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 IX - Storage Facilities
Section NR 811.63 - Location

Universal Citation: WI Admin Code ยง NR 811.63

Current through August 26, 2024

Storage facilities shall be located in accordance with all the following requirements:

(1) FLOODWAY AND FLOODPLAIN.

(a) Floodway. Storage facilities may not be located within a floodway, as defined in s. NR 116.03 (22).

(b) Floodplain. If it is necessary to locate a reservoir in a floodplain, as defined in s. NR 116.03 (16), outside of the floodway, the lowest elevation of the bottom floor, including sumps, shall be a minimum of 2 feet above the regional flood elevation as determined in s. NR 116.07 (4). All projects shall conform to the requirements of that chapter.

Note: Refer to ch. NR 116 for floodplain and floodway requirements.

(2) GRADING. The area surrounding structures shall be graded in a manner that will prevent surface water from standing within 50 feet of the structure.

(3) YEAR-ROUND ACCESS. Storage facilities shall be located in an area accessible during the entire year. If necessary, road improvements shall be installed to provide year-round dry land access. Storage facilities and access roads shall be located on property owned by the water supply owner or for which the owner has obtained easements.

(4) FLOOR ELEVATIONS. The department recommends that the lowest elevations of floors and sump floors of ground level reservoirs and standpipes should be placed at or above the normal ground surface. If the department allows the floor or sump to be below the normal ground surface, it shall be placed a minimum of 2 feet above the groundwater table. Borings shall be made to determine groundwater elevations if that information is not available.

(5) CONTAMINATION SOURCES.

(a) Sewers, drains, fuel storage tanks, standing water, and similar sources of contamination shall be kept a minimum of 50 feet from the ground storage reservoir.

(b) The department may approve gravity or force main sewers within 50 feet of a ground storage reservoir if the sewer or force main is constructed of water main class pipe meeting the requirements under s. NR 811.69 and is pressure tested in place to meet the requirements under s. NR 811.12 (5) (d) 2.

(6) ROOF SURFACE ABOVE GRADE.

(a) The top roof surface of a ground level reservoir may not be less than 2 feet above normal ground surface.

(b) The department shall require a higher exposed elevation if high groundwater, poor surface drainage, or tight soils are encountered that will deter subsurface drainage or if necessary to provide positive pressures for pump intake or discharge lines in accordance with s. NR 811.37.

Note: It is recommended that no more than one-half of the reservoir depth be constructed below grade.

(c) The department may except clearwells constructed under filters from the 2 foot requirement when the total design gives the same protection.

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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