necessary, where obtainable, for an adequate water supply.

3. Designed to meet the well characteristics and not exceed the yield of the well except when the available aquifer is low producing.

4. Installed for operation without priming or breaking suction.

5. Installed in such manner as to provide adequate protection against contamination of the water supply from any surface or subsurface sources.

6. Installed in a manner so that it is accessible for maintenance, repair and removal.

(b) Pump motor lubricant or coolant oil shall be USDA or FDA approved food contact grade formulations.

Note: Such formulations are usually based on National Formulary, white food grade mineral oil or inhibited propylene glycol with FDA approved components.

(c) Every pump shall be installed with an above-ground discharge, an approved subsurface pitless adapter or pitless unit, or an approved subsurface well casing pipe connection.

(d) When water is pumped or flows to discharge into a body of water, the end of the discharge pipe shall be extended at least 2 pipe diameters above the highest elevation of the water.

(e) All well pump electrical installations shall conform to the Wisconsin Electrical Code, incorporated by reference in the Wisconsin Electrical Code, ch. SPS 316, and the requirements specified in that chapter. In addition to these requirements, no electrical control box or any other electrical device shall be installed inside a well casing pipe, except where the device is directly incorporated into the manufactured pump assembly.

(f) For water systems with multiple wells interconnected to a common plumbing piping system, the department may require additional equipment to reduce the possibility of back-flow or back-siphonage between wells. This equipment may include a separate pressure tank for each well, additional check valves, air gaps, reduced pressure principle backflow preventers, pressure switches, and electronic pump control devices.

(2) OFF-SET PUMP INSTALLATIONS.

(a) Buried suction pipes.
1. Buried suction pipes shall be enclosed in a pressurized conduit and the annular space between the 2 pipes shall be maintained under system water pressure at all times provided by a pipe extending from the pump watertight to the conduit.

Note: In areas especially prone to lightning strikes to wells having submersible pumps, the department will grant variances to the prohibition against nonpressurized conduits.

2. When a suction pipe crosses a sewer, the suction pipe shall be laid according to the sewer separation requirements of s. NR 812.32(4).

Note: A well casing pipe nipple, 1/2 threaded-1/2 beveled may be used in lieu of a full pipe coupling.

3. Pressurized conduits may terminate at the end of a horizontal pipe entering a basement. Any unburied pump suction pipe in the basement not enclosed in a pressurized conduit shall be at least one foot above the basement floor. A pressure or box elbow may be used to extend the pressurized conduit to a point above the basement floor. Pressure or box elbows may be buried.

4. A shallow well pump shall discharge to a seal-cross fitting before being connected to a pressure tank. A control valve may not be installed in the discharge pipe between the pump and the seal-cross fitting.

(b) Pump height. The pump impeller or cylinder for off-set pumps shall be located at an elevation at least one foot above the basement, pit, or alcove floor.

(3) PUMP INTAKE SETTING. When a well is constructed in an unconsolidated formation, the pump intake shall be set at least 5 feet above the bottom of the well casing pipe or drive pipe casing or above the top of the screen. When a pump is replaced and set to a greater depth in a well, an attempt shall be made to ascertain the well construction so this requirement can be made. The pump shall provide an adequate quantity of water, where obtainable, for the intended purpose of the well.

Note: The department may grant variances to the 5-foot requirement of this subsection in low permeability, low yielding formations.

(4) BURIED DISCHARGE LINES FROM SUBMERSIBLE PUMPS.

(a) Pressure requirements. Buried discharge lines from submersible pumps shall meet the requirements of s. NR 812.28 and shall be maintained under system pressure at all times. Check valves may not be placed in the pump discharge pipe beyond a buried section of pipe between a well and a pressure tank. The check valves shall be located at the top of the submersible pump, or in that portion of the discharge pipe before it becomes buried, or on the spool of an approved spool-type pitless unit.

(b) Separation from sewers.
1. When a water discharge line crosses a sanitary sewer, the water discharge line piping within 10 feet of the point of crossing shall be installed:
a. At an elevation at least 12 inches above the top of the sewer measured from the bottom of the water line; or

b. At least 18 inches below the bottom of the sewer measured from the top of the water line; or

c. Within a waterproof sleeve made of materials as specified for sanitary building sewers in ch. SPS 384.

