Wisconsin Administrative Code
Department of Natural Resources
NR 800 - Environmental Protection - Water Supply
Chapter NR 809 - Safe Drinking Water
Subchapter I - Maximum Contaminant Levels, Monitoring and Analytical Requirements for Primary Drinking Water Contaminants
Section NR 809.35 - Sanitary survey requirements for all public water systems

Universal Citation: WI Admin Code § NR 809.35

Current through August 26, 2024

(1) SANITARY SURVEYS.

(a) Community water systems shall undergo a sanitary survey every 3 years, unless the public water system meets the requirements of sub. (2) for outstanding performance of a public water system, then a sanitary survey may be conducted every 5 years.

(b) Non-community water systems shall undergo a sanitary survey every 5 years.

(c) The department will review the results of each sanitary survey to determine whether the existing monitoring frequency is adequate and what additional measures, if any, the water supplier needs to undertake to improve drinking water quality.

(d) Sanitary surveys shall be performed by the department or an agent approved by the department. If the department requests a water supplier to have a sanitary survey performed, the water supplier is responsible for ensuring the survey is completed.

(2) OUTSTANDING PERFORMANCE.

(a) At the discretion of the department, community water systems may be designated as demonstrating outstanding performance and eligible for a reduced frequency of sanitary surveys. For community water systems determined by the department to have outstanding performance based on prior sanitary surveys, subsequent sanitary surveys may be conducted no less than every five years. The following criteria shall be used to determine outstanding performance:

1. No violations of MCLs since the last sanitary survey.

2. No violations of monitoring and reporting requirements since the last sanitary survey.

3. No violations of primary drinking water regulations during the past five years or similar time period.

4. No significant deficiencies shall have been identified in the current sanitary survey or the previous sanitary survey.

5. Existence of emergency preparedness measures and backup facilities.

6. Expert operation and management of the public water system, for example, skilled, certified personnel in adequate numbers, existence of quality O&M manuals that are used by the staff; adequate budget and revenues.

7. Effective cross-connection program developed and implemented.

8. Stable water source with no significant interruptions in supply.

(3) INFORMATION AVAILABILITY. A water supplier shall provide the department any existing information that will enable the department to conduct a sanitary survey.

(4) SURVEY DETAILS. A sanitary survey, as conducted by the department under this section, includes but is not limited to, an onsite review of the water sources facilities, equipment, operation, maintenance, and monitoring compliance of a public water system to evaluate the adequacy of the public water system, its sources and operations and the distribution of safe drinking water. In addition, the department shall identify sources of potential contamination by using results of source water monitoring assessments or other relevant information.

(5) COMPONENTS OF A SURVEY. The sanitary survey shall include an evaluation of all or the applicable components listed in pars. (a) to (h):

(a) Source.

(b) Treatment.

(d) Finished water storage.

(e) Pumps, pump facilities, and controls.

(f) Monitoring, reporting, and data verification.

(g) Public water system management and operation.

(h) Operator compliance with department requirements.

Disclaimer: These regulations may not be the most recent version. Wisconsin may have more current or accurate information. We make no warranties or guarantees about the accuracy, completeness, or adequacy of the information contained on this site or the information linked to on the state site. Please check official sources.

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