Chapter NR 854

NR 854.05(2)(a) (a) The plan shall delineate the area for which the plan is being prepared, including all areas to which the public water supply system currently serves retail customers and the projected growth area for the system within the planning period under sub. (1). Identifying an area as a projected growth area for planning purposes does not obligate the public water supply system to provide water to the projected growth area.

NR 854.05(2)(b) (b) The water supply service area may be limited as provided under s. 66.0813 (3) (a), Stats.

NR 854.05(2)(c) (c) A plan submitted to the department for approval under s. NR 854.04 (2) or (3) is subject to all of the following requirements:

NR 854.05(2)(c)1. 1. An areawide water quality planning agency may delineate the water supply service area for the public water supply systems within its designated planning area.

NR 854.05(2)(c)2. 2. The plan shall include a map of the water supply service area.

NR 854.05(2)(c)3. 3. If the Great Lakes council approves a diversion area for a public water supply system proposing to make a diversion from the Great Lakes basin under s. 281.346 (4) (e), Stats., that diversion area shall be the delineated water supply service area for the plan.

NR 854.05(3) (3) Description of the public water supply system. A plan shall include a description of the public water supply system using schematics, as appropriate. The description shall include all of the following, as applicable:

NR 854.05(3)(a) (a) A description of the existing sources serving the system, including all wells, surface water intakes, and any water purchased from any other water system.

NR 854.05(3)(b) (b) A description of any identified or documented water quality issues relative to existing sources.

NR 854.05(3)(c) (c) An identification of all consecutive water systems currently purchasing water from the public water supply system and all consecutive water systems anticipated to purchase water from the public water supply system during the planning period.

NR 854.05(3)(d) (d) A plan requiring department approval under s. NR 854.04 (2) or (3) shall also include in the description of the public water supply system all of the following, as applicable:

NR 854.05(3)(d)1. 1. A description or schematic identifying the general location of existing water treatment facilities including a description of the type and size of the treatment facilities and related equipment. The description shall also indicate the final disposition of the wastewater and sludge from the treatment processes.

NR 854.05(3)(d)2. 2. A description and schematic of the existing water storage and distribution facilities including, as applicable: the location of water mains; water pressure booster stations; water pressure reducing stations; metering stations; storage reservoirs; and any connections with other water utilities.

NR 854.05(3)(d)3. 3. A map showing the location of the Great Lakes basin in relation to its public water supply facilities.

NR 854.05(4) (4) Description of existing sources and withdrawals.

NR 854.05(4)(a) (a) The plan shall describe the public water supply system’s sources and withdrawals including all of the following:

NR 854.05(4)(a)1. 1. A statement identifying the withdrawals used to supply water to the system.

NR 854.05(4)(a)2. 2. The average daily withdrawal amount for each source in each of the last 10 years preceding the planning period.

NR 854.05(4)(a)3. 3. The maximum withdrawal capacity of each source.

NR 854.05(4)(a)4. 4. For any consecutive water system that purchases a portion of its public water supply, the public water supply system’s average daily public water supply obtained from each water supplier for each of the 10 years preceding the planning period.

NR 854.05(4)(b) (b) For a plan requiring department approval under s. NR 854.04 (2) or (3), the plan shall include all of the following:

NR 854.05(4)(b)1. 1. A description of the methods used to measure or estimate the amount of withdrawal and amount of non-revenue water.

NR 854.05(4)(b)2. 2. A description of water quality treatment required or expected to be required relating to existing sources.

NR 854.05(4)(c) (c) For a plan including a diversion, the plan shall include all of the following:

NR 854.05(4)(c)1. 1. A description and schematic of the location and method of return flow to the Great Lakes basin.

NR 854.05(4)(c)2. 2. A table showing the public water supply system’s proposed or existing diversion amounts and corresponding return flow amounts.

NR 854.05(4)(c)3. 3. A description of the methods used to measure diversion and return flow amounts.

NR 854.05(5) (5) Description of existing water use. The plan shall describe the existing water use of the public water supply system, including all of the following:

NR 854.05(5)(a) (a) The population and population density of the public water supply system’s existing service area.

NR 854.05(5)(b) (b) A table or summary of the number of retail customers purchasing water for residential use, commercial use, industrial use, and public authority use for each year in the 10 years preceding the planning period.

NR 854.05(5)(c) (c) A table or summary of sales of water for residential use, commercial use, industrial use, and public authority use for each year in the 10 years preceding the planning period.

NR 854.05(5)(d) (d) A list of the public water supply system’s 10 largest retail customers, other than consecutive water systems, and its water use for each year in the 10 years preceding the planning period.

NR 854.05(5)(e) (e) A table and summary of the sales of water to consecutive water systems for the 10 years preceding the planning period, if applicable.

NR 854.05(6) (6) Projected water demand. The plan shall project water demands for the planning period and shall include the projected water demand for the existing service area and proposed growth area of the public water supply system, along with any anticipated sales to consecutive water systems served by the public water supply system. The plan shall include all of the following:

NR 854.05(6)(a) (a) The projected water demand including the projected growth area over the planning period.

NR 854.05(6)(b) (b) A description of the methods used to derive the water demand projections.

NR 854.05(6)(c) (c) Forecasts of the expected population for the projected growth area during the planning period based on population projections for the existing service area and projected growth area and municipally planned population densities. Population projections shall consider department of administration projections made under s. 16.96, Stats., and shall consider any applicable approved regional or areawide water supply plans or regional water needs assessments and other applicable regional water supply information. The plan shall include a description of the methods used to derive the population forecasts.

NR 854.05(6)(d) (d) A summary of projected sales of water to any consecutive water systems, if applicable.

NR 854.05(6)(e) (e) A plan requiring department approval under s. NR 854.04 (2) or (3) shall also include in its projected water demand all of the following:

NR 854.05(6)(e)1. 1. A table showing the projected water demand over the planning period, divided into 5-year increments.

NR 854.05(6)(e)2. 2. A table showing the projection of total annual daily average and total peak daily withdrawal. The table shall include water demand estimates for the existing service area and projected growth area of the public water supply system, categorized by residential use, commercial use, industrial use, and public authority use.

NR 854.05(6)(e)3. 3. An estimate of the non-revenue water associated with the projected water demand over the planning period.

NR 854.05(6)(e)4. 4. An analysis of how the projected water demand is consistent with the public water supply system’s past 10 years of water use provided under sub. (5) or a description of how the demand estimate is reasonable based on the purposes for which the demand is forecasted.

NR 854.05(6)(e)5. 5. The projected water use reductions related to the implementation of any of the applicable public water supply system’s water conservation alternatives identified under s. NR 854.06 (1) and, if applicable, implementation of the water conservation plan under ch. NR 852.

NR 854.05(7) (7) Inventory and identification of the sources and quantities of water supplies in the region. A plan shall identify possible water supply alternatives available to the public water supply system, including all of the following:

NR 854.05(7)(a) (a) An inventory of alternative existing groundwater and surface water sources available in the region.

NR 854.05(7)(b) (b) Identification of alternative options for supplying water within the planning area that are approvable under other applicable statutes and rules, and a discussion of the viability and limitations of those options.

NR 854.05(8) (8) Plan recommendations. The plan shall include recommendations on how to meet the projected water demand of the public water supply system over the planning period, including all of the following:

NR 854.05(8)(a) (a) An analysis of whether to use existing sources, enlargement of existing sources, development of new sources, or the purchase of new or increased water supply to meet projected water demand described under sub. (6).

NR 854.05(8)(b) (b) A demonstration that the plan effectively utilizes the existing public water supply system, wastewater infrastructure, and water storage, treatment, and distribution facilities, to the extent practicable.

NR 854.05(8)(c) (c) If the plan recommendations include the developments of new sources, enlargement of existing sources, or the purchase of new or increased water supply, the plan shall include all of the following as applicable:

NR 854.05(8)(c)1. 1. A description of the potential water withdrawal facilities, including the number of wells and surface water intakes and general locations and capacity.

NR 854.05(8)(c)2. 2. A description or schematic of any potential public water supply system facilities including the general locations of transmission mains, and any water pressure booster stations, water pressure reducing stations, metering stations, and storage reservoirs needed as a result of new or enlarged water withdrawal facilities.

NR 854.05(8)(c)3. 3. Documentation of a consecutive water system’s ability to purchase new or increased water supply over the planning period. Documentation may include a copy of letters or resolutions that provide evidence of support from the public water supply system that will provide water to the consecutive water system.

NR 854.05(8)(c)4. 4. An assessment of potential environmental impacts of carrying out the recommendations of the plan. Factors to consider in evaluating potential environmental impacts may include the following, as applicable:

NR 854.05(8)(c)4.a. a. Geologic setting, including regional hydrogeology and any unique geologic formations or conditions.

NR 854.05(8)(c)4.b. b. General groundwater or surface water quantity and quality conditions.

NR 854.05(8)(c)4.c. c. Analysis of available area aquifer drawdown data.

NR 854.05(8)(c)4.d. d. Identification and description of surface water resources.

NR 854.05(8)(c)4.e. e. Aquifer drawdown and groundwater quantity and quality conditions as a result of projected groundwater withdrawals.

NR 854.05(8)(c)4.f. f. Analysis and summary of any regional hydrogeological studies or assessments and other regional water supply information.

