WDNR - Drinking Water and Groundwater

Dewatering Wells

In accordance with Ch. NR 812.09, Wisconsin Administrative Code, anyone planning to construct and/or operate a high capacity dewatering well system must apply for and receive an approval from the Department before commencing construction of the dewatering system.

Definitions

A well is any opening into the ground made by digging, boring, drilling, and driving (or any other means) where the depth of the opening is greater than the largest surface dimension and extends 10 feet below the ground surface. An approval is required from the Department of Natural Resources, Bureau of Drinking Water and Groundwater for any well or system of wells that is classified as a high capacity well system. A high capacity system is defined as any well, or combination of wells on a single property, that in aggregate has a combined pumping capacity of 70 or more gallons per minute.

More information

The Bureau of Drinking Water and Groundwater would deny or limit the pumping capacity of a high capacity dewatering well proposal only if the operation would likely have an adverse impact on water availability to a public utility well, if the dewatering pumping could cause an area of groundwater contamination to spread, or the proposed dewatering system does not meet the requirements of Ch. NR 812, Wis. Adm. Code. The Department can rescind any approval that has been issued if it determines that the applicant submitted an incomplete or inaccurate proposal, or if the system is not constructed or operated in accordance with all the terms and conditions of the Department's approval.

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  • Dewatering Well System Guidance - January 2003
  • Dewatering Well System Application - January 2003
  • High Capacity Well Guidance - January 2003

    • Contact

    For more information on dewatering well systems, contact:
    Bill Furbish, Private Water Section
    Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources
    (608)266-9264




    Last Modified: Tuesday January 28 2003

    The Official Internet site for the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources