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 812.30 - Vermin-proof well caps and seals

Current through June 24, 2024
NR 812.30 Vermin-proof well caps and seals.
(1) REQUIREMENTS. A new well shall be sealed
				  or covered with a weather- and vermin-proof compression type well cap or seal
				  approved for use under s. NR 812.091 and installed on or in the top of the well
				  casing pipe.
(2) WELL SEAL TYPE.
				  When a sanitary well seal is used to cover the upper well terminal, it shall
				  have a one-piece top plate. A split top plate seal may not be installed unless
				  it is enclosed in a substantial, permanent weather-proof shelter meeting the
				  requirements of s.
				  NR
				  812.40.
(3) WELL VENT. A screened downward facing
				  well vent or other vent may be provided for the well cap or seal for drilled
				  wells. When the well is a flowing well and the well head must be maintained
				  watertight or when there is concern for air entrained bacteria to enter the
				  well through the vent, the vent opening may be plugged watertight with a
				  threaded plug. Vent pipes extending above the well casing pipe shall terminate
				  in a downward facing bend and shall be screened. Screens shall be made of
				  material not easily corroded and shall be firmly seated in the vent opening.
				  Vent openings incorporated as part of the underside of an approved well cap or
				  seal are allowed.
Note:
The department recommends a vent be
					 provided for the well cap or seal of a well that has significant water level
					 drawdowns during normal pump operation. This recommendation does not apply to
					 flowing wells.
(4) HOLD-DOWN
				  DEVICE. Well caps or seals may not be used as a hold-down device to prevent
				  submersible pump discharge piping from coming off a pitless adapter or unit. A
				  locking clamp or other similar approved device may be used to hold the
				  submersible pump discharge pipe in place.
(5) CONDUIT FOR ELECTRICAL WIRING. Where
				  electrical wiring emerges from an underground installation to supply well pump
				  equipment it shall be protected from physical damage by installing conductors
				  or cables within a nonmetallic or steel raceway. The raceway material shall be:
				  Listed, Schedule 80 sunlight resistant Rigid Polyvinyl Chloride Conduit (Type
				  PVC), Listed, Intermediate Metal Conduit (IMC), or galvanized Rigid Metal
				  Conduit. The conduit shall be threaded tightly into the well cap or shall be
				  secured and sealed in an equivalent manner. Where a direct buried electrical
				  cable supplies the well, the bottom of the conduit providing physical
				  protection shall extend a minimum of 2 feet below grade. The conduit shall be
				  sealed above grade in a watertight manner with a listed fitting, or by use of
				  100% silicone, urethane, or Butyl caulking. Where the conduit or raceway
				  extends continuously from the well to a building or pump equipment enclosure,
				  both ends of the conduit or raceway shall be sealed in a watertight manner as
				  described in this paragraph.
(6)
				  PREPARATION OF TOP OF THE WELL CASING PIPE. Any jagged edges or other
				  significant irregularities in the top of the well casing pipe shall be removed
				  by the well driller or the pump installer before the vermin-cap or seal is
				  installed.