Chapter 283

283.01(5) (5) “Discharge of pollutant” or “discharge of pollutants” means any addition of any pollutant to the waters of this state from any point source.

283.01(6) (6) “Effluent limitation” means any restriction established by the department, including schedules of compliance, on quantities, rates, and concentrations of chemical, physical, biological, and other constituents which are discharged from point sources into waters of this state.

283.01(6m) (6m) “Environmental pollution” means the contaminating or rendering unclean or impure the air, land or waters of the state, or making the same injurious to public health, harmful for commercial or recreational use, or deleterious to fish, bird, animal or plant life.

283.01(7) (7) “Municipality” means any city, town, village, county, county utility district, town sanitary district, town utility district, school district or metropolitan sewage district or any other public entity created pursuant to law and having authority to collect, treat or dispose of sewage, industrial wastes or other wastes.

283.01(8) (8) 

283.01(8)(a) (a) “New source” means, except as provided in par. (b), any point source the construction of which commenced after the effective date of a standard of performance under 33 USC 1316 that is applicable to the point source.

283.01(8)(b) (b) If the federal environmental protection agency proposes a standard of performance under 33 USC 1316 that is applicable to a point source and if the standard of performance takes effect within 120 days of the publication of that proposed standard of performance, “new source” means a point source the construction of which commenced after the date of publication of that proposed standard of performance.

283.01(9) (9) “Owner or operator” means any person owning or operating a point source of pollution.

283.01(10) (10) “Permit” means a permit for the discharge of pollutants issued by the department under this chapter.

283.01(11) (11) “Person” means an individual, owner, operator, corporation, limited liability company, partnership, association, municipality, interstate agency, state agency or federal agency.

283.01(12) (12) “Point source” means either of the following:

283.01(12)(a) (a) A discernible, confined, and discrete conveyance, including but not limited to any pipe, ditch, channel, tunnel, conduit, well, discrete fissure, container, rolling stock, concentrated animal feeding operation, or vessel or other floating craft from which pollutants may be discharged either into the waters of the state or into a publicly owned treatment works except for a conveyance that conveys only storm water. This term does not include agricultural storm water discharges and return flows from irrigated agriculture.

283.01(12)(b) (b) A discernible, confined, and discrete conveyance of storm water for which a permit is required under s. 283.33 (1). This term does not include agricultural storm water discharges and return flows from irrigated agriculture.

283.01(13) (13) “Pollutant” means any dredged spoil, solid waste, incinerator residue, sewage, garbage, refuse, oil, sewage sludge, munitions, chemical wastes, biological materials, radioactive substance, heat, wrecked or discarded equipment, rock, sand, cellar dirt and industrial, municipal and agricultural waste discharged into water.

283.01(14) (14) “Pollution” means man-made or man-induced alteration of the chemical, physical, biological or radiological integrity of water.

283.01(15) (15) “Schedule of compliance” means a schedule of remedial measures including an enforceable sequence of actions or operations leading to compliance with an effluent limitation or other limitation, prohibition or standard.

283.01(16) (16) “Secretary” means the secretary of natural resources or his or her designee.

283.01(17) (17) “Toxic pollutants” means those pollutants or combinations of pollutants, including disease-causing agents, which after discharge and upon exposure, ingestion, inhalation or assimilation into any organism, either directly from the environment or indirectly by ingestion through food chains, will, on the basis of information available to the department, cause death, disease, behavioral abnormalities, cancer, genetic mutations, physiological malfunctions, including malfunctions in reproduction or physical deformations, in such organisms or their offspring.

283.01(18) (18) “Treatment work” means any devices and systems used in the storage, treatment, recycling, and reclamation of municipal sewage or industrial waste of a liquid nature or necessary to recycle or reuse water at the most economical cost over the estimated life of the work, including intercepting sewers, outfall sewers, sewage collection systems, cooling towers and ponds, pumping, power and other equipment, and their appurtenances; extensions, improvements, remodeling, additions, and alterations thereof; elements essential to provide a reliable recycled supply such as standby treatment units and clear well facilities; and any works, including site acquisition of the land that will be an integral part of the treatment process or is used for ultimate disposal of residues resulting from such treatment. Additionally, “treatment work” means any other method or system for preventing, abating, reducing, storing, treating, separating or disposing of municipal waste, including storm water runoff, or industrial waste, including waste in combined storm water and sanitary sewer systems.