2. When a water discharge line extends parallel or roughly parallel with a sewer, the water discharge line shall be separated a minimum distance from the sewer as follows:
a. Water discharge lines 2 1/2 inches in diameter and larger shall be separated at least 8 feet horizontally from a sanitary sewer, measured from center to center of the 2 pipes.

b. Except as provided in subd. 2. c., water discharge lines 2 inches or smaller in diameter shall be separated at least 30 inches horizontally from a sanitary sewer, measured from center to center of the 2 pipes.

c. Water discharge lines 2 inches in diameter and smaller may be installed less than 30 inches horizontally separated from a sanitary sewer if the bottom of the water discharge line is installed at least 12 inches above the sewer, except that portion of the water discharge line within 5 feet of the point where the line enters the building may be less than 12 inches above the sewer.

d. A water discharge line shall be separated from a storm sewer by at least 6 inches.

(c) Back-flow and back-siphonage prevention. When a well is installed with a submersible pump and an above ground discharge, it shall contain an UL approved check valve and an air-vacuum relief valve prior to any buried portion of the discharge pipe. When water is pumped to a pond or other body of water, the end of the pump discharge pipe shall be terminated at least 2 feet above the highest elevation of the water in the pond or other body of water.

(d) Other locational restrictions.
1. A water discharge line may not be installed in, under or above sanitary sewer manholes, or under a POWTS treatment, holding or dispersal component, including a septic or holding tank, or any in-ground, at-grade, or mound soil absorption unit.

2. A water discharge line shall be separated at least 10 feet horizontally from a POWTS treatment, holding or dispersal component, including but not limited to a septic or holding tank, or any in-ground, at-grade, or mound soil absorption unit.

(5) PUMPS LOCATED BESIDE OR OVER THE WELL.

(a) Shallow-well suction pumps, deep-well piston pumps and deep-well jet pumps. When the pump unit does not effectively seal the top of the well casing pipe and the well pump suction pipe or jet pump piping emerges from the top, a threaded fitting, or an approved type seal with expandable rubber or neoprene gasket shall be provided between the well casing pipe and the well pump suction pipe or jet pump piping.

(b) Lineshaft turbine pumps.
1. `General sealing requirements.' Lineshaft turbine pumps shall be mounted on the well or over the well casing pipe on a pump platform or well casing pipe flange so as to effectively seal the top of the well. Any opening through the pump discharge head shall be sealed watertight.

2. `Specific sealing requirements.' The discharge head for a lineshaft turbine pump may be installed over the well casing pipe under the following conditions:
a. A minimum 12 inch high concrete pump platform shall be poured surrounding the well casing pipe. The well casing pipe shall project at least one inch up into the pump discharge head.

b. If the pump discharge head does not have enough recess to extend down over the well casing pipe at least one inch, a cast iron or steel subbase sanitary ring at least one inch thick shall be bolted to the base of the discharge head and installed surrounding the well casing pipe. A compressible neoprene gasket shall be installed between the base of the discharge head and the sanitary ring or subbase unless the metal surfaces are machined. As an alternative a flange may be welded to the top of the well casing pipe.

c. If a concrete pump platform is not to be poured surrounding the well casing pipe, a steel flange shall be welded watertight to the top of the well casing pipe. The base of the discharge head shall be bolted to the casing flange and a compressible neoprene gasket shall be installed between the 2.

d. The well casing pipe may be enlarged above grade to accommodate the pump column flange, by fillet welding or threading a steel flange plate watertight to the top of the well casing pipe. A piece of larger diameter pipe meeting Table B requirements shall then be fillet welded watertight to the top of the flange plate. The pump discharge head shall then be installed as provided in subd. 2. a. to c.

3. `Lubrication of lineshaft turbine pumps.'
a. Water lubricated lineshaft turbine pumps shall be used for potable wells. In water levels deeper than 50 feet, the pump column bearings shall be pre-lubricated prior to pump start up. Lubrication during pump backspin shall be provided if necessary. Water for lubrication of pumps shall be supplied by piping connected to a supplemental pressure system of the potable water supply. Water lubricated lineshaft turbine pumps are recommended for nonpotable wells.

b. Oil lubricated lineshaft turbine pumps may be used for potable wells when the pumping water level is deeper than 250 feet except when the pump operation is expected to lower the water level in the well to a depth less than 5 feet above the bottom of the well casing pipe. Oil lubricated lineshaft turbine pumps may be used for wells provided the lubricants are USDA or FDA approved food contact grade formulations.

Note: Such formulations are usually based on National Formulary white, food grade mineral oil.

Note: The department may allow the installation of oil lubricated lineshaft turbine pumps for potable wells when the pumping water level is less than 250 feet deep when unique circumstances warrant such installation.

