NR 809.203(1)(1)
Detection limits. Detection as used in this section shall be defined as greater than or equal to the following concentrations for each contaminant:
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See PDF for table 
2 Accurate determination of the chlorinated esters requires hydrolysis of the sample as described in EPA Methods 515.1, 515.2, 515.3, 515.4 and 555 and ASTM Method D 5317-93, 98 (Reapproved 2003).
3 Substitution of the detector specified in Method 505, 507, 508, or 508.1 for the purpose of achieving lower detection limits is allowed as follows: Either an electron capture or nitrogen phosphorus detector may be used provided all regulatory requirements and quality control criteria are met.
4 This method may not be used for the analysis of atrazine in any system where chlorine dioxide is used for drinking water treatment. In samples from all other systems, any result generated by Method AG-625 that is greater than one-half the maximum contaminant level (MCL) (in other words, greater than 0.0015 mg/L or 1.5 ìg/L) must be confirmed using another approved method for this contaminant and should use additional volume of the original sample collected for compliance monitoring. In instances where a result from Method AG-625 triggers such confirmatory testing, the confirmatory result is to be used to determine compliance.
5 Method 6610 shall be followed in accordance with the “Supplement to the 18th edition of Standard Methods for the Examination of Water and Wastewater", 1994, or with the 19th edition of Standard Methods for the Examination of Water and Wastewater, 1995, APHA; either publication may be used. This incorporation by reference was approved by the Director of the Federal Register in accordance with
5 USC 552 (a) and
1 CFR Part 51. Copies may be obtained from the American Public Health Association, 1015 Fifteenth Street, N.W., Washington, D.C., 2005. Other required analytical test procedures germane to conducting these analyses are contained in Technical Notes on Drinking Water Methods, EPA/600/R-94-173, October 1994, NTIS PB95-104766.
6 Method 6651 shall be followed in accordance with the “Standard Methods for the Examination of Water and Wastewater", 18th Edition, 1992, and 19th edition, 1995, American Public Health Association. This incorporation by reference was approved by the Director of the Federal Register in accordance with
5 U.S.C. 552 (a) and
1 CFR Part 51. Copies may be obtained from the American Public Health Association, 1015 Fifteenth Street, N.W., Washington, D.C., 20005.
7 Method 505 or 508 can be used as a screen for PCBs. Method 508A shall be used to quantitate PCBs as decachlorobiphenyl if detected in Method 505 or 508. PCBs are qualitatively identified as Aroclors and measured for compliance purposes as decachlorobiphenyl.
8 A nitrogen-phosphorus detector should be substituted for the electron capture detector in Method 505 (or a different approved method should be used) to determine alachlor, atrazine and simizine, if lower detection limits are required.
9 Standard Methods for the Examination of Water and Wastewater, 18th edition (1992), 19th edition (1995), 20th edition (1998), 21
st edition (2005), 22nd edition (2012). Available from American Public Health Association, 800 I Street, NW., Washington, DC, 20001-3710.
10Standard Methods online are available at
http://www.standardmethods.org. The year in which each method was approved by the Standard Methods Committee is designated by the last two digits in the method number. The methods listed are the only online versions that may be used.
NR 809.203(3)
(3)
PCB analysis. Analysis for PCBs shall be conducted as follows:
NR 809.203(3)(a)
(a) Each water supplier that monitors for PCBs shall have each sample analyzed by a laboratory certified under ch.
NR 149 using Method 505, 508, 508.1 or 525.2 as specified in Table CM and must achieve the required detection limits in this subsection.
NR 809.203(3)(b)
(b) If one or more of 7 PCB Aroclors are detected as designated in this paragraph in any sample analyzed using Methods 505 and 508, the sample shall be reanalyzed using Method 508A to quantitate PCBs as decachlorobiphenyl.
NR 809.203(4)
(4)
Sample collection. Samples shall be collected using containers and preservatives, and meeting the holding times specified in Table D. When an approved method that is not included in Table D is used to analyze samples, samples shall be collected using containers and preservatives, and meeting the holding times specified in the approved method. In all cases, samples should be analyzed as soon after collection as possible.
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See PDF for table
1 Polytetrafluoroethylene. Teflon is a brand name of a PTFE product.
2 Chlorinated samples need to be dechlorinated at the time of collection. Samplers should follow the dechlorinating procedures contained in the approved methods.
NR 809.203(5)
(5)
Laboratory certification. Analyses under this section shall only be conducted by laboratories that have received certification under ch.
NR 149 or have been approved by EPA.
NR 809.203 History
History: CR 09-073: cr.
Register November 2010 No. 659, eff. 12-1-10;
CR 15-049: am. (1), (2), renum. (2) Table C to Table CM and am, am. (3) (a), (4) (intro.), r. and recr. (4) Table D
Register March 2016 No. 723, eff. 4-1-16;
CR 21-088: am. (1) Table, (2) Table CM, (4) Table D
Register July 2022 No. 799, eff. 8-1-22; correction in Table CM, D made under s.
35.17, Stats.,
Register July 2022 No. 799.
NR 809.205
NR 809.205 Monitoring requirements for synthetic organic contaminants. NR 809.205(1)(1)
General. Water suppliers for community and non-transient non-community water systems shall monitor for the synthetic organic contaminants listed in s.
NR 809.20 for the purposes of determining compliance with the maximum contaminant levels as follows:
NR 809.205(1)(a)
(a) Groundwater sources shall be sampled under normal operating conditions at every entry point to the distribution system which is representative of each well after treatment. Each sample shall be taken at the same location unless, if approved by the department, conditions make another sampling location more representative of each source or treatment plant.
NR 809.205(1)(b)
(b) Surface water sources or combined surface water and groundwater sources shall be sampled at each entry point to the distribution system after treatment, or at locations in the distribution system that are representative of each source after treatment. Each sample shall be taken at the same sampling location unless, if approved by the department, conditions make another sampling location more representative of each source or treatment plant.
NR 809.205(1)(c)
(c) If the public water system draws water from more than one source and the sources are combined before distribution, the public water system shall be sampled at an entry point to the distribution system during periods of normal operating conditions when water representative of all sources is being used.
NR 809.205(1)(d)
(d) The water supplier for all new public water systems or for public water systems that use a new source of water that begin operation after January 22, 2004 shall demonstrate compliance with the MCLs specified in s.
NR 809.20 in accordance with the requirements in this section. The water supplier shall also comply with the initial sampling frequencies specified by the department to ensure the public water system can demonstrate compliance with the MCLs. Routine and increased monitoring frequencies shall be conducted in accordance with the requirements of this section.
NR 809.205(1g)
(1g)
Schedule for perfluorooctane sulfonic acid and perfluorooctanoic acid monitoring. NR 809.205(1g)(a)
(a) Community and non-transient non-community public water systems serving a population of 50,000 or more shall comply with initial monitoring requirements under sub.
(1r) (a) for perfluorooctane sulfonic acid and perfluorooctanoic acid beginning on November 1, 2022.
NR 809.205(1g)(b)
(b) Community and non-transient non-community public water systems serving a population of 10,000 to 49,999 shall comply with initial monitoring requirements under sub.
(1r) (a) for perfluorooctane sulfonic acid and perfluorooctanoic acid beginning on February 1, 2023.
NR 809.205(1g)(c)
(c) Community and non-transient non-community public water systems serving a population of less than 10,000 shall comply with initial monitoring requirements under sub.
(1r) (a) for perfluorooctane sulfonic acid and perfluorooctanoic acid beginning on May 1, 2023.
NR 809.205(1r)
(1r)
Monitoring frequency for perfluorooctane sulfonic acid and perfluorooctanoic acid.
Water suppliers shall monitor to determine compliance with the maximum contaminant level for perfluorooctane sulfonic acid and perfluorooctanoic acid at the following frequencies:
NR 809.205(1r)(a)
(a)
Initial monitoring. Water suppliers for new community public water systems or for community public water systems with new sources shall demonstrate compliance with the MCLs prior to initiating water service. Water suppliers for each community and non-transient, non-community water system shall take 4 consecutive quarterly samples
for perfluorooctane sulfonic acid and perfluorooctanoic acid beginning on the dates specified under sub.
(1g) or beginning with the year the public water system initiates water service, or a new source is put into service, and every compliance period thereafter unless the requirements of pars.
(b) and
(c) are met.
NR 809.205(1r)(b)
(b)
Initial waiver evaluation. For perfluorooctane sulfonic acid and perfluorooctanoic acid the department may waive the final 2 quarters of initial monitoring for a sampling point if the results of the samples from the previous 2 quarters are below the detection limit.
NR 809.205(1r)(c)
(c)
Routine monitoring. Sampling may be reduced to routine monitoring after the initial monitoring period as follows:
NR 809.205(1r)(c)1.
1. `Public water systems serving greater than 3,300.' Public water systems serving more than 3,300 persons that do not detect a contaminant in the initial compliance period or during 3 consecutive years of annual monitoring may reduce the sampling frequency to a minimum of 2 quarterly samples in one year during each repeat compliance period.
NR 809.205(1r)(c)2.
2. `Public water systems serving 3,300 or less.' Public water systems serving 3,300 persons or less that do not detect a contaminant in the initial compliance period or during 3 consecutive years of annual monitoring may reduce the sampling frequency to a minimum of one sample during each repeat compliance period.
NR 809.205(1r)(d)
(d)
Waiver request. Water suppliers for community and non-transient non-community systems may apply to the department for a waiver from the requirements under pars.
(a) and
(c) for perfluorooctane sulfonic acid and perfluorooctanoic acid. A water supplier shall reapply for a waiver for each compliance period. The waiver period shall not exceed 2 compliance periods.
NR 809.205(1r)(e)
(e)
Waiver evaluation. The department may grant a waiver from the requirements under pars.
(a) and
(c) after evaluating all of the following factors:
NR 809.205(1r)(e)1.
1. `Waiver evaluation when the department determines a contaminant has not been used.' The department may grant a waiver when the department determines a contaminant has not been used based on a system's previous use information, including transport, storage, or disposal of the contaminant within the watershed or zone of influence of the public water system, or the results of analysis of a system's water source.
NR 809.205(1r)(e)2.
2. `Waiver evaluation when a contaminant has been used or its use is unknown.' If previous use of the contaminant is unknown or it has been used previously, all of the following factors shall be used to determine whether a waiver is granted:
NR 809.205(1r)(e)2.b.
b. The proximity of the public water system to a potential point source of contamination. Point sources include spills and leaks of chemicals at or near a water treatment facility or at manufacturing, distribution, or storage facilities, or from hazardous and municipal waste landfills and other waste handling or treatment facilities; or at airports, military bases, and fire training facilities.
NR 809.205(1r)(f)
(f)
Waiver conditions and monitoring assessments. As a condition of the waiver under par.
(e), the water supplier for a groundwater system shall update the monitoring assessment considering the factors listed under par.
(e). Based on this updated monitoring assessment, the department shall reconfirm that the public water system is non-vulnerable. If the department does not make this reconfirmation within 3 years of the initial determination or each subsequent determination, then the waiver is invalidated, and the public water system is required to sample during each compliance period as specified under par.
(c).
NR 809.205(2)
(2)
Monitoring frequency for synthetic organic contaminants other than perfluorooctane sulfonic acid and perfluorooctanoic acid. Water suppliers shall monitor to determine compliance with the maximum contaminant level for synthetic organic contaminants other than perfluorooctane sulfonic acid and perfluorooctanoic acid listed under s.
NR 809.20 at the following frequencies:
NR 809.205(2)(a)
(a)
Initial monitoring. Water suppliers for new community public water systems or for community public water systems with new sources shall demonstrate compliance with the MCLs listed under s.
NR 809.20 for synthetic organic contaminants
other than perfluorooctane sulfonic acid and perfluorooctanoic acid prior to initiating water service. Water suppliers for each community and non-transient, non-community water system shall take 4 consecutive quarterly samples for each contaminant listed under s.
NR 809.20, other than perfluorooctane sulfonic acid and perfluorooctanoic acid, beginning with the year the public water system initiates water service, or a new source is put into service, and every compliance period after that unless they meet the requirements under par.
(b).
NR 809.205(2)(b)
(b)
Routine monitoring. Initial quarterly sampling under sub.
(2) (a) may be reduced to routine monitoring after the initial monitoring period as follows:
NR 809.205(2)(b)1.
1. `Public water systems serving greater than 3,330.' Public water systems serving more than 3,300 persons that do not detect a contaminant in the initial compliance period or during 3 consecutive years of annual monitoring may reduce the sampling frequency to a minimum of 2 quarterly samples in one year during each repeat compliance period.
NR 809.205(2)(b)2.
2. `Public water systems serving 3,300 or less.' Public water systems serving 3,300 persons or less that do not detect a contaminant in the initial compliance period or during 3 consecutive years of annual monitoring may reduce the sampling frequency to a minimum of one sample during each repeat compliance period.
NR 809.205(2)(c)
(c)
Waiver request. Water suppliers for community and non-transient non-community systems or groundwater systems with new sources may apply to the department for a waiver from the requirements of pars.
(a) and
(b) for the synthetic organic contaminants other than perfluorooctane sulfonic acid and perfluorooctanoic acid listed under s.
NR 809.20. A water supplier shall reapply for a waiver for each compliance period.
NR 809.205(2)(d)
(d)
Waiver evaluation. The department may grant a waiver from the requirements of this subsection after evaluating all of the following factors:
NR 809.205(2)(d)1.
1. `Waiver evaluation when the department determines a contaminant has not been used.' The department may grant a waiver as described in this subdivision and subd.
2. of this paragraph under the following circumstances when the department determines a contaminant has not been used based on a system's previous use information, including transport, storage, or disposal of the contaminant within the watershed or zone of influence of the public water system, or the results of analysis of a system's water source:
NR 809.205(2)(d)1.a.
a. When a groundwater system can demonstrate that a synthetic organic contaminant has not been used, the department may grant waivers for the contaminant based on results of the analysis of a minimum of one sample at the water source, except as noted under subd.
1. b. NR 809.205(2)(d)1.b.
b. The department may grant waivers to ground water systems for dioxin, PCBs, di(2-ethylhexyl)adipate, and di(2-ethylhexyl)phthalate without requiring analysis of the water source, if the system can demonstrate lack of use of the contaminant.
NR 809.205(2)(d)1.c.
c. The department may grant waivers for benzo(a)pyrene to ground water, surface water, and GWUDI systems without requiring analysis of the water source, if the system can demonstrate a lack of use of coal tar to line or seal a system's tanks or pipes.
NR 809.205(2)(d)2.
2. `Waiver evaluation when a contaminant has been used or its use is unknown.' If previous use of the contaminant is unknown or it has been used previously, then all of the following factors shall be used to determine whether a waiver is granted:
NR 809.205(2)(d)2.b.
b. The proximity of the public water system to a potential point or non-point source of contamination. Point sources include spills and leaks of chemicals at or near a water treatment facility or at manufacturing, distribution, or storage facilities, or from hazardous and municipal waste landfills and other waste handling or treatment facilities. Non-point sources include the use of pesticides to control insect and weed pests on agricultural areas, forest lands, home and gardens, and other land application uses.
NR 809.205(2)(d)2.d.
d. How well the water source is protected against contamination due to such factors as depth of the well and the type of soil and the integrity of the well casing.
NR 809.205(2)(d)2.f.
f. Use of PCBs in equipment used in the production, storage or distribution of water such as pumps and transformers.
NR 809.205(2)(e)
(e)
Waiver conditions and monitoring assessments. As a condition of the waiver under par.
(d), the water supplier for a groundwater system shall update the monitoring assessment considering the factors listed under par.
(d). Based on this monitoring assessment, the department shall reconfirm that the public water system is non-vulnerable. If the department does not make this reconfirmation within 3 years of the initial determination or each subsequent determination, then the waiver is invalidated and the public water system is required to sample during each compliance period as specified under par.
(b).
NR 809.205(6)
(6)
Monitoring for detected contaminants. If a synthetic organic contaminant listed in s.
NR 809.20 is detected, as provided by s.
NR 809.203 (1) in any sample, then the water supplier shall monitor quarterly at each entry point which resulted in detection. Quarterly monitoring may be modified by the department as follows:
NR 809.205(6)(a)
(a) The department may decrease the quarterly monitoring requirement specified in par.
(a) provided it has determined that the public water system is reliably and consistently below the MCL. In no case may the department make this determination unless a groundwater system has been monitored in a minimum of 2 quarters and a surface water system has been monitored in a minimum of 4 quarters.
NR 809.205(6)(b)
(b) After the department determines the public water system is reliably and consistently below the MCL, the department may allow the public water system to be monitored annually. Public water systems which are monitored annually shall be monitored during the quarter that previously yielded the highest analytical results.
NR 809.205(6)(c)
(c) Water suppliers for public water systems that have 3 consecutive annual samples with no detection of a contaminant may apply to the department for reduced routine monitoring as specified under subs.
(1) (c) and
(2) (b) or a waiver as specified under subs.
(1) (d) and
(e) and
(2) (c) and
(d).
NR 809.205(6)(d)
(d) If monitoring results in detection of one or more of certain related contaminants such as heptachlor and heptachlor epoxide, then subsequent monitoring shall analyze for all related contaminants.
NR 809.205(7)
(7)
Monitoring when an MCL is exceeded. Additional monitoring for synthetic organic contaminants shall be required as follows in order to maintain compliance:
NR 809.205(7)(a)
(a) If an organic contaminant listed in s.
NR 809.20 is detected at a level exceeding the MCL in any sample, then the water supplier shall begin to take quarterly samples at each entry point which exceeded an MCL.
NR 809.205(7)(b)
(b) Public water systems which exceed an MCL listed in s.
NR 809.20 as determined by s.
NR 809.207 (1) shall be monitored quarterly. After a minimum of 4 quarterly samples show that the public water system is back in compliance and the department determines the public water system is reliably and consistently below the MCL as specified in s.
NR 809.207 (1), the public water system shall be monitored at the frequency specified in sub.
(6) (b).
