Wisconsin Administrative Code
Department of Natural Resources
NR 800 - Environmental Protection - Water Supply
Chapter NR 811 - Requirements For The Operation And Design Of Community Water Systems
Subchapter IV - Pumping Stations, Pumphouses, and Water Treatment Plant Buildings
Section NR 811.27 - Auxiliary power

Universal Citation: WI Admin Code § NR 811.27

Current through August 26, 2024

All municipal pumping stations, pumphouses, and water treatment plants shall have a standby auxiliary power source unless the department determines that there is sufficient pumping capacity with existing auxiliary power located at other water system facilities to provide at least an average day supply of water. Sufficient power shall be provided to operate pumps, treatment systems, chemical addition, control systems, and monitoring equipment. Auxiliary power for chemical addition, treatment, and monitoring equipment is not required if the treatment, chemical addition, control, and monitoring equipment is not necessary to meet the primary drinking water standards in ch. NR 809 or the continuous disinfection requirements of chs. NR 810 and 811.

(1) POWER SOURCES. Standby power may be provided by any of the following:

(a) A dedicated on-site generator or engine. A dedicated on-site generator may be located inside or outside the building. Dedicated on-site engine-generator sets installed within the building shall be located in a separate room. Diesel fuel tanks shall be provided with secondary containment and interstitial leakage monitoring and the installation shall receive written approval from the department of safety and professional services or its authorized agent under ch. ATCP 93 prior to installation. All fuel lines shall be exposed above grade. Water lines to water cooled units shall be provided with backflow prevention in accordance with s. SPS 382.41.

(b) A portable power source owned by the municipality and dedicated to the water supply facility operation.

(c) A portable power source not owned by the municipality but only if the water system owner obtains a written agreement with the owner of any portable power source, including tractors or trailered engine-generator sets, that requires the water system owner to have primary access to the power source in an emergency and that allows the portable power source to be brought to the water system as required for testing. The portable power source shall be located in the community if practical.

Note: The department recommends the use of water system owned dedicated on-site or portable engine-generator sets in all cases. It is recommended that the equipment necessary to convert natural gas fueled engines to propane be maintained on site in case the natural gas supply has to be shut off for any significant length of time. It is recommended that exterior engine-generator set installations be installed within a locked security fence.

(2) ALTERNATE PRELUBRICATION METHODS. The pump installation shall be provided with a prelubrication line with a valved bypass around the automatic control and backflow protection, if appropriate, in order to allow temporary continuous prelubrication, whenever automatic prelubrication of pump bearings is necessary and an auxiliary power supply is provided that will not provide power to the automatic prelubrication controls.

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.

This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.