The County Water Quality Specialist is designated to act as the Well Abandonment Ordinance Administrator, and is assigned the duties of administering the private water systems program in accordance with Department rules.

The Administrator shall have the power and duty to enforce the provisions of this section, and all other ordinances, laws and orders of the County and of the State of Wisconsin, which relate to the abandonment of wells and drillholes, at the County's authorized delegation level.

(1)

Qualifications of Administrator. The Administrator shall be informed on the principles and practices of well abandonment and drillhole abandonment.

(2)

Powers of Administrator. The Administrator shall have all the powers necessary to enforce the provisions of this section commensurate with the level or levels of the County's delegated authority including the following:

(a)

In the performance of his or her duties, the Administrator or an authorized assistant may enter, with the permission of the property owner or occupant, any building or property upon presentation of the proper credential, during reasonable hours for the purpose of inspecting the private water system for purposes pertinent to well abandonment and drillhole abandonment. If consent to enter a property for inspection purposes is denied, the Administrator may obtain a special inspection warrant under Wis. Stats. §§ 66.122 and 66.123. No person may interfere with the Administrator or an authorized assistant in the performance of his or her duties.

(b)

Order any person owning, operating or installing a private water system to abandon it, if the well meets one of the criteria listed in Wis. Admin. Code section NR 812.26(2).

(c)

Enforce any County ordinances applicable to private water systems in accordance with Department rules.

(3)

Duties of Administrator. It shall be the duty of the Administrator to enforce the provisions of this section and perform the following duties commensurate with the level or levels of the County's delegated authority.

(a)

Provide the Department with copies of all abandonment inspection forms and correspondence as required by Wis. Admin. Code ch. NR 845.

(b)

Investigate and record all private water system complaints pertinent to well and drillhole abandonment.

(c)

Investigate cases of noncompliance with this section, Wis. Admin. Code ch. NR 812, and Wis. Stats. ch. 280; issue orders to abate the noncompliance, and submit violations to the County Corporation Counsel for enforcement.

(d)

Refer complaints and cases of noncompliance believed to be or known to be beyond the scope of the County's delegation level to the Department.

(e)

Cooperate with all other government units and agencies in the enforcement of all State and local laws and regulations of matters related to this section.

(f)

Assist the Department as specified in Wis. Admin. Code ch. NR 845.

(g)

Refer variance requests and actions, which require Department approval to the Department.

(h)

The Administrator, a trained County inspector or County office staff shall be available for answering questions regarding well abandonment and drillhole abandonment.