The ordinances are required to protect public health since it is possible for contaminants to pass from private wells into municipal groundwater supplies, contaminating the entire system. Private wells are permitted within a municipality as long as they are determined free of bacteriological contamination. This requirement must be met for both potable and nonpotable well uses since both types are capable of contaminating municipal supplies. Contamination of groundwater and nearby wells can occur when the casings of potable or nonpotable wells deteriorate.
Bacteriological testing is used as an indicator of the integrity of the well.
Only wells in walkout basements or wells installed in basements before 1953 are acceptable. Those that do not comply with NR 112 do not meet the conditions of the well abandonment ordinance and must be abandoned. The assurance that a well is not contaminating groundwater comes from both a safe bacteriological test and compliance with the construction requirements in NR 112. Yes, assuming the well complies with NR 112, produces safe water and has no piping connections to the municipal water piping. The well casing may deteriorate below the ground surface and cause groundwater contamination even if the well cap is intact.