Chapter NR 810

NR 810.14 Note Note: The report forms are available from the department’s regional or central office drinking water program staff.

NR 810.14(5) (5) Manhole cover gasket. Following all inspections and maintenance, the integrity of the gasket between the access manhole cover and curbing shall be checked and replaced if necessary to prevent the entrance of dust and insects. If no gasket is present, one meeting s. NR 811.64 (7) requirements shall be provided to prevent the entrance of dust and insects.

NR 810.14 History History: CR 09-073: cr. Register November 2010 No. 659, eff. 12-1-10.

NR 810.15 NR 810.15 Cross connections and interconnections. Unprotected cross-connections are prohibited. Cross-connections shall be protected as required in s. SPS 382.41. Water system interconnections are prohibited except as provided in sub. (2). In addition the following requirements shall be met:

NR 810.15(1) (1) Cross connection control program. In order to protect the public water supply system, the water supplier for every municipal water system shall develop and implement a comprehensive cross connection control program for the elimination of all existing unprotected cross-connections and prevention of all future un-protected cross connections to the last flowing tap or end-use device. The program may include providing public education materials in lieu of inspections of low hazard portions of residential or commercial facilities. Low hazard areas consist of normal kitchen and bathroom fixtures. The water supplier shall keep a current record of the cross connection control program available for annual review by the department. The cross connection control program shall include:

NR 810.15(1)(a) (a) A complete description of the program and the administration procedures, including designation of the inspection or enforcement agency or agencies.

NR 810.15(1)(b) (b) Local authority for implementation of the program, such as ordinance or other governing rule.

NR 810.15(1)(c) (c) A time schedule for public education materials, surveys and follow up surveys of consumer premises for cross connections including appropriate record keeping. Unless otherwise authorized by the department, water suppliers for each municipal water system shall cause a survey to be conducted for every residential service a minimum of once every ten years or on a schedule matching meter replacement. Public educational materials, when being provided in lieu of low hazard inspections, shall be provided to the customer no less than every 3 years and with every cross connection survey. Unless a detailed alternative schedule is included in the cross connection control program and is approved by the department, water suppliers for each municipal water system shall cause a survey to be conducted for every industrial, commercial and public authority service a minimum of once every 2 years. Commercial properties of similar or lesser risk to residential properties may follow the same schedule as residential properties. Completed survey results shall be maintained by the water supplier until corrections and follow up surveys have been made.

NR 810.15(1)(d) (d) A complete description of the methods, devices, and assemblies which will be used to protect the potable water supply. Compliant methods, devices and assemblies are listed in s. SPS 382.41.

NR 810.15(1)(e) (e) Provisions for denial or discontinuance of water service, after reasonable notice, to any premises where an unprotected cross connection exists or where a survey could not be conducted due to denial.

NR 810.15(1)(f) (f) Submission to the department of a copy of an ordinance establishing a cross connection control program, an annual report including a total number of all service connections by category, and a report indicating the number of surveys completed in each category for that year.

NR 810.15(2) (2) Interconnections with other acceptable water sources. Interconnections between the public water supply system and another source of water are prohibited unless permitted by the department in individual cases. Approval of the department shall be obtained prior to the interconnection.

NR 810.15 History History: CR 09-073: cr. Register November 2010 No. 659, eff. 12-1-10; correction in (intro), (1) (d) made under s. 13.92 (4) (b) 7., Stats., Register January 2012 No. 673.

NR 810.16 NR 810.16 Local well regulation program. Water suppliers for municipal water systems and communities served by a municipal water system, shall implement a program for the regulation of wells which are not part of the municipal water system and are located on premises served by the municipal water system. Regulation is required to prevent unused, unsafe and noncomplying wells from acting as vertical conduits for aquifer contamination or as sources of unsafe water that could enter the public water system through cross connections. Implementation shall be by local ordinance or utility rule. The ordinance or rule shall include:

NR 810.16(1) (1) A requirement that all water supply wells that do not have valid operational permits issued pursuant to sub. (2), wells which are not routinely used, wells which are in noncompliance with ch. NR 812, or wells which test bacteriologically unsafe, shall be properly sealed and abandoned in accordance with ch. NR 812 by an established date not to exceed one year from date of connection to the public system, or date of discovery or construction.

