NR 106.90(4)(a)(a) For POTWs, where residential point-of-use softening is the primary chloride input:
NR 106.90(4)(a)1.1. Evaluate the requirement for new and replacement softeners to be metered demand type, with a higher, greater than 3350 grains of hardness exchange per pound of salt, efficiency capability.
NR 106.90(4)(a)2.2. Evaluate the imposition of installation restrictions so that outside hose bibs are on unsoftened water. If restrictions are imposed, new homes and those in real estate transfers should be required to have plumbing restrictions for hard water by-passes, and the requirement should apply to self-installed equipment as well.
NR 106.90(4)(b)(b) For POTWs, where a central water supply softener is the primary chloride input, conduct activities listed in par. (c).
NR 106.90(4)(c)(c) For direct-discharging municipal or commercial water softening plants:
NR 106.90(4)(c)1.1. Evaluate the feasibility of achieving greater salt efficiencies, greater than 3350 grains of hardness exchange per pound of salt.
NR 106.90(4)(c)2.2. Evaluate softening alternatives that replace the sodium cycle ion exchange method of softening.
NR 106.90(4)(c)3.3. Blend softened and unsoftened water to strike a balance between delivered water quality and environmental protection.
NR 106.90(4)(d)(d) For dairies:
NR 106.90(4)(d)1.1. For plants that make brine salted cheeses, evaluate the feasibility of membrane filtration for reconditioning the brine so that it can be reused.
NR 106.90(4)(d)2.2. For plants that make brine salted cheeses, evaluate the feasibility of using a no-brine make procedure in which salt is added directly to curd during the manufacturing procedure, thereby reducing salt discharges from spent brines.
NR 106.90(4)(e)(e) For those facilities which process vegetables:
NR 106.90(4)(e)1.1. Evaluate the feasibility of eliminating brine flotation for quality grading, if applicable.
NR 106.90(4)(e)2.2. Evaluate the feasibility of installing a closed-loop system for cooling water.
NR 106.90(4)(e)3.3. Evaluate the feasibility of installing a brine recovery and reuse system for reducing salt waste at the point of supplying flavorings to containers.
NR 106.90(4)(f)(f) For those facilities which process meats:
NR 106.90(4)(f)1.1. Investigate the feasibility of replacing brine chills with air, water or air-water chills.
NR 106.90(4)(f)2.2. Reduce drainback through operational and equipment improvements.
NR 106.90(4)(f)3.3. Investigate the feasibility of chill brine reconditioning and reuse.
NR 106.90(4)(f)4.4. Evaluate the feasibility of reusing once-through cooling water, or installing a closed-loop cooling water system.
NR 106.90(4)(f)5.5. Evaluate phosphonate additives instead of softened water.
NR 106.90(4)(g)(g) For any other facility not listed in pars. (a) to (f), evaluate the feasibility of replacing or upgrading equipment and processes, and the use of alternative softening technologies to affect chloride reductions.
NR 106.90(5)(5)Source reduction reporting. Following the completion of tier 1, 2 or 3 source reduction activities specified in the permit, but no later than 6 months prior to permit expiration, the permittee shall file a written report to the department documenting the current reduction as well as the anticipated future reduction in salt usage and chloride effluent concentrations.
NR 106.90 HistoryHistory: Cr. Register, January, 2000, No. 529, eff. 2-1-00.
NR 106.91NR 106.91Variances for POTWs which accept wastewater from public water systems treating water to meet primary safe drinking water act standards. Publicly owned treatment works that accept wastewater from a public water system treating water to meet the primary maximum contaminant levels specified in ch. NR 809, if not able to meet the calculated limitation, may apply to the department for a variance from the water quality standard used to derive the limitation following the procedure specified in this subchapter. The department shall seek U.S. environmental protection agency approval before a variance is included in a permit. Upon approval, the permittee may be given an interim limitation, a target value, a target limitation and appropriate source reduction requirements, under s. NR 106.83 in the permit upon permit reissuance or modification. No calculated limitation, interim limitation, target value, target limitation, or source reduction requirement shall interfere with the attainment of the primary maximum contaminant levels specified in ch. NR 809.
NR 106.91 HistoryHistory: Cr. Register, January, 2000, No. 529, eff. 2-1-00; CR 15-085: am. Register August 2016 No. 728, eff. 9-1-16.
NR 106.92NR 106.92Authority of a publicly owned treatment works to regulate chloride discharges. A publicly owned treatment works has the authority to regulate the discharge of chloride as enumerated in s. NR 211.40.
NR 106.92 HistoryHistory: Cr. Register, January, 2000, No. 529, eff. 2-1-00.
NR 106.93NR 106.93New discharges. Any point source which has not been authorized under a WPDES permit prior to February 1, 2000, shall be required to meet the calculated limitations. Relocation of an existing discharge which was issued a WPDES permit prior to February 1, 2000, may not be considered a new discharge.