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Information for private well owners
 Know the location of your well and your neighbor’s wells, if the
properties are in close proximity.
Prevent contamination of all wells by properly disposing of all waste
products. Limit the use of herbicides, pesticides, and other chemicals near
your well.
Check your well cap and well casing at least once per year. The well cap
should be securely attached to your well casing. All openings into the well
cap should be sealed to be watertight. Install a vermin-proof well cap (one
that contains a rubber gasket or seal to prevent insects and animals from
entering your well). The well casing should be solid. Excessively corroded or
rusty casing is vulnerable to contamination.
Contact a licensed well driller or pump installer to perform work on your
well and pump.
Sample the water annually for the presence of coliform bacteria and
nitrates. Follow the collection procedure recommended by a certified
laboratory.
Contact the health department with questions regarding well construction or
water quality.
Obtaining a Well Permit
 The Environmental Health Division participates in the COUNTY WELL DELEGATION
PROGRAM of the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources.
The program allows the division to review all well locations before the well
is installed. Prior to the issuance of a well location permit, the following
requirements are reviewed: the proposed well elevation, site location, set back
distances to contamination sources, buildings, and property lines. A follow-up
inspection is made after the well is installed. This includes verifying the
actual location, height, and set backs of the new well and checking the well cap
and the pump’s wiring for proper seals.
This division also orders the proper abandonment of unused wells.
To obtain a current list of state licensed well drillers and pump installers who
perform work in La Crosse County, please call (608) 785-9771.
More information about drinking water wells and groundwater is available from
the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources, Bureau of Drinking Water and
Groundwater -
www.dnr.state.wi.us/org/water/dwg/
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