NR 205.07(1)(u)
(u)
Bypassing. Except for a controlled diversion as provided in
par. (v), any bypass is prohibited. The Department may approve the following:
NR 205.07(1)(u)1.
1. `Blending.' The bypass event is blending at a sewage treatment facility and complies with the requirements of
s. NR 210.12.
NR 205.07(1)(u)2.
2. `Scheduled bypass.' The bypass event is scheduled or anticipated in advance by the permittee and the permittee received prior written approval from the department for the scheduled bypass. A permittee's written request for department approval of a scheduled bypass shall demonstrate that the conditions in
subd. 3. are met and include the proposed date and reason for the bypass, estimated volume and duration of the bypass, alternatives to bypassing, and measures to mitigate environmental harm caused by the bypass. The department may require the permittee to provide public notification for a scheduled bypass if it is determined there is significant public interest in the proposed action.
NR 205.07 Note
Note: If the department determines there is significant public interest in the proposed action, the department may schedule a public hearing or notice regarding the proposal for a scheduled bypass.
NR 205.07(1)(u)3.
3. `Other bypass.' The permittee demonstrates that all of the following apply:
NR 205.07(1)(u)3.a.
a. The bypass was unavoidable to prevent loss of life, personal injury, or severe property damage.
NR 205.07(1)(u)3.b.
b. There were no feasible alternatives to the bypass, such as the use of auxiliary treatment facilities or adequate back-up equipment, retention of untreated wastes, reduction of inflow and infiltration, or maintenance during normal periods of equipment downtime. This condition is not satisfied if adequate back-up equipment should have been installed in the exercise of reasonable engineering judgment to prevent a bypass which occurred during normal periods of equipment downtime or preventative maintenance.
NR 205.07 Note
Note: When evaluating feasibility of alternatives, the department may consider factors such as technical achievability, costs and affordability of implementation and risks to public health, the environment, and, where the permittee is a municipality, the welfare of the community served.
NR 205.07 Note
Note: Pursuant to ss.
283.89 and
283.91, Stats., violations of permit conditions or rule requirements are referred to the department of justice for enforcement.
NR 205.07(1)(v)
(v)
Controlled diversion. Controlled diversions are allowed provided the following requirements are met:
NR 205.07(1)(v)1.
1. Effluent from the sewage treatment facility or wastewater treatment facility shall meet the effluent limitations established in the permit. Wastewater that is diverted around a treatment unit or treatment process during a controlled diversion shall be recombined with wastewater that is not diverted prior to the effluent sampling location and prior to effluent discharge.
NR 205.07(1)(v)2.
2. A controlled diversion may not occur during periods of excessive flow or other abnormal wastewater characteristics.
NR 205.07(1)(v)3.
3. A controlled diversion may occur only when necessary for essential maintenance to assure efficient operation.
NR 205.07 Note
Note: Sewage treatment facilities that have multiple treatment units to treat variable or seasonal loading conditions may shut down redundant treatment units when necessary for efficient operation.
NR 205.07(1)(v)4.
4. A controlled diversion may not result in a sewage treatment facility or wastewater treatment facility overflow.
NR 205.07(1)(v)5.
5. All instances of controlled diversions shall be documented in sewage treatment facility or wastewater treatment facility records and such records shall be available to the department on request.
NR 205.07(1)(x)
(x)
Permit as enforcement shield. Compliance with a permit during its term constitutes compliance for purposes of enforcement with
33 USC 1311,
1312,
1316,
1317,
1328, and
1345 (a) and (b), except for any toxic effluent standard or prohibition, and standards for sewage sludge use or disposal. If a new or revised toxic effluent standard or toxic prohibition becomes effective during the term of the permit, the permittee may be subject to enforcement action if the discharge exceeds the new or revised effluent standard for the toxic pollutant even though the discharge is in compliance with the existing permit. The permittee may also be subject to enforcement action standards for sewage sludge use or disposal. However, a permit may be modified, revoked and reissued, or terminated during its term for cause as set forth in
ch. 283, Stats., and
ch. NR 203.
NR 205.07 Note
Note: The toxic effluent standards in s.
NR 205.07 (1) (x) are the technology based limitations applicable to the categorical sources in accordance with
33 USC 1317 (sec. 307 of the Clean Water Act). Refer to
40 CFR 122.5 (a).
NR 205.07(1)(y)
(y)
Affirmative defense. Compliance with a permit condition which implements a particular standard for sewage sludge use or disposal shall be an affirmative defense in any enforcement action brought for a violation of that standard for sewage sludge use or disposal.
NR 205.07(2)
(2) The following conditions may be included in a WPDES permit issued by the department to the owner or operator of a POTW.
NR 205.07(2)(a)
(a) POTW's and planned changes. All permittees who are POTWs shall provide adequate advance notice to the department of the changes in
subds. 1. and
2. Written notice shall provide information on the quality and quantity of effluent introduced into the POTW, and any anticipated impact of the change on the quantity or quality of effluent and sludge to be discharged from the POTW.
NR 205.07(2)(a)1.
1. Any new introduction of pollutants into a POTW from an indirect discharger which would be subject to s.
283.31, Stats., if it were directly discharging those pollutants; and
NR 205.07(2)(a)2.
2. Any substantial change in the volume or character of pollutants being introduced into the POTW by a source introducing pollutants into the POTW at the time of permit issuance.
NR 205.07(2)(b)
(b) Prohibited wastes. Under no circumstances may the introduction of wastes prohibited by
s. NR 211.10 be allowed into the waste treatment system. Prohibited wastes include those:
NR 205.07(2)(b)2.
2. Which will cause corrosive structural damage to the treatment work;
NR 205.07(2)(b)3.
3. Solid or viscous substances in amounts which cause obstructions to the flow in sewers or interference with the proper operation of the treatment work;
NR 205.07(2)(b)4.
4. Wastewaters at a flow rate or pollutant loading which are excessive over relatively short time periods so as to cause a loss of treatment efficiency; or
NR 205.07(2)(b)5.
5. Changes in discharge volume or composition from contributing industries which overload the treatment works or cause a loss of treatment efficiency.
NR 205.07(2)(c)
(c) Pretreatment. The permittee shall require any industrial user of the permitted facility to meet pretreatment standards established under s.
283.21 (2), Stats., and to provide records or reports, or all information, related to compliance with pretreatment standards.
NR 205.07(2)(dm)
(dm) Unscheduled sludge removal. Any disposal of grit, screenings, scum, sludges or other solids generated as a result of wastewater treatment processes shall be prohibited unless such disposal is authorized by a WPDES permit or other department license or approval.
NR 205.07(2)(e)
(e) Priority system for septage acceptance at a POTW. A POTW that accepts septage for treatment and disposal and is unable to accommodate all the requests for acceptance by licensed disposers shall use the following priority system for acceptance:
NR 205.07(2)(e)1.
1. First priority. Wastes from existing or new holding and septic tanks within the POTW's sewer service area and holding tanks within the POTW's holding tank service area.
NR 205.07(2)(e)2.
2. Second priority. Wastes from existing holding tanks for residential or commercial establishments outside the POTW's sewer service area and holding tank service area but inside the POTW's planning area where the holding tank was installed to replace an inadequate private sewerage system.
NR 205.07(2)(e)3.
3. Third priority. Wastes from existing septic tanks and holding tanks that were installed not as a replacement to an inadequate sewer system for residential or commercial establishments outside the POTW's sewer service and holding tank service areas but inside the POTW's planning area.
NR 205.07(2)(e)4.
4. Fourth priority. Wastes from new or existing septic and holding tanks for residential or commercial establishments outside the POTW's planning area.
NR 205.07(2)(f)
(f) Septage treatment requirements by a POTW. Except as provided in s.
281.49, Stats., a POTW shall accept, treat and dispose of all of the following septage:
NR 205.07(2)(f)2.
2. Holding tank wastewater that is generated outside the POTW's sewer service area but inside or equal to the POTW's planning area where a contract has been developed for acceptance, treatment or disposal.
NR 205.07(3)
(3) The following conditions may be included in a WPDES permit issued by the department to the owner or operator of a non-POTW.
NR 205.07(3)(a)
(a) Removed substances. Solids, sludges, filter backwash or other pollutants removed from or resulting from treatment or control of wastewaters or intake waters shall be stored and disposed of in a manner to prevent any pollutant from the materials from entering the waters of the state. Land disposal or application of treatment plant solids and sludges shall be at a site or operation licensed by the department under
chs. NR 500 to
538 or
chs. NR 660 to
670 or in accordance with
ch. NR 204 or
214.
NR 205.07(3)(b)
(b) Spill reporting. The permittee shall notify the department in accordance with
ch. NR 158, in the event that a spill or accidental release of any material or substance results in the discharge of pollutants to the waters of the state at a rate or concentration greater than the effluent limitations established in the permit, or the spill or accidental release of the material is unregulated in the permit, unless the spill or release of pollutants has been reported to the department under this section.
NR 205.07 Note
Note: Chapter NR 158 has been repealed.
NR 205.07(3)(c)
(c) Planned changes. In accordance with ss.
283.31 (4) (b) and
283.59 (1), Stats., the permittee shall report to the department any facility expansion, production increase or process modifications which will result in new, different or increased discharges of pollutants. The report shall either be a new permit application or, if the new discharge will not violate the effluent limitations of the permit, a written notice of the new, different or increased discharge. The notice shall contain a description of the new activities, an estimate of the new, different or increased discharge of pollutants and a description of the effect of the new or increased discharge on existing waste treatment facilities. Following receipt of this report, the department may modify the permit to specify and limit any pollutants not previously regulated in the permit.
NR 205.07 Note
Note: The notification should be directed to the industrial wastewater section.
NR 205.07(3)(d)1.1. `Routine or frequent increase.' The permittee shall notify the department in writing as soon as it knows or has reason to believe that any activity has occurred or will occur which would result, on a routine or frequent basis, in the discharge of any toxic pollutant which is not limited in the permit, if that discharge exceeds the highest of the following levels.
NR 205.07(3)(d)1.b.
b. Two hundred micrograms per liter (200 ug/l) for acrolein and acrylonitrile; five hundred micrograms per liter (500 ug/l) for 2,4-dinitrophenol and for 2-methyl-4, 6-dinitrophenol; and one milligram per liter (1 mg/l) for antimony;
NR 205.07(3)(d)1.c.
c. Five times the maximum concentration value reported for that pollutant in the permit application; or
NR 205.07(3)(d)1.d.
d. A notification level greater than the level in
subd. 2. a.,
b. or
c., which the department has included as a special condition of the permit.
NR 205.07(3)(d)2.
2. `Nonroutine or infrequent increase.' The permittee shall notify the department in writing as soon as it knows or has reason to believe that any activity has occurred or will occur which would result, on a nonroutine or infrequent basis, in any discharge of a toxic pollutant which is not limited in the permit, if that discharge will exceed the highest of the following levels.
NR 205.07(3)(d)2.c.
c. Ten times the maximum concentration value reported for that pollutant in the permit application; or
NR 205.07(3)(d)2.d.
d. A notification level greater than the level in
subd. 2. a.,
b. or
c., which the department has included as a special condition to the permit.
NR 205.07(3)(e)
(e) Duty to halt or reduce activity. Upon failure or impairment of treatment facility operation, the permittee shall, to the extent necessary to maintain compliance with its permit, curtail production or wastewater discharges or both until the treatment facility operations are restored or an alternative method of treatment is provided.
NR 205.07(5)
(5) Upon written request to the department and subject to the department's approval, a permittee may submit an electronic permit application or reapplication provided the permittee signs and submits an electronic permit application or reapplication agreement certifying that the information was gathered and prepared under his or her supervision and, based on inquiry of the people directly under his or her supervision, that to the best of his or her knowledge the information is true, accurate and complete. The party signing the agreement shall make a similar certification when submitting subsequent information by electronic media or electronic transmission. Electronic reporting shall be an alternative to written reports.
NR 205.07 Note
Note: An electronic permit application or reapplication agreement may be obtained from the bureau of watershed management, department of natural resources, P.O. Box 7921, Madison, Wisconsin 53707-7921.
NR 205.07 History
History: Cr.
Register, September, 1984, No. 345, eff. 10-1-84; cr. (2) (d) 4.,
Register, October, 1986, No. 370, eff. 11-1-86; cr. (2) (h) and (i),
Register, September, 1987, No. 381, eff. 10-1-87; am. (1) (intro.), (a), (b), (f), (k) and (l), cr. (l) (m), (n), (o), (q), (s) and (t), r. and recr. (2) (a), r. (2) (d) 4., (3) (e) and (k), renum. (2) (d) 1. to 3., (2) (f), (h) and (i), (3) (a) to (d), (f) to (j) to be (l) (u) and (v), (2) (d), (e) and (f), (l) (p) 1. and 2., (r) 2. and (intro.), (3) (a) to (e) and am. (2) (f) (intro.), (l) (p) 2., (l) (r) and (3) (a),
Register, December, 1995, No. 480, eff. 1-1-96; cr. (5),
Register, November, 1996, No. 491, eff. 12-1-96; corrections made under s. 13.93 (2m) (b) 7., Stats.,
Register, November, 1996, No. 491; correction in (3) made under s. 13.93 (2m) (b) 7., Stats.,
Register, August, 1997, No. 500; corrections in (3) (a) made under s. 13.92 (4) (b) 7., Stats.,
Register February 2010 No. 650;
CR 09-123: am. (1) (n), (r) 1., 2., (v) and (2) (d), r. (1) (r) 4. and (u)
Register July 2010 No. 655, eff. 8-1-10;
CR 12-027: am. (1) (s) (title), 1., 2. a., 3., 4., cr. (1) (u), r. and recr. (1) (v), r. (2) (d)
Register July 2013 No. 691, eff. 8-1-13;
CR 14-027: am. (1) (a), (b), r. and recr. (1) (g), (q), cr. (1) (x), (y)
Register July 2015 No. 715, eff. 8-1-15; correction in (1) (g) made under s. 35.17, Stats.,
Register July 2015 No. 715.