NR 809.205(8)
(8)
Confirmation samples. The department may require a confirmation sample for positive or negative results. If a confirmation sample is required by the department, the result shall be averaged with the first sampling result and the average used for the compliance determination as specified by s.
NR 809.207 (1). The department may delete results of obvious sampling errors from this calculation, or may require additional samples to determine whether the result is or is not in error.
NR 809.205(9)
(9)
Composite sampling. The department may reduce the total number of samples a public water system is required to analyze by allowing the use of compositing. If the department allows compositing, the following composite sampling requirements shall be met:
NR 809.205(9)(a)
(a) Composite samples from a maximum of 5 entry points are allowed, if the detection limit of the method used for analysis is less than one-fifth of the MCL. Compositing is only permitted at entry points within a single public water system. Compositing of samples shall be done in the laboratory and analyzed within 14 days of sample collection.
NR 809.205(9)(b)
(b) If the concentration in the composite sample detects one or more contaminants listed in s.
NR 809.20, then a follow-up sample shall be taken and analyzed for each contaminant detected within 14 days from each entry point included in the composite.
NR 809.205(9)(c)
(c) If duplicate aliquots of the original sample taken from each entry point used in the composite are available, the public water system may use these duplicates instead of re-sampling. The duplicate shall be analyzed and the results reported to the department within 14 days of collection.
NR 809.205(10)
(10)
Increasing monitoring frequency. The department may increase the required monitoring frequency, if necessary, to detect variations within the public water system. Examples of variations include fluctuations in concentration due to seasonal use or changes in the water source.
NR 809.205(11)
(11)
Designation of sampling times. Each public water system shall be monitored during the month, quarter or year designated by the department within each compliance period.
NR 809.205 History
History: CR 09-073: cr.
Register November 2010 No. 659, eff. 12-1-10;
CR 15-049: am. (2) (a), (3), (4) (intro.), renum. (4) (a) to (a) (intro.) and am., cr. (4) (a) 1. to 3., am. (4) (b), (5)
Register March 2016 No. 723, eff. 4-1-16;
CR 21-088: cr. (1g), (1r), am. (2) (intro.), (a), (b), renum. (3), (4), (5) to (2) (c), (d), (e) and, as renumbered, am. (2) (c), (d) (intro.), 1. (intro.), a., (e), am. (6) (c)
Register July 2022 No. 799, eff. 8-1-22; correction in (1r) (e) (intro.), (6) (c) made under s. 13.92 (4) (b) 7., Stats., and correction in (2) (d) 1. made under ss. 13.92 (4) (b) 7., and 35.17, Stats.,
Register July 2022 No. 799.
NR 809.207
NR 809.207 Compliance requirements for synthetic organic contaminants. NR 809.207(1)(1)
MCL compliance determination. Compliance with synthetic organic contaminant MCLs shall be determined as follows:
NR 809.207(1)(a)
(a) Compliance with the synthetic organic contaminant MCLs specified in s.
NR 809.20 shall be determined based on the analytical results obtained at each entry point. If one entry point is in violation of an MCL, the public water system is in violation of the MCL.
NR 809.207(1)(b)
(b) For public water systems which are conducting monitoring more frequently than annual, compliance is determined by a running annual average of all samples taken at each entry point. If the annual average of any entry point is greater than the MCL, then the public water system is out of compliance. If the initial sample or a subsequent sample would cause the annual average to be exceeded, then the public water system is out of compliance immediately.
NR 809.207(1)(c)
(c) If monitoring is conducted annually or less frequently, the public water system is out of compliance if the level of a contaminant at any entry point is greater than the MCL. Compliance shall be based on the average value of the initial sample and the confirmation sample.
NR 809.207(1)(d)
(d) Any contaminant listed in s.
NR 809.20 that is detected shall be quantified. Any sample below the reported method detection limit shall be calculated at zero for the purposes of determining the averages in pars.
(b) and
(c).
NR 809.207(1)(e)
(e) If a public water system fails to collect the required number of samples, compliance shall be based on the total number of samples collected.
NR 809.207(2)
(2)
Detection of synthetic contaminants not listed in s. NR 809.20 (1). Any detection of a synthetic organic contaminant not listed in s.
NR 809.20 (1) shall be reported to the department with the other monitoring reports required under this section. The laboratory shall indicate whether any detected synthetic organic contaminant not listed in s.
NR 809.20 (1) has been confirmed or tentatively identified, and when a numerical result is reported, whether the result is quantitative or an estimate.
NR 809.207(3)
(3)
Use of analytical results. The department may determine compliance or initiate enforcement action based upon analytical results and other information compiled by their sanctioned representatives and agencies.
