NR 243.17NR 243.17 Operation and maintenance. The permittee shall operate all constructed facilities and systems in accordance with applicable requirements of s. NR 243.13, the operation and maintenance plan for a given facility or system, and WPDES permit conditions.

NR 243.17(1)(a)(a) Influent and effluent characterization.

NR 243.17(1)(a)1.1. Prior to introducing any additives to a digester, other than manure, the permittee shall obtain written department approval. If any materials other than manure are used in the digester, the permittee shall maintain daily records of the volumes of all manure and non-manure components added to the digester influent.

NR 243.17(1)(a)2.2. The department may require monitoring for additional pollutants, including metals, based on the characterization of digester additives or the digester influent or effluent.

NR 243.17(1)(a)3.b.b. The department determines that the chemical characterization of the digester influent or effluent warrants additional requirements.

NR 243.17(2)(a)(a) Additive approval. Except as provided in par. (b), the permittee shall notify the department and obtain written department approval prior to adding any chemicals, pollutants or other wastes to any manure, process wastewater, or stormwater storage facility or treatment system. In this section, other wastes means any waste other than manure, process wastewater or stormwater. Factors the department will consider when approving a chemical or pollutant include:

NR 243.17(2)(a)2.2. The potential impact the storage or land application of the mixed waste containing the chemical or pollutant may have on waters of the state.

NR 243.17(2)(b)(b) Exceptions. The WPDES permit may specify certain additives for which written department approval is not required before adding the substance to a treatment or storage facility.

NR 243.17(2)(c)(c) Prohibited materials. Medical wastes, including expired or unused antibiotics, petroleum products not designed for use in manure storage facilities, pesticides, paints, solvents and hazardous wastes may not be disposed of in storage or treatment facilities specified in par. (a).

NR 243.17(3)(a)(a) Except as provided in sub. (4), once a permittee has constructed or established properly designed manure storage or containment facilities or a system of properly designed facilities that provide a minimum of 180 days of storage for liquid manure pursuant to s. NR 243.15 (3) (i) or (j), the operation shall operate and maintain the storage facilities or system such that the 180-day design requirement is met for all animals onsite, except as allowed under sub. (4).

NR 243.17(3)(b)(b) Liquid storage facilities or systems shall be emptied so that the 180-day level indicator, specified in s. NR 243.15 (3) (i) or (j), is visible on at least one day between October 1 and November 30, except for liquid manure remaining due to unusual fall weather conditions prohibiting manure applications during this time period. The permittee shall record the day on which the 180-day level indicator was visible during this time period. Permittees unable to empty their storage facility to the 180-day level indicator between October 1 and November 30, shall notify the department by December 5.

NR 243.17(3)(c)(c) Permittees shall demonstrate compliance with the 180-day design storage capacity requirement at all the following times:

NR 243.17(3)(c)4.4. Subject to sub. (4), when a facility is proposing, at any time, a 20% expansion in animal units or an increase by an amount of 1,000 animal units or more.

NR 243.17(4)(a)(a) Permittees that have maintained a minimum of 180 days of storage capacity for liquid manure in accordance with sub. (3) may be allowed to temporarily reduce this level of minimum required design capacity to 150 days design capacity if all of the following are met:

NR 243.17(4)(a)2.2. The permittee notifies the department in writing of the proposed reduction prior to the planned expansion and reduction in 180-day design storage.

NR 243.17(4)(a)3.3. The permittee has a department approved expansion plan and schedule outlining how the operation will acquire or construct additional storage to achieve 180 days of storage after the expansion. The proposed schedule to acquire or construct additional storage may not exceed 24 months from the date of notification.

NR 243.17(4)(b)(b) Failure to maintain 180 days of storage under this paragraph is not reason for allowing emergency applications of liquid manure under s. NR 243.14 (7) (d).