NR 205.04(52)
(52) “WPDES" means the Wisconsin pollutant discharge elimination system.
NR 205.04 History
History: Cr.
Register, September, 1984, No. 345, eff. 10-1-84; cr. (40m), (43k) and (43n),
Register, April, 1990, No. 412, eff. 5-1-90
; correction in (intro.) was made under s. 13.93 (2m) (b) 7., Stats.,
Register, May, 2001, No. 545.
NR 205.05
NR 205.05
Rainfall events. The design rainfall amount and probable intensity of 10-year and 25-year, 24-hour rainfall events for locations in Wisconsin shall be determined from the data in table 1, or for a particular location such determination may be made on the basis of more recent rainfall probability data verified by a government agency and approved by the department for this purpose.
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See PDF for table 
NR 205.05 Note
Note: The data of table 1 were obtained by extrapolation from maps published by the National Weather Service in Technical Paper No. 40, “Rainfall Frequency Atlas of the United States".
NR 205.05 History
History: Cr.
Register, September, 1984, No. 345, eff. 10-1-84.
NR 205.06
NR 205.06
Effluent limitations applicable where pH is monitored continuously. When an industrial point source discharger continuously monitors the pH of wastewater in accordance with the requirements of a WPDES permit and the pH limits in the permit are established as part of the effluent limitations applicable to the category of dischargers to which the industrial point source belongs, the permittee shall maintain the pH of such wastewater within the range of the categorical limits, except pH excursions from the range are permitted subject to the following constraints:
NR 205.06(1)
(1) The total time during which the pH values are outside the range of categorical pH limits may not exceed 7 hours and 26 minutes in any calendar month.
NR 205.06(2)
(2) An individual excursion from the range of categorical pH limits may not exceed 60 minutes.
NR 205.06 History
History: Cr.
Register, September, 1984, No. 345, eff. 10-1-84; correction in (3) was made under s. 13.93 (2m) (b) 7., Stats.,
Register, May, 2001, No. 545.
NR 205.065(1)
(1)
Effluent limitations in permits. The department shall impose permit effluent limitations or effluent standards for discharges of pollutants on the discharge point of the permitted facility except as provided in
sub. (2).
NR 205.065(2)
(2) Internal waste streams. The department may impose permit effluent limitations or effluent standards for discharges of pollutants on an internal waste stream when all of the following are true:
NR 205.065(2)(a)
(a) Imposing effluent limitations or standards at the point of discharge is impractical or infeasible.
NR 205.065(2)(b)
(b) The internal waste stream has not mixed with other waste streams or cooling water streams.
NR 205.065(2)(c)
(c) The fact sheet under
ch. NR 201 states the reasons why it is necessary to impose effluent limitations or standards on an internal waste stream.
NR 205.065(3)
(3) Calculation of effluent limitations for POTWs. For continuous dischargers as defined in
s. NR 205.03 (9g) and subject to
ch. NR 210, effluent limitations shall be based on the maximum effluent flow, expressed as a daily average, that is anticipated to occur for 12 continuous months during the design life of the treatment facility unless it is demonstrated to the department that such a design flow rate is not representative of projected flows at the facility.
NR 205.065(4)
(4) Calculation of effluent limitations for other continuous discharges. For all other discharges not subject to
ch. NR 210, effluent limitations shall be calculated based on actual representative flow values except as provided in
pars. (a) and
(b).
NR 205.065(4)(a)
(a) For new discharges, production-based effluent limitations shall be estimated using projected production.
NR 205.065(4)(b)
(b) If a facility is expanding or decreasing production levels, the department may use an estimated alternative production value to calculate production-based effluent limitations.
NR 205.065(5)
(5) Intake water credit. If requested by the permittee in the permit application for issuance or reissuance, technology-based effluent limitations shall, for each substance or parameter, be adjusted to reflect the discharger's intake water if all of the following conditions are met:
NR 205.065(5)(b)
(b) The permittee does not discharge raw water clarifier sludge generated from the treatment of intake water.
NR 205.065(5)(c)
(c) The permittee demonstrates that the applicable technology-based effluent limitation for the pollutant would be met in the absence of the pollutant in the intake water.
NR 205.065(5)(d)
(d) The permittee demonstrates that the constituents of the pollutant in the effluent are substantially similar to the constituents of the pollutant in the intake water. The permittee shall also demonstrate that the intake water is drawn from the same waterbody as defined in
s. NR 106.03 (11m) from into which the discharge is made.
NR 205.065(6)
(6) Maximum intake water credit. If intake credit is granted pursuant to
sub. (5), that intake credit cannot exceed the
maximum value equal to the influent value, and shall be no greater than the value necessary to comply with the applicable permit effluent limitation. Additional monitoring may be included in the permits to determine eligibility for credits and compliance with the applicable limits.
NR 205.065(7)
(7) Effluent Limit expression. Effluent limitations shall be expressed in accordance with this subsection except if the department determines it is impracticable, or if the department determines that different time periods for expressing limitations are needed to ensure compliance with the applicable water quality standard and different time periods are established in another rule provision for a specific pollutant. Water quality-based effluent limitations for toxic pollutants shall be expressed in a permit in accordance with
ch. NR 106. Effluent limitations shall be expressed in accordance with all of the following:
NR 205.065(7)(a)
(a) For continuous dischargers as defined in
s. NR 205.03 (9g) and subject to
ch. NR 210, limitations shall be expressed as average weekly and average monthly discharge limitations.
NR 205.065(7)(b)
(b) For continuous discharges as defined in
s. NR 205.03 (9g) and not subject to
ch. NR 210, limitations shall be expressed as daily maximum and average monthly discharge limitations.
NR 205.065(7)(c)
(c) For seasonal discharges, discharges proportional to stream flow, or other unusual discharge situations that do not meet the definition of a continuous discharge in
s. NR 205.03 (9g), limitations shall be expressed on a case-by-case basis. When determining limitations the department shall consider all of the following factors:
NR 205.065(7)(c)4.
4. Whether the pollutant is subject to other limitations expressed by mass, concentration, or other appropriate measure in the permit.
NR 205.065 Note
Note: An example of a different time period for expressing limits for a specific pollutant or parameter is phosphorus limitations as specified in s.
NR 217.14.
NR 205.065(8)(a)(a) All pollutants limited in permits shall have limitations, standards, or prohibitions expressed in terms of mass, except for any of the following situations:
NR 205.065(8)(a)1.
1. Pollutants limited in permits that cannot be appropriately expressed by mass such as pH, chlorine, temperature, radiation, or other pollutants.
NR 205.065(8)(a)2.
2. When applicable standards and limitations are expressed in terms of other units of measurement.
NR 205.065(8)(a)3.
3. If limitations expressed in terms of mass are infeasible because the mass of the pollutant discharged cannot be related to a measure of operation.
NR 205.065(8)(b)
(b) If a mass limit is included in the permit for a pollutant, the pollutant may also be limited in terms of other units of measurement in the permit, and the permit shall require the permittee to comply with both limitations.
NR 205.065(9)
(9) Metals. All permit effluent limitations, standards, or prohibitions for a metal shall be expressed in terms of total recoverable in a permit unless any of the following conditions apply:
NR 205.065(9)(a)
(a) An applicable effluent standard or limitation has been promulgated and specifies the limitation for the metal in dissolved or valent or total form.
NR 205.065(9)(b)
(b) In establishing permit limitations on a case-by-case basis, it is necessary to express the limitation for the metal in the dissolved or valent or total form to carry out the provisions of the federal Clean Water Act or
ch. 283, Stats.
NR 205.065(9)(c)
(c) All approved analytical methods for the metal inherently measure only the dissolved form of the pollutant.
NR 205.065 History
History: CR 15-085: cr.
Register August 2016 No. 728, eff. 9-1-16.
NR 205.066(1)(1)
Monitoring. The department shall determine on a case-by-case basis the monitoring frequency to be required for each effluent limitation in a permit. Monitoring shall occur at the point of discharge or at the internal waste stream if the permit limitations are imposed on the internal waste stream under
s. NR 205.065 (2) unless an alternative location is established by the department in the permit.
NR 205.066(2)
(2) Production limit documentation. If limits are calculated under
s. NR 205.065 (4) (a) or
(b) the permittee shall submit with the DMR the level of production that actually occurred during each month limits are effective.
NR 205.066(3)
(3) Exceedance of production limits. The permittee shall comply with the limitations, standards, and prohibitions calculated under
s. NR 205.065 (4) (b) unless the permittee has notified the department in writing of an anticipated exceedance of the estimated alternative design flow used to calculate limits, in which case the permittee may comply with an alternative design flow, not to exceed the production level specified in the notice. Written notifications must be submitted to the department at least two business days
prior to a month in which the permittee expects to operate at a level higher than the lowest production level identified in the permit and shall specify the anticipated level, period during which the permittee expects to operate at the alternate level, and the reasons for the anticipated production level increase. Notice of increased discharge must be submitted to the department for all exceedances not covered in previous notifications.
NR 205.066 History
History: CR 15-085: cr.
Register August 2016 No. 728, eff. 9-1-16.
NR 205.067
NR 205.067
Reasonable potential for water quality based effluent limitations. NR 205.067(1)(a)(a) The department shall include an effluent limitation for a pollutant in a WPDES permit when the department determines that the discharge of the pollutant causes, has the reasonable potential to cause, or contributes to an excursion above the allowable ambient concentration of a numeric water quality criterion in
chs. NR 102 to
104 in the receiving water or a downstream water.
