Chapter NR 122

Chapter NR 122

NITRATE REMOVAL

NR 122.01   Purpose.

NR 122.02   Applicability.

NR 122.03   Definitions.

NR 122.04   Eligibility for grant assistance.

NR 122.05   Distribution of grant assistance.

NR 122.06   Grant award.

NR 122.07   Grant payments.

NR 122.08   Records retention and auditing.

Ch. NR 122 Note Note: Chapter NR 122 was created as an emergency rule effective March 15, 1990.

NR 122.01 NR 122.01 Purpose. The purpose of this chapter is to establish rules under section 3040 (3p) of 1989 Wis. Act 31 for the administration of a financial assistance program for pilot testing of methods to remove nitrate from municipal water systems. Financial assistance under this chapter is intended to evaluate the use of nitrate removal technology by providing grant support to municipalities for the planning, design, engineering, construction and other activities associated with an approved pilot project.

NR 122.01 History History: Cr. Register, October, 1990, No. 418, eff. 11-1-90.

NR 122.02 NR 122.02 Applicability. This chapter applies to all applicants for, and recipients of, grant funding made pursuant to section 3040 (3p) of 1989 Wis. Act 31. Compliance with the applicable requirements of this chapter is a prerequisite to receiving financial assistance under section 3040 (3p) of 1989 Wis. Act 31.

NR 122.02 History History: Cr. Register, October, 1990, No. 418, eff. 11-1-90.

NR 122.03 NR 122.03 Definitions. For purposes of this chapter:

NR 122.03(1) (1) “Bench scale test” means a method of evaluating nitrate removal by using small capacity treatment units of 1 to 10 gpm.

NR 122.03(2) (2) “Department” means the department of natural resources.

NR 122.03(3) (3) “Full scale on-line test” means a method of testing nitrate removal, using production size treatment units, under which the treated water is made available for human consumption.

NR 122.03(4) (4) “Mg/l” or “milligrams per liter” means the concentration level of a pollutant in a litre of water.

NR 122.03(5) (5) “Municipal water system” means a public water system owned and operated by a municipality.

NR 122.03(6) (6) “Municipality” means a city, town, town sanitary district or village.

NR 122.03(7) (7) “Project” means the set of specific activities, proposed by a municipality and approved by the department, to test one or more methods of nitrate removal. A project may be either a bench scale test or full scale on-line test of a particular nitrate removal technology or method.

NR 122.03(8) (8) “Public water system” means a system for the provision to the public of piped water for human consumption, if the system has at least 15 service connections or regularly serves an average of at least 25 individuals daily at least 60 days out of the year.

NR 122.03 History History: Cr. Register, October, 1990, No. 418, eff. 11-1-90.

NR 122.04 NR 122.04 Eligibility for grant assistance.

NR 122.04(1) (1) Eligible applicant. Any municipality which owns and operates a public water system that utilizes wells as the primary water source is eligible to apply for financial assistance under this chapter.

NR 122.04(2) (2) Eligible projects. A project submitted by an eligible applicant is eligible for grant assistance if, based on the information provided, the department determines that at least one of the following conditions is met:

NR 122.04(2)(a) (a) The untreated water from at least one well within the municipal water system currently exceeds the maximum contaminant level of 10.0 mg/l for nitrate established in ch. NR 809.

NR 122.04 Note Note: Under enforcement procedures nitrate concentrations of 10.5 mg/l or greater are necessary to take action.

NR 122.04(2)(b) (b) The untreated water from at least one well within the municipal water system contains a nitrate level of at least 7.5 mg/l and there is documented evidence of recent increase in the nitrate level.

NR 122.04(2)(c) (c) The municipality submits other evidence which documents the presence of a substantial risk of future well nitrate levels at or in excess of the maximum contaminant level established under ch. NR 809.

NR 122.04(3) (3) Eligible costs. The applicant’s reasonable and necessary costs, which are within the scope of the approved project and not specifically made ineligible under this chapter, are eligible for grant assistance. Eligible costs as determined by the department, may include, but are not limited to:

NR 122.04(3)(a) (a) Costs of studies, investigations, surveys, planning and other steps necessary to determine the economic and engineering feasibility of an approved project.

