My water supply well is located within 1200 feet (about a quarter mile) of a proposed landfill or landfill expansion. How can I be assured that my water supply is not threatened?

DNR rules (see s. NR 504.04(3), Wis. Adm. Code) specify that the landfill's waste fill boundary must be more than 1200 feet away from a public or private water supply well. The landfill owner may apply for an exemption to that rule. In response to such an exemption request, DNR staff will review your well location and construction, local hydrogeology, and the proposed landfill design in order to determine whether your well's water quality might be threatened by the landfill. If, in the opinion of the WDNR reviewers, your well would not be threatened, the exemption would be granted and approved as part of the feasibility determination for the landfill. Sampling your well may be included as part of the environmental monitoring requirements for the landfill approval.

The Waste Management Program is now requiring that landfill applicants adequately notify you that the proposed landfill or landfill expansion would be within the 1200-foot separation distance from a water supply well. You should receive such a notice before the feasibility determination is made. This will allow you to decide whether you want to be involved with the siting process by, for example, contacting your local negotiation committee and alerting them to your concerns. You may also contact the DNR review staff to provide comments on the environmental assessment and to learn more about the proposed landfill.