(6) DISCHARGE LINES FROM LINESHAFT TURBINE PUMPS.

(a) Pressurized. Discharge lines from lineshaft turbine pumps that are maintained under system pressure at all times shall contain an air-vacuum relief valve preceding a check valve. A well vent shall be installed in the pump base. High capacity well pump installation is depicted in Figure 3 of ch. NR 812 Appendix.

Note: Where backspin may be expected to occur, the department recommends a time delay or backspin ratchet be provided to protect the motor in the event the pump controls are energized before the pump stops backspinning.

(b) Nonpressurized. Discharge lines from lineshaft turbine pumps shall contain an UL approved check valve and an air-vacuum relief valve near the pump, and prior to any buried portion of discharge pipe. When water is pumped to a pond or other body of water, the end of the pump discharge pipe shall be extended at least 2 feet above the highest elevation of the water in the pond or other body of water.

(7) HAND PUMPS.

(a) Hand pump heads shall be designed and fabricated so there are no unprotected openings, other than the spout, to the interior of the pump. The water spout shall turn downward and be closed on top. If a separate watertight port is provided for priming, it shall be sealed watertight when not being used. Unsealed openings may not exist in the pumpbase. If the pump is installed outside, a concrete crack-free watertight pump platform at least 6 feet in diameter shall be provided. The top of this platform may be at ground grade, but in any case the platform shall be mounded so that water does not accumulate around the well. If excess water flow from the pump spout is channelized, it shall be directed to a point at least 8 feet from the well with a drain pipe or watertight channel.

(b) Hand pumps shall be connected firmly to the well casing pipe by threading in small diameter well casing pipe or by bolting the pumpbase flange to a well casing pipe flange with a gasket to seal the top of the casing. Other types of hand pump bases may be used if they meet the approval requirements specified in s. NR 812.091 for vermin-proof caps and seals.

(8) CASING NOT PART OF PUMP INSTALLATION. The well casing pipe for any drilled well greater than 2 inches in diameter may not be used as a delivery pipe in the pumping operation, except when the well casing pipe is under continuous pressure as with a packer-jet pump installation.

(9) PUMP INSTALLATIONS FOR FLOWING WELLS.

(a) Underground pipe connections. Underground pipe connections may only be made to a flowing well with an approved pitless adapter.

(b) Unprotected suction lines. An off-set shallow well pump may not be connected directly to the buried pipe exiting a pitless adapter or unit of a flowing well or to a pipe extending out of the seal at the top of the well and redirected back into the ground. Buried piping from the flowing well shall discharge to a surge tank having either an overflow pipe or an air-vacuum relief valve installed in the top of the tank. A booster pump shall be connected to the surge tank and discharge into a pressure tank.

(c) Overflow piping.
1. When a flowing well is placed in use, the flow from the well shall be regulated by means of a control valve with a screened outlet or with a restricting orifice to prevent waste of water. The control valve shall be restricted as much as possible and closed if the flow ceases.

2. A controlled overflow pipe or other means shall be installed for a flowing well to prevent damage from overflowing water or to prevent freezing of the top of the well.

3. When necessary, overflow piping shall be installed to prevent flow of water up the outside of the well casing pipe or to prevent freezing of water inside the casing. When installed, the flow of water from the discharge pipe shall be limited to a minimum so as to preserve groundwater and water pressure. The overflow pipe shall be installed to extend through the well cap or seal or shall extend off a surge tank in the basement. The overflow pipe may be attached to the outside wall of the well casing pipe if both the point of exit from the well casing pipe and the terminus of the overflow are at least 12 inches above the ground grade and the connection to the well casing pipe is watertight. The overflow pipe shall terminate at least 2 pipe diameters above any drain inlet at the well site, in a building or in a building basement. If the overflow is installed at the well head, the overflow shall extend at least 2 feet above the regional flood elevation and a free air gap of at least 2 pipe diameters above the drain shall be provided. The receiving drain shall discharge to the ground or to a gravel pocket at a point at least 8 feet from the well. A funnel receptacle shall be installed on the inlet of the drain to accept all of the overflow water, to prevent splashing and prevent ponding of water around the well casing pipe. If a pump is installed in the well and the well stops flowing during pumping, a screen shall be installed on the overflow pipe.

(d) Complying installations. Illustrations of complying pump installations for flowing wells are shown in Figures 4 to 6 of ch. NR 812 Appendix.

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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