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 XII - Waste Disposal
Section NR 811.85 - General

Universal Citation: WI Admin Code ยง NR 811.85

Current through August 26, 2024

Provisions shall be made for proper disposal of all wastes from waterworks facilities including wastes from sanitary facilities, laboratories, and treatment plants. All waterworks facilities shall meet the general requirements of this section and the relevant sections of this subchapter, which contain standards to be utilized in meeting the requirements of ch. 283, Stats. The discharge of specific types of wastes shall be limited to those methods listed under this subchapter. If other treatment or disposal methods are proposed or the treatment results are uncertain, the department may require laboratory testing, pilot testing under s. NR 811.44, or full-scale testing to establish design parameters. In addition, water system waste disposal shall meet all of the following requirements:

(1) DISCHARGE REQUIREMENTS. Waterworks wastewater sludge, and solid wastes generated in the drinking water treatment process that is not recycled within the waterworks or disposed of in a licensed landfill shall meet all of the following provisions:

(a) Discharge to a sanitary sewer.
1. The indirect discharge of any pollutant from a waterworks facility into a publicly owned treatment works shall conform to all the applicable requirements under ch. NR 211.

2. An equalization tank or lagoon shall be provided if it is necessary to prevent overloading the sewers, interference, or pass through at the publicly or privately owned treatment works.

(b) Discharge to a water of the state.
1. The discharge of any pollutant from a water treatment plant to a water of the state shall be in accordance with the limitations and terms contained within a WPDES permit issued for the discharge. The discharge of solely sanitary wastes to a POWTS, as allowed under s. NR 811.851, is exempt from this requirement.

Note: The department's wastewater program in the bureau of water quality is responsible for the issuance of WPDES permits for discharges from waterworks to a water of the state. Waterworks owners should contact the department's district wastewater staff for WPDES permit application and administration.

2. The radionuclide content of the wastewater, including waste sludge, shall comply with s. NR 811.856. Any proposed land treatment system shall comply with the applicable requirements under ss. NR 204.07 and 214.18.

3. Land application of wastewater and sludge shall comply with the applicable requirements under s. NR 204.07 and ch. NR 214. Under s. NR 214.02 (3) (k), uncontaminated lime sludges applied in accordance with s. NR 518.04 (3) are exempt from this requirement.

Note: Uncontaminated lime sludge excludes any sludge containing radium-226, radium-228, or uranium and other contaminants that are regulated under a WPDES permit under ch. 283, Stats.

4. The discharge of wastewater to a water of the state shall be separated from a well in accordance with the applicable separation distances under s. NR 811.12 (5) (d) 6. and 8. The department may apply additional limitations to the location of a discharge on a case-by-case basis if necessary for adequate protection of a groundwater or surface water source.

(c) Discharge to a holding tank.
1. All wastewater discharged to a holding tank shall be regularly pumped and hauled to a permitted wastewater treatment plant.

2. The indirect discharge of any pollutant from a waterworks facility into a publicly owned treatment works shall conform to all the applicable requirements under ch. NR 211. The discharge shall not interfere with the operation of and effluent quality from a privately owned treatment works.

(2) PLAN APPROVAL. With the exception of facilities defined solely as plumbing under s. 145.01 (10), Stats., a wastewater conveyance, treatment, storage, equalization, or discharge facility shall be reviewed and approved by the department prior to construction under s. 281.41, Stats. A wastewater conveyance, treatment, storage, or equalization structure shall meet the design requirements under this chapter and ch. NR 213. A land treatment system shall also meet applicable design requirements under ch. NR 214.

The department's wastewater section in the bureau of water quality is responsible for the review of plans for wastewater facilities. Plans for water treatment plant alterations should be submitted to both the wastewater section and the public water engineering section.

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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