(1) The department may exercise such powers as are reasonably necessary to carry out and enforce the provisions of this chapter. It may, among other things:
(a) Employ a competent supervisor to supervise and inspect all well drilling and pump installing operations and aid in the enforcement of all laws and rules governing the well drilling and pump installing industries. The department may also employ assistants, prescribe their respective qualifications and salaries and assign their duties.
(b) Conduct investigations and experiments for the advancement of technical knowledge and ascertain and establish the cause of groundwater pollution and for the casing of wells or other means of protection, and may hold public meetings and attend or be represented at such meetings within or without the state.
(c) Enter and inspect at reasonable hours wells and equipment thereof, all water supplies for human consumption on private or public property or may order necessary corrections and repairs of construction or may order discontinuances of any well and the use of its water, if found contaminated, polluted or unfit for human consumption. It may also disseminate information relative to the construction, source and protection of such water supply.
(d) Require any well driller, pump installer or other person responsible for a water supply to secure an analysis of water by the laboratory of hygiene or by any laboratory accredited by the department to establish the purity and fitness of such water for human consumption and for domestic purposes. A report of each such analysis shall be submitted to the department.
(e) Prepare and cause to be printed such codes, bulletins or other documents as may be necessary for the safety of the public health and the betterment of the industries, and furnish copies thereof to well drillers, pump installers and to the public upon request.
(f) Furnish upon request of the owner of any well, or any well driller or pump installer, recommendations for obtaining and maintaining a safe water supply for human consumption.
(2) The department may on its own motion make investigations and conduct hearings and may, on its own motion or upon complaint in writing, duly signed and verified by the complainant, and upon not less than 10 days' notice to the well driller or pump installer, suspend or revoke as hereinafter provided any well driller's or pump installer's permit if said department has reason to believe or finds that the holder of such permit has:
(a) Made a material misstatement in the application for permit or any application for a renewal thereof.
(b) Demonstrated incompetency to act in the industry or industries for which such permit was issued; or
(c) Willfully violated a second time any provision of this chapter or any rule, regulation or order prescribed by the department.
(d) Been found guilty in any civil or criminal proceeding of any action constituting fraud in connection with the well driller's or pump installer's well drilling or pump installing operations.
(3) A copy of the complaint with notice of the suspension of permit, if ordered by the department, shall be served on the person complained against, and the person's answer shall be filed with the department and the complainant within 10 days after service. The department shall thereupon set the matter for hearing as promptly as possible and within 30 days after the date on which the complaint was filed. Either party may appear at the hearing in person or by attorney or agent.
(4) No order revoking a permit under sub. (2) shall be made until after a public hearing to be held before the department in the county where the permittee has his or her place of business. If the permittee is a nonresident, the hearing shall be at such place as the department designates. At least 10 days prior to the hearing the department shall send written notice of the time and place of the hearing to the permittee and to the permittee's attorney or agent of record by mailing the notice to the last-known address of such persons. The testimony presented and proceedings had at the hearing shall be recorded and preserved as the records of the department. The department shall as soon thereafter as possible make its findings and determination and send a copy to each interested party.
(5) One year after the date of revocation or thereafter application may be made for a new permit.
(6) No individual, firm or corporation whose permit has been revoked pursuant to this section shall, during the period in which the revocation is effective, engage in any well drilling or pump installing activity except under the direct supervision and as an employee of a registered well driller or pump installer.