Phosphorus Guidance Signed

Summary:
RevisionstoWisconsinsPhosphorusWaterQualityStandardsbecame
effectiveonDecember1,2010.Theserevisionsarereflectedintwo
separatechaptersoftheWisconsinAdministrativeCode.ChapterNR102
(Wis.Adm.Code)includeswaterqualitycriteriafortheprotectionoffish
andaquaticlifeaswellashumanhealth.ChapterNR217(Wis.Adm.Code)
includesregulationsonhowthewaterqualitycriteriaforphosphoruswill
beusedtoestablishwaterqualitybasedeffluentlimitationsforpoint
sourcedischargessubjecttopermitsundertheWisconsinPollution
DischargeEliminationSystem(WPDES).
RevisionstoChapterNR151,Wis.Adm.CodeWisconsinsagricultural
performancestandardsandprohibitionswerealsoderivedinorderto
affirmtheneedtominimizephosphorussourcesfromnonpointsources.
TheserevisionsbecameeffectiveonJanuary1,2011andwillnotbe
discussedindetailinthisdocumentastheydonotdirectlyrelatetoWPDES
permits.Forspecificrulecontentforchs.NR102,NR151,andNR217,Wis.
Adm.Code,pleasevisit
http://dnr.wi.gov/org/water/wm/wqs/phosphorus/.
TheintentofthisdocumentistoprovideguidanceprimarilytoWisconsin
DepartmentofNaturalResources(WDNR)staff.Thisguidancedocument
mayalsobeusefultoWPDESpermitteesandtheirassociatesonhowto
implementtheproceduresinchs.NR102andNR217,Wis.Adm.Code,to
ensuretheprotectionofsurfacewatersreceivingeffluentdischarges
containingphosphorus.Asguidance,thisdocumentmayevolvewithtime
asmoreexperienceisgainedinphosphorusimplementation.
Phosphorusimplementationquestionsthatarenotaddressedbythis
documentcanbedirectedtoWDNRstaffassignedtoworkonaparticular
WPDESpermit.Anyremainingunansweredquestionscanbedirectedto
JimBaumann(james.baumann@wisconsin.gov)orAmandaMinks
(amanda.minks@wisconsin.gov).

Contributorstothisdocument:
Baumann,Jim Figiel,Diane Fratrick,Jackie

Gilbert,Tom Hammers,Mike Lemcke,Mike
Minks,Amanda Mugan,Tom Reichardt,Rick
Ryan,Mary Schmidt,Jim
Implementation Guidance for Wisconsins Phosphorus Water Quality Standards

TableofContents
ChapterI. IntroductiontoPhosphorusStandards
Section1.01 RuleSummary
Section1.02 Applicability
Section1.03 FlowDiagramsandImplementationMatrix
Section1.04 SiteSpecificCriteria
ChapterII.CalculatingWaterQualityBasedEffluentLimitsforPhosphorus
Section2.01 CalculationofPhosphorusLimits
Section2.02 ReasonablePotential
Section2.03 ExpressionofPhosphorusLimits
Section2.04 RelationshipbetweenWQBELsandTMDLbasedLimits
Section2.05 ConsiderationofDownstreamWaters
Section2.06 MultipleDischarges
Section2.07 NewDischarges
ChapterIII. ImplementationProcedures
Section3.01 ComplianceSchedules
Section3.02 SWAMPToolsforPhosphorus
Section3.03 VariancesandVarianceApplications
ChapterIV.AdaptiveManagementandWaterQualityTrading
Section4.01 AdaptiveManagementOptions
Section4.02 DeterminingaNonPointSourceDominatedWatershed
Section4.03 WaterQualityTrading
ChapterV. ToolsfortheRegulatedCommunity
Section5.01 MonitoringGuidance
Section5.02 ComparisonofImplementationOptions
Section5.03 PolyphosphateAlternatives

AppendixA.ChapterNR102.06,Wis.Adm.Code:PhosphorusWater
QualityStandardsforWisconsinSurfaceWater
AppendixB.ChapterNR217SubchapterII,Wis.Adm.Code:Phosphorus
EffluentStandardsandLimitations
AppendixC.ChapterNR217SubchapterIII,Wis.Adm.Code:Water
QualityBasedEffluentLimitationsforPhosphorus


Chapter1IntroductiontoPhosphorusStandards
Chapter1isdesignedtoprovidethereaderwithbasicinformationaboutcontentinthe
phosphorusrules.InconjunctionwithChapter1,aFrequentlyAskedQuestionspageis
alsobeinggeneratedasareferencetohelpstaff,permittees,andothersreceive
automaticanswerstocommonphosphorusrelatedquestions.
FrequentlyAskedQuestions
Staff,permittees,consultants,andothersinterestedintheimplementationofphosphorus
waterqualitystandardsinWisconsinareencouragedtosubmitquestionstothefollowing
emailbox:
DNRPhosphorus@wisconsin.gov
Departmentstaffwillreviewthequestionsandattempttokeepacurrentlistingofthe
questionsandresponsesinaFrequentlyAskedQuestionssegmentofthePhosphorus
StandardsWebsitewhichcanbeviewedat:
http://dnr.wi.gov/org/water/wm/wqs/phosphorus/index.htm
ThiswebpagewillbeupdatedregularlywithupdatestothisGuidanceDocumentaswellas
theFrequentlyAskedQuestions.
Abbreviations
Throughouttheguidancedocument,thefollowingabbreviationsmaybeused:
AM AdaptiveManagement
AMP AdaptiveManagementPlan
LAL LimitedAquaticLife
MZ MixingZone
POTW PubliclyOwnedTreatmentWorks
TBL TechnologyBasedLimit
TMDL TotalMaximumDailyLoad
g/L Microgramperliter.Commonmetricmeasurementusedinmeasuringamount
ofphosphorusinliquid,1000g/Lequals1mg/L
WQBEL WaterQualityBasedEffluentLimits
WQC WaterQualityCriteria
WQT WaterQualityTrading
Chapter 1 Page 1

Chapter1
Section1.01:RuleSummary
Author:AmandaMinks
LastRevised:November22,2011

Thefollowingcontentismeanttoprovideageneraloverviewofthephosphorusrules,
asdescribedinchs.NR102,NR151,andNR217,Wis.Adm.Code.Formoredetail,see
therulecontent:
- ChapterNR102,Wis.Adm.Code
http://legis.wisconsin.gov/rsb/code/nr/nr102.pdf
GeneralStructureofchs.NR102andNR217,Wis.Adm.Code:
Chapter 1 Section 1.01
Page 2


Page 3

ApplicableWaterQualityCriteria
SectionsNR102.06(3)and102.06(4),Wis.Adm.Code,describetheapplicable
phosphoruscriteriaforrivers,streams,lakesandreservoirs.Thefollowingismeantto
provideageneralsummaryoftherangeofphosphoruscriteriaandthewaterbodytypes
theyapplyto.ToolsareavailabletohelpDepartmentstafftomakethese
determinationsincluding:
- Registerofwaterbodies(ROW)
http://dnr.wi.gov/org/water/watersheds/planning/internet_gisdata.htm
- SurfaceWaterIntegratedMonitoringSystem(SWIMS)
http://dnr.wi.gov/org/water/swims/
ItmayalsobeadvantageoustocontactWaterEvaluationandLakeStaffifuncertainty
exists:
WaterEvaluationContact:
AmandaMinks
Amanda.Minks@wisconsin.gov
6082649223
LakeContact:
TimAsplund
Tim.Asplund@wisconsin.gov
6082677602
Specificriverscodifiedins.NR102.06(3)(a),Wis.Adm.Code,receiveaphosphorus
waterqualitycriterionof100g/L(below).Allotherunidirectionalflowingwaterbodies
aregenerallytreatedasstreams,pursuanttos.NR102.06(3)(b),Wis.Adm.Code,and
haveanapplicablecriteriaof75g/L.

Page 4

Figure1:Visualofriversthatreceiveaphosphoruswaterqualitycriterionof100g/Lpursuanttos.NR102.06(3)(a),
Wis.Adm.Code.
Animpoundedwateronariverorstreammaybeclassifiedasareservoirifithasa
constructedoutletstructureintendedtoimpoundwaterandraisethedepthofthe
waterbymorethantwotimesrelativetotheconditionspriortoconstructionofthe
dam,andthathasameanwaterresidencetimeof14daysormoreundersummer
meanflowconditionsusinginformationcollectedoverorderivedfroma30year
period.Thephosphoruscriteriaforstratifiedreservoirsis30g/Landnonstratified
reservoirsis40g/L(s.NR102.06(4)(a),Wis.Adm.Code).Forimpoundedwatersthat
donotmeetthedefinitionofareservoiroutlinedabove,thecriteriaisthesameasthat
oftheprimaryriverorstreamenteringtheimpoundedwater(s.NR102.06(4)(c),Wis.
Adm.Code).Forexample,ifariverwithacriterionof100g/Lflowsintoan
impoundment,thatimpoundmentwouldalsohaveaphosphoruscriterionof100g/L.
Phosphoruscriteriaforlakesnotexhibitingunidirectionalflowingwaterrangefrom15
40g/L.InordertodeterminetheappropriatelaketypeforagivenwaterbodyPermit
staffshouldreviewapplicableinformationinROWand/orconsultwithWaterEvaluation
andLakeStaff.
Exclusions
Currentlytherearenoapplicablephosphoruscriteriaforephemeralstreams,limited
aquaticlife(LAL)watersthatarecodifiedins.NR104.02(3)(b)(2),Wis.Adm.Code,and
wetlands.Criteriamaybederivedforthesewaterbodytypesasmoredatabecome
available.Toolsareavailabletodeterminewhichwatersdonothaveapplicable
phosphoruscriteria:LALsystemsareidentifiedinch.NR104,Wis.Adm.Code,while
wetlandsareidentifiedinthewetlandinventoryintheSurfaceWaterDataViewer
(SWDV)http://dnrmaps.wi.gov/imf/imf.jsp?site=SurfaceWaterViewer.
Page 5

TherearetwoSWDVlayersthatareimportanttoidentifywetlands:WisconsinWetland
InventoryandtheWetlandIndicatorSoils.IftheWisconsinWetlandInventoryindicates
thatanareaisawetland,itcanbepresumedcorrect.IftheWetlandIndicatorSoilslayer
indicatesthatwetlandsoilsarepresentbutisnotshownasawetlandpolygoninthe
WisconsinWetlandInventory,acasebycasedeterminationisrequiredandregional
biologistsshouldbeconferred.Wetlandstaffmayalsobecontactedifthereareany
wetlanddelineationquestionssuchasifchannelizedflowoccurswithinthewetland.
Regionalwetlandstaffshouldbecontactedwithwetlanddelineationquestions:
http://dnr.wi.gov/wetlands/assessment.html.
Pursuanttos.NR102.06(2)(b),Wis.Ad.Code,anephemeralstreamisachannelor
streamthatonlycarrieswaterforafewdaysduringandafterarainfallorsnowmelt
eventanddoesnotexhibitaflowduringotherperiods,andincludes,butisnotlimited
to,grassedwaterways,grassedswales,andareasofchannelizedflowasdefinedins.NR
243.03(7),Wis.Adm.Code.Ephemeralstreamsmaybeidentifiedinthesurfacewater
dataviewerorSWIMS;however,thereisnocompiledlistofephemeralstreamsinthe
state.Permitstaffcanuseprofessionaldiscretiontomakeacasebycasedetermination
forephemeralstreams.Staffshouldconsiderthenaturalflowconditioninadditionto
theeffluentflowwhenmakingthisdetermination.Regionalbiologistsshouldbe
contactedwithdeterminationquestions:http://dnr.wi.gov/org/water/monitoring/.
OtherApplicableCriteria
SectionNR102.06(7),Wis.Adm.Code,alsoallowsDepartmentstaffandexternalparties
toderivephosphorussitespecificcriteria.Departmentstaffarecurrentlydeveloping
guidanceonphosphorussitespecificcriteria.Intheinterim,interestedpartiesshould
contacttheWaterEvaluationSectionfordetails.Sitespecificcriteriawillrequirerule
modificationandU.S.EPAapproval.FormoreinformationseeSection1.04.
NewImplementationProcedures
Manyimplementationproceduresfortoxicsubstancesarestillavailableforphosphorus.
Additionally,flexibleandnovelphosphorusspecificimplementationprocedureshave
beenestablishedthatapermitteemaywishtopursue.Theseoptionswilllikelybeof
particularinterestforpermitteesthataresubjecttoafairlystringentphosphoruswater
qualitybasedeffluentlimit.Specifically,apermitteemaywanttopursueoneormore
ofthefollowing:
1. Variance(Section3.03)
2. AdaptiveManagement(Section4.01)
3. Waterqualitytradingasameanstomeetalimit(Section4.03)
Oftheseoptions,adaptivemanagementandwaterqualitytradinggivesdischargers
flexibilitytoachieveaphosphoruswaterqualitybasedeffluentlimit(WQBEL)by
controllingpointandnonpointphosphorussources,whilevariancesprovidean
Page 6

alternativephosphoruslimit.Therulesalsoallowcomplianceschedulesofupto7or9
yearsincaseswhereasignificantupgradeisneededtomeetarestrictivelimit(mustbe
determinednecessaryandappropriatebythepermitdrafterconsistentwiths.NR
217.17,Wis.Adm.Code).
Asspecifiedins.NR217.17,Wis.Adm.Code,timingisanimportantfactorwhen
consideringtheseoptions.Avarianceapplicationmustbesubmittedbeforethepermit
ispublicnoticedorwithinthetimeperiodspecifiedins.283.15,Wis.Stats;adaptive
managementmustbeappliedforbythepermitteeatthetimeofpermitapplicationfor
reissuance.IftheDepartmentdeterminesthatacomplianceschedulelessthanfive
yearsisappropriatepursuanttos.NR217.17,Wis.Adm.Code,thenapermitteewould
havetoapplyforeitheroftheseoptionspriortothefirstpermittermwitha
phosphorusWQBEL.Ifanapplicationhasalreadybeensubmittedbeforethisguidance
wascompleted,thenthepermitteeshouldbegivenanopportunitytosubmita
completeapplication.Insituationswherethecompliancescheduleforthephosphorus
WQBELexceeds5years,apermitteewillnothavetosubmitanapplicationforeither
adaptivemanagementoravarianceuntilthesecondpermitreissuanceafterthelimitis
initiallyincludedinapermit.SeeSections4.01and3.03oftheGuidancefordetails.Ifa
permitteeisinterestedinwaterqualitytradingtocomplywithaWPDESpermit,the
permitteecanpursuetradingatanytimeandtheDepartmentcanmodifytheWPDES
permittoreflectthetrade.SeeSection4.03oftheGuidancefordetails.

Page 7

QuestionsandAnswersonRuleContent
Thefollowingismeanttoprovidegeneralanswerstobasicphosphorusquestions.Ifyou
haveadditionalquestions,pleaseemailDNRphosphorus@wisconsin.gov.
PhosphorusLimits
1. AreAllWatersoftheStateCoveredUnderthePhosphorusRevisions?
Phosphoruscriteriaapplytosurfacewatersofthestateincludingstreams,rivers,
lakes,reservoirs,andtheGreatLakes.However,s.NR102.06(6),Wis.Adm.Code,
definessomewatersthatdonothavespecificphosphoruscriteriaincluding
ephemeralstreams,lakesandreservoirsoflessthan5acresinsurfacearea,
wetlands(includingbogs),andwatersidentifiedaslimitedaquaticlifewaters
pursuanttoch.NR104,Wis.Adm.Code.Althoughthesewatersdonothavespecific
phosphoruscriteria,phosphoruslimitsmaybeimposedonpointsourcesthat
dischargetothesewaterbodiesinordertoprotectdownstreamwatersthathave
phosphoruscriteria.
2. WhatistheDifferencebetweenTechnologyBasedLimitsandWaterQuality
BasedEffluentLimits?
TheintentofTechnologyBasedLimits(TBLs)istorequireaminimumlevelof
treatmentofpollutantsforpointsourcedischargesbasedonavailabletreatment
technologies,whileallowingthedischargertouseanyavailablecontroltechniqueto
meetthelimits.
WaterQualityBasedEffluentLimits(WQBELs)arebasedonthequalityofthe
receivingwater,ratherthanavailabletreatmenttechnologies.Inordertoensurethe
protectionofwaterqualityandthedesignatedusesofthereceivingwater,WQBELs
maybemoreorlessstringentthanTBLs.
3. InwhatCasesarePhosphorusLimitsRequired?
TBLsarerequiredforanypointsourcedischargethatexceedsthethresholdsas
describedins.NR217.04(a)(16),Wis.Adm.Code.Pointsourceshavebeen
evaluatedforphosphorusTBLssince1993,somanyoffacilitiesthatexceedthese
thresholdsalreadyhaveTBLsintheirpermit.PhosphorusWQBELsarerequiredasof
December1,2010,andarerequiredifapointsourcedischargehasthepotentialto
causephosphoruscriteriaexceedanceineitherthereceivingwaterordownstream
waters(s.NR217.12(1)(a),Wis.Adm.Code).
Itispossiblethatadischargemaybesubjecttotechnologybasedlimitsand
WQBELs.Inthesecases,thelimitthatismostprotectiveofthewaterqualitywillbe
usedintheWPDESpermitss.NR217.12(1)(b)andNR217.12(2),Wis.Adm.Code.
WhenwaterqualitytradingisutilizedtomeetWQBELs,however,bothTBLsand
WQBELsmaybeincludedinthepermit.
Page 8

Page 9
FlexibilityinLimitCalculationsandch.NR217,Wis.Adm.Code
4.HowareNonpointSourcesEvaluatedinDeterminingaWQBELforaPoint
Source?
Thephosphoruscontributionfromnonpointsourcesneedstobeevaluatedto
successfullyimplementU.S.EPAapprovedtotalmaximumdailyloads(TMDLs),
watershedadaptivemanagement,andwaterqualitytrading.Inthesecases,
reductionsinnonpointsourcescanbeusedtohelpachievetheoverallphosphorus
goalofthewater.Byaccountingforthecontributionsfromnonpointsources,itis
possiblethattheapplicableWQBELmayberelaxed,whichmaylowerthetotalcost
formeetingwaterqualitystandards.
5.IsthereFlexibilityinch.NR217,Wis.Adm.Code?
Thereissomeflexibilitybuiltintoch.NR217,Wis.Adm.Code,tohelpdevelopand
implementphosphoruscriteria.Someoftheseoptionsinclude:
- WQBELsinTMDLs:Asdescribedabove(question4),phosphoruslimitscanbe
calculatedbasedonaTMDLimplementationstrategyforwaterswithU.S.EPA
approvedTMDLs.TheseTMDLderivedphosphoruslimitsarebasedon
wasteloadallocationsandassumptionsoftheTMDL.Specificinformationabout
therelationshipofWQBELandTMDLbasedphosphoruslimitscanbefoundins.
NR217.16,Wis.Adm.Code.GeneralTMDLinformationcanalsobefoundat
http://dnr.wi.gov/org/water/wm/wqs/303d/TMDL.html.
- WQBELLimitsinAdaptiveManagement:PhosphorusWQBELsmaybeadjusted
basedontheimplementationofawatershedadaptivemanagementplans.NR
217.18,Wis.Adm.Code.
- PhosphorusWaterQualityTrading:Permitteesmaytochoosetoengageinwater
qualitytradingasameanstoachievecompliancewithinterimlimitationsorfinal
waterqualitybasedeffluentlimitations.Section283.84,WIStats.,establishes
requirementsforpollutanttrades.
- ComplianceSchedule:TheDepartmentmayapprove,whereappropriate,
additionaltimeinacomplianceschedulebeyondthe5yearpermitterminorder
toachievecompliancess.NR217.16(2)andNR217.17,Wis.Adm.Code.

Chapter1
Section1.02:Applicability
Author:AmandaMinks
LastRevised:January10,2011
TechnologyBasedLimitsforPhosphorus:
Asstatedins.NR217.02ofSubchapterII,Wis.Adm.Code,anypointsourcethat
dischargesphosphorustoasurfacewaterofthestatemustbeevaluatedfortechnology
basedphosphoruslimits.However,someexemptionsexistforsmallpubliclyowned
treatmentworks(POTWs)andwastewaterdischarges,asdefinedinss.NR
217.04(1)(a)(1)andNR217.04(1)(a)(2),Wis.Adm.Code.Inthesecases,dischargesdo
notneedtobeevaluatedfortechnologybasedphosphoruslimits.ChapterNR217
SubchapterII,Wis.Adm.Code,whichhasbeeninplacesince1993,procedurally
describestechnologybasedphosphoruslimits.

WaterQualityBasedEffluentLimitsforPhosphorus:
AsofDecember1,2010underch.NR217SubchapterIII,Wis.Adm.Code,somepoint
sourcesalsoneedtobeevaluatedforwaterqualitybasedeffluentlimits(WQBELs).
DischargesthatneedtobeevaluatedforphosphorusWQBELsincludeindustrialand
municipalwastewaterdischarges,and,insomecases,animalfeedingoperations.
ChapterNR217SubchapterIII,Wis.Adm.Code,procedurallydescribesphosphorus
WQBELs.Thisguidancedocumentisintendedtoprovidedetailsontheprocessto
evaluatedischargesforphosphorusWQBELs.
Note:InsomecasesotherdischargetypesmaybesubjecttophosphorusWQBELs,ifthe
dischargeiscausingorcontributingtoaviolationoftheapplicablephosphoruscriteria.

Page 10

Chapter1
Section1.03:FlowDiagramsandImplementationMatrix
Author:AmandaMinks,MikeHammers,&TomMugan
Theflowdiagrams(i.e.logicdiagrams)providedinthischapterareintendedtohelpthe
readerfollowthedecisionorderoftheAdministrativeRules:
FlowDiagram1and1B:Determiningapplicabletotalphosphoruswaterqualitycriteria
FlowDiagram2and2B:Selectingeffluentlimitsforexistingdischarges
FlowDiagram3:Permitprocessforapplicantandpotentialoutcomesforcompliance
schedules
ImplementationMatrix
Throughouttheflowdiagrams,thefollowingabbreviationsareused:
LAL LimitedAquaticLife
POTW PubliclyOwnedTreatmentWorks
TBL TechnologyBasedLimit
TMDL TotalMaximumDailyLoad
WLA WasteloadAllocation
WQBEL WaterQualityBasedEffluentLimits
WQC WaterQualityCriteria

Page 11

RECEIVING
WATERBODIES
[1]
GREAT LAKES
RESERVOIRS
5AC
RIVERS AND
RIVER
IMPOUNDMENTS
STREAMS AND
STREAM
IMPOUNDMENTS
LAKES
5AC
STRATIFIED?
WQC=30g/l
NR102.06(4)(a)
[8]
YES NO
WQC=40g/l
NR102.06(4)(a)
[9]
LAKE SUPERIOR
WQC= 5g/l
NR102.06(5)(a)
[5]
WQC=75g/l
NR 102.06(3)(b),
NR 102.06(4)(c)
[7]
WQC=100g/l
NR 102.06(3)(a),
NR 102.06(4)(c)
[6]
LAKE MICHIGAN
WQC=7g/l
NR102.06(5)(b)
[4]
PORTIONS OF
GREEN BAY
WQC=SITE-
SPECIFIC
NR102.06(5)(c)
[3]
NO WQC
NR102.06(6)
[2]
EPHEMERAL STREAMS,
LAKES AND RES.<5AC,
WETLANDS, AND
LAL
LOGIC DIAGRAM 1
DETERMINING APPLICABLE TOTAL PHOSPHORUS WATER QUALITY
CRITERIA (WQC)
GO TO LOGIC
DIAGRAM #1B
[10]

Page 12

STRATIFIED?
[2]
TWO-STORY
FISHERY LAKE?
[5]
WQC=15g/l
OR
SITE-SPECIFIC
NR102.06(4)(b)(1),
NR102.06(7)
[6]
DRAINAGE
OR
SEEPAGE?
[7]
YES
YES
NO
WQC=40g/l
NR102.06(4)(b)(3),
NR102.06(4)(b)(5)
[3]
WQC=20g/l
NR102.06(4)(b)(4)
[9]
SEEPAGE
WQC=30g/l
NR102.06(4)(b)(2)
[8]
DRAINAGE
NO
LAKES
5AC
[1]
SEE LOGIC
DIAGRAM #1
[4]
NO
LOGIC DIAGRAM 1B
DETERMINING APPLICABLE TOTAL PHOSPHORUS WATER QUALITY
CRITERIA (WQC) FOR LAKES5 ACRES
YES

Page 13

Page 14

Page 15

Page 16

Page 17
PhosphorusRuleLimitsImplementationMatrix

ImplementationOption WQEvaluationCases
HowtoSet
Limits
LimitType
Adaptive
Management?
Trade?
Expressionof
WQBELs
(seeseparate
sectionof
guidance)
1) WaterbodywithaU.S.
EPAapprovedTMDL
TMDL(see
Section2.03)
TMDLlimitw/comp.
schedule(ifneeded)
WQBELw/comp.schedule
(ifneeded)
AssetbytheTMDL
2)Impairedwaterbodyon
303(d)listwithoutan
approvedTMDL
WQBEL=WQC WQBELw/comp.schedule
Concentrationand
mass
If>0.3Monthlyavg.
If<0.3Annualavg.
withmonthlyavg.=3
Xannualavg.
3)Background>WQCbut
noton303(d)impaired
waterlisted
Sameas2) Sameas2) Monthlyavg.conc.and

maybemasslimitsif
increaseinloadislikely
toresultinadverse
affectsinthereceiving
ordownstreamwater
(s.NR217.14(1)(b).
4)Background(assumed
ormeasured)<WQC
Note:BackgroundPdata
isavailableonthePData
Layerat
http://dnrmaps.wi.gov/im
f/imf.jsp?site=SurfaceWat
erViewer
Massbalance
formula
a)WQBEL>1
b)WQBEL<1
c)R.P.indicates
permitteeis
meetingWQBEL
a) Technologybasedlimit
w/comp.schedule(if
needed)
b) WQBELw/comp.
schedule(ifneeded)
c) Monitoringonlyin
permit
a)Monthlyavg.conc.
andmaybemasslimits
basedontheWQBEL*
bandc)
- If>0.3Monthly
avg.conc.;maybe
mass*
- If<0.3Annual
avg.withmonthly
avg.=3Xannual
avg.;maybemass*
*Masslimitsmustbeimposedinapermitforadischargetoareceivingordownstream
waterifthereceivingordownstreamwaterisalakeorreservoir,anoutstandingor
exceptionalwater(asdesignatedinss.NR102.10or102.11,Wis.Adm.Code)anda
phosphorusimpairedwaterwhetherornotithasanapprovedTMDL.

Chapter1
Section1.04:SiteSpecificCriteria
Author:AmandaMinks
Wisconsinsphosphoruscriteriaaremeanttobereflectiveofwaterqualityacrossthe
stateandarederivedfromwaterqualityreferenceconditions.Althoughthis
methodologyprovidesthemostprotectiononastatewidebasis,somewaterbodiesmay
haveuniquephysicaland/orbiologicalcharacteristicsthatastatecriterioncannot
accountfor.ThesesitespecificconditionsmaycauseWisconsinsphosphoruscriteriato
beoverorunderprotectivethannecessarytomaintainabalancedindigenousbiological
community,particularlywhen:
1. Highphosphorusconcentrationsnaturallyoccurduetogeographyandsoiltype,
or
2. Thephysicaland/orchemicalcharacteristicsofthesitealterthebiological
availabilityofphosphorus.
TheFederalwaterqualitystandardsregulationatsection131.11(b)(l)(ii)ands.NR
102.06(7),Wis.Adm.Code,givesWisconsintheopportunitytoadoptsitespecificwater
qualitycriteriaforphosphorustoaccountfortheseuniquecharacteristics.
Sitespecificcriteria,aswithallwaterqualitycriteria,mustbebasedonasound
scientificrationaleinordertoprotectthedesignateduse(s)ofthesite.Inthecaseof
phosphorustheprimarydesignatedusesofconcernarerecreationaluses,human
health,andfishandaquaticlife.SitespecificcriteriamaybederivedbytheDepartment
orotherpartiesinpartnershipwiththeDepartment,andaresubjecttoreviewand
approvalbytheU.S.EPA.Theprimaryaudiencetoconsidersitespecificcriteriafor
phosphoruswilllikelybedischargersseekinglessstringentlimitsortheDepartment
rightsizingexistingcriteria.TheDepartmentiscurrentlyworkingtodevelopadditional
guidancetohelptheseaudiencesderivesitespecificcriteriaforphosphorus.Formore
informationcontacttheWaterEvaluationSection,WaterQualityStandardsSpecialist.

Page 18

Chapter2CalculatingWaterQualityBasedEffluent
LimitsforPhosphorus
Chapter2 isdesignedtoprovideguidanceonvariouselementsofwaterqualitybased
effluentlimits(WQBELs)andcalculatingWQBELs.Departmentstaffareresponsiblefor
calculatingWQBELsinpermitsandare,therefore,theprimaryaudienceinthisChapter.
Theregulatedcommunityisresponsibletocollectsufficientinformationtocalculate
WQBELs.FordetailsonmonitoringanddatacollectionseeChapter5oftheGuidance.
Theregulatedcommunityandothergroupsmayalsobeinterestedincalculating
WQBELs,particularlyforfacilityplanning.Flowdiagram2and2BinChapter1Section
1.03oftheGuidancearedesignedtoprovidetheregulatedcommunitywithageneral
understandingoflimitexpression.
Chapter 2 Page 19

Chapter2
Section2.01:CalculationofPhosphorusLimits
Author:MikeHammersandDianeFigiel
LastRevised:December1,2011
WaterQualityBasedEffluentLimitsforPhosphorusforRiversandStreams
Fordischargesofphosphorustoflowingstreamsandrivers,waterqualitybasedeffluent
limitationsarecalculatedusingtheformulafroms.NR217.13(2),Wis.Adm.Code.This
isthesameconservationofmassequationfroms.NR106.06(4)(b),Wis.Adm.Code.
Limitation=[(WQC)(Q
s
+(1f)Q
e
)(Q
s
fQ
e
)(C
s
)]/Q
e
Where:
Limitation=Waterqualitybasedeffluentlimitation(inunitsofmassperunitofvolume),
WQC=Thewaterqualitycriterionconcentration(inunitsofmassperunitvolume)froms.NR102.06,
Q
s
=Receivingwaterdesignflow(inunitsofvolumeperunittime)
Q
e
=Effluentflow(inunitsofvolumeperunittime)
f=Fractionoftheeffluentflowthatiswithdrawnfromthereceivingwater,and
C
s
=Upstreamconcentration(inunitsofmassperunitvolume)
WaterQualityCriteria
Applicablewaterqualitycriteriaarefoundins.NR102.06,Wis.Adm.Code,and
discussedinsection1.01ofthisGuidance.
ReceivingWaterFlow(Q
s
)
Thereceivingwaterflow(Q
s
)usedincalculatingphosphoruseffluentlimitationsfor
dischargestoflowingwatersshouldbeeither:
1. Theaverageminimum7dayflowthatoccursonceevery2years(7dayQ
2
),
or
2. Theaveragelow30dayflowthatoccursonceevery3years(30dayQ
3
).
Thefull7dayQ
2
or30dayQ
3
isusedbecausephosphorusimpactsaredue
tolongtermexposureafterfullmixinghasoccurred

.
The7dayQ
2
willlikelybetheavailablelowflowasthisisusedinthecalculationof
otherlimits.Ifnotanda30dayQ
5
isavailable,the7dayQ
2
canbeestimatedasthe30
dayQ
5
dividedby85%.AsanotheroptionthefacilitymaycontacttheUnitedStates
GeologicalSurvey(USGS)toobtainlowflows.Seasonalormonthlylowflowscanbe
usedtocalculateseasonalormonthlylimitsinlieuofyearroundvalues.
EffluentFlow(Q
e
)(s.NR217.13(2)(c))
Formunicipaldischargessubjecttoch.NR210,Wis.Adm.Code,Q
e
istheannual
averagedesignflow.Fordischargesthatarenotsubjecttoch.NR210,Wis.Adm.Code,
themaximumdemonstratedannualaveragefloworamonthlyaverageflowmaybe
used.
Page 20

Fornoncontinuousdischargesituationssuchasseasonaldischargesanddischarges
proportionaltostreamflow,Q
e
isdeterminedonacasebycasebasis.Thisincludes
fillanddrawdischargesfrommunicipalitieseventhoughtheyaresubjecttoch.NR210,
Wis.Adm.Code.Thereisaneedtoevaluatethevariabilityoftheeffluentflowovertime
todetermineifanannualvalueorsomealternativevalueshouldbeused.Chapter4of
theImplementationGuidanceforWisconsinsThermalWaterQualityStandardsgives
examplesofhowtoevaluateQ
e
inthesecases.
UpstreamConcentrations(s.NR217.14(1)(d),Wis.Adm.Code)
Representativeupstreambackgrounddataisneededtocalculatewaterqualitybased
effluentlimitsforphosphorus.Existingphosphorusdatahasbeenincludedand
summarizedonthewatershedviewer.Thedataandasummaryofhowthech.NR217,
Wis.Adm.Code,totalphosphorusconcentrationswerecalculatedcanbefoundat
http://dnr.wi.gov/org/water/swims/datasets/river_phos_stations.htm
Whendatafortheactualreceivingwaterisnotavailableasimilar,comparablestream
basedonsize,drainagebasin,topographyandlandusemaybeused.Thefacilitymay
alsowanttoconsidercollectingadditionalbackgrounddata.Guidanceonambient
phosphorusmonitoringisincludedinSection5.01ofthisdocument.Whileexistingdata,
whichmaynotmeetthestrictdefinitionofthecode,canbeused,futuremonitoring
shouldbeconsistentwiththisguidanceandthedeterminationofupstream
concentrationswillbeevaluatedateachpermitreissuance.
Iftheupstreamconcentrationisgreaterthanthephosphoruscriterionspecifiedins.NR
102.06forthewaterbodythecalculatedwaterqualitybasedeffluentlimitationwillbe
lessthanthecriterionandshouldbesetequaltothecriterionpers.NR217.13(7),Wis.
Adm.Code.Ifnotthecalculationproceduresins.NR217.13,Wis.Adm.Code,areused.
WaterQualityBasedEffluentLimitsforPhosphorusforReservoirsandLakes
Fordischargesofphosphorusdirectlytoinlandlakes,reservoirs,andotherreceiving
waters,whichdonotexhibitaunidirectionalflowatthepointofdischarge,theeffluent
limitissetequaltothecriterionforthereceivingwaterorthedownstreamwater.
Forreservoirsandlakesthetotalphosphoruscriterionfroms.NR102.06(4),Wis.Adm.
Code,are:
- Forstratifiedreservoirs,totalphosphoruscriterionis30g/L.
- Forreservoirsthatarenotstratified,totalphosphoruscriterionis40g/L.
- Forlakesthatdonotexhibitunidirectionalflow:
1.Forstratified,twostoryfisherylakes,15g/L.
2.Forlakesthatarebothdrainageandstratifiedlakes,30g/L.
3.Forlakesthataredrainagelakes,butarenotstratifiedlakes,40g/L.
4.Forlakesthatarebothseepageandstratifiedlakes,20g/L.
5.Forlakesthatareseepagelakes,butarenotstratifiedlakes,40g/L.
Page 21

Thesewaterbodiesaredefinedins.NR102.06(2),Wis.Adm.Code.Watersimpounded
onriversorstreamsthatdontmeetthedefinitionofreservoirarerequiredtomeetthe
riverandstreamcriterion(either100g/Lor75g/L)thatappliestotheprimary
streamorriverenteringtheimpoundedwater.
Thetotalphosphoruscriteriaforthegreatlakesareasfollows:
(a)5g/LForbothopenandnearshorewatersofLakeSuperior.
(b)7g/LForbothopenandnearshorewatersofLakeMichigan,excludingtheportion
ofGreenBayfromthemouthoftheFoxRivertoalinefromLongTailPointtoPointau
Sable.SectionNR102.06(5)(c),Wis.Adm.Code,providesanarrativerequiringthatthe
waterclarityandotherphosphorusrelatedconditionsaresuitableforsupportofa
diversebiologicalcommunity,includingarobustandsustainableareaofsubmersed
aquaticvegetationinshallowwaterareas.
ToolsareavailabletohelpDepartmentstafftomakewaterbodyclassification
determinationsincludingtheRegisterofWaterbodies(ROW)andSurfaceWater
IntegratedMonitoringSystem(SWIMS).Itmayalsobeadvantageoustocontactlead
stafffromtheWaterEvaluationandLakeSectionsifuncertaintyexists.
ExclusionsfromPhosphorusWaterQualityCriteria
Pursuanttos.NR102.06(6),Wis.Adm.Code,waterqualitycriteriaarenotprovidedfor
(a)Ephemeralstreams(b)Lakesandreservoirsoflessthan5acresinsurfacearea(c)
Wetlands,includingbogsand(d)Watersidentifiedaslimitedaquaticlifewatersinch.
NR104.HoweverdownstreamimpactsshouldbeconsideredasdescribedinSection
2.05ofthisGuidance.
Ifadischargehaspreviouslybeentreatedasawetland,LAL,orephemeralstream
discharge,itshouldcontinuetobetreatedassuch.Fordischargeswherea
determinationhasnotyetbeenmade,ch.NR104,Wis.Adm.Code,and/orthewetland
inventoryintheSurfaceWaterDataViewer(SWDV)shouldbeconsulted.Therearetwo
layersthatareimportanttoidentifywetlandsintheSWDVWetlandInventoryandthe
WetlandIndicatorSoils.IftheWisconsinWetlandInventoryindicatesthatanareaisa
wetland,itispresumedcorrect.IftheWetlandIndicatorSoilslayerindicatesthat
wetlandsoilsarepresentbutnotshownasawetlandpolygonintheWisconsinWetland
Inventory,acasebycasedeterminationisrequiredandregionalbiologistsshouldbe
conferred.Wetlandstaffmayalsobecontactedifthereareanywetlanddelineation
questions.
SiteSpecificCriteria
SectionNR217.13(5),Wis.Adm.Code,allowsforasitespecificcriterioninplaceofthe
generallyapplicablecriteriaaslongasitisprotectiveofthedesignateduseofthe
specificsurfacewatersegmentorwaterbody,anddoesnotinterferewithdesignated
useattainmentindownstreamwaters.Thisrequiressitespecificdataandanalysisusing
scientificallydefensiblemethodsandsoundscientificrationale.Guidanceisbeing
Page 22

Page 23
developedtoderivesitespecificcriteriaforphosphorus.ContacttheWaterEvaluation
Section,WaterQualityStandardsSpecialistforfurtherdetail.
OtherConsiderations
Factorssuchasreasonablepotential,TMDLbasedlimits,downstreamwaters,multiple
andnewdischargersneedtobeconsideredandareaddressedinotherchaptersofthe
guidance.

Chapter2
Section2.02:ReasonablePotential
Author:JimBaumannandAmandaMinks
ConsistentwithU.S.EPAregulations,s.NR217.15,Wis.Adm.Code,contains
requirementsformakingareasonablepotentialdetermination.Thatis,forallpoint
sourcesthatdischargephosphorusandaresubjecttoch.NR217subchapterIII,Wis.
Adm.Code,theDepartmentmustmakeadeterminationwhetherthedischarge(or
discharges)fromthepointsourcehasareasonablepotentialtocauseorcontributetoa
waterqualityimpairmentbyexceedingthecalculatedwaterqualitybasedeffluentlimit
(WQBEL).SeeSection1.02oftheGuidancefordetailsontheapplicabilityofch.NR217
subchapterIII,Wis.Adm.Code.Aphosphoruslimitationisrequiredtobeincludedina
WPDESpermitifthereisthereasonablepotentialforthatlimittobeexceededinthe
dischargecoveredunderthatpermit.

SectionNR217.15(1)(b),Wis.Adm.Code,PermitswithPhosphorusTechnologyBased
Limits
Pursuanttos.NR217.15(1)(b),Wis.Adm.Code,apermitteeisdeemedtohave
reasonablepotentialtocauseorcontributetoanexceedanceofaphosphorusWQBELif
thepermitteealreadyhasatechnologybasedphosphoruslimit(TBL)initspermitand
thatTBLislessrestrictivethantheWQBELexpressedasaconcentration.Incaseswhere
thefacilityissubjecttoch.NR210,Wis.Adm.Code,thecomparisonisstraightforward
asboththeWQBELandtheTBLareexpressedasmonthlyaverages.Thephosphorus
WQBELwillbeincludedintheWPDESpermitandnofurtherreasonablepotential
analysisisrequired,suchastheP
99
calculation.
Inthecaseofindustries,thecomparisonisslightlymorecomplicatedastheTBLis
expressedasa12monthrollingaverage.Intheseinstances,theguidanceinU.S.EPAs
TechnicalSupportDocumentforWaterQualityBasedToxicsControl
1
canbeusedto
statisticallyconvertthe12monthrollingaveragelimitintoamonthlyequivalentlimit,
whichthencanbedirectlycomparedwiththeWQBEL:
(
=
2
5 . 0 326 . 2
*
n n
e TBL MTBL
o o
Where:
MTBL=monthlyequivalentlimit
TBL=12monthrollingaveragetechnologybasedlimit

1
UnitedStatesEnvironmentalProtectionAgency(USEPA).1991b.TechnicalSupportDocumentfor
WaterQualitybasedToxicsControl.U.S.EnvironmentalProtectionAgency,OfficeofWater,
Washington,DC.
Page 24

o
n
2
=ln(CV
2
/n+1)
ByknowingtheCV(coefficientofvariationwhichequalsthestandarddeviationdivided
bythemeanofrepresentativeeffluentdata)oftheeffluentphosphorusdataand
samplingfrequency,thefollowinglookuptablecanbeusedtosimplifytheprocedure:
TBLMultipliers
(
2
5 . 0 326 . 2
n n
e
o o
SampleFrequency_
CV 1/Month 2/Month Weekly 2xWeek 3xWeek 5xWeek Daily
0.1 1.25 1.18 1.12 1.09 1.07 1.05 1.04
0.2 1.55 1.37 1.25 1.18 1.14 1.11 1.09
0.3 1.90 1.59 1.40 1.27 1.22 1.16 1.13
0.4 2.27 1.83 1.55 1.37 1.30 1.22 1.18
0.5 2.68 2.09 1.72 1.48 1.38 1.28 1.23
0.6 3.11 2.37 1.90 1.59 1.47 1.34 1.28
0.7 3.56 2.66 2.08 1.71 1.56 1.41 1.33
0.8 4.01 2.96 2.27 1.83 1.66 1.47 1.39
0.9 4.46 3.28 2.48 1.96 1.75 1.54 1.44
1 4.90 3.59 2.68 2.09 1.86 1.61 1.50
Example1:
FacilityFFhasa12monthrollingaverageTBLof1.2mg/Landthecalculated
WQBELis2.0mg/L.TheCVoftheeffluentdatais0.6andtheeffluentissample
onceperweek,whichresultsinaTBLmultiplierof1.90.Themonthlyequivalent
limitisthencalculatedas1.90x1.2mg/L=2.28mg/L.Asthisisgreaterthanthe
WQBELof2.0mg/L,theTBLislessrestrictive,andtheWQBELwouldbeincluded
intheWPDESpermit.
Example2:
ThisexampleisthesameatExample1,excepttheCVoftheeffluentdatais0.4
andtheeffluentissamplethreetimesperweek,whichresultsinaTBLmultiplier
of1.30.Themonthlyequivalentlimitisthencalculatedas1.30x1.2mg/L=1.56
mg/L.AsthisislessthantheWQBELof2.0mg/L,theTBLismorerestrictive,and
theTBLwouldbeincludedintheWPDESpermit.
Asspecifiedins.NR217.12(2),Wis.Adm.Code,aTBLwillbeincludedintheWPDES
permitiftheTBLismorestringentthantheWQBELexpressedasaconcentration.Any
waterqualitybasedmasslimitscalculatedpursuanttos.NR217.14(1)and(3),Wis.
Adm.Code,willalsobeincludedintheWPDESpermittoaccompanythetechnology
basedphosphoruslimit.Masslimitsshallberequiredforphosphorusdischargestoa
lakeorreservoir,outstandingorexceptionalresourcewaters(O/ERWs),phosphorus
Page 25

impairedwatersonthe303(d)impairedwaterslist,orasurfacewaterwithanapproved
TMDL.Masslimitsmayalsoberequiredtoprotectdownstreamwaters.Foradditional
informationonmasslimits,seeSection2.01oftheGuidance.
SectionNR217.15(1)(c),Wis.Adm.Code,PermitswithoutPhosphorusTechnology
BasedLimits
Areasonablepotentialdeterminationisrequiredandtheproceduresins.NR217.15(1)
(c),Wis.Adm.Code,aretobeusedfordischargerssubjecttophosphorusWQBELsthat
donothaveTBLs.Generally,dischargersthatfallunders.NR217.15(1)(c),Wis.Adm.
Code,tendtobesmallerinsizeanddontmeetthephosphorusmassthresholdsin
SubchapterIIofch.NR217,Wis.Adm.Code.
Tomakeareasonablepotentialdetermination,aP
99
calculationwillbeperformed
pursuanttos.NR217.15(1)(c)1,Wis.Adm.Code,providedthereareatleast11
representativedailydischargeconcentrationsthataregreaterthantheappropriate
levelofdetection.
Representativedatameans:
Ingeneral,dischargedatashouldbelessthanfiveyearsoldatthetimeofthepermit
application.Ifthedataismorethanfiveyearsold,additionalsamplesshouldbe
collectedandanalyzedbythepermittee,todeterminewhetherornottheolderdatais
representative.Atleasttwoadditionalsamplespermonthshouldbecollectedto
validatedatacollectedmorethanfiveyearsago.Ifcollecteddatadoesnotrepresent
normaloperatingconditionsitmaybecensoredfromthedataset.Unrepresentative
operatingconditionsmayincludesignificantfluctuationsinthesizeofthewasteload
beingtreated,changesinmanufacturingprocesses,shorttermtreatmentfailure,or
emergencyconditions.
Lessthan11representativedatapoints
Accordingtos.NR217.15(c)2,Wis.Adm.Code,iffewerthan11representative
samplesareavailable,thedeterminationofreasonablepotentialmaybebasedonthe
arithmeticmeanofavailableandrepresentativeeffluentconcentrationsbeinggreater
thanonefifthofthecalculatedwaterqualitybasedeffluentlimit.
Norepresentativedata
Wherenorepresentativedataexists,s.NR217.15(1)(c)3,Wis.Adm.Code,givesthe
Departmenttwooptions:requirecollectionofdischargeconcentrationsamplesor
extrapolateinformationfromsimilarpointsourcedischargers.Ifnorepresentativedata
isavailable,theDepartmentstronglyrecommendsthatpermitteescollectsufficient
datatoperformanupper99
th
percentile(P
99
)calculationpriortopermitapplication.
Page 26

Pursuanttos.NR217.15(1)(d),Wis.Adm.Code,theDepartmentmayrequire
collectionofthesamplesaspartofthepermitapplicationforreissuance.SeeSection
5.01fordetailsoneffluentmonitoring.
Ifthepermitteedoesnotsubmitsufficientdata,extrapolationcanbeusedtoperforma
P
99
calculation.Toextrapolatedata,informationshouldbeobtainedfromdischargersof
similarsize,manufacturingprocesses,andtreatmentprocess.TheDepartmentmust
thenuseconservativeassumptionsaboutthefacilities.Toavoidoverlyconservative
limitsbeinggenerated,itisrecommendedthatpermitteescollectsufficientdatarather
thanrelyingonextrapolation.
ReasonablePotentialP
99
Analysiss.NR217.15(1)c1,Wis.Adm.Code.
Ifthereareatleast11dailydischargeconcentrationsconsideredrepresentativeof
currentdischarges,anupper99
th
percentile(P
99
)ofa30dayaveragedischargeis
calculatedusingtheproceduresins.NR106.05(5),Wis.Adm.Code.Thisisthesame
equationthatisusedforreasonablepotentialdeterminationformanytoxicsubstances.
Theequationins.NR106.05(5)(a),Wis.Adm.Code,isasfollows:
P
99
=exp(mu
dn
+Z
p*
sigma
dn
)
P
99
=
Upper99thpercentileofndayaveragedischarge
concentrations.
d =
Ratioofthenumberofdailydischargeconcentrationslessthan
thelimitofdetectiontothetotalnumberofdischarge
concentrations.Generally,allsampleresultsshouldexceedthe
limitofdetection.
n =
Numberofdischargeconcentrationsusedtocalculatean
averageoveraspecifiedmonitoringperiod(n=1fordaily
concentrations,4for4dayaveragesand30for30day
averages).The30dayaverageshouldbeused.
exp =
Basee(orapproximately2.718)raisedtothepowershown
betweentheparenthesesintheoriginalequation.
Z
p
=
Zvaluecorrespondingtotheupperpthpercentileofthe
standardnormaldistribution.
P =(0.99dn)/(1dn).
Page 27

mu
dn
=
mu
d
+[(sigma
d
)2(sigma
dn
)
2
]/2+ln[(1d)/(1dn)]=estimatedlog
meanofndayaveragedischargeconcentrationsgreaterthan
thelimitofdetection.(Note:mudn=mud,ifn=1).
(sigma
dn
)
2
=
ln[(1dn)([1+(s/m)
2
]/[n(1d)]+(n1)/n)]=estimatedlog
varianceofndayaveragedischargeconcentrationsgreater
thanthelimitofdetection.[Note:(sigma
dn
)
2
=(sigma
d
)
2
,ifn=
1.]
mu
d
=
lnm0.5(sigma
d
)
2
=estimatedlogmeanofdischarge
concentrationsgreaterthanthelimitofdetection.
(sigma
d
)
2
=
ln[1+(s/m)
2
]=estimatedlogfromvarianceofdischarge
concentrationsgreaterthanthelimitofdetection.
ln =Naturallogarithm.
m =
Meanofdischargeconcentrationsgreaterthanthelimitof
detection.
s =
Standarddeviationofdischargeconcentrationsgreaterthan
thelimitofdetection.
Note:Departmentlimitcalculatorstaffdonotneedtomodifythe
reasonablepotentialexcelspreadsheetsforthephosphorusreasonable
potentialdetermination.Thesamegeneralproceduretocalculatethe
reasonablepotentialfortoxicsubstancescanbeusedforphosphorus.
Example1:
FacilityFFdischargesphosphorusonadailybasistoariverlistedins.NR102.06,
Wis.Adm.Code,withaphosphoruscriterionof100g/Landtheriverexceeds
thecriteria.Assuch,thereisnoassimilativecapacityandtheWQBELassignedis
equaltothecriterion.Thedischargewasmonitoredonamonthlybasiswiththe
followingresults:
Date Concentration
(g/L)
1/11/2010 50
2/4/2010 50
3/7/2010 90
4/5/2010 70
Page 28

5/2/2010 50
6/7/2010 80
7/13/2010 110
8/9/2010 80
9/7/2010 150
10/5/2010 80
11/7/2010 100
12/5/2010 90
The30dayP
99
resultis96g/L.Thisislessthanthe100g/L(0.1mg/L)
WQBEL.Therefore,itisdeemedthatthedischargedoesnothavethereas
potentialtocauseanexceedanceofthecriterion.NophosphorusWQBELis
required.
onable
Example2:
ThisexampleisthesameasExample1,exceptthedischargeistoastreamwitha
phosphoruscriterionof75g/L,andthestreamexceedsthecriteria.Assuch,
thereisnoassimilativecapacityandtheWQBELissetequaltothecriterion.The
dischargewasmonitoredonamonthlybasisusingthesamedataasinExample
1.Again,the30dayP
99
resultis96g/L.Inthiscase,however,the30dayP
99
exceedstheapplicablecriteriaof75g/L(0.075mg/L).Therefore,itisdeemed
thatthedischargedoeshavethepotentialtocauseanexceedanceofthe
criterionandaWQBELshouldbeincludedintheWPDESpermit.
ReasonablePotentialforLimitedAquaticLife(LAL)Systems
AsdescribedinSection1.01oftheGuidance,LALsystems,ephemeralstreams,and
wetlandsdonothaveapplicablecriteria.Dischargestothesewatersmaybesubjectto
phosphorusWQBELsiftheycancauseorcontributetoanexceedanceofthe
downstreamcriteria.IfadischargetoaLAL,ephemeralstream,orwetlandsystemhas
nopotentialtocauseorcontributetoanexceedanceoftheapplicablewaterquality
criteriainthedownstreamsegment,phosphoruslimitsmaynotberequiredatthistime.
Note:Inthefuture,criteriamaybederivedforthesewaterbodytypesandareasonable
potentialanalysiswouldneedtobeperformedbasedonthenewcriteria.
Adischargermaysubmitinstreamphosphorusmonitoringdataand/ordataanalysesto
theDepartmenttoillustratethattheeffluentdoesnotcauseanexceedanceinthe
downstreamwater.IfinsufficientdatahasbeensubmittedtotheDepartment,orthe
datasuggeststhatthedischargehasanimpacttothedownstreamwater,limitswillbe
includedintheWPDESpermitbasedonthecriteriaandflowconditionsforthenext
Page 29

streamsegmentdownstream.Allmonitoringmustbeconductedconsistentwiththe
Departmentguidanceonstreammonitoring(seechapter5.01oftheGuidancefor
details).
Thereareseveralmonitoringanddataanalysesstrategiesthatcanbeusedtomakethis
determination.TheDepartmentandregulatedcommunityhaveflexibilityinselecting
anyofthefollowingoptionsordevelopingnewstrategiestobestrepresentspecificsite
conditions.ThefollowingstrategiesfocusonLALdischargesforeaseofdescription;
however,thesamelogiccanbeappliedtowetlandandephemeralstreamdischarges:
Note:Ambientanddownstreammonitoringforallinstreammonitoringscenarios
shouldonlybeconductedduringperiodsofactivedischarge.
Option1:Downstreammonitoring
Inthisscenario,monitoringisconductedinthestreamorriversegmentwith
applicablewaterqualitycriteria.ThisscenarioassumesthattheLALsystemflows
intoalargerwaterbodywithanapplicablecriterion.Inthiscase,monitoringshould
occurupstreamanddownstreamoftheLALtributary.Thedownstreammonitoring
siteshouldbeselectedwheretheLALtributaryiscompletelymixedwiththelarger
waterbody.Atleastmonthlyinstreamsamplesshouldbecollectedandsubmitted
totheDepartment.FordetailsoninstreammonitoringseeSection5.01ofthe
Guidance.Ifpreviousdatahasbeencollectedusingappropriatemethodswithinthe
pastfiveyears,thatdatacanbeusedwithoutadditionalmonitoring.Ifhistorical
dataisavailable,supplementarydatacollectionwillberequiredtovalidatethatthis
historicaldataisrepresentative.
Oncesufficientdataisavailable,upstreamanddownstreammonitoringdatacanbe
comparedtodeterminethephosphoruschangeduetotheLALtributaryflow,
primarilycomprisedofthedischarge:
%change=[CrCs]/Cs*100
Where:
Cr = Concentrationinreceivingwaterdownstreamof
LALtributary
Cs = ConcentrationinreceivingwaterupstreamfromLAL
tributary
Note:IncaseswheretheLALtributarydoesnotflowintoalargerwaterbody,but
becomeslargeenoughtohaveanapplicablecriterion,theequationabovecanstill
beused.Inthiscase,theCswouldbesetequaltothephosphorusconcentrationin
theeffluent.

Page 30

Departmentlimitcalculatorstaffwilluseprofessionaldiscretiontoevaluatethese
resultsanddetermineifdischargelimitsarerequiredtoprotectthedownstream
receivingwater.
Note:ifthedischargeincreasesitsphosphorusloadinstreammonitoringwould
needtobeperformedtoensurethatthedownstreamwaterisstillbeingprotected
andtheapplicablewaterqualitycriteriaisstillbeingattained.Ifnewmonitoring
dataisnotsubmittedtotheDepartment,phosphorusWQBELswillbeincludedinthe
WPDESpermit.
Option2:ChangeinconcentrationanalysisforLALtributarywithonephosphorus
discharge
Achangeinconcentrationanalysisquantifiesthepotentialforaphosphorusload
(mass)tochangereceivingwaterconcentrations.Inthiscase,thephosphorusloadis
thedischargetotheLALtributaryandthereceivingwaterofinterestisthestream
orriversegmentdownstreamwithapplicablewaterqualitycriteria.Forthis
calculation,thedesigncapacityofthefacility,thephosphoruseffluent
concentration,andambientconditionsofthedownstreamsegmentwiththe
applicablecriterionmustbeknow.
Usingthisdata,itispossibletocalculatetheprojectedphosphorusconcentration
(Cr)ofthedownstreamstreamorriversegment:
Cr=[Cs*Qs+Ce*Qe]/[Qs+Qe]
Where:
Cr = Concentrationinreceivingwaterdownstreamof
LALtributary
Cs = Concentrationinreceivingwaterupstreamofthe
LALtributary
Ce = Concentrationineffluentdischarged
Qs = 7Q2or30Q3ofreceivingwaterupstreamofthe
LALtributary
Qe = Designaverageannualflowforfacility
Note:theequationmayuseconcentrationsineithermg/Lorg/L
aslongastheyareusedconsistently.Flowsshouldbeexpressed
ascubicfeetpersecond.
OncetheprojectedCrhasbeenquantified,thepercentchangeequationinexample
onecanbeused.Again,Departmentlimitcalculatorstaffwilluseprofessional
discretiontoevaluatetheseresultsanddetermineifdischargelimitsarerequiredto
Page 31

Page 32
protectthedownstreamreceivingwater.Instreammonitoringfordata
verificationpurposesmaybebeneficialinadditiontothisanalysis.
Option3:WaterQualityModeling
TheDepartmentwillconsiderandreviewmodelingand/orotherdataanalyses
submittedtotheDepartmenttoillustratethatanLALdischargewillnotcauseor
contributetoanexceedanceoftheapplicabledownstreamwaterqualitycriteria.
Multipledischarges
ForLALwatersthathavemultipledischarges,thephosphoruscontributionsfrom
eachdischargewillbeaddedtodeterminethecumulativeimpactsofthedischarges
tothedownstreamstreamorriversegmentwithapplicablewaterqualitycriteria.In
thecaseofmultipledischarges,Option1couldbeapplied.Ifupstreamand
downstreammonitoringinthewaterbodywiththeapplicablecriteriadetermines
thatthecumulativedischargesarenotcausing,orhavethepotentialtocause,an
exceedanceoftheapplicablewaterqualitycriteria,phosphorusWQBELsmaynotbe
required.
Anotheroptiontoaccountformultipledischargesistousethechangein
concentrationequationprovidedinOption2.Inthiscase,however,Cewould
representthecombinedconcentrationintheeffluentdischargesandtheQewould
representthecombineddesignaverageannualflowsforthedischarges.

Chapter2
Section2.03:ExpressionofPhosphorusLimits
Author:MikeHammersandDianeFigiel
Expressionoflimit
TechnologyBasedLimits(TBLs)
TBLsforphosphorusareexpressedinWPDESpermitsasmonthlyaverage
concentrations(ss.NR217.04(1)(a)1and2,Wis.Adm.Code).Forpermitteesother
thanpubliclyownedtreatmentworksandprivatelyowneddomesticsewageworks(i.e.,
industrialpermittees),compliancemustbedeterminedonthebasisofa12month
rollingaverage(s.NR217.04(1)(a)2,Wis.Adm.Code).Permitdraftersshouldcontinue
tospecifyRolling12MonthAverageasthelimittypeintheSystem
forWastewaterApplicationsMonitoringandPermits(SWAMP)forindustrial
permittees.
WaterQualityBasedEffluentLimits(WQBELs)
WQBELsforphosphorusderivedanddeterminednecessarypursuanttoss.NR217.13
andNR217.15,Wis.Adm.Code,shallbeexpressedinWPDESpermitsasa
concentration.Amasslimitshallalsobeincludedinthepermitforadischargedirectly
to,orupstreamfrom,alakeorreservoir,outstandingorexceptionalresourcewater,
303(d)listedphosphorusimpairedwater,orsurfacewaterwithanapprovedTMDLfor
phosphorus[s.NR217.14(1),Wis.Adm.Code].Forreceivingordownstreamwaters
otherthanthosejustlisted,amasslimitmaybeincludedinthepermitinadditiontothe
concentrationlimitwhenanincreaseinthephosphorusloadislikelytoresultinadverse
effectsonwaterqualityinthereceivingordownstreamwater[s.NR217.14(1)(b),Wis.
Adm.Code].Masslimitsshallbecalculatedfromtheconcentrationlimitandthe
effluentflow(Q
e
)usedtoderivetheconcentrationlimit[s.NR217.14(3),Wis.Adm.
Code].
Example:Theconservationofmassequationfroms.NR217.13(2),Wis.Adm.Code,is
usedtocalculateamonthlyaveragelimitof0.45mg/L.Assumingtheeffluentflowused
intheequationequals1.5MGD,andthereceivingwaterisimpairedforphosphorusand
aTMDLhasnotbeendeveloped,amonthlyaveragemasslimitof5.6lbs/day(i.e.,0.45
mg/Lx1.5MGDx8.34,aconversionfactor)wouldbeincludedinthepermitalongwith
theconcentrationlimitof0.45mg/L.
Waterqualitybasedeffluentlimitsderivedpursuanttos.NR217.13,Wis.Adm.Code,
bothconcentrationandmass,shallbeexpressedinpermitsasmonthlyaveragelimits
withthefollowingexceptions[ss.NR217.14(2)and(3),Wis.Adm.Code].Ifthe
concentrationlimitislessthanorequalto0.3mg/L,theconcentrationandmasslimits
shouldbeexpressedasannualaveragelimitsandanadditionallimitequaltothree
Page 33

timestheconcentrationlimitshouldalsobeincludedinthepermitasamonthlyaverage
concentrationlimit.
Example:IftheWQBELderivedpursuanttos.NR217.13,Wis.Adm.Code,equals0.25
mg/L,Q
e
equals1MGD,andthereceivingwaterisupstreamofareservoir,the
followingeffluentlimitswouldbeincludedinthepermit:amonthlyaverage
concentrationlimitof0.75mg/Landannualaveragelimitsof0.25mg/Land2.1lbs/day
(i.e.,0.25mg/Lx1MGDx8.34).

Fordischargestolakes,anannualmasslimitisalwaysrequired[s.NR217.14(1)(c),Wis.
Adm.Code].Iftheconcentrationlimitderivedpursuanttos.NR217.13,Wis.Adm.
Code,islessthanorequalto0.3mg/L,themethodspecifiedinthepreviousparagraphs
maybeusedtoestablishtheannualmasslimit.Iftheconcentrationlimitisgreaterthan
0.3mg/L,theannualmasslimitshouldalsobecalculatedfromthemonthlyaverage
concentrationlimit.
Technologybasedeffluentlimit(TBL)versuswaterqualitybasedeffluentlimit
(WQBEL)
WhentheTBLforphosphorusismorerestrictivethantheWQBEL,s.NR217.12(2),
requirestheTBLbeincludedinthepermitinlieuoftheWQBEL.Inaddition,anywater
qualitybasedmasslimitsspecifiedbyss.NR217.14(1)and(3),asexplainedabove,
mustalsobeincludedinthepermit.
Forexample,iftechnologyandwaterqualitybasedphosphoruslimitsequal1mg/Land
2.2mg/L,respectively,thedischargeisupstreamofaphosphorusimpairedsegment
thatlacksanapprovedTMDL,andtheeffluentflowrate(Q
e
)equals0.75MGD,permit
phosphoruslimitswouldequal1mg/Land14lbs/day(i.e.,2.2mg/Lx0.75MGDx8.34)
bothexpressedasmonthlyaveragelimits.Anindustrialpermitteewouldstillbeableto
demonstratecompliancewiththeconcentrationlimitusinga12monthrollingaverage
concentration,buttheaveragemassofphosphorusdischargedeachmonthmustbeless
thanorequaltothemonthlyaveragemasslimit.
TMDL/WLALimits
WhenaTMDLhasbeenapprovedbyEPAforthereceivingwaterandalimitbasedon
theTMDLwasteloadallocationisincludedinthepermitpursuanttos.NR217.16,Wis.
Adm.Code,thelimitshallbeexpressedinamannerconsistentwiththewasteload
allocationandassumptionsoftheTMDL.Thislimitmaybeusedinplaceoforalong
withtheWQBEL.SeeSection2.04oftheGuidanceandTMDLguidancefordetails.
ExpressionofInterimlimit
AdaptiveManagementLimits
Adaptivemanagementrequiresinterimlimitsof0.6mg/Lforthefirstpermittermand
0.5mg/Lforthesecondpermitterm.Theselimitsshallbeexpressedassixmonth
Page 34

averagesasspecifiedbys.NR217.18(3)(e)2and3,Wis.Adm.Code.Sincetheruledoes
notspecifytheuseofarollingaveragetodemonstratecompliance,asitdoesin
SubchapterIIforindustrialpointsourcetechnologybasedlimits,theinterimlimitshould
notbeexpressedasarollingaveragelimit.Further,sincetherulefailstospecifywhich
sixmonthperiodsshouldbeusedtodemonstratecompliance,asitdoesforupstream
phosphorusconcentrations(C
s
),themostcommoninterpretationofasixmonth
averageshouldbeused.Thatis,theaverageofeffluentsamplescollectedduringthe
periodsofJanuarythroughJuneandJulythroughDecembershouldbeusedto
demonstratecompliancewiththesixmonthaverageinterimlimits.Permitdrafters
shouldcodethesixmonthaveragelimitsinSWAMPjustforthemonthsofJuneand
December.SectionNR217.18(3)(e),Wis.Adm.Code,statesthatcomplianceschedules
ofupto5yearsmaybeallowedforpermitteestomeetadaptivemanagementinterim
limits.Thedeterminationofcomplianceschedules,ifany,tomeetinterimlimitsshallbe
madeonacasebycasebasis.
InterimlimitsrequiredwhenacompliancescheduleforphosphorusWQBELsis
includedinthepermit[s.NR217.17(3)(c),Wis.Adm.Code]
SectionNR217.17(3)(c),Wis.Adm.Code,requiresthat,whengrantingascheduleof
compliance,thedepartmentshallincludeinpermitinterimeffluentlimitations
representinggoodmanagementandoperationforsimilartreatmentprocessesbasedon
performanceofotherwastewatertreatmentfacilitiesthatwillleadtocompliancewith
WQBELs.Thedepartmentshouldusesoundreasoningtosetlimitsthatareachievable
andthatmakeprogresstowardphosphorusreductions.However,theneedtomeet
interimlimitsshouldnotrequirepermitteestoinvestintemporarytreatmentthatwill
eventuallyneedreplacementtoachievestrictereffluentqualityatalaterdate,unless
thereisthereasonableexpectationthattemporarytreatmentwillbecosteffectivein
thelongrun.Ifthedepartmentsetsinterimlimitsbasedonexistingcapabilities,thereis
noneedtoallowcomplianceschedulestomeetinterimlimits.
Page 35

InterimLimitsOptionsTableforFacilitieswithComplianceSchedulestoMeetWQBELs
Fac.Type
ExistingLimit
Basis
CurrentLimit Proposed
InterimLimit
Reasoning
1.0 1.0mg/L 1.0mg/L Optimizationplanrequired
willpushplantstoperform
BioPAPL
w/polishing
1+mg/L 1.0mg/L BioPplantswithchemical
polishingcanmeet1.0
mg/L
Munimechanical
>150lbs
BioPAPL
w/opolishing
1+mg/L Retaincurrent
limit
APLw/chem
addition
12mg/L Retaincurrent
limit
Munimechanical
>150lbs;lagoon
APLw/ochem
addition
ExistingEQ DevelopAPL
basedonchem.
addtn.topond
Wearecurrentlyrequiring
thisregularlytoachieve
technologybasedlimits
Muni<150lbs None None Existing
effluentquality
Cannotjustifytemporary
upgradetoaddchem.trmt.
forthesesmallfacilities
1.0 1.0 1.0 Optimizationplanrequired
willpushplantstoperform
Industrial>60
lbs
APL 1.0+ Retaincurrent
limit
Industrial<60lbs
butwithReas.
potential
None None Existing
effluentquality
Cannotjustifytemporary
upgradetoaddchem.trmt.
forthesesmallfacilities
Note:Thetableaboveprovidesoptionstocalculateinterimlimits.Limitcalculatorstaff
can,andshould,usebestprofessionaljudgmentwhenselectingamethod,andwhen
calculatinginterimlimits.Notallstatisticalmethodsofevaluationareappropriateforall
datasetsofphosphorus.Theproceduresabovecanbemodifiedasappropriateto
betterreflectthesitespecificconditionsofthefacilityinquestion.Limitcalculatorstaff
shouldconsidersimilarfacilitytypeswhendeterminingappropriateinterimlimits.
Anticipatedphosphorusrangesforgivenfacilitytypesarebeingcompiledandwillbe
madeavailabletostafftohelpmakethisdetermination.
PermitswithacompliancescheduletomeetaWQBELshouldcommonlyhavelanguage
somethingtotheeffect:Startingontheeffectivedateofthispermit,thepermitteeshall
developandimplementaphosphorusdischargeoptimizationplan.Thepurposeofthe
optimizationplanistoreduceasmuchofthedischargedphosphorusaspossible
throughslightoperationalchangestothefacility.Forexample,morechemicaladdition
couldbeusedtocaptureadditionalphosphorus.

Page 36

Note:ThepurposeoftheOptimizationplanisnotthesameasthepurposeofthe
OperationandNeedsReview(ONR).ThepurposeoftheONRistofindoutiffinallimits
canbemetbysimplymakingoperationalorotherminorfacilitychanges;whereasthe
optimizationisjusttoreduceasmuchaspossiblethelevelsgoingout.
IfafinalWQBELcanbeachievedbychemicaltreatmentalone,generallythecompliance
schedulewillrequirecompliancewithinthefirstpermitterm.Inthatcase,interim
effluentlimitsmaynotbeneeded.However,ifatechnologybasedlimitisalreadyin
effect,itshouldberetainedinthepermitandremainineffectuntiltheeffectivedateof
theWQBEL.
Whenatechnologybasedlimitisretainedinthepermitasaninterimlimit,the
averagingperiodofthelimitshouldnotbechanged.Thatis,monthlyaveragelimits
shouldcontinuetobeexpressedasmonthlyaverages,and12monthrollingaverage
limitsshouldcontinuetobeexpressedas12monthrollingaverages.Sincethemost
restrictivetechnologybasedlimitof1mg/Lmonthlyaveragewillalmostalwaysbeless
restrictivethana0.6mg/Lsixmonthaveragelimit,antidegradationwillnotbeanissue
iftheadaptivemanagementinterimlimitsbecomeeffectiveatalaterdate.
Thefollowingisalistofoptionsonhowtodetermineexistingeffluentquality,asusedin
thetableabove.Eachoftheseoptionsmaybeconsideredandacasebycase
determinationshouldbemade:
- P99wheresufficienthistoricaldataisavailable
o Ifsufficientdataareavailable,a1dayP99shouldbecalculated.ThisP99
shouldbeincludedinthepermitastheinterimlimit.Inthiscasethe
interimlimitshouldbeexpressedasamonthlyaverage,ifthelimitis1
mg/Loraboveoralongertermaverage,ifthelimitisbelow1mg/L.
Oftentimesthedifficultyinestablishinglimitationsinthisfashionisthe
limiteddataforfacilitiesthatwereexemptfromtechnologybased
phosphoruslimits.Again,facilitieswithtechnologybasedlimitsshould
retaintheselimitsasinterimlimitsuntiltheWQBELbecomeseffective.
- NumericresultofP99calculationdoneafterfirst12monthsfollowing
reissuance
o Oftentimestheonlyphosphorusdataavailablefromthesefacilitiesare
the4sampleresultscollectedthroughthepermitapplicationprocessor
limitedsamplingduringthepermit.Iflittleornodataareavailableatthe
timeofpermitreissuance,genericlanguagemaybeincludedinthe
permittosettheinterimlimitequaltotheP99oncecalculatedafteryear
1ofthepermit.Ifthisapproachischosen,thepreferredmethodisto
basetheinterimlimitationonthe99thpercentileofthemonthly
averages.Withthisapproach,themonthlyaveragesareusedinthe
equationss.NR106.05(5)(a),Wis.Adm.Code,ratherthantheindividual
effluentresults.Duetothissignificantchangefromthemethodology
includedintherule,itrecommendedthatratherthanincorporatingthe
Page 37

equationsbyrulereference,theequationsbedirectlyincorporatedinto
thepermitasafootnotetotheMonitoringRequirementsandEffluent
Limitationstable.
Thes.NR106.05(5)(a),Wis.Adm.Code,canbesignificantlysimplified,
duetoafewfactors:
- Intheequationsnwouldalwaysequalone,thereforeZ
p
isa
constantat2.327
- Asthemonthlymeaneffluentconcentrationwillnotbebelowthe
limitofdetection,disaconstantat0.
- mu
dn
equalsmu
d
sincenequalsone.
- (sigma
dn
)
2
equals(sigma
d
)
2
sincenequalsone.
Usingthesesimplificationstheequationsins.NR106.05(5)(a),Wis.Adm.
Code,canbesimplifiedto:
P99=exp(a+2.327*b)
Where:
P99 =Upper99
th
percentileofmonthlyaverages(mg/L)
exp =Basee(or~2.718)raisedtothepowershownbetweenthe
parentheses
a =ln(m)0.5b
2
(equivalenttomu
d
ins.NR106.05(5)(a))
b
2
=1n[1+(s/m)
2
][equivalentto(sigma
d
)
2
ins.NR106.05(5)(a),Wis.
Adm.Code]
ln =Naturallogarithm
m =Meanofmonthlyaveragedischargeconcentrations(mg/L)
s =Standarddeviationofmonthlyaveragedischargeconcentrations
(mg/L)
Thismethodologywillmostoftenresultinahighervaluethanthe
reportedmaximummonthlyaverage,andrepresentsavaluethatcould
bemetimmediately.Thereforeuseofthismethodologyrequiresonly
minimaltimetoimplementafterthedatahasbeencollectedand
analyzed.
- Maximumvalueofsmalldataset
o Ifconsiderabledataareavailable,butnotsufficienttocalculateaP99,
themaximumvalueofthedatasetcanbeusedtosettheinterimlimit.In
thiscasetheinterimlimitshouldbeexpressedasamonthlyaverage.
- Usinghistoricaldataandbestprofessionaljudgment(BPJ)
o Historicaldatacanbeusedinconjunctionwithknowledgeofthe
dischargeandsimilardischargetypesintheStatetomakeaBPJ
determinationtosettheinterimlimit.Permitdraftersandlimit
calculatorsshouldworkcollaborativelytosettheappropriateinterim
limitusingBPJ.
- AdaptiveManagementbasedinterimlimit
Page 38

o Ifafacilityiseligibleforadaptivemanagementandcaneasilymeeta0.6
mg/Lsixmonthaveragelimit,thislimitcouldbeincludedastheinterim
limitinthefirstpermitterm.
- Interimlimitsbasedonsimilarfacilities
o Ifnodataareavailablebutdatafromsimilardischargesare,the
maximumvaluefromthesesimilardatasetsmaybeusedastheinterim
limit.Inthiscasetheinterimlimitshouldbeexpressedasanannual
average.
- Nonnumericlimitbasedonphosphorusdischargeoptimizationplan
o Anoptimizationplanshouldcommonlyberequiredforfacilitieswitha
complianceschedule.Theoptimizationplanwillrequireadischargeto
attainthehighestamountofphosphorusremovalachievablegiventhe
currentoperationalsituation.Forfacilitiesalreadyoperatingatoptimum
levels,anoptimizationplanwouldnotberequired.Iffacilityoptimization
isrequired,anarrativeinterimlimitmaybeincludedinthepermitbased
ontheplan.
InterimLimitsforGreatLakeDischarges
ForGreatLakedischarges,aninterimlimitof0.6mg/LwillbeincludedintheWPDES
permituntilanearshoreorwholelakemodelisavailable[s.NR217.13(4),Wis.Adm.
Code].U.S.EPAisdevelopingthismodel.Forreasonsofsimplicityandconsistency,
interimlimitsforaGreatLakesdischarger[s.NR217.13(4),Wis.Adm.Code]shouldbe
expressedassixmonthaveragessimilartoadaptivemanagementinterimlimitsunless
technologybasedlimitsarebeingretainedinthepermitasinterimlimits.Ifa0.6mg/L
interimlimitisnotreasonable,acalculatedP99valuemaybeused.Additional
phosphorusinterimlimitsarenotrequiredtobeincludedinaWPDESpermitforaGreat
Lakesdischarge.However,facilityoptimizationwillstillberequired.
Note:Anantidegradationevaluationwillbenecessaryshouldthepermitteeselectthe
adaptivemanagementoptionafteraninterimlimitlessthan0.6mg/Lhasbecome
effective.Forexample,ifGreatLakesandcompliancescheduleinterimlimitsare
expressedasmonthlyaveragesinsteadofsixmonthaverages,limitslessthan
approximately0.77mg/Laremorerestrictivethanasixmonthaveragelimitof0.6
mg/L.
InterimLimitsforLALDischargesdirectlyupstreamofaGreatLake
Aspreviouslystate,limitedaquaticlife(LAL)systemsdonothaveapplicablephosphorus
criteriaatthistime.Theneedfor,andcalculationof,limitsforthesedischargesshould
bebasedonthedownstreamwaterwithapplicablephosphoruscriteria.Incaseswhere
theimmediatedownstreamwaterisaGreatLake,thedischargeshouldbegivenan
interimlimitof0.6mg/LintheWPDESpermituntilanearshoreorwholelakemodelis
available[s.NR217.13(4),Wis.Adm.Code]todeterminethepotentialimpactsofthe
dischargeoftheLake.Forreasonsofsimplicityandconsistency,interimlimitsfora
GreatLakesdischarger[s.NR217.13(4),Wis.Adm.Code]shouldbeexpressedassix
Page 39

Page 40
monthaveragessimilartoadaptivemanagementinterimlimitsunlesstechnologybased
limitsarebeingretainedinthepermitasinterimlimits.

Chapter2
Section2.04:RelationshipbetweenWQBELsandTMDLbased
Limits
Author:JimBaumann
TherearetwogeneralmethodsexpressedinSubchapterIIIofch.NR217,Wis.Adm.
Code,todeterminewaterqualitybasedeffluentlimitations(WQBELs)forphosphorus.
Thefirstisthroughthemethodsdescribedins.NR217.13,Wis.Adm.Code(seeSection
2.01oftheGuidance).ThesecondmethodistoderiveaWQBELbasedonthe
wasteloadallocationforthefacilityidentifiedinaU.S.EPAapprovedtotalmaximum
dailyload(TMDL)analysis.
SectionNR217.16,Wis.Adm.Code,describestherelationshipbetweenaU.S.EPA
approvedTMDLforphosphorusandWQBELsforpointsourcepermits.Itdoesnot
describeordirecthowthewasteloadallocationoftheapprovedTMDLisdevelopedor
howitisexpressed.Sincethereisvariationinhowwasteloadallocationsareexpressed
fromoneTMDLtoanother,nosinglemethodcanbedescribedfortranslatingthe
wasteloadallocationtoaWQBEL.Somewasteloadallocationswillbeexpressedastotal
loadsoveraperiodoftime,suchasadailyloadorannualload,whileothersmaybe
expressedasconcentrations.ItisconceivablethataTMDLwasteloadallocation
expressedasamassloadovertimewillalsoneedtobeexpressedasaWQBEL
concentrationinapermit.Similarly,aTMDLwasteloaddescribedasaconcentration
mayhavetobeexpressedasamasslimit.Limitcalculatorstaffshouldconsultthe
individualTMDLsandthedraftTMDLguidancefordetailsonwasteloadallocation
expression.Thissectionwillbeupdatedasmoredetailandexperienceisgained.
ForalistofU.S.EPAapprovedTMDLsorTMDLsindevelopmentinWisconsin,please
visithttp://dnr.wi.gov/org/water/wm/wqs/303d/TMDL.html.
SectionNR217.16(1),Wis.Adm.Code
SectionNR217.16(1),Wis.Adm.Code,allowstheDepartmenttoderiveaWQBELfrom
thewasteloadallocationofaTMDL,ifspecificconditionsaremet.First,theTMDLmust
bedesignedtomeetwaterqualitystandardsinch.NR102,Wis.Adm.Code.Second,
theTMDLmustbeapprovedbyU.S.EPA.Third,theWQBELmustbeconsistentwiththe
assumptionsoftheTMDL,suchascriticalconditions.Thissectionoftherulealsoallows
theTMDLderivedWQBELtobeusedinlieuof,orinadditionto,thelimitation
calculatedusingthemethodsins.NR217.13,Wis.Adm.Code.TheTMDLbased
WQBELswillbeexpressedasdescribedins.NR217.14,Wis.Adm.Code.

Page 41

InmakingthedeterminationonuseoftheTMDLderivedWQBELinlieuoftheWQBEL
calculatedunders.NR217.13Wis.Adm.Code,s.NR217.16(1),Wis.Adm.Code,
requirestheDepartmenttoconsiderthefollowingfactors:
- Thedegreetowhichnonpointsourcescontributephosphorustotheimpaired
water[s.NR217.16(1)(a),Wis.Adm.Code].
Ingeneral,thegreaterthedegreeofnonpointsourcephosphoruscontribution,
themoreappropriatetheuseoftheTMDLderivedWQBEL.TheTMDLshould
estimatetherelativecontributionofphosphorusfromnonpointsourcesand
pointsources,andshouldhaveanadequatedescriptiononthereasonable
assuranceofnonpointsourcecontrol.Ifthisinformationiscontainedinthe
U.S.EPAapprovedTMDL,nofurtheranalysisisneeded.Ifthereisnot
reasonableassuranceofnonpointsourcecontrolsthroughTMDL
implementation,theWQBELcalculatedunders.NR217.13,Wis.Adm.Code,
shouldberetainedinthepermit.
- Whetherwatersupstreamoftheimpairedwatersaremeetingthephosphorus
criteria[s.NR217.16(1)(b),Wis.Adm.Code].
Iftherewasnotadequateinformationfortheimmediatereceivingwater,a
TMDLmayonlycoverdownstreamwatersandnottheimmediatereceiving
water.Inthiscase,theTMDLwouldnotdeterminewasteloadallocationsforthe
immediatereceivingwater.Forthistypeofsituation,aWQBELshouldalsobe
calculatedforthereceivingwaterusingthemethodsdescribedins.NR217.13,
Wis.Adm.Code.
- Whetherwatersdownstreamoftheimpairedwateraremeetingthephosphorus
criteria.
ItisconceivablethataTMDLwillbedevelopedforanupstreamimpairedwater
priortohavingadequatedataondownstreamwaters.InthiscasetheTMDL
itselfmaybeprotectiveofdownstreamuses,therebyimprovingthedownstream
impairment.IfthewasteloadallocationoftheTMDLdoesnotaccountfor
downstreamprotectionitmaybenecessarytoevaluateWQBELsbasedon
downstreamprotectionandtheTMDL.Throughoutch.NR217,SubchapterIII
Wis.Adm.Code,thereareanumberofprovisionsrelatingtoconsidering
downstreamwatersinWQBELderivation.
Basedonthefactorsmentionedabove,alessstringentTMDLbasedlimitmaybe
includedinthepermitinlieuoftheWQBELcalculatedins.NR217.13,Wis.Adm.Code,
iftheWQBELhasnottakeneffect.SectionNR217.16(2),Wis.Adm.Code,establishesa
maximumtimeframeforincludingthelessrestrictiveTMDLbasedlimitinlieuofthe
calculatedWQBELinsubsequentreissuances,anddescribestheconditionswherealess
Page 42

stringentTMDLbasedWQBELmaybeused
2
.Limitcalculatorsandpermitdrafters
shouldkeepinmindthatiftheTBLdeterminedinSubchapterIIofch.NR217,Wis.Adm.
Code,ismorestringentthantheTMDLbasedlimit,thentheTBLshouldbeused.The
conditionsandmaximumscheduleforusingaTMDLbasedWQBELinlieuofthes.NR
217.13,Wis.Adm.Code,WQBELare:
1. Thes.NR217.13,Wis.Adm.Code,derivedWQBELhasnottakeneffect.
TheprovisionismetiftheTMDLwasapprovedpriortopermitreissuancewitha
phosphorusWQBELorpriortothephosphorusWQBELeffectivedate.Although
allpermitsmustcontainthefinal(notinterim)WQBEL,thepermitmayhavean
extendedcomplianceschedulewherethefinalWQBELbecomeseffectiveinthe
nextreissuedpermit.Additionally,facilitiesthatselecttheadaptive
managementoptionmaybeeligibleforaTMDLbasedlimitifthefinalWQBEL
hasnotyettakeneffect.
2. TheTMDLderivedWQBELmaybeplacedinapermitforuptotwopermitterms
ortheimplementationperiodspecifiedintheTMDL,whicheverisless.
Theintentofthisconditionisexpresslystatedintheruletoallowfor
implementationofthepointsourceandnonpointsourceelementsoftheTMDL.
Thisparagraphintherulealsoallowsuseofacomplianceschedule,ifnecessary.
(SeeSection3.01oftheGuidancefordetailsoncomplianceschedules).
3. IfaftertwopermittermstheDepartmentdeterminesthenonpointsource
controlshavenotbesubstantiallyreduced,theDepartmentmayimposethe
morestringentWQBELcalculatedunders.NR217.13,Wis.Adm.Code.
Alternatively,theDepartmentmayincludetheTMDLbasedWQBELforan
additionalpermitterm,iftheDepartmentdeterminestherewillbesignificant
nonpointsourceloadreductionswithintheupcomingpermitterm.
ThissectionrequirestheDepartmenttomakeadeterminationonthelikelihood
oftheTMDLtobeadequatelyimplementedaftertheadditionalpermitterms.
ThedeterminationofadequacywillbebasedontheDepartmentsprofessional
judgmentandanyspecificevaluationproceduresidentifiedinthespecificU.S.
EPAapprovedTMDLoranimplementationplandevelopedfortheTMDL.
TheDepartmentalsohasthediscretiontoplacetheTMDLbasedWQBELinthe
nextpermitifitislikelythattherewillbesignificantnonpointsourceload
reductionsduringthatpermitterm.

2
ThroughoutNR217SubchapterIII,thelanguageallowsratherthanrequirestheDepartmenttouse
theWQBELsinpermitsreflectingtheinherentdiscretionoftheDepartmentinadministeringtheprogram.
Page 43

Page 44
IftheDepartmentdeterminesthattheTMDLhasbeenadequatelyimplemented,
theTMDLbasedWQBELmaybeplacedinthesubsequentpermit.
4. IfafteruptotwopermittermstheDepartmentdeterminesthatplacementof
theTMDLbasedWQBELisnotappropriate,themorestringents.NR217.13,
Wis.Adm.Code,derivedWQBELwillbeusedinitsplace.TheDepartmentmay
placeinthepermitacompliancescheduleofnomorethanfiveyearsfromthe
dateofthereissuedormodifiedpermittomeetthemorerestrictivewater
qualitybasedlimit.
Asstatedabove,thedeterminationwillbebasedontheadequacyofthe
progressinimplementingtheTMDL.SectionNR217.17,Wis.Adm.Code,
describesfactorstobeconsideredindeterminingthelengthofacompliance
schedule.However,thefiveyearmaximumapplies.
SectionNR217.16(2),Wis.Adm.Code,dealswithsituationswherethephosphorus
WQBELcalculatedpursuanttos.NR217.13,Wis.Adm.Code,hasnotyettakeneffect.
SectionNR217.16(3),Wis.Adm.Code,allowsuseofalessstringentTMDLbased
WQBELaftertheWQBELhastakeneffectiftheantidegradationproceduresinch.NR
207,Wis.Adm.Code,authorizetheDepartmenttoincludethehigherWQBELlimitation.
TheTMDLmayprovidenewinformationthatcanbetakenintoaccountindetermining
thattheWQBELissufficienttomeetwaterqualitystandardswhencontrolof
phosphorusfromnonpointsourcesisaccountedforintheTMDL.
IfitisdeterminedthatthelessstringentTMDLbasedWQBELisconsistentwiththe
antidegradationprovisionsinch.NR207,Wis.Adm.Code,theprovisionsfornumberof
permittermsexpressedins.NR217.16(2),Wis.Adm.Code,wouldapply.
SectionNR217.16(4),Wis.Adm.Code,requiresthatiftheTMDLbasedWQBELismore
stringentthantheWQBELderivedfroms.NR217.13,Wis.Adm.Code,thenthemore
stringentTMDLbasedWQBELmustbeplacedinthepermit.Thissituationmayoccur
whentheWQBELderivedins.NR217.13,Wis.Adm.Code,issetequaltothecriterion
asprovidedforins.NR217.13(7),Wis.Adm.Code.TheU.S.EPAapprovedTMDLmay
identifytheneedforaWQBELbeingsetmorestringentthanthephosphoruscriterion
forthereceivingwater.Itisanticipatedthatthissituationwillnotbecommon.

Chapter2
Section2.05:ConsiderationofDownstreamWaters
Author:JimBaumannandAmandaMinks
Considerationofthewaterqualityindownstreamwatersismentionedinanumberof
placesinSubchapterIIIofch.NR217,Wis.Adm.Code,including:
- Waterqualitybasedeffluentlimitationsforphosphorusshallbeincludedina
permitwhenevertheDepartmentdetermines:
o Thedischargefromapointsourcecontainsphosphorusatconcentrations
orloadingswhichwillcause,hasthereasonablepotentialtocauseor
contributeto,anexceedanceofthecriteriains.NR102.06,Wis.Adm.
Code,ineitherthereceivingwaterordownstreamwaters.[s.NR
217.12(1)introand(1)(a),Wis.Adm.Code](emphasisadded)
- Waterqualitybasedeffluentlimitationsforphosphorusshallbecalculated
basedontheapplicablephosphoruscriteriains.NR102.06,Wis.Adm.Code,at
thepointofdischarge,excepttheDepartmentmaycalculatethelimitationto
protectdownstreamwaters.[s.NR217.13,Wis.Adm.Code](emphasisadded)
- Amasslimitshallalsobeincludedinapermitfordischargesofphosphorusto
anyofthefollowingreceivingordownstreamwaters:
1. Alakeorreservoir;
2. Anoutstandingorexceptionalresourcewater,asdesignatedinss.NR
102.10and102.11,Wis.Adm.Code;
3. Aphosphorusimpairedwater:or
4. AsurfacewaterthathasanapprovedTMDLforphosphorus.[s.NR
217.14(1)(a),Wis.Adm.Code](emphasisadded)
- TheDepartmentmayestablishmasslimitationsinpermitsforanyother
dischargesofphosphorusifaconcentrationlimitforphosphorusisincludedin
thepermit,andwhereanincreaseinphosphorusloadislikelytoresultin
adverseeffectsonwaterqualityinthereceivingwaterordownstreamwater.
[s.NR217.14(1)(b),Wis.Adm.Code](emphasisadded)
- TheDepartmentshallincludeawaterqualitybasedeffluentlimitationfor
phosphorusinapermitwheneverthedischargeordischargesfromapoint
sourceorpointsourcescontainphosphorusatconcentrationsorloadingswhich
willcause,hasthereasonablepotentialtocauseorcontributetoanexceedance
Page 45

ofthewaterqualitystandardsins.NR102.06,Wis.Adm.Code,ineitherthe
receivingwaterordownstreamwaters.[Firstsentenceofs.NR217.15(1)(a),
Wis.Adm.Code](emphasisadded)
Downstreamprotectionisalsocloselycorrelatedtoreasonablepotentialasdiscussedin
Section2.03oftheGuidance.
GeneralGuidance
Inallcases,streamswithacriterionof75g/lflowintoanotherstreamwithacriterion
of75g/lorariverwithacriterionof100g/l.Innocasedoesariverflowintoa
stream.Theonlysituationswhereastreamorriverflowsintoawaterbodywithalower
phosphoruswaterqualitycriterionarethosewherethedownstreamwaterisalake,
reservoirorGreatLake.
Todeterminewhetheradischargewillaffectadownstreamwater,considerationshould
begiventoallrelevantinformationavailable,includingthefollowinggeneralfactors:
1. Distanceoftheoutfalltothedownstreamwater.
Thelongertheflowdistanceofariverorstreamfromtheoutfalltothe
downstreamwater,thegreatertheopportunityforphosphorustobe
retained.
2.Amountofphosphorusdischargedcomparedtotheflowofthereceiving
water.
Therelativecontributionofphosphorusfromthedischargertothe
downstreamwatershouldbeconsidered.
3.Presenceofanimpoundmentorothernaturalorartificialfeaturewhich
wouldimpedethemovementofphosphorusdownstream.
Manyimpoundments,reservoirsorlakeswillretainaportionofthe
phosphorusenteringthewaterbody.
4.Presenceoffloodplains,wetlandsandsimilarphysicalfeatureswhere
phosphorusmayberetained.
Phosphorusattachedtosedimentmaybedepositedonfloodplainsand
notsubjecttodownstreamtransport.
5. Existenceofanimpairedwater.
Insomecasesthedownstreamwaterbodymaybephosphorusimpaired.
Additionalprotectionisaffordedtothesewatersinordertoimprovethe
waterqualityandattaintheapplicablephosphorusstandard.

Page 46

6. Presenceofbiologicalresponseduetoexcessphosphorus
Downstreamwaterbodiesmayshowbiologicalresponsesduetoexcess
phosphorusloadingfromupstreampointandnonpointcontributions.
Thismayormaynotresultincriteriaexceedance.
Thepresenceofthesefactorsincreasesthelikelihoodthatapointsourcecouldcause
downstreamimpacts.Wheredownstreamwatersrequiremoreprotectionthanthe
immediatereceivingwater,amorestringenteffluentlimitwillbeincludedintheWPDES
permit.Inthesecases,theconservationofmassequationins.NR217.13,Wis.Adm.
Code,maybeadjustedtobeprotectiveofthedownstreamwater.However,useofa
conservationofmassequationinthepresenceofthesefactorswilllikelyoverestimate
theimpactofthedischargestodownstreamwaters.Insomecases,thepresenceof
thesefactorswillrequireuseofmoresophisticatedmodelsthattakeintoaccount
transportofphosphorus.
Note:Theremaybesomeinstanceswherethedownstreamcriterionisexceeded,but
thereisnobiologicalresponse.Itmaybeappropriatetocalculateasitespecific
criterion(SSC)inthesecases.BycalculatingaSSC,theapplicantwilldeterminethe
appropriatelevelofprotectionforthereceivinganddownstreamwater.The
DepartmentwillusethisinformationtoadjustthefinalWQBELanddownstream
protectionevaluation.Foradditionalinformation,seeSection1.04oftheGuidanceor
contacttheWaterEvaluationSection,WaterQualityStandardsSpecialist.
SpecificGuidance
- Thepointsourcedischargestoalimitedaquaticlifestreamorwetland.
Presently,thecriteriains.NR102.06,Wis.Adm.Code,donotapplytolimited
aquaticlife(LAL)systems,ephemeralstreams,orwetlands[s.NR102.06(6)(d),Wis.
Adm.Code].ThesewaterswerenotincludedintheUSGS/WDNRstreamandriver
studiesand,therefore,theDepartmentlackedthetechnicalbasistodetermineand
proposeapplicablecriteria.Atsometimeinthefuture,theDepartmentmayadopt
phosphoruscriteriabasedonnewstudiesfocusingonthesewaterbodytypes.
Duringtheinterim,WQBELsshouldbebasedonthecriteriaandflowconditionsfor
thenextstreamsegmentdownstream(ordownstreamlakeorreservoir,if
appropriate).Ifthedischargedoesnothavethepotentialtocauseorcontributeto
anexceedanceintheapplicablecriteriainthedownstreamwater,nolimitsare
required.SeeSection2.04oftheGuidancefordetails.
- Thedownstreamphosphoruscriterionislowerthanthecriterionforthereceiving
water(e.g.,adownstreamlakeorreservoir).
Adownstreamprotectionevaluationneedstobeperformedforriversorstreams
thatflowintoalakeorreservoir.Inthesecases,itishighlyrecommendedthatalake
Page 47

modelingmassbalanceanalysisbeconductedpriortodevelopingaWQBELfor
phosphorus.Theconservationofmassequationins.NR217.13,Wis.Adm.Code,
mayalsobeused;however,itwilllikelyoverestimatetheimpactoftheupstream
discharges.Forlakesorreservoirsthathavebeenidentifiedonthe303(d)listas
phosphorusimpaired,aTMDLshouldbedevelopedandimplemented.Toolsare
currentlybeingdevelopedtohelpstreamlinetheTMDLdevelopmentprocess.Inthe
interim,phosphoruslimitsshouldbeincludedinthepermitequaltothewater
qualitycriteriatoensurethatfurtherdegradationdoesnotoccur.Staffshoulduse
professionaldiscretiontodetermineifthepointsourceshouldbesetequaltothe
criteriaatthepointofdischargeorthedownstreamcriteria.Incaseswherethe
pointsourceisimmediatelyupstreamofareservoirorlake,thedownstreamcriteria
shouldbeselected.DischargersorotherthirdpartiescandevelopaTMDLwith
Departmentsupport.IntheabsenceofaTMDLtheconservationofmassequationin
s.NR217.13,Wis.Adm.Code,shouldbeused.
Thereareseveraltoolsavailabletoperformalakemodelingmassbalanceanalysis.
TheBATHTUBmodelisoneoptionthatisrecommended.BATHTUBisasteadystate
waterqualitymodelthatsimulateseutrophicationrelatedwaterqualityconditions
inlakesandreservoirs,andaccountsforadvectiveanddiffusivetransportaswellas
nutrientsedimentation.RequireddatatypesfortheBATHRUBmodelinclude
watershedcharacteristics,waterandnutrientloads,lake/reservoirmorphology,and
observedwaterqualitydata.Modeloutputsincludetabularand/orgraphicdisplays
ofsegmenthydraulics,waterandnutrientbalances,andpredictionsofnutrient
concentrations,transparency,andchlorophyllaconcentrations.Modelresultswill
helpdeterminetheholdingcapacityofphosphorusforthegivenwaterbody.
Basedonthisinformation,resultscanbeusedtoadjustphosphorusWQBELstothe
appropriateconcentrationinordertoprotectthedownstreamlake/reservoir.Ifa
lakemodelingmassbalanceanalysisisnotavailable,phosphorusWQBELsmustbe
basedsolelyonthewaterqualitycriteriaofthedownstreamwater,whichmay
resultinanoverlyconservativeWQBEL.Theseanalyses,asnecessitatedbylimited
stafftime,mustbedoneonaprioritybasisanddoneinaccordancewithwork
planning.HighpriorityareasmayincludeareaswhereWPDESpermitsareupfor
reissuance,areaswhereanumberofWPDESpermitswouldbenefitfromthis
evaluation,orareasthatareclosetoorexceedapplicablephosphoruswaterquality
criteria.Dischargersorotherthirdpartiescanalsoperformalakemodelingmass
balanceanalysisandsubmitapplicableresultstotheDepartmentforconsideration.
- Thedownstreamphosphoruscriterionisexceededandthewaterbodyislistedon
the303(d)impairedwaterslist
Adownstreamprotectionevaluationneedstobeperformedforriversorstreams
thatflowintophosphorusimpairedriver/streamsegments.Thesamemethodology
forlakesandreservoirscannotbeappliedtoriverandstreamimpairments.Thisis
becausetheBATHTUBmodelisspecifictoreservoirsandlakes.Additionally,
reservoirsandlakestendtobemoresensitivetophosphorusthanstreamsand
Page 48

reservoirs,thustheirmorestringentcriteria.AbsentaTMDLforimpaired
river/streamsegments,itisrecommendedthattheconservationofmassequationin
s.NR217.13,Wis.Adm.Code,beusedandtheambientphosphorusconcentration
besetequaltothecriteria.However,itwilllikelyoverestimatetheimpactofthe
upstreamdischarges.Ideally,aTMDLwouldbedevelopedandimplementedin
thesecases.Asmentioned,toolsarebeingdevelopedtohelpstreamlinetheTMDL
developmentprocess.DischargersorotherthirdpartiescandevelopaTMDLwith
Departmentsupport.IntheabsenceofaTMDLtheconservationofmassequationin
s.NR217.13,Wis.Adm.Code,shouldbeused.
- ThereisanapprovedTMDLforphosphorusforthedownstreamwater.
Ingeneral,WQBELdevelopmentbasedonaU.S.EPAapprovedTMDLforthe
downstreamwatershouldalwaysbeconsideredwhereaTMDLhasbeendeveloped
forthatwaterthatincludesawasteloadallocationforthespecificpointsource.
Theremaybesituationswherethewaterqualitybasedeffluentlimitationcalculated
forthereceivingwaterismorestringentthanthewaterqualitybasedeffluent
limitationbasedontheTMDLwasteloadallocation.Inthissituation,the
DepartmentmayincludethelessstringentTMDLderivedlimit.Ifaftertwopermit
terms,theDepartmentdeterminesthenonpointsourceloadallocationhasnotbeen
substantiallyreduced,theDepartmentmayimposethemorestringentwaterquality
basedeffluentlimitationcalculatedunders.NR217.13,Wis.Adm.Code(Seelogic
diagram2,page14,ofthisGuidance).
Note:theremaybecaseswhereaTMDLisdevelopedforadownstreamwater,but
theimmediatereceivinganddownstreamwaterarenotcoveredundertheTMDL.In
thiscase,thepreviousmethodsdescribedshouldbeapplied.
- IntheabsenceofaTMDL,theanalysiswouldneedtoincludecomplexcalculations
ofphosphorustransport
Inmanyofourlargerstreamandriversystems,phosphorusispotentially
transportedthroughaseriesofimpoundmentsorreservoirs;wetlandfloodplain
complexes;andotherphysicalaquaticfeatureswheretheconservationofmass
calculationiss.NR217.13,Wis.Adm.Code,mayoverestimatethephosphorus
transporttoadownstreamwaterbodyandresultinamorestringentwaterquality
basedeffluentlimitthanappropriate.Thesesituationsshouldonlybeaddressed
throughaTMDLanalysisoramodelinganalysis,likeBATHTUB.Theseanalyses,as
necessitatedbylimitedstafftime,mustbedoneonaprioritybasisanddonein
accordancewithworkplanning.Theremaybesituationswhereadischargerorthird
partywillconducttheneededanalysisordeveloptheTMDL.
- FordischargeswherethedownstreamwateristheGreatLakes

Page 49

Page 50
WecurrentlylackanadequatemodelortooltocalculateaWQBELusingtheGreat
Lakesasadownstreamwater.Presently,theopenwatersofbothLakeMichigan
andLakeSuperioraremeetingtheircriteria.However,thereisaconcernwiththe
cladophora(filamentousalgae)probleminthenearshoreareaofLakeMichigan.It
ispossiblethatbyachievingthephosphoruscriteriaintributarystreamsandrivers
thatthecriteriawillalsobemetinthenearshorewaters.Therehavebeena
numberofdiscussionswithU.S.EPARegion5andU.S.EPAGLNPO,onthe
developmentofamodelortooltousetosetwaterqualitybasedeffluentlimits.
Untilthetimethatamodelortoolisdeveloped,waterqualitybasedeffluentlimits
shouldbebasedonattainingtheappropriatecriteriainthetributarystreamsand
rivers.

Chapter2
Section2.06:MultipleDischarges
Author:JimBaumann
SectionNR217.13(6),Wis.Adm.Code,requiresthatwhenmorethanonedischarge
maybeaffectingthewaterqualityofthesamereceivingwater,thewaterqualitybased
effluentlimitsaretobebasedonallocatingtheallowabledischargeamongthevarious
dischargersbasedonsitespecificconsiderations.Althoughtherulementionsthesame
receivingwater,itismostimportanttousethisoptionwhenthemultipledischargesare
impactingthesamesegmentorreachofariverorstream.Thesamerulesubsection
requirestheDepartmenttonotifyallpermitteesandprovideanopportunityfor
comment.ThissubsectionisnotusedwhenaTMDLisdeveloped.
Theintentofthissubsectionistoavoidtotheextentpracticableallocatingthesame
assimilativecapacitytomultipledischargersandtoavoidallocatingallormostofthe
assimilativecapacitytoanupstreamdischarger;leavinglittleornoassimilativecapacity
toanearbydownstreamdischarger.Thesesituationsarelikelytooccurwhenthereare
bothindustrialdischargesofphosphorusandmunicipalwastewaterdischargesinthe
samecommunity.Thesesituationsmayalsooccurwhereneighboringcommunitiesall
havetheirownwastewatertreatmentfacilities.
Ananalysisofmultipledischargersisusefulunderany,someorallofthefollowing
conditions:
1. Phosphorusdischargemixingzonesoverlaporarelikelytooverlap.
2. Thephosphorusconcentrationupstreamofthefirstdischargeislessthan
applicablecriterion,indicatingthatthereisanamountofassimilativecapacity
available.Iftheconcentrationupstreamofthefirstdischargeexceedsthe
criterion,noassimilativecapacityisavailable,allofthedischargeswillhavethe
WQBELsetequaltothecriterionandamultipledischargeanalysisisnotuseful.
3. Similartonumber1above,thephosphorusconcentrationupstreamofthefirst
dischargeislessthanapplicablecriterionandtheconcentrationupstreamofthe
seconddischargeexceedsthecriterion.Thisindicatesthattheupstream
dischargemaybeusingalloftheassimilativecapacityandthereisno
assimilativecapacityforthedownstreamdischarge.
4. Whereitisnotpracticabletocollectstreamdatabetweentheoutfallsorwhere
thereisincompletemixingbetweentheoutfalls.

Page 51

Page 52
.
5. Wherethedownstreamdischargerrequeststhemultipledischargeanalysisand
offersadequatejustificationfortheanalysis.
Theconservationofmassequationins.NR217.13(2),Wis.Adm.Code,shouldbeused
whentheriverorstreamsegmentbetweenthedischargersdoesnotincludesignificant
impoundments/reservoirsorotherfeaturesthatreducethetransportofphosphorus.
Situationswithimpoundmentsorreservoirswillrequireadjustmentstotheequationfor
theamountofphosphorusretained.
Themultipledischargeanalysiscanbeconductedwhereallofthedischargesareinitially
groupedorasaseriesofcalculations.Underthegroupedanalysistheeffluentflow,Qe,
usedintheequationisthecombinedeffluentflowsfromallofthedischargers.The7
dayQ
2
streamwillnotvaryforthosedischargesinthegroup.TheresultingWQBEL
wouldthenbeaconcentrationthatwouldbeapplicableforallofthedischarges.
Iftheanalysisisconductedasaseriesofcalculations,aconservationofmassequation
mustbeusedtopredicttheinstreamconcentrationupstreamfromthesecond
dischargeandsoonforallthedischarges.Theanalysismayneedtoberepeated
varyingtheupstreamWQBEL.Thestepsintheanalysisareasfollows:
1. CalculatetheWQBELfortheupstreamdischargeusingtheequationins.NR
2. UsetheWQBELcalculatedinsteponetopredictaconcentrationupstreamof
theseconddischargeasfollows:
C
predicted
=(C
upstream
*Q
upstream
+WQBEL*Q
effluent
)/(Q
upstream+
Q
effluent
)
3. CalculatetheWQBELfortheseconddischargeusingC
predicted
andtheequation
ins.NR217.13,Wis.Adm.Code

Chapter2
Section2.07:NewDischarges
Author:RickReichardt
ThetermNewDischargerisusedinseveralsubsectionsofchs.NR217andNR207,Wis.Adm.
Code.Thesubsectionsareshownbelowfollowedbyguidanceonimplementationofthe
subsection.
ChapterNR217,Wis.Adm.Code
SectionNR217.11(3),Wis.Adm.Code,Newdischargermeansapointsourcewhichwasnot
authorizedbyaWPDESpermitasofDecember1,2010.Anewdischargerincludesarelocation
ofanoutfalltoadifferentreceivingwater.
Guidance:AdischargetoanywaterbodythatwasnotauthorizedinaWPDESpermitpriorto
12/1/10,isconsideredanewdischarger.Thisincludesanexistingdischargethatismovedtoa
newreceivingwater.Forpurposesofimplementingthisrule,movingadischargedownstream
onthesamewaterbodyisnotconsideredanewdischargerunlessdatashowsthischangecould
causeorcontributetoanimpairmentdownstream.Thestreamclassificationandconditionsat
thatlocationmust,however,beconsideredindetermininglimits.
SectionNR217.13(8),Wis.Adm.Code,NEWDISCHARGERS.Ifanewdischargerisproposinga
dischargeofphosphorustoareceivingordownstreamwaterthatisaphosphorusimpaired
water,thenewdischargermaynotdischargephosphorusexceptasfollows:
(a)Thenewdischargeofphosphorusisallocatedpartofthereservecapacityorpartofthe
wasteloadallocationinaU.S.EPAapprovedTMDL;
(b)Thenewdischargercandemonstratethenewdischargeofphosphoruswillimprovewater
qualityinthephosphorusimpairedsegment;or
(c)Thenewdischargercandemonstratethatthenewphosphorusloadwillbeoffsetthrougha
phosphorustradeorothermeanswithanotherdischargeofphosphorustothe303(d)listed
water.TheoffsetmustbeapprovedbytheDepartmentandmustbeimplementedpriorto
discharge.
Guidance:Anewdischargeofphosphorustoaphosphorusimpairedwatermaynotbe
permittedunless:1)itisallocatedinthereservecapacityofaU.S.EPAapprovedTMDL;2)the
dischargewillimprovethephosphoruswaterquality;or3)atradeorothermeansofoffsetting
thephosphoruscontainedinthedischargehasbeenimplementedpriortoinitiatingthe
discharge.
Note:Inorderforatradingschemetooccurtoallowanewphosphorusdischargeonanimpairedwater,a
comprehensivephosphoruscapmustfirstbedeveloped.AbsentaU.S.EPAapprovedTMDL,thenew
dischargerandDepartmentmayneedtoworkcollaborativelytodeterminewhattheappropriate
phosphoruscapwouldbeforthereceivinganddownstreamwater.
Adischargetoaflowingwaterbodythathasaphosphorusconcentrationwhichislessthanor
equaltothewaterqualitycriteriaofthephosphorusimpairedsegmentwillbeconsideredan
Page 53

improvementofthephosphoruswaterquality.Thisisnotapplicabletodischargestolakesor
impoundments.
Apotentialnewdischargermayuseacombinationoftheoptionstodemonstrateeligibilityfora
dischargeunderthissubsection.
SectionNR217.15(1)(e),Wis.Adm.Code,Newdischargers.TheDepartmentshallincludea
waterqualitybasedphosphoruslimitationinapermitforanewdischargeriftheDepartment
determinesthenewdischargerwilldischargephosphorusatconcentrationsorloadingswhich
maycauseorcontributetoexceedancesofthewaterqualitycriteriains.NR102.06ineither
thereceivingwaterordownstreamwaters.Toestimatetheamountofphosphorusdischarged
byanewdischarger,theDepartmentmayconsiderprojecteddischargeinformationfromthe
permitapplicant
SectionNR217.17(4),Wis.Adm.Code,Newdischargers.Anynewdischargermaynotreceive
acompliancescheduletoachievecompliancewithaphosphoruswaterqualitybasedeffluent
limitation.
Guidance:Anewdischargemustmeetthephosphoruslimitsuponinitiationofthedischarge.
Nocomplianceschedulecanbeprovidedinthedischargepermit.
ChapterNR217.19,Wis.Adm.Code,Variancesforstabilizationpondsandlagoonsystems.(1)
GENERAL.(a)Anowneroroperatorofapermittedwastewatertreatmentsystemthatconsists
primarilyofastabilizationpondsystemoralagoonsystemmayapplyforavariancetothe
phosphoruswaterqualitybasedeffluentlimitationspursuanttos.283.15(4)(a)1.f.,Stats.,
usingtheproceduresinthissection.
Note:Stabilizationpondsandlagoonsareoperatedprimarilybycommunitiesservinga
populationof2000orlessandsmallindustries.Withcurrentlyavailabletechnologythatcould
beusedinconjunctionwithstabilizationpondsorlagoons,itisunlikelythatphosphoruswater
qualitybasedeffluentlimitslessthan1mg/Lcanbeconsistentlymet.Tomeetphosphorus
waterqualitybasedeffluentlimitsoflessthan1mg/L,itwillbenecessaryforownersofthe
systemstoconstructnewwastewatertreatmentplantswhichcouldresultinsubstantialand
widespreadadversesocialandeconomicimpacts.
(b)Anewdischargermaynotreceiveapprovalforavarianceunderthissectionorpursuantto
anyothervarianceprocedure.
Guidance:Newdischargersarenoteligibleforanyvariances.ForpurposesofimplementingNR
217,thedatefordefininganewdischargeristheeffectivedateoftherule,December1,2010.
SectionNR207.03(4),Wis.Adm.Code,EXCEPTIONALRESOURCEWATERS.IftheDepartment
determinesthataWPDESpermitapplicationproposesaneworincreaseddischargeto
exceptionalresourcewaters,itshallreviewtheapplicationasfollows:
(a)Foraproposednewdischargewhichisneededtopreventorcorrecteitheranexisting
surfaceorgroundwatercontaminationsituation,orapublichealthproblem,waterquality
basedeffluentlimitationsshallbedeterminedinaccordancewithsub.(6).
Page 54

Page 55
(b)Foraproposednewdischargewhichisnotneededtopreventorcorrecteitheranexisting
surfaceorgroundwatercontaminationsituation,orapublichealthproblem,waterquality
basedeffluentlimitationsshallbesetequaltotheexistinglevelsofthesesubstances
upstreamof,oradjacentto,thedischargesite.
Guidance:Notwithstandingthissubsection,anewdischargertoanexceptionalresourcewater
mustcomplywiththeprovisionsofch.NR217,Wis.Adm.Code.Ifthebackgroundlevelsof
phosphorusexceedthecriteria,thedischargelimitwillequalthecriterion.

Chapter3ImplementationProcedures
Therearesomeconceptsthatarefairlyuniquetophosphorusstandardsand
phosphorusstandardsimplementation.ThisChapterismeanttoprovideGuidanceto
Departmentstaffontheseareasinordertospeeduptheimplementationprocessand
alleviatepotentialerror.
Somefacilitiesmayhavedistinctivefeaturesthatarenoteasilyaccountedforinthis
generalGuidance.Inthesesituationsitmaybeprudenttoworkwiththefacilityand
otherstafftoidentifyreasonableimplementationprocedures.
Chapter 3 Page 56

Chapter3
Section3.01:ComplianceSchedules
Author:TomMugan
FirstPermitTermFollowingRulePromulgation
Atthetimeofpermitapplication,manypermitteeswillnotknowthebestalternative
forachievingcompliancewithaphosphorusWQBELuntilthepermitteehasgone
throughfacilityplanning.EventhoseforwhomTMDLlimitshavebeensetwillhavehad
littletimetodeterminetheirbestalternativeformeetingthoselimits.Additionally,
phosphorushasmanynovelimplementationoptionssuchasadaptivemanagementand
waterqualitytrading,thatfacilitieshavenothadtimetoconsider.Therefore,selection
ofoptionstomostcosteffectivelymeetwaterqualitystandardsmay,inmanycases,be
doneduringtheterm(orterms)ofthepermit.Wemayreissuepermitswiththe
WQBELsascalculatedunders.217.13,Wis.Adm.Code,orassetbyaTMDLandinclude
complianceschedulesthatrequirepermitteestoeither:a)meetthoselimitsduringthe
termofthepermit,orb)toallowpermitteestoconsiderselectingoneoftheother
alternativesiftheWQBEL,orarecalculatedWQBEL,isnotscheduledtobecome
effectiveuntilfuturepermitterms.Thesealternativesinclude:
- OperationalchangestomeetaWQBEL
- ConstructiontomeetaWQBEL
- Adaptivemanagementasspecifiedins.NR217.18,Wis.Adm.Code
- Waterqualitytrading
- Awaterqualitystandardsvarianceunders.NR217.19,Wis.Adm.Code,or
283.15,Stats.
TheflexibilityofthisprocesswillhelpprovidetheDepartmentwithtimetoprocess
permitswithouttheneedtodelaypermitreissuanceormodifypermitstoreacttonew
informationreceivedduringthepermitterm.
Aswegetseveralyearsintoruleimplementation,wewilllikelyneedtorevisethis
guidancetoreflectwhatwehavelearned.Theneedforacompliancescheduleandthe
lengthoftimeallowedinaschedulewilldependonindividualcircumstances.Section
NR217.17,Wis.Adm.Code,providescriteriaforcomplianceschedules,factorsthatwill
helpdeterminethelengthofcomplianceschedules,andrequirementsonthecontentof
complianceschedules.
Therulesallowcomplianceschedulesofupto7or9yearsincaseswhereasignificant
upgradeisneededtomeetarestrictivelimit(mustbedeterminednecessaryand
appropriatebythepermitdrafterorbasinstaffpersonconsistentwiths.NR217.17,
Wis.Adm.Code).Thepermitfactsheetshouldcontainastatementconcerningthe
Chapter 3 Page 57
Section 3.01

capabilityofthecurrentplanttomeettheWQBELandabriefdiscussionthatthe
compliancescheduleproposedinthepermitistheappropriatelength,consideringthe
individualcircumstances.
Ifasignificanttreatmentsystemupgradewilllikelybeneededtomeetastringent
phosphorusWQBELandaccordingly,thepermitdrafterorbasinstaffpersondetermines
anextendedcompliancescheduleisnecessaryandappropriate(aschedulethatgoes
beyond5years),thepermitteemaybeinterestedinpursuingeithertheadaptive
managementapproach,avarianceorwaterqualitytrading.Incaseswhereanupgrade
isneededtomeetthelimit,thepermitteewillneedtoconductfacilityplanningduring
thetermofthefirstpermitanddeterminewhetheroneoftheimplementationoptions
mentionedabovewillbeexplored.Iftheseoptionsarenotselected,thefacilitywillbe
responsibletoachievethefinalWQBELbytheendofthecomplianceschedule.
ThefacilityplanningprocessbelowdrawsuponexperiencesofWDNRsmunicipaland
industrialplanreviewstaffonactionsandtimeframesneededtoevaluatealternatives
inplanningcosteffectivesolutionsforplantconstructionorotheralternativestomeet
waterquality.Initialstepsarefairlystandardforanengineeringevaluationofcurrent
facilitycapabilitiesandthestartofupgradeplanningbutmaynotrequirethatthe
permitteeobtaintheservicesofanengineeringconsultant.Subsequentstepsdraw
upontheresultsofinitialstepsintheprocessandtheguidancebranchestoseveral
generaltracks.Thespecifictracksmaydictateactionsthatwillbedifficultforsome
permitteestoperformwithoutoutsideexpertise.Insettingcomplianceschedules,
permitsstaffshoulddotheirbesttopredictoutcomesthatwillaffectfuture
requirementssoastominimizetheneedforfuturepermitmodifications.Astimegoes
by,ourexperienceshouldhelpfutureworkinthisarea.
Theterminologyusedbelowisgenericsoitappliestobothmunicipalandindustrial
systems,althoughsomeofthestandardfacilityplanningtermsusedformunicipal
systemsareprimarilyused.TheDepartmentrecognizesthatindustrialsystemshave
mechanisms,suchasmanufacturingprocesschanges,tocontroldischargelevelsbesides
whathappensatthewastewatertreatmentplant.Staffshouldconsiderspecific
situationswheninterpretinghowtoapplythisguidancewhensettingpermitconditions.
PermitReissuanceProcess(firstreissuancefollowingrulepromulgation):
1.Thepermitteecompletesandsubmitsthepermitapplication
o Someamountofeffluentphosphorusdatawillbeavailableforpurposesof
determiningtheneedforlimits
o Thepermitteewilllikelynotknowwhichsolutionoroptionitwillpursuetomeet
waterquality.However,inunusualcircumstances,thepermitteemayalready
knowifitwishestopursuealternativessuchasadaptivemanagement(AM),a
variance,orwaterqualitytrading(WQT).Thepermitreissuanceapplicationmay
Chapter 3 Page 58
Section 3.01

includeanapplicationforAM,anapplicationforavariance,oraWQT
agreement.
2.TheDepartmentlimitscalculatordeterminesapplicablefinalphosphoruslimits(TBL
orWQBEL,andaccountingforTMDLs).
3.Thelimitscalculatororotherpermitstaffpersondeterminesiftheexistingfacility,as
previously(currently)operated,canalreadymeetfinallimits.(NoteAtleastduringthe
initialyearsofrulepromulgation,itisnotnecessarythatastudyofpossibleoperational
improvementsbeconductedaspartoftheapplicationprocess.Thiscanbeincludedas
afirststepofthecomplianceschedule.)
o IfthepermitteecanalreadymeetthelimitNocompliancescheduleisallowed
o IfthepermitteecantconsistentlymeetthelimitAcompliancescheduleis
allowed
4.IftheDepartmentisapprovinganAMplanorWQTagreementatthistime(see
chapterinthisguidanceonAdaptiveManagementorseparateguidanceonwater
qualitytrading),butplanshaventyetbeenimplemented,reissuethepermitwith
appropriateimplementationrequirementsandappropriatenumericeffluentlimitation
[sees.NR217.18(3)(e),Wis.Adm.Code].
5.IftheDepartmentisnotapprovinganAMplanorWQTagreementatthistime,
includefinallimits,acomplianceschedule(ifallowedandnecessary)andinterimlimits.
Iffinallimitsaretobecomeeffectivebeyondthetermofthepermit,thelimitsmuststill
bestatedinthepermit[s.NR217.17(3)(e),Wis.Adm.Code],eventhoughtheyhavea
delayedeffectivedate.
6.Interimeffluentlimitsmustberequiredinthepermit[s.NR217.17(3)(c),Wis.Adm.
Code].Theselimitsmaybe:
o Basedonexistingeffluentquality,effectiveuponpermitreissuance
o Technologybasedlimits,effectiveuponpermitissuanceorsomefuturedateas
calledforinacomplianceschedule
o Someotherreasonablenumericlevelbasedonperformanceofotherwell
operated,similartreatmentfacilitieseffectiveuponpermitissuanceorsome
futuredateascalledforinacomplianceschedule
GeneralGuidelinesonDeterminingAppropriateLengthofComplianceSchedule

Priortoissuingacomplianceschedule,theDepartmentmustusetheavailable
informationtodetermineifthescheduleofcompliance1)willleadtocompliancewith
thephosphorusWQBELassoonaspossible,and2)isappropriateandnecessary
becausethepermitteecannotimmediatelyachievecompliancewiththeWQBELbased
onexistingoperationofitstreatmentfacility.Statementsofthesedeterminations
shouldappearinthepermitfactsheet.
Chapter 3 Page 59
Section 3.01

Whendeterminingwhetherthecomplianceschedulewillbringthepermitteeinto
complianceassoonaspossible,theDepartmentmustconsiderthestepsneededand
timenecessaryforeachsteptoachievecompliance.Aspreviouslystated,many
permitteeswillnothavehadtimetoreviewcomplianceoptionsandwilldeterminethe
bestcomplianceoptionduringfacilityplanning.Therefore,theDepartmentbelievesit
willbeappropriatetograntcompliancescheduletimetoreviewcomplianceoptionsand
alternatives.Asphosphorusimplementationcontinues,theDepartmentwillexpect
facilitiestobeginthisevaluationpriortopermitreissuance,assumingthatthe
dischargerhasevaluatedapplicablecomplianceoptions.
Thenumberofstepsinacompliancescheduleandtheamountoftimerequiredto
achievethesestepswilllikelybeproportionaltothestringencyofthefinalWQBEL.In
reviewingcurrenteffluentdataandavailabletechnology,theDepartmentconsiders
limitslessthan0.6mg/Lformechanicalplantsorlessthan1.5mg/Lforpondsand
lagoonstobestringentlimits,asaruleofthumb.Departmentstaffmustreviewthis
ruleandmakeacasebycasedeterminationifthefinalWQBELisindeedstringent.
Inmostcasesthefacilityupgradesrequiredtomeettheselimitswillbeextensive,and
extendedcomplianceschedulesarewarrantedtogivefacilitiestimetoconsidertheir
optionsandobtainthefinancialresourcesrequiredfortheplantupgrade.Inother
cases,somefacilitieswillonlyrequireslightoperationalchangestoachievecompliance.
Inthesecases,thecompliancescheduleswillallowtimefortheseslightoperational
adjustmentstobemade.
Thefollowingareexamplescomplianceschedulesthatrepresentthemaximumtime
availabletoachievecompliance.TheDepartmentsetsandreviewscompliance
schedulesonacasebycasebasis.Facilitiesmayormaynotbegrantedthemaximum
complianceschedule.Permitstaffmayusetheseascompliancescheduletemplateswith
samplestepsandsuggestedtimeintervals.Individualcircumstancesshouldbe
consideredindecidingtousetheseasis,ortotailor,ortomixandmatchthemforuse
inpermitdrafting.
SettingPermitComplianceSchedulesforStringentLimitsand
HowWeExpectFacilityPlanningtoProceed
Asaruleofthumb,limitslessthan0.6mg/Lformechanicalplantsorlessthan1.5mg/L
forpondsandlagoonsareconsideredtobestringentlimits.
1. Time=0PermitReissued
Duringthefirstyear,allowforanOperationalEvaluation(formunicipalentitieswe
callthisanOperationandNeedsReview(ONR)study).Thisincludesdatacollection
andmayalsoincludesourcereductionmeasures,operationalchangesorminor
miscellaneousfacilityenhancements.Ifapreviouslyconductedfacilityplanning
Chapter 3 Page 60
Section 3.01

study,orONRstudy,hasrecentlybeencompletedtheremaybenoneedtoallow
timeforanotherstudy.Thismeansthetimescheduleforthefollowingitemswould
moveahead1year.
Note:ThegoaloftheONRistofindoutiffinallimitscanbemetbysimply
makingoperationalorotherminorfacilitychanges.
2. 12thmonthObtainDepartmentAcceptanceofasubmittedOperational
EvaluationorONRStudy
IfaDepartmentacceptedstudyconcludesonlyoperationalimprovementsare
necessarytomeetfinallimits,thennoadditionalfacilityplanningisrequired,and
theoperationalimprovementsmustbeimplementedaccordingtoascheduletobe
containedintheacceptedoperationalstudyplan.Inaccordancewiths.NR217.17
(1)(a)1,Wis.Adm.Code,thescheduleshouldensuretheoperationalimprovements
areimplementedassoonaspossible.Permitstaffwillsendalettertothe
permitteestatingthatlimitswillbecomeeffectiveonthedatecalledforinthe
DepartmentacceptedOperationalStudyorONR.
StartFacilityPlanningStudy(ifdeterminednecessarybytheOperationalEvaluation
orONR).Theplanningprocessmayconsideroptionssuchasindustrialprocess
changes,facilityupgrading,consolidationwithotherseweragesystems,and
alternativedischargelocations.IfapermitteeisinterestedinpursuinganAMor
WQT,thepermitteeshouldstudytheseoptionsaspartoffacilityplanningprocess.
IfanAMplanistobeevaluated,theinformationrequiredbyss.NR217.18(2)(a),(b)
and(c),Wis.Adm.Code,shouldbesubmittedwiththeplanninglimitsrequestto
makeapreliminarydeterminationiftheapplicantqualifiesforanAMplan(Note
theDepartmentguidanceforplanninglimitrequestswillberevisedtoaddressthis
option).
Note:Earlyon(within1
st
year)oftheplanningstudythepermitteemightneedto
requestplanningeffluentlimit,iftheymaydifferfromfinaleffluentlimitscalculated
priortopermitreissuance,inaccordancewithcurrentDepartmentguidanceand
procedures.TheDepartmentmightprepareaPlanningLimitsMemothatwould
includerevisedlimitsfornewlyproposeddesignflowsordischargelocationsand
attemptstoexplainanypossiblefuturepermitlimitchangesexpectedforthe
appropriateplanningperiod.
Note:Formunicipalfacilities,atwoyeartimeperiodfromthestartoffacility
planningtothesubmittalofthefacilityplanshouldbeusedasthenormaltime
periodforatypicalfacilityupgradebutthetotaltimeallowedforfacilityplanning
canbeadjustedbasedonconsiderationoffactorsaslistedins.NR217.17(1),Wis.
Adm.Code.Forexample,ifthephosphoruslimitwillbelessthan0.6mg/L,this
mightrequireamoreextensiveengineeringstudyandinaccordancewiththefactor
Chapter 3 Page 61
Section 3.01

describedins.NR217(1)(b)4,Wis.Adm.Code,thecomplianceschedulemaybe
extended.Itisrecommendedthisextensionbenomorethan6additionalmonthsin
ordertoallowtheapprovedfacilityplanstobeconsideredaspartofthenextpermit
reissuance.Ifthescheduleisextendedtheassociatedfollowingactiondatescould
besetbackaccordingly.
Note:ThepurposeoftheONRistodetermineiffinallimitscanbemetbysimply
makingoperationalorotherminorfacilitychanges
3. 24
th
monthPermitteesubmitsprogressreportonfacilityplanning
4. 36
th
monthPermitteesubmitsaFacilityPlanorEngineeringReportfor
DepartmentReviewandApproval.
TheDepartmentbeginsreviewofthefacilityplanorengineeringreportand
communicationbetweenthefacilityoritsconsultantcontinuesduringthisperiod.
5. 48
th
monthDepartmentApprovalofFacilityPlan,EngineeringReport,and/or
TentativeApprovalofanAM/WQTPlan
Theapprovalmaybeforafacilityupgradingand/oratentativeapprovalforanAM
plan[approvalasreferencedins.NR217.18(2),Wis.Adm.Code],oraWQTplan.
AnyAMplanwouldincludeanassessmentofwhetherexistingfacilitiescanmeetan
interimlimitof0.6mg/LP.
Ifproposedupgrading,prepareconstructionplansandspecifications(allowing9
months)
StartWPDESPermitReissuanceApplicationProcessfornextpermitterm:Based
onresultsofthefacilityplanning,thepermitteemightrequestas.NR217.19,Wis.
Adm.Code,lagoonvariance(oras.283.15,Stats.variance)ortheAMoptionwith
thenextpermitreissuance.Atthistime,theDepartmentmightbedecidingto
proposetoimplementanAMorWQTagreementintothenextpermitterm.
6. 57
th
monthSubmitConstructionPlansandSpecifications(ifthe
approvedplanincludesanyfacilityupgrading)
Departmentreviewofconstructionplansandspecifications(allow3months
minimum)
7. 60
th
monthDepartmentapprovalofConstructionPlansand
Specifications
Chapter 3 Page 62
Section 3.01

8. 60
th
monthReissuePermit(Secondtermfollowingrulepromulgation)with
appropriatephosphoruslimitsandacomplianceschedule(s).
Note:RefertochapteronAMinthisGuidanceforadditionaltermsandconditions.
ComplianceScheduleIfupgradingisproposed,establishdateforthefacility
constructioncompletionandstartupbasedon12to24monthsafterDepartment
planapproval,dependentontheextentofupgradingproject.
IfanAMorWQTplanisproposedthepermitshouldincludeanimplementation
scheduleforspecificplanelementsoractions.IfanAMplanisbeingimplemented,
thentheinterimlimitofnogreaterthan0.6mg/L(sixmonthaverage)isapplicable.
Aninterimlimitmayalsobeapplicableforthispermitterm(ashortaspossible
complianceschedule(s)tomeetthelimitsmaybeallowed).Pers.NR217.18(3)(e)
2,Wis.Adm.Code,thescheduletomeettheinterim,0.6mg/Llimitmaynotexceed
5years.
Ifafacilityupgradeisproposedthatdoesnotincludeconstructionoffiltrationora
similarupgrade,theproposedeffectivedateformeetingthePlimitshouldbeno
morethan2yearsintothenewpermitterm(84
th
month).Thiscomplieswiththe
maximumscheduleof7yearsasallowedbys.NR217.17(2),Wis.Adm.Code.Ifthe
upgradeincludesfiltrationorsimilarextensiveupgrading,theschedulemaybe
extendedtouptotwomoreyears[upto9yearsasallowedbys.NR217.17(2),Wis.
Adm.Code].
9. 84
th
to108thmonth(24
th
to48
th
ofnewterm)MeetnewPlimit(iffacility
upgradingisneeded)
10. 108
th
monthPermitApplicationProcess
IfAMplanisbeingimplemented,thelimitswouldberecalculatedwithnew
receivingwaterdata.Ifwaterqualitystandardsarenotbeingachieved[s.NR
217.18(3)(e)3,Wis.Adm.Code],thepermitmaybereissuedprovidedarevisedAM
planissubmittedandacceptedbytheDepartmentpriortothepermitreissuance.
Note:RefertochapteronAMofthisGuidanceforadditionaltermsandconditions.
11. 120
th
monthReissuePermit(3
rd
permittermfollowingrulepromulgation)
IfanupdatedAMisproposedthepermitshouldincludeanimplementation
scheduleforspecificplanelementsoractions.Theinterimlimitof0.5mg/L(six
monthaverage).A1mg/Lmonthlyaveragewouldalsobeapplicableforthispermit
term.Pers.NR217.18(3)(e)3,Wis.Adm.Code,acompliancescheduletomeetthe
0.5mg/Llimitmaynotexceed5years.
Chapter 3 Page 63
Section 3.01

Note:RefertochapteronAMofthisGuidanceforadditionaltermsandconditions.
12. 180
th
monthReissuePermit(3
nd
termafterAMplanapproval)
IfwaterqualitystandardsarestillnotbeingattainedasaresultofAMplan
measures,thepermitwouldbeissuedwitharequirementandscheduletomeetthe
finallimit.AcompliancescheduleformeasuresotherthananAMplanwouldbe
required.Thecompliancescheduleforthewaterqualitybasedeffluentlimitmay
notexceedfiveyears[s.NR217.18(3)(e)4,Wis.Adm.Code].
Note:RefertochapteronAMinthisGuidanceforadditionaltermsandconditions.
Chapter 3 Page 64
Section 3.01

Example1:PhosphorusComplianceSchedule(stringentlimits)
Steps/Actions
DueDate
(afterreissuance)
OperationandNeedsReview(ONR):Thepermitteeshallpreparean
OperationandNeedsReview(ONR)studyreportandsubmititfor
Departmentapproval.Thereportshallevaluatecollectedeffluent
data,possiblesourcereductionmeasures,operational
improvementsorotherminorfacilitymodificationsthatwould
enablecompliancewiththefinalphosphorusWQBEL(waterquality
basedeffluentlimit)orsomeimprovedlevelofeffluentqualityusing
theexistingtreatmentsystem.Also,theONRshallincludea
phosphorusdischargeoptimizationplanforthecurrentoperation.If
thereportconcludesthatthefacilitycanachievethefinal
phosphorusWQBEL,thestudyshallcontainaschedulefor
implementationofanyimprovementsorotherstudy
recommendations.Theimplementationscheduleshallbebasedon
providingcompliancewiththefinalphosphorusWQBELassoonas
possible.OncetheONRisapprovedbytheDepartmentthe
schedule,includingtheeffectivedateofthefinallimit,willbe
incorporatedintothepermitbyletterfromtheDepartment.Ifthe
DepartmentapprovedONRreportconcludesthatthefacilitycannot
achievethephosphoruslimit,thepermitteeshallinitiateaFacilities
PlanningStudyandimplementationofthephosphorusdischarge
optimizationplanforthecurrentoperation.
12months
FacilitiesPlanningStatusReport:SubmitaFacilitiesPlanningStatus
Report.Thisreportshallprovideanupdateonthepermittee's
progressinevaluatingfeasiblealternativeswhichmayinclude:
facilityupgrading,consolidationwithotherseweragesystems,
alternativeeffluentdischargelocations,anAdaptiveManagement
Plan,WaterQualityTradingPlanorawaterqualitystandards
variance.
24months
FacilitiesPlan:SubmitaFacilitiesPlanforupgradingthetreatment
facility(ifupgradingistheidentifiedalternative)whichincludesan
implementationschedulethatalsospecifiesafinalconstructiondate
duringthenextpermitterm.TheFacilitiesPlanshallalsoincludean
evaluationofalternativesformeetingthefinalWQBELfor
phosphorus.
36months
Chapter 3 Page 65
Section 3.01

RefineFacilitiesPlan:RefineandsubmittheFacilitiesPlanfor
approval.IftheapprovedplanisforAdaptiveManagementorWater
QualityTrading,theimplementationoftheplanshallcommenceup
onDepartmentapproval.
48months
ConstructionPlansandSpecifications:Submitconstructionplans
andspecificationsforapprovaliftheapprovedFacilitiesPlancallsfor
upgrading.
57months
ConstructionPlanApproval:ObtainDepartmentapprovalof
constructionplansandspecifications
60months
ProgressReport(ForInformationalPurposesOnly):Submit
constructionprogressreport.
72months
84months
96months
CompleteConstruction(ForInformationalPurposesOnly):
CompleteconstructionandcomplywithfinalphosphorusWQBEL.
84to108months
Foranycompliancescheduledateintheabove(orbelow)schedulethatdoesnot
includeasubmittaltotheDepartment,oranydatethatismissedby30daysormore,
thepermitteeshallnotifytheDepartmentinwritingwithin30daysofthescheduled
dateofitscomplianceornoncompliancewiththescheduledrequirement.Ifany
interimrequirementwilltakemorethanoneyeartocomplete,thepermitteeshallalso
includeaprojectedcompletiondatefortheinterimrequirement.
Note:ThepurposeoftheONRistodetermineiffinallimitscanbemetbysimplymaking
operationalorotherminorfacilitychanges.Thepurposeoftheoptimizationplanisto
reduceasmuchaspossiblethelevelsgoingout.
Chapter 3 Page 66
Section 3.01

SettingPermitComplianceSchedulesforLessStringentLimits
andHowWeExpectFacilityPlanningtoProceed
Asaruleofthumb,limitsequaltoorgreaterthan0.6mg/Lformechanicalplantsor
greaterthanabout1.5mg/Lforpondsandlagoonsareconsideredtobelessstringent
limits.
1. Time=0PermitReissued
Duringthefirstyear,allowforanOperationalEvaluation(formunicipalentitieswe
callthisanOperationandNeedsReview(ONR)study).Thisincludesdatacollection
andmayalsoincludesourcereductionmeasures,operationalchangesorminor
miscellaneousfacilityenhancements.Ifapreviouslyconductedfacilityplanning
study,orONRstudy,hasrecentlybeencompletedtheremaybenoneedtoallow
timeforanotherstudy.Thismeansthetimescheduleforthefollowingitemswould
moveahead1year.
Note:ThegoaloftheONRistofindoutifsimplymakingoperationalorotherminor
facilitychangescanmeetfinallimits.
2. 12thmonthObtainDepartmentAcceptanceofasubmittedOperational
EvaluationorONRStudy
IfaDepartmentacceptedstudyconcludesonlyoperationalimprovementsare
necessarytomeetfinallimits,thennosubsequentfacilityplanningisrequired,and
theoperationalimprovementsmustbeimplementedaccordingtoascheduletobe
containedintheacceptedoperationalstudyplan.Inaccordancewiths.NR217.17
(1)(a)1,Wis.Adm.Code,thescheduleshouldensuretheoperationalimprovements
areimplementedassoonaspossible.Permitsstaffwillsendalettertothe
permitteestatingthatlimitswillbecomeeffectiveonthedatecalledforinthe
DepartmentacceptedOperationalStudyorONR.
StartFacilityPlanningStudy(ifdeterminednecessarybytheOperationalEvaluation
orONR).Theplanningprocessmayconsideroptionssuchasindustrialprocess
changes,facilityupgrading,consolidationwithotherseweragesystems,and
alternativedischargelocations.IfapermitteeisinterestedinpursuingAM(unlikely
withlimitsabove0.6mg/L)orWQT,thepermitteeshouldstudythesealternatives
aspartoffacilityplanning.IfanAMplanistobeevaluated,theinformation
requiredbyss.NR217.18(2)(a),(b)and(c),Wis.Adm.Code,shouldbesubmitted
withtheplanninglimitsrequesttomakeapreliminarydeterminationiftheapplicant
qualifiesforanAMplan.Becauseoneoftheadaptivemanagementeligibility
requirementsisfiltrationorequivalenttechnologytomeettheWQBEL,many
Chapter 3 Page 67
Section 3.01

facilitieswithlessstringentlimitswillnotbeeligibleforadaptivemanagement[s.NR
217.18(c),Wis.Ad.Code].
Note:theDepartmentguidanceforplanninglimitrequestswillberevisedtoaddress
theAMoption.
Note:Earlyon(within1
st
year)oftheplanningstudythepermitteemightneedto
requestplanningeffluentlimit,iftheymaydifferfromfinaleffluentlimitscalculated
priortopermitreissuance,inaccordancewithcurrentDepartmentguidanceand
procedures.TheDepartmentmightprepareaPlanningLimitsMemothatwould
includerevisedlimitsfornewlyproposeddesignflowsordischargelocationsand
attemptstoexplainanypossiblefuturepermitlimitchangesexpectedforthe
appropriateplanningperiod.
Note:Formunicipalfacilities,aoneyeartimeperiodfromthestartofthistypeof
targetedfacilityplanningtothesubmittalofthefacilityplanshouldbeusedasthe
normaltimeperiodforatypicalfacilityupgradebutthetotaltimeallowedfor
facilityplanningcanbeadjustedbasedonconsiderationoffactorsaslistedins.NR
217.17(1),Wis.Adm.Code.Forexample,ifotherissuesarebeingconsideredaspart
ofamorecomprehensiveupgrade,thismightrequireamoreextensiveengineering
studyandinaccordancewiththefactordescribedins.NR217(1)(b)4,Wis.Adm.
Code,thecomplianceschedulemaybeextended.Itisrecommendedthisextension
benomorethan6additionalmonthsinordertoallowcompletionofconstruction
withinthetermofthepermit.Ifthescheduleisextendedtheassociatedfollowing
actiondatescouldbesetbackaccordingly.
Note:ThepurposeoftheONRistodetermineifsimplymakingoperationalorother
minorfacilitychangescanmeetfinallimits
3. 24
th
monthPermitteesubmitsaFacilityPlanorEngineeringReportfor
DepartmentApproval
TheDepartmentbeginsreviewofthefacilityplanandcommunicationbetweenthe
facilityoritsconsultantcontinuesduringthisperiod.
4. 30
th
monthDepartmentApprovalofFacilityPlan,EngineeringReport,and/or
TentativeApprovalofanAM/WQTPlan
Theapprovalwilllikelybeforfacilityupgradingsinceadaptivemanagementwillnot
likelybeareasonableoptionandwaterqualitytradingwillnotlikelybecost
effectiveformechanicaltreatmentplants.
5. Ifproposedupgrading,prepareconstructionplansandspecifications(allowing9
months).
Chapter 3 Page 68
Section 3.01

39
th
monthSubmitConstructionPlansandSpecifications(ifthe
approvedplanincludesanyfacilityupgrading)
Departmentreviewofconstructionplansandspecifications(allow3months)
6. 42
nd
monthDepartmentapprovalofConstructionPlansandSpecifications
48monthStartWPDESPermitReissuanceApplicationProcessfornextpermit
term
7.54
th
monthMeetnewPlimit(iffacilityupgradingisneeded)
Example2:PhosphorusComplianceSchedule(lessstringentlimits)
Foranycompliancedatewithinthetermofthispermitthatdoesnotincludeasubmittalto
theDepartmentoranydatethatismissedby30daysormore,thepermittteeshallnotify
theDepartmentinwritingwithin30daysofthescheduleddateofitscomplianceor
noncompliancewiththerequirement
Steps/Actions
DueDate
(afterreissuance)
OperationandNeedsReview(ONR):Thepermitteeshallpreparean
OperationandNeedsReview(ONR)studyreportandsubmititfor
Departmentapproval.Thereportshallevaluatecollectedeffluentdata,
possiblesourcereductionmeasures,operationalimprovementsorother
minorfacilitymodificationsthatwouldenablecompliancewiththefinal
phosphorusWQBEL(waterqualitybasedeffluentlimit)orsomeimproved
levelofeffluentqualityusingtheexistingtreatmentsystem.Also,theONR
shallincludeaphosphorusdischargeoptimizationplanforthecurrent
operation.Ifthereportconcludesthatthefacilitycanachievethefinal
phosphorusWQBEL,thestudyshallcontainascheduleforimplementation
ofanyimprovementsorotherstudyrecommendations.The
implementationscheduleshallbebasedonprovidingcompliancewiththe
finalphosphorusWQBELassoonaspossible.OncetheONRisapprovedby
theDepartmenttheschedule,includingtheeffectivedateofthefinallimit,
willbeincorporatedintothepermitbyletterfromtheDepartment.Ifthe
DepartmentapprovedONRreportconcludesthatthefacilitycannot
achievethephosphoruslimit,thepermitteeshallinitiateaFacilities
PlanningStudyandimplementationofthephosphorusdischarge
optimizationplanforthecurrentoperation.
12months
FacilityPlan:SubmitaFacilityPlanthatevaluatesfeasiblealternativesfor
meetingthefinalphosphorusWQBELwhichmayinclude:facilityupgrading,
consolidationwithotherseweragesystems,alternativeeffluentdischarge
locations,anAdaptiveManagementPlan,WaterQualityTradingPlanora
waterqualitystandardsvariance.
Chapter 3 Page 69
Section 3.01

Chapter 3 Page 70
Section 3.01
24months
ConstructionPlansandSpecifications:Submitconstructionplansand
specificationsforapprovaliftheapprovedFacilityPlancallsforupgrading
thetreatmentfacility.
36months
ProgressReport:SubmitaprogressreportonmeetingthefinalWQBELfor
phosphorus.
42months
CompleteActions:CompleteactionstomeetthefinalWQBELfor
phosphorus.Complywiththenewphosphorusfinallimits.
54months
Example3:PhosphorusComplianceSchedule(lessstringentlimits,nofacilityplanning
required)
Foranycompliancedatewithinthetermofthispermitthatdoesnotincludeasubmittalto
theDepartmentoranydatethatismissedby30daysormore,thepermitteeshallnotifythe
Departmentinwritingwithin30daysofthescheduleddateofitscomplianceor
noncompliancewiththerequirement
Steps/Action
DueDate
(afterreissuance)
OperationEvaluation:PrepareandsubmitanOperationEvaluationtomeet
thefinalphosphorusWQBEL.Alsodevelopandimplementaphosphorus
dischargeoptimizationplanforthecurrentoperation.
12months
Declaration:SubmitadeclarationtouseWQT;anAMapplicationand
preliminaryplanfortreatment,ifnecessarytomeetinterimeffluentlimits;
orpreliminaryplansforwastewatertreatmentconstruction.
24months
ProgressReport:SubmitareportontheprogressofpreparingaWQT
agreement;areportontheprogressofpreparinganAMPlanwithfinal
constructionplansifnecessarytomeetinterimlimits;orfinalplansfor
wastewatertreatmentconstruction.
36months
RequiredSubmittal:SubmitaWQTagreement;anAMPlanplusinitiate
constructionifnecessarytomeetinterimlimits;oratreatmentsystem
statusreportincludingbudgeting.
48months
StatusReport:SubmitareportonWQTimplementation(e.g.,management
practices,construction);areportontheAMPlanimplementationplus
completeconstructionifnecessarytomeetinterimlimits;orinitiate
constructionofwastewatertreatment.
60months
CompleteActions:ComplywiththefinalWQBELforphosphorususing
WaterQualityTrading;initiateAdaptiveManagementPlan;orcomplete
construction.
72months

Chapter3
Section3.02:SWAMPToolsforPhosphorus
Author:MaryRyan
Introduction
Thenewphosphorusrulesencompassedinchs.NR102andNR217,Wis.Adm.Code,
becameeffectiveonDecember1,2010.TheSystemforWastewaterApplications,
MonitoringandPermits(SWAMP)willbeupdatedtoincludephosphorusrequirements
relatedtothenewphosphorusrulesasdescribedbelow.
PermitApplication
- Monitoring:Thepermitapplicationwillbeupdatedtoincreasemonitoringfor
Phosphorusfrom4samples(collectedatleast1monthapart)to12samples
(collectedweeklyfor3months)andarecommendedanalyticalmethodwillbe
specified(U.S.EPA365.1,AutomatedAscorbicAcidReduction).Therequired
sampletypeisa24hrflowproportionalcomposite.Wastewatertreatmentlagoons
maybeallowedtocollectgrabsamplesifacompositesamplerisunavailable.
Note:Forfillanddrawfacilities,thepermitapplicationshouldbesentatatimescale
appropriateforthefacilitytocollectsufficientphosphorusdata.
- VarianceApplicationforStabilizationPonds&Lagoons:Thepermitapplicationwill
beupdatedtoincludeanoptionforownersofastabilizationpondorlagoonsystem
toapplyforavariancetothephosphorusWQBELpers.NR217.19,Wis.Adm.Code.
- AdaptiveManagementRequest:Thepermitapplicationwillbeupdatedtoincludea
requestformfortheAMApproachpers.NR217.18,Wis.Adm.Code.
PermitReissuanceProcess
ThepermitreissuanceprocessisdescribedinComplianceScheduleChapter3Section
3.02,onpage58,andsummarizedbelow.
ReviewthePermitApplicationData
Initially,thepermitapplicationdata(andanyexistingrepresentativephosphorusdatain
SWAMP)willbereviewedtodeterminetheneedforlimits.Ifadditionalphosphorus
dataisneededforthisdeterminationthepermitteeshouldbecontactedandaskedto
submittheadditionaldata.
CalculatePhosphorusLimitsandDetermineCompliance
PhosphoruslimitsarecalculatedbytheLimitsCalculator(TBLorWQBELandan
accountingofanyTMDL)andthenWDNRstaffmustdetermineifitispossibleforthe
facility,ascurrentlyoperated,tocomplywiththephosphoruslimits.Interim
Chapter 3 Page 71
Section 3.02

phosphoruslimitsarealsocalculatedasapplicablepers.NR217.17(3)(c),Wis.Adm.
Code.
PermitDrafting
Ifthepermitteecanmeetthefinalphosphoruslimitsthennocompliancescheduleis
allowed.Ifthepermitteecannotconsistentlymeetthelimitsthenacompliance
scheduleisallowedandinterimlimitsaretobeincludedinthepermitpers.NR
217.17(3)(c),Wis.Adm.Code.Inbothcasesmonitoringmustberequiredatan
appropriatefrequency(typically3timesperweekformajorsandweeklyforminors).
*SurfaceWaterSection:IncludethefinalphosphorusWQBEL(monthlyaverage)inthe
monitoringtableifthepermitteecanmeetthelimit.(Note:AWQBELlimitisnot
requiredifthe30dayaverageP
99
calculationdoesnotexceedthecalculatedWQBEL
andthefacilitydidnotpreviouslyhaveatechnologybasedlimit).Howeverif
phosphorusispresentintheeffluentatalevelthatwarrantsmonitoringbasedon
professionaljudgmentthenweeklyormonthlymonitoringshouldbeincludedinthe
permit.)IfthepermitteecannotmeetthefinalphosphorusWQBEL,includetheinterim
phosphoruslimitinthemonitoringtable(andnoteintheTableNotesthatitisan
interimlimit)thenusethecheckboxforPhosphorusLimitationsattheInput&
Footnotestabtoinsertthestandardfootnotethatspecifiesthefinalphosphoruslimitas
wellasareferencetothecomplianceschedule:
PhosphorusLimitation(s)Footnote
SeetheSchedulessectionofthispermitformoreinformationonphosphoruseffluent
limitations.FinalPhosphorusEffluentLimitation:Thefinalcalculatedeffluentlimitation
forphosphorusis_________[enterapplicableunitsandaveragingperiod].Thefinal
effluentlimitationisincludedforinformationalpurposesonlyanddoesnottakeeffect
untilthenextpermitreissuance.Thelimitationmayberecalculatedatthenext
reissuancebasedonadditionaldataornewinformation.InterimPhosphorusEffluent
Limitation:Theinterimeffluentlimitationforphosphorusis____________[enter
applicableunitsandaveragingperiod]andbecomeseffectiveon_______________.
Note:Permitstaffwillfillintheblanksabovewiththeapplicabledateinthepermit.
TherecommendedmonitoringrequirementsforphosphorusWQBELsareshownbelow:
Parameter:Phosphorus,Total
Units:g/L(ormg/LiftheWQBELisexpressedinmg/L);masslimitsmayalsobe
includedpers.NR217.14,Wis.Adm.Code
SampleFrequency:3/WeekformajorsandWeeklyforminors(orafrequencythatis
equaltothemonitoringforBOD/TSS)
SampleType:24HrFlowPropComp(lagoonsystemsmaybeallowedtocollectgrab
samples)
Chapter 3 Page 72
Section 3.02

Chapter 3 Page 73
Section 3.02
Note:IfaTBL(TechnologyBasedLimit)isincludedinthepermit,inmostcasesthe
existingmonitoringrequirementsforphosphoruscanbecontinuedinthereissued
permit.
*ComplianceSchedules:Thereare3complianceschedulesavailableinSWAMPatthe
Picklistbuttonforphosphorus.Selectthecomplianceschedulebasedonwhetherthe
newphosphoruslimitisconsideredstringentornotstringent.Generally,ifthenew
phosphoruslimitis<0.6mg/Lformechanicalplantsor<1.5mg/Lforlagoonsystems
thenselectthePhosphorusComplianceScheduleStringentLimits.Ifthenew
phosphoruslimitis>0.6mg/Lformechanicalplantsorgreaterthanabout1.5mg/Lfor
lagoonssystemsthenselectthePhosphorusComplianceScheduleLessStringent
Limits.IfnofacilityplanningisrequiredselectthePhosphorusComplianceSchedule
NoFacilityPlanningRequired.
Note:ThestandardcomplianceschedulesinthePicklistaremeanttoprovide
representativeexamplesthatshouldcoverthemajorityofcases.Thecompliance
schedulelanguagemaybemodifiedasnecessaryandappropriatetorepresentcaseby
casedeterminationsandBPJ.
*StandardRequirements:TheStandardRequirementssectionwillincludeanupdated
sectiononAppropriateFormulasforEffluentCalculationstoincludecalculationsto
determinecompliancewithsixmonthandannualconcentrationlimitsandtotalload
limits.

Chapter3
Section3.03:VariancesandVarianceApplications
Author:TomGilbert
LastRevised:August19,2011byRickReichardt
Requestsforwaterqualitystandardsvariancesaregenerallyaddressedins.283.15,Stats.,
andSubchapterIIIinch.NR200,Wis.Adm.Code.SectionNR217.19,Wis.Adm.Code,was
createdtomorespecificallyprocesspotentialvariancesapplicableonlytolagoonsystems
withphosphorusWQBELsbasedonthecriteriaofs.283.15(4)(a)1f,Wis.Adm.Code.that
Thestandard,asappliedtothepermittee,willcausesubstantialandwidespreadadverse
socialandeconomicimpactsintheareawherethepermitteeislocated.Avariancecannot
beappliedtoanewdischarger(seedefinitionunders.NR217.13(8),Wis.Adm.Code.
SectionNR217.19,Wis.Adm.Code,VarianceProcess:
- Thereviewofs.NR217.19,Wis.Adm.Code,variancerequestswillbecoordinated
bytheWastewaterSectionintheBureauofWaterQuality.Approvalletterson
variancesaresignedbytheWaterDivisionAdministrator.
- TheDepartmentmustprovidewrittennotificationoftheexpectedphosphorus
WQBELtothepermittee.Thiswrittennotificationwilllikelyoccureitheraspartof
thepermitapplicationprocessoraspartofafacilityplanninglimits
determinationmemo.Theneedforthevarianceisobviouslypremisedonfirst
knowingwhatthephosphorusWQBELwillbeandwhatotheralternatives,including
adaptivemanagementorwaterqualitytrading,areavailable.
- Theapplicationfors.NR217.19,Wis.Adm.Code,variancemustbemadeon
Departmentforms(seeattachments).Oneformisapplicabletoindustrial
wastewatersystemsandasecondformisapplicabletononindustrialwastewater
systems(bothmunicipalandprivate).Theformscovertheinformationasrequired
bys.NR217.19(2)(b),Wis.Adm.Code.
- Thes.NR217.19,Wis.Adm.Code,variancerequestshallbemadenolaterthanas
partofthepermitapplicationprocess.
- Ifapermitteedecidestopursueavariancefollowingtheconclusionofthefacility
planningprocess,theDepartmentsdecisionwillbeincorporatedintothenext
permitreissuanceormodificationthepermit.Thispermitactionisneededto
provideforthepublicparticipationprocess.
- TheDepartmentsdecisiononthevariancerequestmustbeissuedonorbeforethe
dateofthepublicnoticefortheproposedpermitreissuance.
Chapter 3 Page 74
Section 3.03

- Priortoreissuingapermitwithavariance,theDepartmentmustobtainU.S.EPA
approvalofthevariance.ThisU.S.EPAapprovalstepaddstothetotaltimerequired
toprocessapermitreissuance.
- Ifthevariancerequestisdenied,theDepartmentwillnotifythepermitteein
writing.
- IftheDepartmentproposestograntavariance,thetentativedecisionwillbe
incorporateintothepublicnoticeofthemodifiedorreissuedpermit.
DepartmentDecisionsons.NR217.19,Wis.Adm.Code,VarianceRequests
InaccordancewithU.S.EPAguidance
http://water.epa.gov/scitech/swguidance/standards/economics/index.cfm,formunicipalsystems,
iftheresultingcostofimplementingthephosphorusWQBELisgreaterthan2%ofthe
mediumhouseholdincome(MHI),itwouldgenerallybeconcludedthattheeconomic
impactisadverseenoughtowarrantgrantingofthevariance.However,theincremental
costincreaseshouldalsobeconsidered.Forexample,onecommunitymightneedacost
increaseof1%toreachthe2%ofMHI,whereasanothercommunitymightneeda50%
increasetoreachthe2%ofMHI.
Forindustrialsystems,U.S.EPAguidancealsoapplies.However,thedeterminationofsocial
andeconomicimpactpresentedintheguidanceislessstraightforwardforindustrial
systemsthanformunicipalsystems.
VarianceConditions
- Thepermitwillidentifyanyconditionsofthevarianceinaccordancewiths.NR
217.19(4),Wis.Adm.Code,andwhetheraphosphorusTBLwouldapply.Asa
minimum,phosphorusmonitoringwouldberequiredandaninterimphosphorus
limitwouldbeincluded.
- Inaccordancewiths.217.19(4)(d),Wis.Adm.Code,theDepartmentshallrequire,
asanapprovalcondition,anevaluationofpossiblemeanstoachievecompliance
withtheapplicablephosphorusWQBEL.Theevaluationshouldincludeevaluations
ofoperationalchanges,sourcereduction,capitalimprovements,andpollutant
tradingoptions.Theresultsofthisevaluationwouldprovideinformationforusein
determiningtheneedforacontinuedvarianceatthetimeofthenextpermit
reissuance.
- As.NR217.19,Wis.Adm.Code,varianceisonlybeeffectiveforthetermofthe
permit.Butthepermitteemayreapplyforthevarianceinfuturepermit
reissuances.Ifavarianceisdenied,afterthepermitisissuedthepermitteemaynot
applyforavariancebasedonthefactorsins.283.15(4)(a)1.f.,Stats,forthesame
permitterm.U.S.EPAmustapproveallvariancerequests.
SectionNR217.19,Wis.Adm.Code,VarianceApplicationForms
Chapter 3 Page 75
Section 3.03