283.01(19) (19) “Vessel” means any watercraft or other artificial contrivance used or capable of being used as a means of transportation on water.

283.01(20) (20) “Waters of the state” means those portions of Lake Michigan and Lake Superior within the boundaries of Wisconsin, all lakes, bays, rivers, streams, springs, ponds, wells, impounding reservoirs, marshes, water courses, drainage systems and other surface water or groundwater, natural or artificial, public or private within the state or under its jurisdiction, except those waters which are entirely confined and retained completely upon the property of a person.

283.01 History History: 1973 c. 74; 1979 c. 221; 1983 a. 189; 1987 a. 403; 1993 a. 16, 112, 482; 1995 a. 227 s. 847; Stats. 1995 s. 283.01; 2015 a. 307; 2017 a. 59.

283.01 Annotation A concentrated animal feeding operation (CAFO) under sub. (12) includes not only where the animals are confined, but also the equipment that applies the animal waste to fields outside the confinement area, whether the fields are owned by the CAFO operator or others. Any overapplication of manure by the operator is a discharge under sub. (5) whether because of runoff to surface waters or percolation to groundwater. Maple Leaf Farms, Inc. v. DNR, 2001 WI App 170, 247 Wis. 2d 96, 633 N.W.2d 720, 00-1389.

subch. III of ch. 283 SUBCHAPTER III

STANDARDS; EFFLUENT LIMITATIONS

283.11 283.11 State and federal standards.

283.11(1) (1) Department to establish standards. The department shall promulgate by rule effluent limitations, standards of performance for new sources, toxic effluent standards or prohibitions and pretreatment standards for any category or class of point sources established by the U.S. environmental protection agency and for which that agency has promulgated any effluent limitations, toxic effluent standards or prohibitions or pretreatment standards for any pollutant.

283.11(2) (2) Compliance with federal standards.

283.11(2)(a) (a) Except for rules concerning storm water discharges for which permits are issued under s. 283.33, all rules promulgated by the department under this chapter as they relate to point source discharges, effluent limitations, municipal monitoring requirements, standards of performance for new sources, toxic effluent standards or prohibitions and pretreatment standards shall comply with and not exceed the requirements of the federal water pollution control act, 33 USC 1251 to 1387, and regulations adopted under that act.

283.11(2)(b) (b) Rules concerning storm water discharges may be no more stringent than the requirements under the federal water pollution control act, 33 USC 1251 to 1387, and regulations adopted under that act.

283.11(3) (3) Standards for nitrogen, phosphorus and disinfection in the absence of federal standards.

283.11(3)(a) (a) Standards for nitrogen and disinfection. Notwithstanding sub. (1) or (2), the department may promulgate by rule effluent limitations representing the best available demonstrated control technology, processes, operating methods or other alternatives concerning the discharge of nitrogen compounds and concerning the disinfection of sanitary wastewaters if the U.S. environmental protection agency has not promulgated an effluent limitation, effluent standard or prohibition concerning this type of discharge or disinfection.

283.11(3)(am) (am) Standards for phosphorus. Notwithstanding sub. (1) or (2), the department shall promulgate by rule effluent limitations representing the best available demonstrated control technology, processes, operating methods or other alternatives concerning the discharge of phosphorus if the U.S. environmental protection agency has not promulgated an effluent limitation, effluent standard or prohibition concerning this type of discharge.

283.11(3)(b) (b) Exemptions. The department may exempt by rule specified types of discharges from the effluent limitations concerning the discharge of phosphorus or nitrogen compounds established under par. (a) or (am) based upon:

283.11(3)(b)1. 1. The amount of phosphorus or nitrogen discharged;

283.11(3)(b)2. 2. The impact of nonpoint sources on the waters affected by the discharge;

283.11(3)(b)3. 3. The additional cost of treatment per unit of phosphorus or nitrogen removed;

283.11(3)(b)4. 4. The type of waters affected by the discharge; or

283.11(3)(b)5. 5. The impact of the discharge on the maintenance or achievement of water quality standards.

283.11(3)(c) (c) Advisory committee. In promulgating rules under pars. (a), (am) and (b), the department shall establish an advisory committee under s. 227.13 composed of representatives of municipal dischargers, industrial point sources, farm groups, environmental groups, nonpoint sources and the public to assist in drafting the rules, evaluating technical studies and advising the department.

283.11(3)(d) (d) Impact of subsequent federal standards. If the U.S. environmental protection agency promulgates an effluent limitation, effluent standard or prohibition concerning a type of discharge or disinfection specified under par. (a) or (am) for a category or class of point sources which is applicable to a permit holder, the department may modify, and at the request of the permit holder shall modify, the effluent limitation specified in the permit to conform with the effluent limitation, effluent standard or prohibition promulgated by the U.S. environmental protection agency.

283.11(3)(e) (e) Compliance dates. A publicly owned treatment works shall comply with effluent limitations established under par. (a) by July 1, 1983. Any point source other than a publicly owned treatment works shall comply with effluent limitations established under par. (a) by July 1, 1984.

283.11(4) (4) Standards for toxic pollutants in the absence of federal standards.

283.11(4)(a) (a) Authorization. Notwithstanding sub. (1) or (2), the department may promulgate by rule, under s. 283.21, a toxic effluent standard or prohibition applicable to a category or class of point sources for the discharge of an identified toxic pollutant, if the U.S. environmental protection agency has not done either of the following for that identified toxic pollutant:

283.11(4)(a)1. 1. Promulgated, under 33 USC 1311 (b) (2), an effluent limitation applicable to the specified category or class of point sources.

283.11(4)(a)2. 2. Promulgated, under 33 USC 1317, an effluent standard or prohibition applicable to the specified category or class of point sources.

283.11(4)(b) (b) Identification. An identified toxic pollutant is:

283.11(4)(b)1. 1. Any toxic pollutant or combination of pollutants on the list prepared under s. 283.21 (1) (a).

283.11(4)(b)2. 2. Any toxic pollutant or combination of pollutants on a list prepared under 33 USC 1317.

283.11(4)(b)3. 3. Any other substance which the department has proposed to be added to the list of toxic pollutants under s. 283.21 (1) (a).

283.11(4)(c) (c) Concurrent rule making. A toxic effluent standard or a prohibition for a substance identified under par. (b) 3. may not be promulgated before the list of toxic pollutants has been revised under s. 283.21 (1) (a) to include that substance. The revision under s. 283.21 (1) (a) and the toxic effluent standard or prohibition under s. 283.21 (1) (b) may be promulgated concurrently.

283.11(4)(d) (d) Additional procedures. As part of the rule-making process for a rule to which this subsection applies, the department shall do all of the following:

283.11(4)(d)1. 1. Specify in the proposed rule whether it applies to all waters of the state or to designated portions of the waters of the state.

283.11(4)(d)2. 2. Consider whether there are available removal technologies which provide the capability of achieving compliance at or for representative point sources likely to be affected by the rule and whether there are alternative control strategies which provide the capability of achieving compliance.

283.11(4)(d)3. 3. If the department finds that the level of pollutant control resulting from the application of available removal technologies or alternative control strategies is inadequate to protect public health, safety or welfare or the environment, consider any evidence presented on the relationship of the economic and social costs of the proposed standard or prohibition, including any social or economic dislocation in representative communities likely to be affected by the rule, to the social and economic benefits likely to be obtained, including attainment of the objectives of this chapter.

283.11(4)(e) (e) Impact of subsequent federal standards.

283.11(4)(e)1. 1. If the U.S. environmental protection agency, under 33 USC 1317, promulgates a toxic effluent standard or prohibition for a toxic pollutant after the department promulgates a toxic effluent standard or prohibition, the department may modify its standard or prohibition to conform to the federal standard or prohibition. At the request of a permittee to which the standard or prohibition promulgated by the department applies under the terms of a permit, the department shall modify the permit to conform to the federal standard or prohibition.

283.11(4)(e)2. 2. If the U.S. environmental protection agency, under 33 USC 1311 (b) (2), promulgates an effluent limitation applicable to the discharge of a toxic pollutant from a point source after the department promulgates a toxic effluent standard or prohibition, the department may modify its standard or prohibition to conform to the federal toxic effluent limitation. A permittee to which the standard or prohibition promulgated by the department applies under the terms of a permit may request that the department modify the permit to conform to the federal effluent limitation. The department shall use the procedures specified under s. 283.53 (2) (b) to (f) to determine whether to grant the request. The department shall grant the request unless it finds that the resulting limitation, as applied to the permittee and to any other permittees subject to the department’s standard or prohibition which discharge into the receiving water, would be inadequate to protect the public health, safety or welfare or the environment in the receiving water or any other waters directly affected by the discharge. A decision by the department not to grant the request is reviewable under s. 283.63.

283.11(5) (5) Nonapplicability. This section does not apply to any water quality based effluent limitation established under s. 283.13 (5).

283.11 History History: 1973 c. 74; 1979 c. 221 ss. 650c, 650e; 1985 a. 29; 1985 a. 182 s. 57; 1987 a. 27; 1991 a. 39; 1993 a. 16; 1995 a. 227 s. 859; Stats. 1995 s. 283.11; 2013 a. 173 s. 33.

283.11 Cross-reference Cross-reference: See also NR 200-, Wis. adm. code.

283.11 Annotation Sub. (2) does not unlawfully delegate legislative power. Niagara of Wisconsin Paper Corp. v. DNR, 84 Wis. 2d 32, 268 N.W.2d 153 (1978).

283.11 Annotation The Department of Natural Resources violated sub. (2) by adopting chlorine limitations in pollution discharge elimination system permits that were more stringent than federal limitations. Wisconsin Electric Power Co. v. DNR, 93 Wis. 2d 222, 287 N.W.2d 113 (1980).

283.11 Annotation In the context of regulating concentrated animal feeding operation manure applications, the broad grant of authority under s. 283.001 (2) is not limited by sub. (2). Maple Leaf Farms, Inc. v. DNR, 2001 WI App 170, 247 Wis. 2d 96, 633 N.W.2d 720, 00-1389.

283.13 283.13 Effluent limitations.

283.13(1) (1) Categories and classes of point sources. The department shall promulgate a list of categories and classes of point sources which is at least as comprehensive as the list appearing in section 1316 (b) (1) (A) of the federal water pollution control act, as amended, 33 USC 1251 to 1376.

283.13(2) (2) Sources other than public treatment works. The discharge from any point source, other than a publicly owned treatment works or a source of storm water permitted under s. 283.33, shall comply with the following requirements:

283.13(2)(a) (a) Best practicable technology. The application of the best practicable control technology currently available.

283.13(2)(b) (b) Requirements for certain pollutants. For pollutants identified under pars. (c), (d) and (f):

283.13(2)(b)1. 1.

283.13(2)(b)1.a. a. The application of the best available technology economically achievable for a point source or a category or class of point sources which will result in reasonable further progress toward the national goal of eliminating the discharge of all pollutants as stated in the federal water pollution control act, as amended, 33 USC 1251 to 1376; or

283.13(2)(b)1.b. b. The application of the best available technology which will result in the elimination of the discharge of all pollutants if the department finds on the basis of information available to it that the elimination is technologically and economically achievable for a category or class of point sources.