NR 810.16(2) (2) Provisions for a well operation permit renewable not less frequently than every 5 years that will allow retention and operation of wells which are safe and in compliance with ch. NR 812 with the limitation that the well shall be functional and the owner shall demonstrate a need for use. The permit shall require:

NR 810.16(2)(a) (a) That a minimum of one safe sample be taken prior to issuing or reissuing the permit to establish that the water is bacteriologically safe.

NR 810.16(2)(b) (b) That the well and pump system be evaluated by a licensed well driller or pump installer and certified to comply with ch. NR 812 subch. IV, prior to issuing the initial permit and no less than every 10 years afterwards.

NR 810.16(2)(c) (c) Prohibition of unapproved cross-connections between any private well and pump installations and the municipal water system.

NR 810.16(3) (3) Written documentation of the well and pump inspection indicating compliance with ch. NR 812 requirements using standardized forms provided by the department.

NR 810.16(4) (4) Submission of a copy of the well regulation ordinance or rule to the department.

NR 810.16 History History: CR 09-073: cr. Register November 2010 No. 659, eff. 12-1-10.

NR 810.17 NR 810.17 Temporary water supply and pressure.

NR 810.17(1) (1) Water conduits used for the temporary supply of water because of water main breaks or replacement shall be of materials approved either by ch. SPS 382 as water service or private water main materials or by ch. NR 811 as water main materials. Piping materials may be reused but may not have been previously used for purposes other than providing potable water. The lines shall be disinfected in accordance with AWWA Standard C651-05.

NR 810.17(2) (2) Fire hoses may be used for emergency service to customers. However, the water consumers shall be notified by the water supplier not to use the water provided for drinking or food preparation.

NR 810.17(3) (3) Distribution systems or pressure zones served by a single elevated tank shall maintain normal pressures as specified in s. NR 810.10 when the tank is taken out of service for inspection and maintenance by one of the following methods:

NR 810.17(3)(a) (a) Installation of one or more pressure blow-off valves on a hydrant or hydrants at the opposite end of the system from the source of water.

NR 810.17(3)(b) (b) Installation of a temporary pressure tank connected to the system through a fire hydrant. The hydrant shall be flushed and disinfected prior to being connected to the pressure tank. The connection shall be with a reinforced high pressure neoprene hose dedicated for potable water use. An air compressor or other suitable means shall be provided to add air to the tank. All compressors used to routinely add air to tanks shall be oil-less. Larger capacity compressors that are not oil-less may be used temporarily to fill a tank upon startup, repair or service but shall be fitted with a filter and any other appurtenances necessary to remove particulates and oil. The pressure tank and connecting hose shall be disinfected and sampled in accordance with s. NR 810.09 (4). Adequate security measures shall be provided for the tank and hose.

NR 810.17(4) (4) The connection to a hydrant for purposes other than fire fighting shall meet the requirements in s. SPS 382.41.

NR 810.17 History History: CR 09-073: cr. Register November 2010 No. 659, eff. 12-1-10; correction in (1) and (4) made under s. 13.92 (4) (b) 7., Stats., Register January 2012 No. 673.

NR 810.18 NR 810.18 System loss and unaccounted water. All public water systems regulated by the public service commission shall be operated to comply with s. PSC 185.85 that defines system losses and sets standards for unaccounted-for water.

NR 810.18 History History: CR 09-073: cr. Register November 2010 No. 659, eff. 12-1-10.

NR 810.19 NR 810.19 Discharge of system or backwash water. Water discharged to the ground surface or storm sewers as part of flushing the distribution system, draining or disinfecting reservoirs, or as part of operation of a water treatment facility shall comply with the applicable general permit to discharge under the Wisconsin pollutant discharge elimination system (WPDES) as per the provisions of ch. 283, Stats. Discharge directly to a surface water is prohibited unless specific approval is obtained prior to the discharge.

