Well and heat exchange drillhole abandonment; property transfer inspections
Wis. Stat. § 280.30
in effect(1) Definition. Notwithstanding s. 280.01 (6), in this section, “water supply well” means an excavation or opening into the ground made by digging, boring, drilling, or other method that supplies water for any purpose.
(2) Well abandonment. An individual may not fill or seal a water supply well unless one of the following applies:
(a) The individual is a licensed driller who is authorized by the department to engage in well drilling or licensed pump installer.
(b) The individual is under the supervision of a licensed driller who is authorized by the department to engage in well drilling or licensed pump installer or the individual is under the supervision of a water system operator certified under s. 281.17 (3) and the well is within the service area of the local governmental water system for which the certified operator works. The licensed or certified individual is not required to be present during the filling or sealing.
(c) The individual is a water system operator certified under s. 281.17 (3) and the well is within the service area of the local governmental water system for which the individual works.
(2m) Heat exchange drillhole abandonment. An individual may not fill or seal a heat exchange drillhole unless the individual is a licensed driller who is authorized by the department to engage in heat exchange drilling.
(3) Property transfer well inspections.
(a) An individual may not for compensation, in contemplation of a transfer of real property, conduct an inspection of the real property for the purpose of locating or evaluating water supply wells or pressure systems on the real property unless the individual is a licensed driller who is authorized by the department to engage in well drilling or a licensed pump installer.
(b) The department shall promulgate rules for inspections and evaluations described in par. (a).
Source: WI Statutes (Official Site)URL: https://docs.legis.wisconsin.gov/document/statutes/280.30Fetched: 10/7/2026