NR 122.04(3)(b) (b) Costs of engineering, architectural and other technical services associated with final engineering reports, design of facilities, preparation of plans and specifications, inspection and supervision of construction and any other service necessary for the approved project. Where the services are provided by municipal employees under a force account, the allowable costs may not exceed the actual amount incurred.

NR 122.04(3)(c) (c) Costs of contracts for construction or installation services, equipment and materials necessary for the approved project provided the procurement was done in accordance with the requirements of ch. 59, 60, 61 or 62, Stats., whichever is applicable.

NR 122.04(3)(d) (d) Costs incurred by a municipality, including laboratory and other analysis necessary to prepare and submit project reports required by the department.

NR 122.04(4) (4) Ineligible costs. Costs outside the scope, not directly associated with or necessary for an approved project, or unreasonable in amount are not eligible for grant assistance. The following cost items are ineligible for grant participation:

NR 122.04(4)(a) (a) The costs of site acquisition, easements, right-of-ways or other estate or interest in property, and any associated cost.

NR 122.04(4)(b) (b) Direct or indirect administrative costs; such as the provision of office space, telephone service and any additional municipal personnel.

NR 122.04(4)(c) (c) Interest on any form of indebtedness.

NR 122.04(4)(d) (d) Damage awards arising out of the construction, equipping or operation of the project, regardless of how the awards are determined.

NR 122.04(4)(e) (e) Costs incident to normal operating costs of government, including the salaries and expenses of statutory officials such as the mayor, city manager or other official.

NR 122.04(4)(f) (f) Bonus payments made to a contractor for completing work in advance of a specified time.

NR 122.04(4)(g) (g) Costs determined by the department to be unreasonable in amount.

NR 122.04(4)(h) (h) Costs incurred for projects which commenced without departmental approval of plans and specifications.

NR 122.04(4)(i) (i) Costs for which the municipality receives federal assistance or other state assistance other than a loan which is to be repaid by the municipality.

NR 122.04(4)(j) (j) Costs associated with contract procurements not in compliance with the requirements of ch. 59, 60, 61 or 62, Stats., whichever is applicable.

NR 122.04 History History: Cr. Register, October, 1990, No. 418, eff. 11-1-90; corrections in (2) made under s. 13.93 (2m) (b) 7., Stats., Register, September, 1995, No. 477.

NR 122.05 NR 122.05 Distribution of grant assistance.

NR 122.05(1) (1) General. Grant funds shall be allocated to eligible projects in the ranking order sequence established as a result of the department’s evaluation of project applications. If grant funding available for a particular project is less than 40% of the eligible project costs proposed in the application for the project, the department may offer a reduced grant share or consider changes in the project as proposed by the applicant.

NR 122.05(2) (2) Grant application requirements. Eligible municipalities shall submit applications for grant funding in accordance with the instructions supplied by the department. Applications shall be updated as necessary to keep required information current and each applicant shall submit, in a timely manner, any additional information requested by the department. The required information shall be submitted by the due date established by the department. Failure to provide the necessary information or to meet the due date may result in the application being rejected from funding consideration. Each application shall include:

NR 122.05(2)(a) (a) A certified copy of the resolution by the applicant’s governing body authorizing the filing of the application and designating a specific municipal official to act as the authorized representative.

NR 122.05(2)(b) (b) A description of the project to include:

NR 122.05(2)(b)1. 1. A discussion of the nature and extent of the current nitrate contaminant levels within the municipal water system, any expected changes in nitrate levels in the future and the expected impact on the municipal water system and its users.

NR 122.05(2)(b)2. 2. A description of the nitrate removal methodology proposed, discussion of alternatives considered and the reasons for selecting the proposed methodology. This description shall include a discussion of the use of the proposed methodology at other locations, including experimental tests, and the success of the methodology in nitrate removal.

NR 122.05(2)(b)3. 3. A description of the chemical parameters/characteristics of the raw water supply and their impacts on the nitrate removal methodology’s effectiveness and costs.