NR 205.08(1)(1) The department may issue general WPDES permits applicable to designated areas of the state authorizing discharges from specified categories or classes of point sources located within those areas.
NR 205.08(1)(a)
(a) Designated areas of the state may include any of the following:
NR 205.08(1)(a)1.
1. Any county, township, city or other civil or political division.
NR 205.08(1)(b)
(b) Categories or classes which may be covered by general permit are those where point sources:
NR 205.08(1)(b)3.
3. Employ the same or substantially similar wastewater treatment operations to control specific pollutants;
NR 205.08(1)(b)4.
4. Are subject to the same effluent limitations and monitoring requirements; and
NR 205.08(1)(b)5.
5. In the opinion of the department, are more appropriately controlled under a general permit than under individual permits.
NR 205.08 Note
Note: Section
NR 210.20 requires permit authorization for all satellite sewage collection systems.
NR 205.08(1)(c)
(c) General permit issuance shall be subject to the public notice and hearing procedures of
subs. (8) and
(10).
NR 205.08(1)(d)
(d) General permits shall have effective terms to a maximum of 5 years from the date of issuance.
NR 205.08(2)
(2) A general permit may cover more than one class or category of discharge, or more than one area of the state, provided the permit clearly identifies the conditions applicable to each included class or category, or each specific area of the state. General permits may contain effluent limitations, monitoring requirements, reporting requirements, general conditions and applicability criteria.
NR 205.08(3)
(3) Individual dischargers are not required to submit formal WPDES permit applications to be eligible for coverage under a general permit. On a case-by-case basis the department may by letter require a discharger to submit information regarding a wastewater discharge which is to be covered by a general permit. On a case-by-case basis the department may by letter require a discharger to submit a notice of intent to be covered by a general permit. Following receipt of a complete notice of intent the department shall issue a determination on whether a discharger is covered by a general permit.
NR 205.08(4)
(4) The department shall withdraw a point source from coverage by a general permit and issue an individual permit upon written request of the discharger.
NR 205.08(5)
(5) The department may require any point source covered by a general permit to apply for and obtain an individual permit. Any person may submit a written request that the department take action under this subsection. Situations in which an individual permit may be required include:
NR 205.08(5)(a)
(a) The point source is a significant contributor of pollution or the point source is more appropriately regulated by an individual permit;
NR 205.08(5)(b)
(b) The point source is not in compliance with the terms and conditions of the general permit;
NR 205.08(5)(c)
(c) A change occurs in the availability of demonstrated technology or practices for the control or abatement of pollutants from the point source or class of discharger;
NR 205.08(5)(d)
(d) Effluent limitations or standards are promulgated for a point source or class of point sources covered by the general permit and are different than the conditions contained in the general permit;
NR 205.08(5)(e)
(e) A water quality management plan containing requirements applicable to the point source is approved.
NR 205.08(6)
(6) When an individual WPDES permit is issued for discharges which would otherwise be covered by a general permit, the applicability of the general permit to such discharges is terminated on the effective date of the individual permit.
NR 205.08(7)
(7) An owner or operator who holds an individual WPDES permit for discharges which are eligible for coverage by a general permit may request that the department revoke the individual permit.
NR 205.08(8)
(8) Any general permit issued by the department may, after an opportunity for hearing, be modified, revoked and reissued, or terminated. Whenever the department finds there is a need to modify, revoke and reissue, or terminate a general permit, a public notice shall be made allowing 30 days for public comment prior to the intended date of final action. Any public notice shall:
