283.13(4)
(4) Effluent limitations for public treatment works. Discharges from publicly owned treatment works, except storm water discharges for which a permit is issued under
s. 283.33, shall comply with the following requirements:
283.13(4)(a)
(a)
Secondary treatment for certain works. Secondary treatment by no later than July 1, 1977, for all publicly owned treatment works in existence on that date or approved prior to June 30, 1974, and for which construction is completed within 4 years of approval;
283.13(4)(b)
(b)
Best practicable waste treatment technology. The application of the best practicable waste treatment technology over the life of the works consistent with the purposes of this chapter by no later than July 1, 1983.
283.13(4)(c)
(c)
Other limitations for combined sewer overflows. In lieu of
pars. (a) and
(b), effluent limitations required by
subs. (2) (a) and
(5) for combined sewer systems tributary to treatment works owned and operated by any metropolitan sewerage district created under
ss. 200.21 to
200.65.
283.13(5)
(5) More stringent limitations. The department shall establish more stringent effluent limitations than required under
subs. (2) and
(4) and shall require compliance with such water quality based effluent limitations in any permit issued, reissued or modified if these limitations are necessary to meet applicable water quality standards, treatment standards, schedules of compliance or any other state or federal law, rule or regulation. The department shall require compliance with these water quality based effluent limitations by no later than July 1, 1977, or by a later date as specified in the water quality standard, treatment standard, schedule of compliance or other state or federal law, rule or regulation.
283.13(6)(a)(a) Except as provided under
par. (d), the department may modify the time limitations specified under
subs. (4) and
(5) for any publicly owned treatment works to increase the period of time for compliance with effluent limitations.
283.13(6)(b)
(b) The modification of the time limitations mentioned under
par. (a) may be granted if the department determines that the construction of treatment works necessary to achieve compliance with effluent limitations cannot be completed within the prescribed time period due to events over which the permittee has little or no control unless the modification is prohibited under
par. (d).
283.13(6)(c)
(c) The modification of the time limitations mentioned under
par. (a) shall be granted if the department determines that the construction of treatment works necessary to achieve compliance with effluent limitations cannot be completed within the prescribed time period due to the unavailability of federal or state funds unless the modification is prohibited under the federal water pollution control act, as amended,
33 USC 1251 to
1376.
283.13(6)(d)
(d) Except as provided under
par. (c), no modification of the time limitations under
par. (a) may extend beyond December 31, 1985.
283.13 Cross-reference
Cross-reference: See also NR 200- and ch.
NR 106, Wis. adm. code.
283.15
283.15
Variances to water quality standard. 283.15(1)
(1)
Definition. In this section, "variance" means a variance to a water quality standard adopted under
s. 281.15.
283.15(2)(a)(a) If a permit contains a variance or if a permittee anticipates that a reissued permit will include a water quality based effluent limitation under
s. 283.13 (5), when the permittee applies for reissuance of the permit the permittee may apply to the department for renewal of the variance or for a variance from the water quality standard that would be used to derive the water quality based effluent limitation.
283.15(2)(am)1.1. Within 60 days after the department reissues or modifies a permit to include a water quality based effluent limitation under
s. 283.13 (5), the permittee may apply to the department for a variance from the water quality standard used to derive the limitation.
283.15(2)(am)2.
2. After an application for a variance is submitted to the department under
subd. 1., and until the last day for seeking review of the secretary's final decision on the application or a later date fixed by order of the reviewing court, the water quality based effluent limitation under
s. 283.13 (5) and the corresponding compliance schedule are not effective. All other provisions of the permit continue in effect except those for which a petition for review has been submitted under
s. 283.63. For those provisions for which an application for variance has been submitted under this section, the corresponding or similar provisions of the prior permit continue in effect until the last day for seeking review of the department's final decision or a later date fixed by order of the reviewing court.
283.15(2)(b)
(b) The department shall specify by rule the information to be included in an application under this subsection.
283.15(2)(c)
(c) The department may request additional information from the permittee within 30 days after receiving an application under
par. (am) 1. The permittee shall provide the additional information within 30 days after receipt of the department's request. An application is not complete until the additional information is provided to the department.
283.15(2)(d)
(d) If the permittee does not provide information as required under
par. (b) or
(c), the department shall deny the application.
283.15(3)(a)(a) The secretary shall issue a tentative decision on an application for a variance under
sub. (2) (a) in the notice under
s. 283.39 for the reissuance of the permit.
