Local Regulations
	State Regulations
	Federal Regulations

	wellhead protection zones,
	private sewage, and
	chemical storage.

	private wells
	well abandonment

	drinking water quality
	groundwater quality
	manure management
	pesticide management
	petroleum/underground storage tanks guidelines
	septic system guidelines
	well guidelines

The federal Safe Drinking Water Act (1974) was established to protect the quality of drinking water in the United States.  This law applies to all water that may be used for drinking, whether the source is surface water or groundwater.  This Act required the EPA to set water quality standards called, Maximum Contaminant Levels (MCL), to protect human health.  Thus far, about 82 substances have MCLs.  Wisconsin DNR has adopted these MCLs for Wisconsin.   These standards legally apply to public water supply systems, but can be considered as guidelines for private well water quality.

	Drinking Water Standards: NR 809- Safe drinking water
	Nitrate:  Section 160 25(3) Wisconsin Statute
	NR 122-Nitrate Removal (from public drinking water)
	NR 120-Nonpoint source pollution abatement program

Wisconsin Groundwater Standards Law, enacted in May 1984, appears in Chapter 160  (summary) and the rules in NR 140-groundwater quality.  This overriding statute established the authority for groundwater protection and numerical enforcement standards, which apply to all Wisconsin agencies and programs.  Wisconsin was one of the first states to place numerical limits on groundwater quality.  The Department of Natural Resources (DNR) and the Department of of Health and Family Services (DHFS) work together to set these standards.  

Enforcement Standards (ES) are determined for substances that have the potential to cause short or long term health impacts, as well as for substances that cause aesthetic problems such as bad odor or taste.   In addition in Wisconsin, Preventative Action Limits (PAL) are set for each regulated substance.  PALs are "early warning signs" that water quality may be in jeopardy.  ESs and PALs apply to any activity or person who discharges substances into groundwater, whether the person works for a governmental agency, corporation, or private business.   

	Chapter 160 -Wisconsin Groundwater Standards Law (summary)
	NR 140-Groundwater quality
	NR 141-Groundwater monitoring well requirements
	NR 142-Wisconsin water management and conservation

The DNR oversees manure disposal for facilities with over 1000 animal units.  These facilities must have a Wisconsin Pollutant Discharge Elimination Permit as required under

NR 243-Animal waste management.

The Department of Agriculture, Trade, and Consumer Protection regulates pesticide use and control.

	ATCP 29-Pesticide use and control
	ATCP 30-Pesticide product restrictions              Appendix A - Atrazine prohibition areas
	ATCP 31-Groundwater protection program
	ATCP 35-Agricultural chemical cleanup program

The Department of Commerce oversees the petroleum and underground storage tank regulations. 

	Comm 47-Petroleum Environmental Cleanup Fund
	Comm 48-Petroleum Products

The Department of Commerce regulates private septic systems under 

Comm 83- Private onsite wastewater treatment systems.

For more regulations/codes on septic systems, see NR 110- Sewerage systems, and NR 113- Servicing septic or holding tanks, pumping chambers, grease interceptors, seepage beds, seepage pits, seepage trenches, privies, or portable restrooms.

Since 1974 according to common law, a person is permitted to withdraw groundwater in any amount, provided that it does not cause unreasonable harm to another.  However, "today all wells must conform to DNR regulations and most must be installed by certified well drillers.  (Driven Point or Sand-point wells are the exception.)  The specific standards governing the well depend on the type of well." ⁵³

high capacity well: a pumping well capable of pumping more than 100,000 gallons per day.  High capacity wells must obtain a permit, meet specified well construction criteria, and not adversely impact or reduce the supply of water to any public utility.  High capacity wells are defined in Wisconsin statute Chapter 281.17(1). 

public water supply community well (or municipal well): a pumping well that has 15 service connections or regularly serves water to more than 25 people on a year-round basis; a water system serving more than 7 homes; or 10 or more mobile homes, apartments, or condominiums.  Public supply wells must meet design, construction, and operation regulations, as well as enforcement standards.  Public supply wells are partly regulated by Wisconsin Administrative Code NR 811.

private wells: a pumping well that serves one home or is maintained by a private owner.  Private wells pumping less than 100,000 gallons per day do not require a permit, although the wells must meet design, construction, location, and abandonment standards.  Private wells are regulated under Wisconsin Administrative Code NR  812.

	public wells:  NR 811- Requirements for the operation and design of community water systems
	private wells:  NR 812-Well construction and pump installation
	high capacity well: Chapter 281.17(1)
	groundwater monitoring wells:  NR 141-Groundwater monitoring well requirements
	NR123-Well compensation program

	The Clean Air Act (1970): 42 U.S.C. s/s 7401 et seq.
	The Clean Water Act (1977): 33 U.S.C. s/s 121 et seq.
	The Emergency Planning & Community Right-To-Know Act  (1986): 42 U.S.C. 11011 et seq.
	The Federal Insecticide, Fungicide and Rodenticide Act (1972): 7 U.S.C. s/s 135 et seq.
	The National Environmental Policy Act (1969): 42 U.S.C. s/s 4321 et seq.
	The Pollution Prevention Act (1990): 42 U.S.C. 13101 and 13102, s/s et seq.
	The Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (1976): 42 U.S.C. s/s 6901 et seq.
	The Safe Drinking Water Act (1974): 42 U.S.C. s/s 300f et seq.
	Superfund (Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act) (1980): 42 U.S.C. s/s 9601 et seq.
	The Superfund Amendments and Reauthorization Act (1986): 42 U.S.C. 9601 et seq.
	The Toxic Substances Control Act (1976): 15 U.S.C. s/s 2601 et seq.