NR 205.067 Note
Note: Downstream water includes downstream waterbodies in other states or tribal waters that have EPA approved standards under
40 CFR 130.
NR 205.067(1)(b)
(b) Limitations shall control all pollutants or pollutant parameters, including conventional, nonconventional, and toxic pollutants, that the department determines are or may be discharged at a level that will cause, have the reasonable potential to cause, or contribute to an excursion above any water quality standard in
chs. NR 102 to
104, including narrative criteria for water quality.
NR 205.067(2)
(2) Factors to consider. When determining under
sub. (1) or
(4) whether a pollutant discharged causes, has the reasonable potential to cause, or contributes to an exceedance of a numeric or narrative water quality standard, the department shall consider all of the following factors:
NR 205.067(2)(b)
(b) Controls on the pollutant discharged by nonpoint source pollution in the watershed.
NR 205.067(2)(c)
(c) The variability of the pollutant or parameter in the effluent discharged.
NR 205.067(3)
(3) Water quality based effluent limitations. If the department determines a limitation is necessary under this section, the limitation shall:
NR 205.067(3)(a)
(a) Be consistent with a total maximum daily load as defined in
s. NR 217.11 (7) if a total maximum daily load has been approved by the EPA for the receiving waterbody.
NR 205.067(3)(b)
(b) Ensure achievement of a level of water quality derived from, and in compliance with, the applicable water quality standard.
NR 205.067(4)(a)(a) When a chemical pollutant, for which a numeric water quality criterion does not exist, is present in an effluent at a concentration that causes, has the reasonable potential to cause, or contributes to an excursion above a narrative criterion within an applicable water quality standard, effluent limits shall be established using one or more of the following options:
NR 205.067(4)(a)1.
1. Establish effluent limits using a calculated numeric water quality criterion for the pollutant that the department demonstrates will attain and maintain applicable narrative water quality criteria and will fully protect the designated use. Such a criterion may be derived using data for a proposed criterion or other relevant information such as EPA's Water Quality Standards Handbook, risk assessment data, exposure data, information about the pollutant from the Food and Drug Administration, and current EPA criteria documents.
NR 205.067(4)(a)2.
2. Establish effluent limits on a case-by-case basis, using EPA's water quality criteria, published under
33 USC 1314(a), supplemented when necessary by other relevant information.
NR 205.067(4)(a)3.
3. Establish effluent limits on an indicator parameter for the pollutant of concern, provided that all of the following are true:
NR 205.067(4)(a)3.a.
a. The permit identifies which pollutants are intended to be controlled by the use of the effluent limitation.
NR 205.067(4)(a)3.b.
b. The fact sheet sets forth the basis for the limit, including a finding that compliance with the effluent limit of the indicator parameter will result in controls on the pollutant of concern that are sufficient to attain and maintain applicable water quality standards.
NR 205.067(4)(a)3.c.
c. The permit requires all effluent and ambient monitoring necessary to show that, during the term of the permit, the limit on the indicator parameter continues to attain and maintain applicable water quality standards.
NR 205.067(4)(a)3.d.
d. The permit contains a reopener clause allowing the department to modify or revoke and reissue the permit if the limits on the indicator parameter no longer attain and maintain applicable water quality standards.
NR 205.067(4)(b)
(b) If there is reasonable potential under
par. (a) to exceed a narrative criterion and if required under
s. NR 106.08, a limitation for whole effluent toxicity shall be included in the permit.
NR 205.067 Note
Note: Limitations and procedures for whole effluent toxicity are established in subch.
II of ch. NR 106.
NR 205.067(5)(a)(a) Subject to
par. (b), if a permit includes a water quality based effluent limitation for a pollutant because the limitation is required under this section or is required under the procedures in another chapter, the water quality based effluent limitation for the pollutant shall be included in a subsequently reissued permit if all of the following apply:
NR 205.067(5)(a)1.
1. Treatment or pollutant control measures were added to comply with the water quality based effluent limitation for the pollutant and the water quality based effluent limitation took effect in a prior permit.
NR 205.067(5)(a)2.
2. The facility has the ability to alter or suspend the treatment or pollutant control measures for the pollutant to the degree that there is continued reasonable potential to exceed the applicable standard.
NR 205.067(5)(b)
(b) If the department determines a more stringent limitation is necessary to comply with water quality standards, a more stringent water quality based effluent limitation shall be included in the permit for the pollutant. Also, the department may include a less stringent limitation provided water quality standards, including antidegradation, as well as antibacksliding requirements in
ch. NR 207 are met.
NR 205.067(6)
(6) Exception. Subsections (1) to
(4) do not apply to pollutants or limitations that are subject to the procedures in
ch. NR 106 or
217.
NR 205.067 History
History: CR 17-002: cr. Register April 2018 No. 748, eff. 5-1-18; correction in (5) (a) (intro.), (6) made under s. 35.17, Stats., Register April 2018 No. 748. NR 205.07(1)
(1) The following conditions shall be included in all WPDES permits issued by the department. Other conditions that may be included in POTW and non-POTW permits are contained in
subs. (2) and
(3), respectively.