NR 854.05(8)(c)4.g. g. Relevant information in other plans listed under sub. (9).

NR 854.05(8)(c)4.h. h. Land use trends.

NR 854.05(8)(c)4.i. i. Impacts to wetlands.

NR 854.05(8)(c)4.j. j. Floodplains.

NR 854.05(8)(c)4.k. k. Impacts to environmentally sensitive areas.

NR 854.05(8)(c)5. 5. An assessment of anticipated economic impacts and costs associated with carrying out the recommendations in the plan.

NR 854.05(9) (9) Analysis of consistency with other plans and agreements. The plan shall include a description and analysis of the plan’s consistency with all of the following, as applicable:

NR 854.05(9)(a) (a) Approved comprehensive plans, as defined under s. 66.1001 (1) (a), Stats.

NR 854.05(9)(b) (b) Approved areawide water quality management plans under s. 283.83, Stats., and ch. NR 121.

NR 854.05(9)(c) (c) Existing land use agreements between the person who owns or operates the public water supply system and any city, village, or town included within the projected growth area.

NR 854.05(9)(d) (d) Existing wholesale or retail customer sales agreements between the person who owns or operates the public water supply system and any city, village, or town included within the projected growth area.

NR 854.05(9)(e) (e) Any other existing agreements or approvals obtained from a governing body related to the implementation of the projected growth area.

NR 854.05(10) (10) Public participation. The plan shall include a description of the public participation process implemented under s. NR 854.08, including a summary of the comments received.

NR 854.05(11) (11) Submission of plan to local governments. The plan shall include documentation that the plan has been submitted to the governing body of each city, village, and town whose public water supply is addressed by the plan.

NR 854.05(12) (12) Procedures for implementing and updating the plan. The plan shall identify procedures to be used to implement and update the plan and a commitment to using those procedures.

NR 854.05 Note Note: The department advises that the plan uses public service commission data when applicable throughout this section.

NR 854.05 History History: CR 23-049: cr. Register June 2024 No. 822, eff. 7-1-24; correction in (5) (e), (8) (a) made under s. 35.17, Stats., and correction in (8) (c) 4. g. made under s. 13.92 (4) (b) 7., Stats., Register June 2024 No. 822.

NR 854.06 NR 854.06 Cost-effectiveness analyses of water supply alternatives for plans requiring department approval. If department approval is required under s. NR 854.04 (2) or (3), a plan shall include a cost-effectiveness analysis of identified water supply alternatives for meeting the water demand for the planning period. A cost-effectiveness analysis shall include all of the following:

NR 854.06(1) (1) Identification and analysis of potential water supply alternatives, which shall include the sources identified under s. NR 854.05 (7).

NR 854.06(2) (2) A summary of the expected water demand reduction associated with implementing water conservation and efficiency measures as identified in the public water supply system’s water conservation plan developed under s. NR 852.07, including a summary of the cost savings as determined under s. NR 852.09 or 852.10.

NR 854.06(3) (3) A description of the sustainability of each water supply alternative in consideration of existing regional water need assessments and the extent to which each alternative identified under s. NR 854.05 (7) is consistent with existing plans under s. NR 854.05 (8).

NR 854.06(4) (4) An evaluation of existing and anticipated costs associated with each water supply alternative identified under s. NR 854.05 (7). Factors to consider in evaluating costs include: construction; operation and maintenance of wells; surface water intakes; treatment plants; chemical feed equipment; pumping facilities; water mains; storage facilities; and purchase of water from a contract supplier.

NR 854.06(5) (5) Conclusions on the identified water supply alternatives and a comparative analysis of the alternatives based on the cost-effectiveness analysis.

NR 854.06 History History: CR 23-049: cr. Register June 2024 No. 822, eff. 7-1-24; correction in (intro.) made under s. 35.17, Stats., Register June 2024 No. 822.

NR 854.07 NR 854.07 Department review and approval process for a water supply service area plan requiring department approval.

NR 854.07(1) (1) If department approval is required under s. NR 854.04 (2) or (3), the plan shall be submitted to the department for approval. The department shall issue a written decision on the plan prior to the issuance of any approvals required under s. 281.346 (4), Stats., or permits under s. 281.346 (4s) or (5), Stats.

NR 854.07(2) (2) The department may not approve a water supply service area plan unless all of the following apply:

NR 854.07(2)(a) (a) The diversion or withdrawal proposal that is submitted with the plan meets the requirements under s. 281.346 (4), (4g), (4s), or (5), Stats., or the department finds the plan complies with an existing approved diversion or withdrawal permit issued under s. 281.346 (4), (4g), (4s), or (5), Stats.