NR 810.19 History History: CR 09-073: cr. Register November 2010 No. 659, eff. 12-1-10.

NR 810.20 NR 810.20 Approval of operational changes or maintenance projects. Water suppliers shall notify the department of any operational changes involving adjustment of chemical addition, filtration, or other operational parameters that may impact the quality of water produced. Temporary changes to manage water quality variations do not require department approval provided the operation remains within prior approved target ranges. Use of alternate chemicals, adjustment outside prescribed treatment ranges previously approved by the department, or permanent operational changes may not be made unless approved by the department prior to the change.

NR 810.20 Note Note: Modifications of chemical dosages or changes in chemicals may significantly alter the corrosion characteristics of the water as well as impart odors and tastes. Careful consideration of the impact to water chemistry should be given prior to adjusting chemical treatment.

NR 810.20 History History: CR 09-073: cr. Register November 2010 No. 659, eff. 12-1-10.

NR 810.21 NR 810.21 Unattended water treatment plant operation. Water treatment plants may be operated remotely or by use of on site supervisory control and data acquisition (SCADA) systems provided the water distribution system has sufficient storage, as determined by engineering analysis, to allow response and resolution to problems. Unattended water treatment plants treating for acute contaminants shall be provided with:

NR 810.21(1) (1) Alarms for all critical features including:

NR 810.21(1)(a) (a) Pump failure.

NR 810.21(1)(b) (b) Reservoir, clearwell, or basin overflow or low level.

NR 810.21(1)(c) (c) Station flooding.

NR 810.21(1)(d) (d) Chemical feeder failure.

NR 810.21(1)(e) (e) Chemical feed over or under desired range.

NR 810.21(1)(f) (f) Critical equipment failure.

NR 810.21(1)(g) (g) Intrusion.

NR 810.21(1)(h) (h) Power failure.

NR 810.21(2) (2) An operations manual describing alarms, operator responses to alarms, quality control and challenge testing for the communication and control systems, operation and maintenance of the control systems, and identifying primary and secondary responders.

NR 810.21(3) (3) A flow diagram showing the location of critical features, alarms, and automated controls.

NR 810.21(4) (4) Manual override of all treatment plant operations and functions.

NR 810.21(5) (5) Daily on-site operator visits to verify plant operation and security.

NR 810.21(6) (6) Designation of standby operators during times of unattended operation.

NR 810.21(7) (7) Battery back up for control systems.

NR 810.21(8) (8) Continuous disinfectant residual and turbidity monitoring where appropriate.

NR 810.21(9) (9) Water suppliers for public water systems using surface water and groundwater under the direct influence of surface water shall:

NR 810.21(9)(a) (a) Submit a report describing the items required in sub. (2) to the department for review and approval.

NR 810.21(9)(b) (b) Demonstrate the operation of the treatment plant by the SCADA system for a period of 6 months.

NR 810.21(9)(c) (c) Provide a list of alarms generated during the demonstration period along with a request for approval to operate unattended.

NR 810.21 History History: CR 09-073: cr. Register November 2010 No. 659, eff. 12-1-10.

NR 810.22 NR 810.22 Emergency well operation. An emergency well is a well that is not routinely used. The well owner may obtain a written extended well abandonment agreement with the department to allow a normally unused or standby well to remain operational and to delay well abandonment provided that the well owner agrees in writing to the following requirements:

NR 810.22(1) (1) The well water entering the distribution system may not exceed any bacteriological or nitrate drinking water standards.

NR 810.22(2) (2) The well water may not contain any volatile organic or synthetic organic contaminant levels exceeding the maximum contaminant level or MCL that could lead to further water quality degradation of the groundwater.

NR 810.22(3) (3) The well owner agrees to a 5 year cycle of reevaluation. Where the agreement is continued, it shall be renewed in writing every 5 years.

NR 810.22(4) (4) A 6-year cycle for water quality monitoring is established.

NR 810.22(5) (5) Bacteriological testing is conducted quarterly from the well.

