Protecting Our Groundwater
Superior Water, Light & Power (SWLP) provides drinking water sourced from Lake Superior. Even so, protecting groundwater remains important for our community and the environment. Many residents in Wisconsin rely on groundwater from private wells for drinking water, and groundwater also supports agricultural, commercial, and industrial activities throughout the state.
Why This Matters
Old or unused private wells that have not been properly sealed can provide a direct pathway for contaminants (including chemicals, bacteria, and surface water runoff) to reach underground aquifers. Wells that are illegally cross connected to the municipal water system pose an additional risk of contaminating the drinking water supply itself.
City Ordinance Requirements
Under Wis. Admin. Code § NR 810.16, SWL&P, as the municipal water supplier, is required to ensure that all unused, unsafe, or non-complying wells on properties connected to our system are properly abandoned. This requirement is implemented locally through City of Superior Municipal Code, Chapter 114, Division 2 (Well Abandonment and Well Operation Permit).
If your property is connected to the municipal water system and you have a private well, you must do one of the following:
- Abandon (seal) the well within one year of connecting to the municipal water system, following the procedures in Wis. Admin. Code § NR 812.26, or
- Apply for a Well Operation Permit within 90 days of connecting to the municipal system (or of discovering/constructing the well), if you wish to keep using the well.
Link to City Ordinance: Municipal Ordinance
Private Well Permitting
To obtain a well operation permit the following items must be completed:
- Submit a permit application to the City Building Inspection Department or the Village.
- Pay the applicable permit fee ($35).
- Permit remains valid for up to 5 years.
- Have the well inspected every 10 years by a licensed well driller.
Well permits need to be applied for on the City of Superior's website. Applicants must first create an account (upper right-hand corner) and then search for "Water Well Operation" permit.
Apply here: City of Superior Permit Portal
Private Well Abandonment
Well abandonment is the permanent filling and sealing of a well that is no longer being used. The process prevents surface water, pollutants, and other contaminants from entering groundwater through an unused well.
Under Wisconsin law, only licensed well drillers and licensed pump installers may fill and seal wells. The work must be completed in accordance with Wisconsin Administrative Code Chapter NR 812.
The following is a link of WI DNR Approved Licensed Inspectors, Filling and Sealing Contactors, Fillers and Pump Installers: Wisconsin DNR Well Contacts
Steps to follow to abandon well:
- Determine if the well is active or unused.
- Hire a licensed WI well driller to fill and seal the well.
- Notify the City Building Inspection Department or the Village 48 hours before sealing the well.
- Submit the required abandonment documentation (form #3300-005) to the City of Superior’s Building Inspection Department or the Village within 30 days of completion.
- Complete abandonment within one year of connecting to municipal water service.
Well Abandonment Grants:
The Department of Natural Resources (DNR) operates a well abandonment grant program which provides funding assistance to properly fill and seal abandoned or unused private wells. The program is income-based, and the grant funding is considered taxable income by the IRS and must be reported as income.
IMPORTANT: Any work completed before submitting an application and receiving DNR approval will NOT be reimbursed.
Find out more information here: Well Abandonment Grant Information
Penalties
Failure to comply with these requirements can result in penalties. If a violation isn’t corrected within 30 days of written notice, the City may perform the well abandonment itself and assess the cost — plus prosecution costs — as a special tax against the property.
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