The department is seeking public comment and feedback on the following three options.
1. Option 1: Draft Rule Language (Board Order DG-25-19): expand the allowable use of PVC Casing.
General Recommendations:
- Materials - No change
- Joints – No Change
- UV Protection – No change
- Drill-Through Casing – No
- Allowed in Bedrock – Yes
- Depth of Casing into Bedrock - No more than 5’ into “Top of Bedrock”
- Drive Casing – No; allow mechanical push/hold down to address buoyancy and minor sloughing
- Grout – Cement allowed for PVC in bedrock
- Pitless Adapters – Allow non-welded on non-domestic wells
- Packer/Shale Trap Issue - Clarify NR 812.13(4)(b); change “shall” to “may”
- Add Maximum Annular Space Requirements – To address heat of hydration and pressure concerns
- Update Temporary Casing for HEX – PVC allowed
2. Recommendation of the Wisconsin Water Well Association: allow the use of PVC casing beyond the current rule with a variance only:
“[A] variance can be allowed and an expedited variance procedure could be developed between the industry and the Department, where there are clear understandings and expectations. Under a variance, careful review can be made - before, during and after construction. The use of variances allows a slow introduction of this techniques. The success (or failure) can be measured.”
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WWWA Written Testimony to DG-25-19 Economic Impact Analysis3. No Change to current rule: use of PVC casing allowed for wells terminating in unconsolidated formations only, and cement grout allowed only for flowing wells.