283.15(3)(b)
(b) The secretary shall issue a tentative decision on an application for a variance under
sub. (2) (am) 1. within 120 days after receipt of a completed application. The department shall circulate the tentative decision to the permittee and to the parties in
s. 283.53 (2) (c). If the tentative decision is to grant a variance based upon one or more of the conditions specified in
sub. (4) (a) 1. a. to
e., the department shall include in the notice under this paragraph a statement on the effect of the variance, if granted, on the designated use of the water body during the term of the underlying permit. The department shall provide a 30-day period for written comments on the tentative decision.
283.15(4)(a)1.1. The secretary shall approve all or part of a requested variance, or modify and approve a requested variance if the permittee demonstrates, by the greater weight of the credible evidence, that attaining the water quality standard is not feasible because:
283.15(4)(a)1.a.
a. Naturally occurring pollutant concentrations prevent the attainment of the standard;
283.15(4)(a)1.b.
b. Natural, ephemeral, intermittent or low flow conditions or water levels prevent the attainment of the standard, unless these conditions may be compensated for by the discharge of sufficient volume of effluent discharges without violating water conservation requirements;
283.15(4)(a)1.c.
c. Human caused conditions or sources of pollution prevent the attainment of the standard and cannot be remedied or would cause more environmental damage to correct than to leave in place;
283.15(4)(a)1.d.
d. Dams, diversions or other types of hydrologic modifications preclude the attainment of the standard, and it is not feasible to restore the water body to its original condition or to operate such modification in a way that would result in the attainment of the standard;
283.15(4)(a)1.e.
e. Physical conditions related to the natural features of the water body, such as the lack of proper substrate, cover, flow, depth, pools, riffles, and the like, unrelated to water quality, preclude attainment of aquatic life protection uses; or
283.15(4)(a)1.f.
f. The standard, as applied to the permittee, will cause substantial and widespread adverse social and economic impacts in the area where the permittee is located.
283.15(4)(a)2.
2. The secretary shall deny a requested variance if the permittee fails to make the demonstration required under
subd. 1.
283.15(5)(a)(a) A variance applies only to the permittee requesting the variance and to the pollutant specified in the variance. A variance does not affect or require the department to modify the corresponding water quality standard adopted under
s. 281.15.
283.15(5)(b)
(b) A variance applies for the term established by the secretary, but not to exceed 5 years. The term of the initial variance and any renewals thereof may not exceed the time that the secretary determines is necessary to achieve the water quality based effluent limitation. Initial and interim effluent limitations established under
par. (c) 1. apply, as appropriate, for the term of the underlying permit as reissued or modified to implement the decision under
sub. (4) (a) 1. or as extended by operation of
s. 227.51 (2). Notwithstanding
sub. (4) (d),
s. 227.51 (2) shall apply for the purposes of continuing the provisions of a permit pending the reissuance of a permit.
283.15(5)(c)
(c) The department shall require all of the following in a permit reissued or modified to implement a variance:
283.15(5)(c)1.
1. Compliance with an initial effluent limitation that at the time the variance is approved represents the level currently achievable by the permittee and that is no less stringent than the effluent limitation achieved under the permit before reissuance. At the time a variance is approved a compliance schedule and an interim effluent limitation that is achievable by the permittee during the term of the variance may be specified. The initial and the interim effluent limitations may not be less stringent than a categorical effluent limitation that applies to the permittee under
s. 283.13 (2) or
(4) or
283.19 or a toxic effluent standard that applies to the permittee under
s. 283.21.
283.15(5)(c)2.
2. Investigation of treatment technologies, process changes, pollution prevention, wastewater reuse or other techniques that may result in compliance by the permittee with the water quality standard adopted under
s. 281.15, and submission of reports on the investigations at such times as required by the department. The secretary shall modify or waive the requirements specified in this subdivision if the secretary determines, based upon comments received on the tentative decision under
sub. (3), that the requirements of this subdivision are:
283.15(5)(c)2.a.
a. Reasonably beyond the technical or financial capability of the permittee; or
283.15(5)(d)
(d) The department may impose conditions in the permit as necessary to administer the variance including, but not limited to, additional monitoring requirements.
283.15(6)
(6) Renewal. A variance may not be renewed if the permittee did not submit the reports required under
sub. (5) (c) 2. or substantially comply with all other conditions of the variance.
283.15(7)
(7) Delegation of secretary's authority. The secretary may designate an officer or employee of the department to make any decision that the secretary is required to make under this section.
283.15(8)
(8) No right to a hearing. Notwithstanding
s. 227.42, there is no right to a hearing under this section.
283.15(9)
(9) Relation to permit review. If the secretary approves part or all of a variance or modifies and approves the variance under this section and the department issues a modified water quality based effluent limitation under
s. 283.63 for the same substance, the permittee shall comply with the least stringent of the 2 effluent limitations.
283.15(10)(a)(a) Subsections (2) to
(5) do not apply if the water quality based effluent limitation results from the decision of the department under
s. 283.63 to make the water quality based effluent limitation less stringent than the effluent limitation in the permit as issued, reissued or modified.
283.15(10)(b)
(b) Subsections (2) to
(5) apply if the water quality based effluent limitation results from the decision of the department under
s. 283.63 to make the water quality based effluent limitation more stringent than the effluent limitation in the permit as issued, reissued or modified.
283.15(10)(c)
(c) This section does not apply to the issuance, reissuance or modification of a permit to incorporate a toxic effluent standard or prohibition promulgated by rule under
s. 283.11 (4) or
283.21.
283.15 Cross-reference
Cross-reference: See also ch.
NR 212 and s.
NR 200.01, Wis. adm. code.
283.17
283.17
Thermal effluent limitations. 283.17(1)
(1) Any thermal effluent limitation proposed by the department may be modified by it in accordance with
s. 283.63, if the owner or operator of the point source which is the subject of the proposed limitation demonstrates to the satisfaction of the department that the proposed limitation is more stringent than necessary to assure the protection and propagation of a balanced indigenous population of shellfish, fish and wildlife in and on the body of water into which the discharge is made.
283.17(2)
(2) Any point source of a discharge having a thermal component, the modification of which is commenced after October 18, 1972, and which, as modified, meets the most stringent effluent limitation established under
s. 283.13 or
sub. (1) and this subsection, where the limitation assures protection and propagation of a balanced indigenous population of shellfish, fish and wildlife in and on the water into which the discharge is made, shall not be subject to any more stringent effluent limitation with respect to the thermal component during either the 10-year period beginning on the date of completion of the modification or the period of depreciation or amortization of the facility for the purpose of section
167 or
169 of the internal revenue code, whichever ends first.
283.17 History
History: 1987 a. 27 ss.
1846mg,
1846ms; Stats. 1987 s. 147.055;
1991 a. 39;
1995 a. 227 s.
862; Stats. 1995 s. 283.17.
283.19
283.19
Standards of performance. 283.19(1)
(1) The department shall, by rule, promulgate standards of performance, for each class or category of sources referred to under
s. 283.13 (1) that is required to be covered by permits issued under
s. 283.31, which shall reflect the greatest degree of effluent reduction achievable through the application of the best available demonstrated control technology, processes, operating methods, or other alternatives. Where practicable, a standard of performance permitting no discharge of pollutants shall be adopted.
283.19(2)(a)(a) Standards of performance adopted under this section shall apply to all new sources within each class or category of sources for which a standard of performance has been adopted under this section.
283.19(2)(b)
(b) The term "new source" means any source, the construction of which commenced after the adoption of the standard of performance applicable to the category of sources of which it is a member.
283.19(3)
(3) The department shall revise such standards to reflect changes in control technology, processes, operating methods or other alternatives. When establishing or revising standards of performance under this section, the department shall consider the cost of achieving such effluent reductions and the nonwater quality environmental impact and energy requirements of such reductions.
283.19(4)
(4) The department may distinguish among classes, types and sizes within categories of sources for the purpose of establishing or revising standards of performance under this section.
283.19(5)
(5) After the effective date of any standard of performance promulgated by the department under this section, no owner or operator of any new source may operate such source in violation of any standard of performance applicable to such a source.
283.19 History
History: 1973 c. 74;
1993 a. 16.;
1995 a. 227 s.
863; Stats. 1995 s. 283.19
283.19 Cross-reference
Cross-reference: See also NR 200-, Wis. adm. code.
283.21
283.21
Toxic and pretreatment effluent standards. 283.21(1)(1)
Toxic effluent limitations and standards. 283.21(1)(a)(a)
List. The department shall promulgate by rule a list of toxic pollutants or combinations of pollutants subject to this chapter which consists of those toxic pollutants referred to in table 1 of committee print number 95-30 of the committee on public works and transportation of the U.S. house of representatives. After promulgation of this list, the department may revise by rule the list periodically and may add to or remove from the list any pollutant. In revising this list the department shall consider the toxicity of the pollutant, its persistence, degradability, the usual or potential presence in any waters of any organisms affected by the discharge of the toxic pollutant or combination of pollutants, the importance of the affected organism and the nature and extent of the effect of the toxic pollutant on these organisms. A determination by the department under this subsection is subject to declaratory judgment proceedings under
s. 227.40.
283.21(1)(b)
(b)
Effluent standards. The department may promulgate by rule an effluent standard, which may include a prohibition, establishing requirements for a toxic pollutant which, if an effluent limitation is applicable to a class or category of point sources, is applicable to that category or class of point sources only if this effluent standard imposes more stringent requirements than are imposed under
s. 283.13 (2) (b). An effluent standard promulgated under this section shall take into account the toxicity of the pollutant, its persistence, degradability, the usual or potential presence of affected organisms in any waters, the importance of affected organisms, the nature and extent of the effect of the toxic pollutant on these organisms and the extent to which effective control is being or may be achieved under other regulatory authority.
283.21(1)(c)
(c)
Promulgation; review. The department shall promulgate by rule an effluent standard which may include a prohibition in accordance with
par. (a) for each toxic pollutant referred to in table 1 of committee print number 95-30 of the committee on public works and transportation of the U.S. house of representatives as soon as practicable but no later than one year after the U.S. environmental protection agency promulgates an effluent standard for the pollutant. The department shall establish effluent standards for any other toxic pollutant listed under
par. (a) as soon as practicable after it is listed. Each effluent standard promulgated under this paragraph shall be reviewed and, if appropriate, revised every 3 years.
283.21(1)(d)
(d)
Ample margin of safety. An effluent standard promulgated under this subsection shall be established at that level which the department determines provides an ample margin of safety.
283.21(1)(e)
(e)
Applicability to classes or categories of sources. If the department proposes or promulgates an effluent standard under this subsection, it shall designate the class or category of point sources to which the effluent standard applies. The department may include the disposal of dredged material in a class or category of point sources.
283.21(1)(f)
(f)
Effective date. An effluent standard promulgated under this subsection takes effect on the date specified in the order promulgating the standard, but not more than one year after the date of the order. If the department determines that compliance within one year after the date of the order is technologically infeasible for a class or category of sources, the department may establish the effective date for the effluent standard for that class or category of sources at the earliest date upon which compliance can be feasibly attained by those sources, but in no case more than 3 years after the date of the order.
283.21(1)(g)
(g)
Procedure for promulgation in absence of federal standards. In promulgating rules establishing a toxic effluent standard or prohibition for which the U.S. environmental protection agency has not promulgated a toxic effluent limitation, standard or prohibition, the department shall follow the additional procedures specified in
s. 283.11 (4) (d).
283.21(2)(a)(a) The department shall by rule promulgate pretreatment standards to regulate the introduction into publicly owned treatment works of pollutants which are not susceptible to treatment by such treatment works or which would interfere with the operation of such treatment works.
283.21(2)(b)
(b) Pretreatment standards promulgated under this section shall specify a time for compliance, not to exceed 3 years after the date of promulgation, and shall be established to prevent the discharge through any publicly owned treatment work of any pollutant which interferes with, passes through, or otherwise is incompatible with the treatment works. If any toxic pollutant under
sub. (1) is introduced by a source into a publicly owned treatment works, if the treatment by the works removes all or any part of that toxic pollutant, if the discharge from the works does not violate the effluent limitation or standard which would be applicable to that toxic pollutant if it were discharged by the source other than through a publicly owned treatment works and if the treatment of that toxic pollutant does not prevent sludge use or disposal by the works in accordance with section 1345 of the federal water pollution control act, as amended,
33 USC 1251 to
1376, then the pretreatment requirements for the sources actually discharging the toxic pollutant into the publicly owned treatment works may be revised by the owner or operator of the works to reflect the removal of that toxic pollutant by the works.
283.21(2)(c)
(c) The department shall by rule promulgate the classes or categories of sources to which the pretreatment standards adopted under this section shall apply.
283.21(2)(d)
(d) The department shall revise the pretreatment standards adopted under this section to reflect changes in control technology, processes, operating methods or other alternatives.
283.21 History
History: 1973 c. 74;
1979 c. 221;
1985 a. 29;
1985 a. 182 ss.
11,
57;
1995 a. 227 s.
864; Stats. 1995 s. 283.21.
283.21 Cross-reference
Cross-reference: See also NR 200-, Wis. adm. code.
PERMITS
283.31
283.31
Water pollutant discharge elimination system; permits, terms and conditions. 283.31(1)
(1) The discharge of any pollutant into any waters of the state or the disposal of sludge from a treatment work by any person is unlawful unless such discharge or disposal is done under a permit issued by the department under this section or
s. 283.33. The department may by rule exempt certain classes or categories of vessels from this section. Except as provided in
s. 283.33, the department may require only one permit for a publicly owned treatment or collection facility or system, regardless of the number of point sources from such facility or system.