283.13(2)(b)2. 2. The application of any applicable pretreatment requirements or any other requirements under s. 283.21 to any point source discharging pollutants into a publicly owned treatment works.

283.13(2)(c) (c) Certain toxic pollutants; compliance by July 1, 1984. Compliance with the effluent limitations under par. (b) with respect to all toxic pollutants referred to in table 1 of committee print number 95-30 of the committee on public works and transportation of the U.S. house of representatives by no later than July 1, 1984.

283.13(2)(d) (d) Other toxic pollutants; compliance within 3 years after limitations are established. Compliance with effluent limitations under par. (b) with respect to all toxic pollutants included on the list promulgated under s. 283.21 (1) (a) but which are not included in the table referred to under par. (c) not later than 3 years after the date the effluent limitations are established.

283.13(2)(e) (e) Conventional pollutants; compliance by July 1, 1984. The application of the best conventional pollutant control technology for pollutants identified under section 1314 (a) (4) of the federal water pollution control act, as amended, 33 USC 1251 to 1376 by no later than July 1, 1984.

283.13(2)(f) (f) Other pollutants. Compliance with effluent limitations under par. (b) with respect to all pollutants not included under pars. (c) to (e) not later than 3 years after the date effluent limitations are established, but in no case before July 1, 1984 or after July 1, 1987.

283.13(2)(g) (g) Certain innovative processes; compliance before July 1, 1987.

283.13(2)(g)1. 1. For a facility which proposes to comply with the requirements of par. (b) by utilizing an innovative production process, innovative control technique or innovative system by a date established by the department after consulting with U.S. environmental protection agency but not later than July 1, 1987.

283.13(2)(g)2. 2. An innovative production process is a process to replace existing production capacity with a process which will result in an effluent reduction significantly greater than that required by the applicable effluent limitation and which moves toward the goal of eliminating the discharge of all pollutants.

283.13(2)(g)3. 3. An innovative control technique is a technique which has a substantial likelihood of enabling the facility to achieve a significantly greater effluent reduction than that required by the applicable effluent limitation and which moves toward the national goal of eliminating the discharge of all pollutants as stated under the federal water pollution control act, as amended, 33 USC 1251 to 1376.

283.13(2)(g)4. 4. An innovative system is a system which has the potential for significantly lower costs than the systems which the department has determined to be economically achievable if the department determines that the system has the potential for industrywide application.

283.13(3) (3) Modifications.

283.13(3)(a) (a) Maximum use of technology and reasonable progress. The department may modify the requirements of sub. (2) (f) in accordance with s. 283.63 for any point source for which a permit application is filed after July 1, 1977 if the owner or operator of the point source satisfactorily demonstrates to the department that the modified requirements will represent the maximum use of technology within the economic capability of the owner or operator and will result in reasonable further progress toward the national goal of elimination of the discharge of pollutants as stated in the federal water pollution control act, as amended, 33 USC 1251 to 1376.

283.13(3)(b) (b) Minimum compliance.

283.13(3)(b)1. 1. The department with the concurrence of the U.S. environmental protection agency shall modify the requirements of sub. (2) (f) with respect to the discharge of any pollutant other than heat from any point source upon a showing by the owner or operator of the point source satisfactory to the department in a proceeding under s. 283.63 that:

283.13(3)(b)1.a. a. The modified requirements will result in compliance with the requirements of sub. (2) (a) or (5), whichever is applicable;

283.13(3)(b)1.b. b. The modified requirements will not result in any additional requirements for any other point or nonpoint source; and

283.13(3)(b)1.c. c. The modification will not interfere with the attainment or maintenance of water quality which assures protection of public water supplies, which assures the protection and propagation of a balanced population of shellfish, fish, and wildlife and which allows recreational activities in and on the water and that the modification will not result in the discharge of pollutants in quantities which reasonably may be anticipated to pose an unacceptable risk to human health or the environment because of bioaccumulation, persistency in the environment, acute toxicity, chronic toxicity including carcinogenicity, mutagenicity or teratogenicity or synergistic propensities.