NR 122.05(2)(c) (c) An itemized estimate of the total project costs broken down between planning, architectural and engineering design, construction or installation, and evaluation of the nitrate removal methodology. If all or part of the project work is to be contracted, bid tabulations may be submitted with the application, if available.

NR 122.05(2)(d) (d) Documentation of department approval of plans and specifications for the project or the date on which approvable plans and specifications for the project were, or will be, submitted to the department. Applicants who do not have project plan and specification approval prior to grant application submission shall submit approvable plans and specifications no later than 30 days after the municipality is notified of funding.

NR 122.05(2)(e) (e) A description of the evaluation and water quality analysis to be done before, during and after treatment to determine the effectiveness of the removal methodology.

NR 122.05(2)(f) (f) A list of places with previous experience with the proposed removal methodology.

NR 122.05(2)(g) (g) A copy of contract documents and provisions for any construction, installation, engineering or other technical services expected to be procured for the project.

NR 122.05(2)(h) (h) A description of the experience and other factors which reflect the capabilities of the municipality and its contractors to successfully complete the proposed pilot project.

NR 122.05(2)(i) (i) A commitment to submit a final report on the project within 60 days of the specified project completion date, including a description of the project, along with findings, conclusions and recommendations.

NR 122.05(3) (3) Grant application evaluation.

NR 122.05(3)(a) (a) Each grant application received on or before the established due date will receive a screening assessment to determine whether the content requirements in sub. (2) have been met. If an application does not contain all of the required information, the municipality shall be notified in writing and will have 15 days, from receipt of notice, to provide the required information to the department. Applicants which do not provide the information in a timely manner may have their application denied.

NR 122.05(3)(b) (b) All applications determined by the department to be acceptable for further consideration shall be formally evaluated by the department to determine a ranking order for grant funding. To perform the funding evaluation, the department may utilize department staff or persons not employed by the department, who are knowledgeable of public water systems and nitrate removal technology. The evaluation shall consider the following factors in determining the rank order for each application:

NR 122.05(3)(b)1. 1. The project may be assigned from 0 to 10 points based on an overall assessment of the project, taking into consideration:

NR 122.05(3)(b)1.a. a. The technical design;

NR 122.05(3)(b)1.b. b. The extent to which the proposed design meets the intent of the pilot project program;

NR 122.05(3)(b)1.c. c. The applicability of the proposed nitrate removal methodology to other public water systems;

NR 122.05(3)(b)1.d. d. The capability of the municipality and its staff, contractors or consultants to successfully complete the project;

NR 122.05(3)(b)1.e. e. The use and success of the methodology by other water systems; and

NR 122.05(3)(b)1.f. f. The ease of operation and maintenance of the proposed methodology.

NR 122.05(3)(b)2. 2. The extent to which untreated water from one or more of the wells of the municipal water system has a nitrate level of 10.0 mg/l or greater. The project may be assigned from 0 to 10 points based on this factor.

NR 122.05(3)(b)3. 3. The nitrate level in one or more of the wells of the municipal water system exceeds 7.5 mg/l but is less than 10.0 and the applicant provides other evidence which documents a substantial risk of the nitrate levels in the municipal water system increasing to or exceeding the maximum contaminant level. The project may be assigned from 0 to 5 points based on this factor.

NR 122.05(3)(b)4. 4. The nitrate level in one or more of the wells of the municipal water system is less than 7.5 mg/L and there is clear evidence of a substantial risk of future nitrate levels reaching or exceeding the maximum contaminant level. The project may be assigned from 0 to 5 points based on this factor.

NR 122.05(3)(b)5. 5. The total eligible costs of the proposed project compared to the total eligible costs of the other proposed projects that the department determines to be comparable. The determination of comparability shall be based on the proposed nitrate removal methodology and the evaluation results for the other factors contained in this section. The project may be assigned from 0 to 5 points based on this factor.

NR 122.05(4) (4) Priority ranking and notice of funding allocation.

NR 122.05(4)(a) (a) Upon completion of its evaluation of all acceptable project applications, the department shall prepare a list of the projects ranked in funding priority order. The list shall show the rank for each project, the amount of grant funding requested, and the cumulative total grant funding requested and remaining after each project. This list shall be distributed to all project applicants and other interested parties.