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Some Wisconsin well repairs need no permits
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A Natural Resources Department official says some high-capacity well work doesn’t need new permits. Adam Freihoefer tells Brownfield certain repairs are allowed to existing wells. “If a new well needs to be drilled, that would require a new application & a new $500-dollar fee to the department, currently. If reconstruction will do and you can just replace the screen for example, then there’s no fee needed and no high-capacity well application needed.”
Adam Freihoefer
Freihoefer says replacing the well casing in the same hole is considered a new well, and permits are required.
He says the DNR tries to work with ag producers to meet water needs while protecting the resources. Freihoefer says that occasionally requires limits for pumping or choosing a new well location.
New high-capacity well legislation is expected in Wisconsin this year. That might give farmers more flexibility with fewer permits and fees.
Wisconsin defines high capacity wells as those pumping 70 gallons per minute or 100-thousand gallons per year.
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