NR 810.22(6) (6) Nitrate is monitored annually from the well.

NR 810.22(7) (7) The well meets current well construction and pump installation standards.

NR 810.22(8) (8) The water supplier shall notify all customers of the use of the well if the water quality exceeds primary drinking water standards.

NR 810.22(9) (9) The well owner agrees to televise any well in excess of 70 years old at least once every 15 years.

NR 810.22(10) (10) The water system will restrict the use of the well if the water quality exceeds the primary drinking water standards to emergency use of no more than 2 days per quarter. The department may authorize an extended period of use for an individual event if contacted by the water supplier.

NR 810.22 History History: CR 09-073: cr. Register November 2010 No. 659, eff. 12-1-10.

NR 810.23 NR 810.23 Water system security and emergency operations.

NR 810.23(1) (1) Water system security. Water system buildings and infrastructure access points above ground, such as reservoir hatches, lines used to pump to waste, doors and valve chambers, shall have adequate locks and be secured when not occupied or in use. Security measures that may be taken include: the installation of security fences, hardened or protected locks, exterior warning lights, exterior motion detectors, surveillance cameras; door, window, and hatch intrusion alarms, room motion sensors, steel doors, minimizing the size of windows, eliminating windows or using hardened window materials or iron, steel bars, or mesh over windows. Any security alarms installed shall be connected to telemetry control, SCADA systems, and monitored alarm systems where they are used.

NR 810.23(2) (2) Emergency operations. Water suppliers for each community water system shall develop a plan to prepare for, respond to, mitigate and recover from all types of emergency situations, including terrorism, sabotage, natural disasters such as floods and tornadoes, loss of system-wide pressure, and overfeed of chemicals.

NR 810.23(2)(a) (a) Municipal water systems shall have an emergency operation plan including, at a minimum:

NR 810.23(2)(a)1. 1. A list of local and state emergency contacts.

NR 810.23(2)(a)2. 2. A system for establishing emergency communications.

NR 810.23(2)(a)3. 3. Any mutual aid agreements the water utility has with other communities for sharing personnel, equipment and other resources during an emergency.

NR 810.23(2)(a)4. 4. Standard procedures for emergency water production.

NR 810.23(2)(a)5. 5. A means for sharing information with customers.

NR 810.23(2)(b) (b) Other-than-municipal water systems shall have an emergency operation plan including at a minimum:

NR 810.23(2)(b)1. 1. A list of plumbers, electricians or other contractors that would be available to respond in emergency situations.

NR 810.23(2)(b)2. 2. Procedures for obtaining a back-up water source.

NR 810.23 History History: CR 09-073: cr. Register November 2010 No. 659, eff. 12-1-10.

NR 810.24 NR 810.24 Water system capacity. All new community and non-transient non-community water systems shall develop and maintain adequate financial, managerial and technical capacity to meet the requirements of this chapter and 42 USC 300f to 300j-26. New community and non-transient non-community water systems are defined as those constructed after September 1, 1999, or those that upgrade system type after that date to become a community or nontransient noncommunity water system.

NR 810.24 Note Note: 42 USC 300f to 300j-26 is entitled the federal Safe Drinking Water Act.

NR 810.24(1) (1) New system capacity evaluation. No new community or non-transient non-community water system may commence operation after September 1, 1999, unless the owner of the proposed water system first demonstrates to the satisfaction of the department that the water system shall have and shall maintain adequate financial, managerial and technical capacity to meet the requirements of this chapter and the requirements of 42 USC 300f to 300j-26. Additions to water systems constructed prior to September 1, 1999, are exempt from this requirement unless the additions resulted in an upgrade in system type.

NR 810.24 Note Note: 42 USC 300f to 300j-26 is entitled the federal Safe Drinking Water Act.

NR 810.24(2) (2) Capacity evaluation submittal. To demonstrate financial, managerial and technical capacity to the department, before beginning construction of a water system, the owner of a proposed community or non-transient non-community water system shall submit to the department a system capacity evaluation that includes all of the following: