Wisconsin Administrative Code
Department of Natural Resources
NR 800 - Environmental Protection - Water Supply
Chapter NR 810 - Requirements for the operation and maintenance of public water systems
Subchapter I - General Operations
Section NR 810.26 - Other requirements

Universal Citation: WI Admin Code ยง NR 810.26

Current through August 26, 2024

(1) AUTHORIZATION FOR OPERATION OF NEW COMMUNITY WATER SYSTEMS OR IMPROVEMENTS TO EXISTING SYSTEMS. Before a new community water system or improvements to a community water system can be placed into service, written authorization of the department shall be obtained.

(a) To obtain authorization for operation of a new community water system, the community water system owner shall meet the following requirements:
1. An inspection of the facilities shall be made by a representative of the department to determine if construction is in accordance with the approved plans and specifications. Deficiencies shall be corrected prior to startup or by a specified compliance date, as determined by the significance of the deficiency.

2. The department shall be informed in writing of the name of the certified operator who will be in charge of any community water system.

3. The owner of a municipal water system shall have adopted cross-connection and well abandonment ordinances or rules.

4. The owner of a municipal water system shall have an approved wellhead protection plan.

5. The owner of each community water system shall have an emergency response plan.

6. Water distribution maps as required in sub. (2) shall be provided to the department by the water supplier.

7. A plan identifying all sample locations for all monitoring required under the Safe Drinking Water Act shall be provided to the department by the water supplier.

(b) To obtain authorization for startup of improvements to existing community water systems that are reviewable projects as defined in s. NR 108.02(13), an inspection of the facilities and correction of deficiencies may be necessary prior to startup as required in par. (a). Water mains are excluded from the inspection requirement unless required in the department plans and specifications approval letter.

(2) MAPS. Each municipal and OTM subdivision water supplier shall supply a current map of the public water system which shows the size and location of all facilities and appurtenances, such as water mains, valves, hydrants, wells or sources, pumping stations, treatment plants, and storage facilities. Overflow elevations of the water system storage units shall be shown. Any pressure zones shall be delineated. Two current copies of this map shall be kept on file with the department at all times. One copy shall be provided to the department's central office and one copy shall be provided to the appropriate department regional office.

(3) METERS. Each municipal water supplier and those water suppliers for other-than-municipal water systems having a source capacity of at least 70 gallons per minute shall provide a water meter at each source to accurately measure the daily quantity of water pumped or delivered. Water metering shall be provided for all community water systems utilizing chemical addition. All source water meters shall be calibrated at least every 2 years as required in s. PSC 185.83(2).

(4) LICENSED PUMP INSTALLER. Any person, firm, corporation or partnership performing well pump installing work as defined in s. 280.01(5), Stats., shall perform the work in accordance with chs. NR 108, 811, and 812 and shall be a licensed pump installer in accordance with the requirements of ch. NR 146. Pump installing work at municipal water systems is not required to be performed by a licensed pump installer when performed by a department certified waterworks operator who is a full-time employee of the municipal water system.

Note: Section 280.01(5), Stats., defines "pump installing" to mean the industry and procedure employed in the placement and preparation for operation of equipment and materials utilized in withdrawing or obtaining water from a well for consumption or use, including all construction involved in making entrance to the well and establishing such seals and safeguards as are necessary to protect such water from contamination.

(5) WELL HEAD PROTECTION PLANS. Water suppliers for community water systems with a department approved well head protection plan and ordinance shall implement it. Amended plans or ordinances shall be approved by the department prior to implementation.

(6) SAMPLING AND MONITORING PLANS. Water suppliers shall develop sampling and monitoring plans as required by ss. NR 809.31(1) (a), 809.325(2) (c), and 809.565(6).

(7) STORAGE TURNOVER. Storage facilities shall be operated to facilitate turnover of water in order to prevent freezing and stagnant water conditions. Consideration shall be given to installing separate inlet and outlet pipes, diffusers and baffle walls.

(8) EMERGENCY CHLORINATION PLANS. An emergency chlorination plan is required for each community water system. Each municipal water system shall have appropriate chlorination infrastructure and chorine available to obtai n 0.5 mg/l free chlorine throughout its distribution system within 4 hours. A working chlorine meter shall also be available to measure chlorine concentrations. To ensure water systems are capable of emergency chlorination, the department may ask that an emergency chlorination test be conducted by the water supplier for a municipal water system. At a minimum, the emergency chlorination plan shall include:

(a) Location and description of chlorine pumps, solution containers, chemical, and chlorine test meter.

(b) Procedures for adding chlorine to the water system, flushing the water system to move chlorine to extremities, and testing chlorine levels.

(c) Example calculations for determining dosage 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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