jcm, I understand fully how exasperated you must have felt when they didn't show up to fix their mess! It does not surprise me that whatever settlement was reached, that they didn't admit to any wrongdoing. It baffles me that some people can read this as "misinformation" or untruths. Are we ALL wrong and liars? We have no reason to lie about what happened. We just want to warn the public that Govert is not worthy of their business.

They replaced a pump for us last August. They didn't put a properly fitting cap back on and the ear wigs etc. were crawling in and out. After 4 months of being told they would come back out to retest the water(and hauling water home) I finally called someone else.

I, too, remember when Goverts ran a good, reputable business. They drilled 2 wells for us resulting in our satisfaction. It is my opinion that since the father left, the kids and Andy are responsible for dragging the good name that previously existed through the mud. I, like fairandbalanced, had work done for me that was sloppy and inferior, and I had to have someone else come in and clean up their mess. They were totally unaccountable and unprofessional. Never once did they try to satisfy their customer and accept any responsibility whatsoever. I faced the decision to take them to court, or pay to have it fixed. I took the path that cost me the least and have hoped that someday I would see them get what was coming to them! And now, I just may be able to get some retribution. I encourage fairandbalanced to consider doing the same. It is my hope whatever license they may hold, that it gets pulled.

Obviously they have these charges against them for a reason. You don't wind up in this kind of situation if your doing nothing wrong. Innocent would mean there would be no fines to pay.

Goverts have yet to give their side of this situation. there may be a very understandable explanation of what happened. Govert's have been drilling wells in Rock county since the 1960's with many satisfied customers. They would not have lasted this long if they did shoddy work. A reputation is very fragile commodity, difficult to build and maintain, very easy to ruin with mis-information and half truths.The out of court settlement with no admitting of wrongdoing may well be the best ( but expensive) course of action from a legal and business point of view rather than dragging what's left of their good name through the courts and the media over a long period of time.

Goverts has always been responsive and fair priced on work they've done for my family. I've needed them for everything from an inspection on a house sale to replacing my well's pump. They have stood behind their work and replaced faulty parts at no charge, and they're always friendly and reliable. I wouldn't call anyone else as long as Goverts are around.

They didn't screw up our well, but they laid pipe for our construction project for our business. The pipe burst and they refused to stand behind their product and work. We had proof that the pipe didn't freeze, however, that was their claim. We then hired another contractor to dig up the blacktop and pipe. Govert returned to patch the pipe, but totally botched the job by plugging the pipe with rock and sand. Then we hired yet another contractor to fix that situation. Throughout the entire ordeal, they were uncooperative and confrontational. They hung up on us, were rude and were totally unprofessional.

If you have questions about your well, contact Steve Ales at the DNR. His number is (608) 275-3311 or e-mail him at stephen.ales@wisconsin.gov

Cathy Idzerda, reporter.

Pay each well owner $50? Thats not going to go very far towards fixing any problem unless this is still 1885.

Our well was hand dug in 1885. There was little more done to it than a rude casing thrown down. We've always had a bit of sand in our toilet tank.
My point is, if Govert is doing as fine a job in 2008 as the 1885 farmers, they have some serious issues.
My gut feeling on this out-of-court settlement was to avoid personal lawsuits from homeowners . After this, I am thinking their insurance policy won't be renewed, leaving homeowners high and dry.

fairandbalanced, what was wrong with your well? I think I'm gonna call the attorney generals office and see what I should do.

I don't know if you have to be licensed to be a well driller, but if you do, this guys' should be taken away.

I was delighted to read of the fine Goverts received. They cost us several thousand dollars repairing something they did wrong. Our choice was to hire an attorney and spend at least that much to fight them, or have someone else fix the problem they created. I have always been a firm believer that what goes around, comes around. I hope everyone who reads this story will take it to heart and find another contractor who has dignity and stands behind their work!

Govert did our well 4 years and we've been pumping sand ever since. We live off of kidder rd. and they said that it was normal!!!!!