Twovarianceapplicationforms,oneeachformunicipalandindustrialfacilitiesthatemploy
treatmentconsistingprimarilyofstabilizationpondsorlagoons,areattached.
Section283.15,Stats.Variancerequest
Variancesforfacilitiesthatusetreatmentssystemsotherthanpondsandlagoons
(mechanicalplants)maybegrantedbytheDepartment.Theapprovalcriteriaand
applicationandreviewprocessforthesevariancesisdocumentedins.283.15,Wis.Stats.
andch.NR200,Wis.Adm.Code.Applicationforthisvariancemustbemadewithin60days
ofpermitissuance.
RelationshiptoTechnologyBasedAlternativePhosphorusLimit(APL)
Facilitieswhichexceedthemassthresholdvaluecontainedinch.NR217,Wis.Adm.Code,
arestillrequiredtoachievealimitof1.0mg/LoranapprovedAPL.Forlagoonandpond
systemswewillcontinuetorequireevaluationstoreducetheamountofPdischargedand
whichwillprovideinformationtoestablishandAPL.Permitsforthesefacilitiescould,if
appropriate,includearequirementtoinitiatechemicaladdition.Thismaybedoneeither
directlytothecellsorusingtemporarychemicalfeedequipmenttoamanholeorother
appropriatemixinglocation.Thechemicaladditionshouldberequiredforthetermofthe
upcomingpermitreissuance.Areportsummarizingtheresultsofthechemicaladdition
shouldbesubmitted.SamplecomplianceschedulelanguagewillbeincludedinSWAMP.
Chapter 3 Page 76
Section 3.03

StateofWisconsin
DepartmentofNaturalResources
BureauofWatershedManagement
POBox7921,MadisonWI537077921
dnr.wi.gov
PhosphorusVarianceApplicationfor
MunicipalFacilities
DraftFormPage1of5
January24,2011
Notice:AnownerofanexistingWPDESpermittedwastewatertreatmentsystemconsistingprimarilyofa
stabilizationpondorothertreatmentlagoonmayapplyforavariancetophosphoruswaterqualitybasedeffluent
limits(WQBEL)inaccordancewiths.NR217.19,Wis.Adm.Code.Formunicipallyownedfacilities,andothernon
industrialwastewatersystems,thisformmustbecompletedandsubmittedtotheDepartmenttorequestthe
variance.Failuretoprovideallrequestedinformationmayresultindenialofyourapplication.Personallyidentifiable
informationcollectedonthisformwillbeusedtoadministerthewatershedmanagementprogramandmaybe
providedtorequestorsasrequiredbyWisconsinOpenRecordslaw[ss.19.31,Wis.Stats.]
FacilityandPermitInformation FacilityOwnerContactInformation
WPDESPermitNo.
ContactName
FacilityName
Address
FacilityStreetAddress
City State ZIPCode
City
State ZIPcode PhoneNo.(incl.areacode) FAXNumber

ReceivingWater
Emailaddress
FacilityInformation(provideattachmentsasnecessary)
Providelistedinformationforeachlagoonorpondbasin(addadditionalpageifmorethan3basins)
Basin1 Basin2 Basin3
1.TypeorFunctionofBasinDescribe
treatmentprocessessuchasaeration,
stabilization,settling,storage,or
equalization

2.Normaloperatingdepth(feet)/
Volumeatnormaloperatingwater
depth(milliongallons)

3.Detentiontimebasedonactual
currentaverageinfluentflowrate
(days)

4.Detentiontimeatratedannual
averagedesignflowrate(days)

Chapter 3 Page 77
Section 3.03

FacilityOperationandPerformance(provideattachmentsasnecessary)Page2of5
1.CurrentPremovalcapabilityIfthefacilityiscurrentlyrequiredbyaWPDESpermittomonitoreffluent
phosphorus(P)provideasummaryoftheinfluentandeffluentannualaveragePconcentrationsforeachofthepast
threeyears.IfpermitrequiredPdataisnotavailable,theapplicantshouldprovideanyotherPdatathatmaybe
applicableandavailable.Ifnodataisavailable,theDepartmentmayestimatethePeffluentconcentrationbybased
ondatafromothersimilarfacilities.
2.FacilityOperationProvideasummarydescriptionofoverallfacilityoperation.Ifnotacontinuouslydischarging
facility,describestorageproceduresandthetimeperiodswheneffluentdischargeoccurs.
3.PreviousStudiesReferenceorattachanyfacilityplanningorevaluationstudythatevaluatedfacility
performancecapabilities(NoteOnlyincludestudiesthatarerecentorotherwiseapplicablefortheevaluationofthe
existingfacilityandcurrentconditions).
ServiceAreaInformation
Note:Ifthewastewaterfacilityserviceareaincludesmultiplemunicipalitiesprovidethefollowinginformationforeach
municipality.
Populationserved
Customerhouseholdsserved
Medianannualhouseholdincome(MHI)
NonResidentialCustomersProvidethepercentofwastewaterflowattributedtocommercial,industrial,large
institutionalandanyotherspecialcustomercategory.Describetypesofnondomesticwastewatercontributionsthat
constituteasignificantpollutantcontributionorthatsignificantlyaffectthetreatmentfacilitytreatmentcapabilities
(forexample:largefoodprocessers,dairies,orindustrieswithuniquewastewater).
Chapter 3 Page 78
Section 3.03

EstimatedCoststoComplywithPhosphorusWaterQualityPage3of5
BasedEffluentLimitandAssociatedSocialandEconomicImpacts
ThisassessmentconsistsofapreliminarydeterminationforhowcompliancewithaWQBELwouldbeachievedand
thenestimatestheassociatedcostsanduserchargeimpactstocustomers.Inadditiontousercharges,theapplicant
mayprovideotherinformationthataremeasuresorindicatorsofsocialandeconomicimpacts.Costsshouldbe
expressedasannualizedcostsandthecostcomponentsasindentifiedin3through8shouldbeprovided.The
applicantshouldprovideaseparateattachmenttoexplainthebasisforthecostestimates.IftheWQBELfor
phosphorusislessthan1.0mg/L,theapplicantmayusethesimplifiedformulasprovidedbelowinsteps3and4.The
Departmentmaynotacceptuseoftheformulamethodiftheapplicanthasother,moreaccurate,costinformation
availablefromanongoingfacilityplanningstudy.
Theformulasarebasedontheassumptionthatanewmechanicalfacilitywouldneedtobeconstructedatacostof
$4.2millionfora0.1milliongallonperday(mgd)facility,andthatcostswouldincreaseatalinearrateto$13million
fora1.0mgdfacility.TheformulaforannualizingthecapitalcostassumesastateCleanWaterFund(CWF)loan
wouldbeobtainedforfinancialassistanceresultinginanannualdebtservicepaymentcost.
1.IfusingformulainStep3,estimateNewDesignFlow:
IdentifyP
20
=Futureserviceareapopulationexpected20yearsinfuture
basedonofficialDepartmentofAdministrationpopulationprojections.=________________
P
0
=Initial(currentasofapplication)servicepopulation=________________
Q
0
=Initial(current)annualaverageinfluentwastewaterflowrate=________________(mgd)
Q
20
=DesignFlow(mgd)=Q
0
x(P
20
/P
0
)=________________(mgd)
2.IfusingformulainStep3,identifyConstructionCostIndex(CCI)forcurrentyearofapplication.
CCI=_____________
3.Determinecapitalcostandexpressitasannualdebtservicepayment,assumingCWFloan.NoteThisestimate
maybebasedonaseparatedetermination(attach)orbythefollowingformula.
(a)CapitalCost=[3,220,000+(Q
20
x9,780,000)]x(CCI/8293)=$_____________________
(b)Annualpayment=(Capitalcostfrom3a)x(0.0640)=$_____________________peryear
4.DetermineAnnualOperation,Maintenance,andReplacementCostsforNewTreatmentFacility.NoteThis
estimatemaybebasedonaseparatedetermination(attach)orbythefollowingformulas.
IfPlimitis>0.35mg/Land<=1.0mg/L,estimatetheO,MandRasapercentageofcapitalcostasfollows.
(a)Percentofcapitalcost=3.84+(Q
20
x0.16)=___________%(Noteifresult<3.84,use3.84%)
(b)O,M&Rcost=[(4a)/100]x(3a)=$_____________________peryear
IfPlimitis<=0.35mg/L,estimatetheO,MandRasapercentageofcapitalcostasfollows.
(c)Percentofcapitalcost=7.09+(Q
20
x2.79)=___________%(Noteifresult<7.37,use7.37%)
(d)O,M&Rcost=[(4c)/100]x(3a)=$_____________________peryear
5.AnnualOperation,Maintenance,andReplacementCosts
toMaintainCollectionSystem.=$_____________________peryear
6.TotalAnnualizedCosts(sumof3b,4b(or4d),and5)=$_____________________peryear
Chapter 3 Page 79
Section 3.03

UserChargeandOtherSocialandEconomicImpactsPage4of5
7.IdentifyExistingUserChargesandOtherRevenueSources
NoteQuestion7isintendedtoidentifywhatcostsandchargeswouldbeineffectifthephosphorus
varianceisgranted.Ifthepermitteeisintheprocessoffacilityplanningforotherpurposesandwouldneedto
imposenewcostsandchargesregardlessofthephosphoruslimit,thenidentifythosecostsandchargesinthis
sectionifknown.
Currentannualcostpertypicalhouseholdforexistingseweragesystemscosts(existingdebtretirementand
operation,maintenance,andreplacementcostsforbothcollectionandtreatmentsystems)
=$___________________perhouseholdperyear
ExpressaboveaspercentofMedianHouseholdIncome=___________________%
a.Existingtotalrevenuecollectedbyresidentialusercharges=$_____________________peryear
b.Existingtotalrevenuecollectedfromcommercial,industrial
andothernonresidentialcustomercategories.=$_____________________peryear
c.Anyotherrevenuesources
(e.g.propertytaxorotherspecialassessments)=$_____________________peryear
d.Totalexistingrevenue(sumofa,bandc)=$_____________________peryear
8.Identifyuserchargeandothercostsassociatedwithimplementingchangestomeetphosphoruslimit
Annualcostpertypicalhouseholdfornewseweragesystemcosts(includebothexistingandnewdebt
retirementandoperation,maintenance,andreplacementcostsforbothcollectionandtreatmentsystems)
=$____________________perhouseholdperyear
ExpressaboveaspercentofMedianHouseholdIncome=_____________________%
a.Totalrevenuetobecollectedbyresidentialusercharges=$_____________________peryear
b.Totalrevenuetobecollectedfromcommercial,industrial
orothernonresidentialcustomercategories=$_____________________peryear
c.Anyotherrevenuesources
(e.g.propertytaxorotherspecialassessments)=$_____________________peryear
d.Totalnewcustomercosts(revenue)
forcomplyingwithnewPlimit(sumofa,bandc)=$_____________________peryear
9.SocialandEconomicImpactsTheDepartmentwillusethetypicalhouseholdusercharge,expressedasapercent
ofMHI,asoneindicatorofaffordability.Theapplicantmayprovideadditionalinformationonimpactstocommercial,
industrial,orotherspecialcustomersoranyotherinformationregardingaffordabilityorotherindicatorsofsocialand
economicimpact.Thisinformationshouldbeprovidedasaseparateattachmenttothisform.
Chapter 3 Page 80
Section 3.03

VarianceRequestandCertificationPage5of5
Basedontheinformationprovided,Iamrequestingavarianceonthebasisthatattainmentoftheapplicablewater
qualitystandardforphosphorusmaycausesubstantialandwidespreadadversesocialandeconomicimpactsinthe
areawherethisdischargeislocated.
Icertifythattheinformationprovidedistrue,accurateandcomplete.
Printortypenameofindividualsubmittingrequest(mustbean
AuthorizedRepresentativeforthetreatmentfacility)
Title
SignatureofOfficial
DateSigned
Chapter 3 Page 81
Section 3.03

StateofWisconsin
dnr.wi.gov
PhosphorusVarianceApplicationfor
IndustrialFacilities
DraftFormPage1of2
January24,2011
Notice:InformationrequestedisrequiredfortheDepartmenttodeterminewhetherornottograntavariance.An
owneroroperatorofaWPDESpermittedwastewatertreatmentsystemconsistingprimarilyofastabilizationpondor
lagoonmayapplyforavariancetophosphoruswaterqualitybasedeffluentlimitsusingthisforminaccordancewith
s.NR217.19,Wis.Adm.Code.Additionally,anowneroroperatorofaWPDESpermittedwastewatertreatment
systemofanytypemayapplyforavarianceinaccordancewiths.283.15,Wis.Stats.Failuretoprovideallrequested
informationmayresultindenialofyourapplication.Personallyidentifiableinformationcollectedonthisformwillbe
usedtoadministerthewatershedmanagementprogramandmaybeprovidedtorequestorsasrequiredbyWisconsin
OpenRecordslaw[ss.19.31,Wis.Stats.]
PROVIDETHEFOLLOWINGINFORMATION.ATTACHADDITIONALSHEETSWHERENECESSARY.
ApplicantInformation ContactInformation(maybeconsultant)
OwnerName
ContactName
WPDESPermitNo. Nameoffirm(ifapplicable)
FacilityName
StreetAddress
City State ZIPCode
City

ReceivingWater
Emailaddress
FacilityInformation
TypeofProduction
WastewaterTreatmentSystem
__Aeratedlagoon
__Stabilizationpond
__Other(specify)_______________
Describetreatmentsystem,includingunits,volumes,anddetention
times(formainunits).
Averageannualwastewaterdischarge.
Maximummonthlyaveragedischarge.
Dischargeperiods
Isphosphorustreatmentcurrentlybeingprovided?Ifso,describe.
DoesyourWPDESpermitcurrentlyhavea
phosphoruslimit?
Describepastorongoingphosphorusminimizationefforts,including
industrialprocesschanges.
Chapter 3 Page 82
Section 3.03

Chapter 3 Page 83
Section 3.03
Page2of2
TreatmentCosts
Ifcurrentlyprovidingtreatmenttoremovephosphorus,providethefollowing:
- Costforphosphorusremoval,includingsludgehandling.
- Costperpoundofphosphorusremoved.
- Relationshipofphosphorusremovalcoststooveralltreatmentcosts.
Projecttreatmentsystemorindustrialprocessupgradesthatwillbenecessarytoachievewaterqualitybased
phosphoruslimits.ProvideestimatedcostsfortheupgradesandrelatetheprojectedcapitalandO&Mcoststothe
currenttreatmentormanufacturingcosts.
Whatfeasiblestepscouldbetakentoreducedischargelevelsbelowcurrentlevels,evenifWaterQualityBased
EffluentLimitswillnotbemet.Provideanestimateofcostsforthesesteps.
Whatvariancelevelisbeingrequested?
AffordabilitytoIndustrialDischargerandWideSpreadEconomicImpact
TheU.S.EPAInterimEconomicGuidanceforWaterQualityStandardsWorkbookwhichdiscussestheseconsiderations
isavailableonthefollowingsite:
http://water.epa.gov/scitech/swguidance/standards/economics/index.cfm
ProvideanyinformationwhichisbelievedtoberelevanttoaddressingthisGuidance
document.
Certification
Icertifythattheinformationprovidedwiththisrequestistrue,accurateandcompletetothebestofmyknowledge.
AuthorizedRepresentative)
Title
SignatureofOfficial
DateSigned

Chapter4AdaptiveManagementandWater
QualityTrading
Adaptivemanagement(AM)isanewconcepttoWisconsinandtothenation.
Therefore,theDepartmentwillcontinuetoexpandandimproveontheguidanceinthe
Chapterasmoreexperienceisgained.Theadaptivemanagementstrategywillrequire
coordinationwithotherdischargesinawatershed.Therefore,thisoptionmaytake
sometimetoorganizeandimplement.Itisimportantfordischargesinterestedinthis
optiontotakeadvantageoftimegiveninthecomplianceschedule.Departmentstaff
arededicatedtoworkingwithpermitteestohelpsuccessfullyimplementthisoption.
PollutiontradingisalsoarelativelynewconcepttoWisconsin.Implementationofthis
optionisbeingcarefullystrategiesbytheDepartmentandkeystakeholders.This
Guidancedocumentwillbeupdatedasmoreinformationaboutthisoptioncomes
available.
Chapter 4 Page 84

Chapter4
Section4.01:AdaptiveManagement
Author:AmandaMinks
Summary
Thefollowingtextismeanttoprovideageneralsummaryoftheadaptivemanagementoptionandits
requirements.Additionalguidanceisprovidedinsubsequentsubsectionstodiscussandprovidemore
specificguidanceoneachelementins.NR217.18,Wis.Adm.Code.
SectionNR217.18,Wis.Adm.Code,providesawatershedadaptivemanagementoption
asastrategytoachievethephosphoruswaterqualitycriteriains.NR102.06,Wis.
Adm.Code,inthemosteconomicallyefficientmannerandassoonaspossibletaking
intoconsiderationthecontributionsofphosphorusfrompointandnonpointsourcesin
awatershed.Similartowaterqualitytrading(section4.03oftheGuidance),adaptive
managementallowsapointsourcetocontrolphosphorusdischargesfromotherpoint
and/ornonpointsourcestoachievecompliancewithapplicablephosphoruswater
qualitycriteria.Bysuccessfullyimplementingadaptivemanagement,waterquality
criteriashouldbeattainedandlessstringentwaterqualitybasedeffluentlimits
(WQBELs)mayberequiredthantheoriginallycalculatedWQBELsnotaccountingfor
waterqualityimprovement.
Inthewatershedadaptivemanagementoption,WQBELsareestablishedaccordingtos.
NR217.13,Wis.Adm.Code,oraU.S.EPAapprovedTMDL.TheDepartmentwillnotify
theapplicantoftheproposedphosphorusWQBELlimit,eitheraspartofthepermit
applicationprocess,oraspartofafacilityplanninglimitsdeterminationmemo.The
permitteecanalsocalculateorrequestaninitialWQBELlimitestimateforthepurposes
offacilityplanningtoenableapermitteetoevaluateadaptivemanagement.All
requestsshouldbesubmittedtothepermitdrafter.
Adaptivemanagementmaybeappropriateforthepermitteetoconsiderwhere:
1. TheWQBELisstringent(generally0.4mg/Lorless).
2. Achievingcompliancewouldresultinmajorfacilitymodificationevenwiththe
facilityfunctioningatoptimalconditions.Ifmajorfacilitymodificationisnot
requiredtheapplicantisnoteligibleforadaptivemanagement.
3. Reducingnonpointorotherpointsourcesiseconomicallypreferable.
Ifadaptivemanagementisselectedasthebestcomplianceoption,theapplicantmust
submitaWatershedAdaptiveManagementRequestFormatthetimeofthepermit
applicationforreissuancepursuanttos.NR217.18(2),Wis.Adm.Code.Typically,this
requestformshouldbesubmittedwiththefirstpermitreissuanceaftertherulebecame
effective.If,however,theDepartmentdetermines(basedontherequirementsins.NR
217.17,Wis.Adm.Code)thattheappropriateandnecessarycomplianceschedulefora
Chapter 4 Page 85
Section 4.01

permitteewillgobeyond5years,thepermitteemaysubmitanapplicationforadaptive
managementwiththesecondpermitreissuanceaftertherulebecameeffective.In
thesecasestheinterestedpartyisexpectedtoexplorethefeasibilityforadaptive
managementanddevelopaplaninthefirstpermittermtobesubmittedwiththe
AdaptiveManagementRequestFormatthetimeofpermitreissuance.
Note:Adaptivemanagementcanalsobeusedtocomplywithphosphoruslimitsbased
onwasteloadallocationsfromU.S.EPAapprovedTMDLs.InthesecasestheWatershed
AdaptiveManagementRequestFormshouldbesubmittedwiththefirstpermit
applicationfollowingtheTMDLeffectivedate.
AllcodifiedelementsrequiredtobesubmittedtotheDepartmentforadaptive
managementarebuiltintotheAdaptiveManagementRequestForm.Therefore,
successfulcompletionofthisformshouldprovidetheDepartmentwithallinformation
neededtomakeadetermination.Pursuanttos.NR217.18(2),Wis.Adm.Code,these
codifiedelementsareademonstrationthat:
a) Theexceedanceoftheapplicablephosphoruscriterioniscausedbybothpoint
andnonpointsources
b) Thesumofthenonpointsourcepluspermittedmunicipalseparatestormsewer
systemscontributionofphosphorusisatleast50percentofthetotal
contributionorthattheapplicablephosphoruscriterioncannotbemetwithout
controlofnonpointsources
c) Theproposedwaterqualitybasedeffluentlimitintheapplicantspermitwill
requirefiltrationorotherequivalenttreatmenttechnologytoachieve
complianceand
d) Thepermitapplicanthassubmittedanadaptivemanagementplanwithspecific
actionstobeimplementedthatwillachievecompliancewiththeapplicable
phosphoruscriterionthroughverifiablereductionsofphosphorusfrompointand
nonpointsources.Theplanmustinclude:
1. Ananalysisofthephosphoruslevelsinthepermitteeseffluentand
identificationofthesignificantsourcesofpointandnonpointphosphorus
loadings
2. Goalsandmeasuresfordeterminingiftheactionsintheplanare
effectiveinachievingcompliance
3. Identificationofanypartnersinimplementingtheplanandthelevelof
involvement
4. Ademonstrationthatthepermittee(andanypartners)hastheabilityto
fundandimplementtheplan
Note:Ifapermitteeisinterestedinpursuingadaptivemanagementaspartoffacility
planningoptionsevaluationduringtheextendedcomplianceschedule(seesection
3.01oftheGuidance),theinformationrequiredbyss.NR217.18(2)(a),(b)and(c),
Wis.Adm.Code,shouldbesubmittedwiththeplanninglimitsrequest.Inthiscase,
Chapter 4 Page 86
Section 4.01

theapplicantshouldsubmitapreliminaryadaptivemanagementrequestusingthe
applicationavailableattheendofthisSection.Asalternativesplanningproceeds,
thepermittee(orconsultant)shoulddeveloptheinformationnecessaryfors.NR
217.18(2)(d),Wis.Adm.Code.Theelementsrequiredtofulfills.NR217.18(2)(d),Wis.
Adm.Code,arerequiredtobesubmittedatthetimeofthenextpermitreissuance.
TheDepartmentmustconcurwiththepermitapplicantsdemonstrationinorderto
approvethisrequest.Ifapproved,thepermitteemustbeginimplementingtheadaptive
managementplaninthefirstpermitreissuancetermfollowingtheAMapproval.Inthis
permit,WQBELswillbedocumentedinthepermitbutwillbeheldinabeyancepending
theimplementationoftheadaptivemanagementplan,includingpointornonpoint
sourcephosphorusreductions,asspecifiedintheplan.Inotherwords,theWQBELis
includedinthepermit,butcomplianceisnotrequireduntilthethirdpermittermofthe
adaptivemanagementplanorthewaterqualitycriteriahasbeenattained,whichever
comesfirst.IfwaterqualityimprovementshavebeenachievedthefinalWQBELcanbe
recalculatedbasedoncurrentambientphosphorusconcentrations.Interimeffluent
limitsshallbeestablishedintheWPDESpermitduringimplementationoftheadaptive
managementplan:
Table1:InterimPlimitsandWQBELexpressedineachofthethreepermitterms,where
threepermittermsaredeterminednecessary.
Permittermfollowing
AMapproval
1 2 3
WQBEL* AMLimits:
- 0.6mg/Lasa6
mo.avg.
- 1.0mg/Lasa
mo.avg.
AMLimits:
- 0.5mg/Lasa6
mo.avg.
- 1.0mg/Lasa
mo.avg.
Previously
calculatedWQBEL,
recalculatedWQBEL
ifwaterquality
improved,orTMDL
derivedWQBELif
standardnotmet
*TheinitialWQBELwillbeincludedineachpermittermfollowingtheAMapprovalwithafuture
effectivedate.ThepermitteewillnotberesponsibletoachievetheWQBELuntilthethirdpermitterm.
Note:interimlimitsaretechnologybasedlimitsratherthanwaterqualitybasedlimits.
ComplianceSchedules:
Ifthelimit(s)giveninthetableabovecanbeeasilymet,thelimitwillgointothepermit
withoutacomplianceschedule.However,acompliancescheduleofuptofiveyearsmay
beallowedtomeetthelimits(interimandfinal)inallthreepermitsissuedunder
adaptivemanagement.Compliancescheduleswillreflecttheamountoftimenecessary
toachievecompliancewiththeapplicableinterimlimit.Departmentpermitstaffare
responsibletodevelopappropriateinterimlimitcomplianceschedules.
Chapter 4 Page 87
Section 4.01

TimelinesforCompliance:

Permit
Reissued with
Extended
Compliance
Schedule
217.17
Submit AM
Application
with Permit
Application
217.18(2)
Permit Reissued
with AM Plan.
AM Permit
Limit=0.6mg/L
(6 mo. avg.)
AND
1.0mg/L
monthly avg.
217.18(3)(e)2
Permit Reissued
with AM Plan.
AM Permit
Limit=0.5mg/L*
(6 mo. avg.)
AND
1.0mg/L
monthly avg.
217.18(3)(e)3
Permit Includes
WQBEL limits
217.18(3)(e)4
Year 5
(Max.)
Year 10
(Max.)
Year 15
(Max.)
Year 20
(Max.)
Timeline for AM Implementation with Extended Compliance Schedule in First
Permit Following Rule Promulgation
Facility
Planning
Submit
Preliminary
AM
Request
Preferably,
Receive
Preliminary
Approval**
Develop AM
Plan
217.18(2)(d)
Year 0
*- This more restrictive limit is only required if monitoring data of the receiving water indicate that the applicable WQC in NR 102.06 has
not been met by the time the first permit issued under the AM option expires (NR 217.18(3)(e)3).
**- Preliminary approval not mandated in code. However, it is recommended to receive preliminary approval prior to AM planning to
ensure applicant qualifies for AM.
Maximum
End Date to
Achieve
Compliance
with 0.6mg/L
Limit
Maximum
End Date to
Achieve
Compliance
with WQBEL
Maximum
End Date to
Achieve
Compliance
with 0.5mg/L
Limit

Thetimelinesaboverepresentsthemaximumtimeafacilitycanbegrantedtoachieve
theinterimlimitsinacomplianceschedule[s.NR217.18(3)(e),Wis.Adm.Code].
Chapter 4 Page 88
Section 4.01

FacilitieswillbeexpectedtosubmittheAdaptiveManagementRequestFormatthe
firstpermittermfollowingthephosphorusstandardeffectivedateunlessgrantedan
extendedcomplianceschedulepursuanttos.NR217.17,Wis.Adm.Code.Furthermore,
mostfacilitieswillNOTrequirethemaximumtimetoachieveinterimlimits.Compliance
scheduleswillbedevelopedonacasebycasebasisandwillreflectthetimerequiredto
achievetheinterimlimit(s)orfinalWQBEL.Theadaptivemanagementplanasrequired
unders.NR217.18(2)(d),Wis.Adm.Code,shouldprovidedetailsoninterimlimitsand
theprocessbywhichthefacilitywillcomplywithinterimlimits.Theadaptive
managementplanshouldalsoconsideroptionstoachievethephosphorusWQBELifthe
adaptivemanagementplanisineffectiveatcontrollingthephosphorusconcentrationof
thewaterbody.
ApplicationGuidancess.NR217.18(2)(a)(d),Wis.Adm.Code:
Thefollowingdiscussionhighlightstheeligibilityrequirementsasexpressedinss.NR217.18(2)(a)(d),
Wis.Adm.Code.Additionally,guidanceisincludedtoinformapplicantsandDepartmentstaffontools
availabletomakeeligibilitydeterminations.
PhosphorusExceedances(S.NR217.18(2)(a),Wis.Adm.Code).Section(a)limits
adaptivemanagementtopermitteesdischargingtowatersthatexceedthephosphorus
criteriaandthatreceivebothpointandnonpointsourcecontributions.Sincevirtually
allwatershedsinWisconsinincludenonpointsources,thisfactorwillbedeemedmet
simplybyestablishinganexceedanceoftheapplicablecriteria.Instreamphosphorus
dataisavailableontheSurfaceWaterDataViewer(SWDV)forinternalandexternal
use:http://dnr.wi.gov/org/water/data_viewer.htm.Thisdatacanbeusedtoillustrate
anexceedenceforthepurposeofdeterminingeligibilityforadaptivemanagement.The
datainthislayerreflectstheupstreamconcentrationmethodologyasspecificins.NR
217.18(4)(d),Wis.Ad.Code,andmaynotreflectmethodologyusedforotherwaterbody
assessmentpurposes.TheDepartmentmayalsoconsideranyadditionalinstreamdata
thathasbeencollectedusingappropriatemethods(seeSection5.01oftheGuidance)
andsubmittedtotheDepartment.
ToolstoDeterminePhosphorusExceedanceEligibility:IftheRiverPhosphorusData
layerintheSWDVconcludesthatthereisanexceedancenofurtherevaluationis
requiredbytheDepartment.IfadditionaldataissubmittedtotheDepartment,thisdata
mustbecombinedwithallotherdataavailableforthatwaterbodysegmentanda
determinationshouldbemadebythelimitcalculator.Datamaybeexcludedfromthis
evaluationifithasnotbeencollectedusingappropriatemethods,ismorethanfive
yearsold,orwascollectedduringalargestormorrunoffevent.
NonpointSourceContribution(s.NR217.18(2)(b),Wis.Adm.Code).Thissection
requirestheapplicanttoestablishthatnonpointsourcesmustbecontrolledinorderto
meetthewaterqualitycriterionforphosphorus.Thiscanbeaccomplishedintwoways.
Thefirstistoestablishthatthetotalofthenonpointandmunicipalseparatestorm
sewersystem(MS4)contributionsofphosphorusareatleast50%ofthetotal.Toassist
Chapter 4 Page 89
Section 4.01

inthisanalysis,theDepartmenthasdevelopedaGISbasedmodelcalledPollutantload
RatioEStimationTOol(PRESTO).PRESTOwasdevelopedtocompareawatersheds
averageannualpointandnonpointphosphorusloads.Thetooldelineatesthe
watershedupstreamofarespectivepointsourceoutfall,calculatesthecontributing
nonpointsourceload,andcomparesthemeasuredpointsourceeffluentphosphorus
loadtotheupstreamnonpointsourcephosphorusload.PRESTOhasbeendeveloped
withintheArcGISframeworkandallowsforthevariousprocesses(watershed
delineationandpointandnonpointsourceloading)tobecomputedallatonceor
separately.Thismodelwillbeavailabletothepublicandmodelresultscanbeusedas
sufficientevidencetofulfilltherequirementsins.NR217.18(2)(b),Wis.Adm.Code.
Permitteesarenotlimitedtothismodel,however.Permitteescanchoosetouse
alternativemodelresultsand/orothercredibledatatoestablishthetotalloadingsfrom
pointsources(excludingMS4s),MS4sandnonpointsources.Thisshouldbedoneona
massloading,annualbasisandconvertedtopercentages.Foradditionalinformation,
seeSection4.02,ofthisGuidance.
ThesecondwayistoestablishthatnonpointsourcesofPmustbecontrolledinorderto
achievethePwaterqualitystandard.Againwithcredibledataormodelresults,theP
reductionnecessarytoachievethecriteriononamassbasismustbeestablishedand
thisnumbermustexceedthereductionsthatcanbeachievedbythepointsources.For
thisanalysis,assumethatthepointsourcelimitswouldbesetatthecriterion,notat
zerodischarge.
ToolstoMakeNonpointSourceContributionDetermination:IfthePRESTOmodel
clearlystatesthat50%ofthephosphorusloadcomesfromnonpointsourceswithinthe
watershed,s.NR217.18(2)(b),Wis.Adm.Code,willbefulfilled.Theapplicantmust
submitthisanalysistotheDepartmentforreview.Departmentlimitcalculatorsshould
reviewthesubmittaltoensurethatPRESTOwasusedappropriately.Forquestionson
PRESTO,theWaterEvaluationSectionModelingStaffoftheBureauofWaterQuality
shouldbeconsulted.
Ifadditionaldata,dataanalyses,ormodelsareusedtofulfilltherequirementsofs.NR
217.18(2)(b),Wis.Adm.Code,limitcalculatorsmustagreewithandapprovethe
submittal.LimitcalculatorsshouldconsultDepartmentmodelingstaffinthese
instances.
FiltrationTechnology(S.NR217.18(2)(c),Wis.Adm.Code).Undercurrentavailable
technologyandavailabledata,itwasconcludedthatifthecalculatedWQBELis0.40
mg/Lorlessasamonthlyaverage,thatlimitcannotbeachievedwithoutadditionof
filtrationorotherequivalenttechnology.Ifthelimitisgreaterthan0.40mg/L,the
permitteewillneedtodemonstratethattheircurrentsystemcannotachievethelimit
withoutaddingtechnologybeyondsecondarychemicalorbiologicaltreatment.Tomeet
thisrequirementtheapplicantshouldsubmitawrittencertificationthatthepermittee
hasoptimizedtheirsystemalongwithmonitoringdatashowingthatthenewly
Chapter 4 Page 90
Section 4.01

calculatedWQBELwillbeexceeded.Thiscertificationshouldbesubmittedwiththe
AdaptiveManagementRequestForm.
ToolsforFiltrationTechnologyDetermination:Departmentpermitstaffmayassume
therequirementins.NR217.18(2)(c),Wis.Adm.Code,isfulfilledifthecalculated
WQBELis0.40mg/Lorlessasamonthlyaverage.Forfacilitiesthathaveacalculated
WQBELgreaterthan0.40mg/LtheDepartmentpermitstaffmustmakeadetermination
fromthecertificationandmonitoringdatasubmitted.Thepermitdraftercanapproveor
rejectthecertification.IfinsufficientdataisavailableorthedatasuggeststheWQBEL
canbemetwiththecurrentsystem,Departmentstaffmustconcludethatfiltrationor
equivalenttechnologyisnotrequired.Inthiscase,thecertificationwouldberejected
andadaptivemanagementwouldnotbeavailablefortheapplicant.
AdaptiveManagementPlan
Aspreviouslystated,adaptivemanagementallowsadischargetocontrolphosphorus
sourcesfromotherpointand/ornonpointsourcestoachievecompliancewith
applicablephosphoruswaterqualitycriteria.SectionNR217.18(2)(d),Wis.Adm.Code,
requiresthatanadaptivemanagementplanbesubmittedtotheDepartmentto
illustrate:
1. Theamountofphosphorusthatwillbeaccountedforthroughadaptive
management
2. HowtheapplicantwillachievecompliancewithinterimandfinalWQBEL,
3. Whatstrategieswillbeusedtocontrolthephosphoruscontributions,and
4. Otherimplementationdetailsincluding,butnotlimitedto,partnership
buildingcapacities,fundingsources,andmonitoringplans.
DeterminingtheAmountofPhosphorusthatMustbeOffset
Thegoalofadaptivemanagementistoachievephosphoruscriteriainthereceiving
water.Theapplicantwillhave2permittermsinordertoachievecriteria.Ifthecriteria
isnotattainedbythethirdpermittermoftheadaptivemanagementplan,thefinal
WQBELwillbecomeeffectiveinthepermit.Inordertoachievethecriteria,the
applicantwillberesponsibletoreduceitsphosphorusdischargebythepercent
commensuratewithitsloadorbythepercentrequiredtoachievewaterqualitycriteria
incaseswherethefullloaddoesnotneedtobeaccountedfortoachievethecriteria.
Theapplicantwillnotberesponsibletoreduceitsphosphorusdischargebymorethan
itscontributingloadinthefirstpermittermtheadaptivemanagementplanisapproved.
Ifthisoffsetisnotsufficienttoshowwaterqualityimprovement,theadaptive
managementplanshouldbemodifiedinthesecondpermittermtoeither:a)addpoint
sourcestotheAMplantooffsetmorephosphorus,b)offsetmoreofthephosphorus
loadthanthecontributing,c)continuetoimplementtheAMplanwhiledevelopinga
TMDLinordertoaccountforadditionalPandachievetheapplicablewaterquality
criteria.TheDepartmentorathirdpartymaydevelopaTMDL.
Chapter 4 Page 91
Section 4.01

Note:IncaseswhereaTMDLiseffectiveoraTMDLisindevelopment,afacilitymay
chooseadifferentimpairedwaterthanthedirectreceivingwaterifitisinthesame
watershed(HUC12).AdaptiveManagementactionareasarediscussedinmoredetail
below.
Incaseswherelargescalereductionswouldberequiredtoachievetheapplicable
criteria,multiplefacilitiesmaywishtosubmitawatershedscaleadaptivemanagement
planinordertooffsetadditionalphosphorustherebyachievingthecriteriaonashorter
timescale.Additionally,thecostforthephosphorusreductionwouldbeshared
betweenthefacilitiescoveredundertheplan.Incaseswhereotherfacilitiesarenot
availableorwillingtojoinanadaptivemanagementplan,theapplicantmaywishto
offsetitscontributingloadplusadditionalPloadinginordertoachievethephosphorus
criteriawithinthespecifiedtimeframeoftheadaptivemanagementplan.Facilitiesmay
benefitfromthisadditionalreductionasthecalculatedfinalWQBELwouldlikelybe
relaxedasaresultofimprovedwaterquality.
Inordertodeterminethecontributingphosphorusload,theapplicantmustfirst
calculatethelongtermaveragephosphorusconcentrationofitseffluent.Thelong
termaveragephosphorusconcentrationshouldbecalculatedfromallrepresentative
effluentsampleresultscollectedoverthetermofthecurrentpermit.Atleastthree
yearsworthofdatashouldbeconsidered.Theapplicantmaywishtorequestthatthe
Departmentcalculatealongtermphosphoruseffluentconcentrationtobeusedinthe
adaptivemanagementplan.Incaseswheresitespecificdataisnotavailable,the
Departmentmayconsidersimilardischargesforthiscalculation.
Itisalsonecessarytohavethereceivingwaterbackgroundconcentrationfor
phosphorustodeterminetheapplicantsloadreduction.Thebackgroundconcentration
shouldbeequivalenttotheconcentrationusedtosupportthecriteriaexceedanceins.
NR217.18(2)(a),Wis.Adm.Code.Asmentioned,defaultPconcentrationsforinitialuse
areavailablethroughtheDepartmentsSWDV.Thepermitteeshouldaugmentthis
backgrounddataasadditionalinstreamdatabecomesavailable.
ExampleCalculationoftheAmountofOffset
Amunicipalwastewatertreatmentsystemwitha1MGDdesigncapacityanda
longtermphosphoruseffluentconcentrationof0.83mg/L(i.e.,theaverageof
threeyearsofweeklymonitoringresults)dischargestoareceivingwaterwithan
annualaverageflowof87cfs(56MGD).Thereceivingwaterisphosphorus
impairedandhasabackgroundconcentrationof0.23mg/Lupstreamofthe
discharge.TheproposedWQBELequalsthewaterqualitycriterionof0.1mg/L.
Step1:Calculatetheapplicantscurrentdischargeasanannualload.
1MGDx0.83mg/Lx8.34x365days/yr=2,527lbs/yr
Chapter 4 Page 92
Section 4.01

Note:8.34isaconversionfactorforconvertingmgdandmg/Lintopoundsperday
Step2:Calculatethecurrentloadinthereceivingwaterjustdownstreamfrom
theapplicantsdischarge.
2,527lbs/yr+(56MGDx0.23mg/Lx8.34x365days/yr)=41,735lbs/yr
Step3:Calculatetheapplicantspercentcontributionofload.
2,527lbs/yr41,735lbs/yrx100=6.1%
Step4:Calculatetheallowableloadinthereceivingwater.
(56MGD+1MGD)x0.1mg/Lx8.34x365lbs/yr=17,351lbs/yr
Note:Substitute0.075mg/Lforstreamdischargesfor0.1mg/L,whichrepresentstheriver
criteria.
Step5:Calculatetheneededreductioninthereceivingwater.
41,735lbs/yr17,351lbs/yr=24,384lbs/yr
Step6:Calculatetheapplicantsproportionalshareoftheneededreduction
24,384lbs/yrx6.1%/100=1,487lbs/yr
Themunicipalityisresponsibleforoffsetting1,487poundsofphosphorusperyear
aspartofitsAMplan.Ifthewaterqualitystandardof0.1mg/Lisnotachievedin
thereceivingwaterattheconclusionofthefirstpermitsterm,themunicipality
mayberequiredtooffsetmorephosphorusload.Again,thefacilitymaywishto
workwithpartnerstoachieveagreaterreductionthanitstotalload.Thismayhelp
AMplansachievecompliancewiththeapplicablecriteriaonashortertimescalein
ordertoreceiveamorerelaxedfinalWQBEL.Insomecases,thefacilitymayalso
consideradifferentportionofthereceivingwatertoimplementamoreeffective
adaptivemanagementplan.
OptionstoAchieveCompliancewithInterimLimitsandFinalWQBEL
TheAMplanmustclearlyindicatethereductionsrequiredtomeetcompliancewiththe
interimlimitsandfinalWQBELandshouldindicateoptionstoachievecompliancewith
theselimits.Thedischargemustalsodeterminethedifferenceinannualmassbetween
theinterimlimitandthefinalWQBEL.Thesecalculationsshouldbebasedonthedesign
capacityofthefacility.Ifsomethingotherthanthedesigncapacityisproposedorthe
designcapacityisexceeded,PermitStaffshouldbecontacted.
Chapter 4 Page 93
Section 4.01

Note:CompliancescheduleswillbeincludedintheWPDESpermitasappropriateto
achievecompliancewithinterimlimitsandfinalWQBEL.
Theannualmassforafacilityiscalculatedasfollows:
Limitconcentration*flow*8.34*365=mass,where
- Thelimitconcentrationistheinterimlimitof0.6mg/L,0.5mg/L,or
otherinterimlimit.
Or
- TheWQBELconcentrationinmg/LforfinalWQBEL.
- Flowisinmillionofgallonsperday(mgd)
- 8.34isaconversionfactorforconvertingmgdandmg/Lintopounds
perday
- 365isnumberofdaysperyear
- Massisinlb/year
Example:
Facilityhasa1mgdannualdesigncapacityandafinalWQBELof0.1mg/L.For
thefirstpermitterm,theinterimlimitis0.6mg/L.
Interimlimitmass
0.6mg/L*1mgd*8.34(unitconversion)*365days=1826lb/year
FinalWQBEL
0.1mg/L*1mgd*8.34(unitconversion)*365days=305lb/year
Differenceinmass=1826lb/year305lb/year=1521lb/year
Theadaptivemanagementplanshouldidentifystrategiestoachievecompliancewith
theinterimlimitsandthefinalWQBEL.Theplanshouldalsoidentifyhowtheannual
Chapter 4 Page 94
Section 4.01

masscontributionfromtheeffluentwillchangeastheadaptivemanagementplanis
implemented.BecausetheapplicantisresponsibletoreducethePloaduptothe
percentcontributionofthedischarge,sufficientcontrolstrategiesshouldbeselectedto
mitigatethetotalannualmassofthedischarge.Thesestrategiesshouldbe
implemented,asappropriate,toachievetheWQCofthereceivingwater.
Itisstronglyrecommendedtoincludemorestrategiesintheadaptivemanagementplan
thanrequiredtoachievetheWQCinthereceivingwater.Theapplicantwillnotbe
responsibletoimplementadditionalcontrolstrategiesiftheWQCintheprojectareais
beingattained.However,theseadditionalstrategiescanserveasanassuranceorback
upincaseswherenonpointsourcesdonotproperlyimplementBMPs,extremeweather
eventsinhibitordestroycertainreductionstrategies,orwaterqualityimprovements
arenotbeingmeasuredonareasonabletimeline.Inthesesituations,theDepartment
willprovidereasonabletimefortheapplicanttoinitiatethesebackupstrategies.A
moredetaileddiscussionaboutselectingcontrolstrategyfollows.
DepartmentDeterminationforComplyingwithInterimandFinalLimits:Interimlimits
shouldbeachievedinthefastestandmosteconomicwaypossible.Permitdrafters
shouldreviewandagreewithanyfacilitymodificationproposedtoachieveinterim
limitsandthefinalWQBEL.IfDepartmentstaffdonotagreewiththeproposedoptions,
theDepartmentcanrejectorapprovetheadaptivemanagementplanwith
modifications.Aspreviouslystated,complianceschedulesshouldbeputintheWPDES
permitasnecessarytoachievecompliancewiththeapplicablelimit.
ReducingPContribution
Step1:IdentifyProjectActionArea
ItisinthebestinterestoftheapplicanttocontrolPloadsupstreamofthedischargein
ordertoachievethewaterqualitycriteriaatthedischargepoint.Thiswouldlikelyresult
inthedischargereceivingalessrestrictivefinalWQBELduetotheimprovementin
waterquality.However,insomeinstancesthecontributionsfromothersourcesorthe
legacyphosphorusinthereceivingwatermakesachievingcompliancewiththecriteria
infeasibleatthepointofdischargewithintwopermitterms.Intheseinstancesthe
applicantmayusemodelingtoshowcompliancewiththeintentofadaptive
management.Inthiscase,modelresults/datashouldillustratethatwaterqualitycriteria
wouldbeattainediftheresidualphosphorusinthewaterbodywereremoved.The
applicantmayalsoconsiderreducingPfromotherwaterbodysegmentsinthesame
watershed(HUC12).ThismaybeofparticularbenefitforwatershedswithU.S.EPA
approvedTMDLsorwatershedsthataresoontohaveapprovedTMDLs.Iftheupstream
waterbodysegmentisnotidentifiedastheactionareatheapplicantshouldsubmit
writtenjustificationtotheDepartmentwiththeadaptivemanagementrequestform.
Theactionareafortheadaptivemanagementplanshould,atminimum,coverallareas
wherephosphoruscontrolsarebeingactivelypursued.Theactionareashouldalso
coverthetargetedwaterbodysegmentandtheareawherebackupstrategiesmaybe
Chapter 4 Page 95
Section 4.01

implemented,ifnecessary.Thesizeoftheactionareawillbecasebycaseandshould
beofsufficientsizetoreducePbythepercentcommensuratewiththeloadorbythe
percentrequiredtoachievewaterqualitycriteriaincaseswherethefullloaddoesnot
needtobeaccountedfortoachievethecriteria.Forprojectsonanalternative
waterbodysegmentwithinthesameHUC12theactionareamustbeofsufficientsizeto
reducePbythepercentcommensuratewiththeload.
Step2:IdentifyPartners
Aspreviouslystated,adaptivemanagementrequirestheapplicanttooffsetthe
phosphorusloadoftheirdischargethroughotherpointornonpointsourcereductions.
Therefore,theapplicantmustidentifyotherphosphorussourcesandestimatetheir
contributionswithintheactionarea.Insomecases,thesemaybeeasytoidentify.In
otherinstancestheapplicantmayneedtoworkwithcountyconservation
department(s)ortheDepartmenttoidentifysignificantPsources.PRESTOmayalsobea
usefultooltohelpdetermineothersignificantsourcesofphosphorus.Permitteesmay
alsoneedtocontactsourceswheninformationisnotavailableand/orusepollutant
loadingmodels.Theapplicantwillnotberesponsibletocollectmonitoringdatato
quantifyotherpointandnonpointsources.
Note:TheDepartmentintendstoupdatethePRESTOmodeltoidentifyandestimate
areasinawatershedthatcontributethemajorityofthephosphorustothewaterbody.
ThisseconditerationofPRESTOwilllikelybeavailablesummer2012.Pleasenotethat
permitteesarenotlimitedtothismodeltofulfilltherequirementsinthissection,andin
somecases,modelresultsmaybeinsufficient.Permitteescanchoosetousealternative
modelresultsand/orothercredibledatatoestablishthetotalloadingsfrompointand
nonpointsources.
Oncethecontributingsourceshavebeenascertained,theapplicantmustidentifythe
partnersthatwillbesolicitedandtheiranticipatedrolepursuanttos.NR217.18(2)(d)3,
Wis.Adm.Code.TheDepartmentrecommendsthathighcontributingareasbesolicited
firstastheseareaswilllikelyresultinthemosteconomicallyefficientPreductions.The
applicantisresponsiblefortrackingthatpartnersareproperlyimplementinganycontrol
strategythathasbeenidentifiedintheadaptivemanagementplan.Theapplicantmay
wishtoconsiderenteringintoacontractualagreementwiththepartnertoensurethe
identifiedstrategyismaintainedovertime.Anycontractreflectingcommitmentsby
partnersshouldbesubmittedtotheDepartment.Iftheobligationsunderthecontract
arenotupheld,theDepartmentwillprovidereasonabletimeforaresolutionorforthe
applicanttoimplementalternativecontrolstrategies.Theapplicantmaywishtoidentify
morepartnersand/orphosphorusreductionstrategiesthanrequiredtoactasaback
upforthesecases.
Step3:IdentifyPReductionStrategies
Aspreviouslystated,theapplicantisresponsibletoreducePbythepercent
commensuratewiththeloadorbythepercentrequiredtoachievewaterqualitycriteria
Chapter 4 Page 96
Section 4.01

incaseswherethefullloaddoesnotneedtobeaccountedfortoachievethecriteria
withintheactionarea.Thisoffsetamountshouldhavebeenpreviouslycalculated.
Pursuanttos.NR217.18(2)(d)2,Wis.Adm.Code,theapplicantmustidentifystrategies
thatwillbeusedtoachievethisreductionandimplementationgoalsforthese
strategies.PartnersshouldbeconsultedtoidentifyBMPsorothercontrolstrategies
thatareacceptabletothepartner.Theapplicantshouldconsiderprovidingthe
Departmentwithapreliminaryevaluationtocorroboratethattheseproposedactions
willresultinwaterqualityimprovementandwaterqualitycriteriaattainment.As
previouslymentioned,theapplicantshouldalsoconsideridentifyingmorestrategiesin
theadaptivemanagementplanthanrequired.Theseadditionalstrategiescanserveas
abackupincaseswherenonpointsourcesdonotproperlyimplementBMPs,extreme
weathereventsinhibitordestroycertainreductionstrategies,orwaterquality
improvementsarenotbeingmeasuredonareasonabletimeline.
Therearemanystrategiestoreduce/controlphosphorusloading.Someexamples
include:
- Educatingagriculturalproducers
- Agriculturallandretirement
- Grazinglandprotection
- Streamfencing
- Streambankstabilization
- Useofcovercrops
- Grassfilterstrips
- Bufferstrips
- Animalwatercontrolfacilities
- Conservationtillage
- Agriculturalnutrientmanagement
- Wetlandrestoration
Pursuanttos.NR217.18(2)(d)2,Wis.Adm.Code,theapplicantisalsoresponsibleto
validatethattheadaptivemanagementplanisbeingeffectiveatcontrollingthe
selectedphosphorussourcestothewaterbodyinquestion.Toensuretheseactionsare
implementedproperlyandtoevaluatetheireffectiveness,theapplicantwillberequired
toperformaudits,inspectionsand/ormonitoring.Modelingmayalsobeusedto
illustratetheeffectivenessofthephosphorusreductionstrategyandtoillustrate
compliancewiththeadaptivemanagementplan.
Table2:Descriptionofitemstoincludeinadaptivemanagementplantofulfills.NR
217.18(2)(d)2,Wis.Adm.Code.
Topic GeneralGuidance Examples
PossibleActions UsebasictoolstoidentifyverifiableBMPs
thatwillreduceNPScontributionsto
Providegeneralanalysisofcompliance
withch.NR151,Wis.Adm.Code,within
Chapter 4 Page 97
Section 4.01

neededlevel.Thesetoolsmaybe
availablefromthecountyorthe
Department.Ifdataunavailable,minimal
datacollectionmayberequired.The
waterqualitytradingguidancedocument
mayalsobeausefultooltoidentify
appropriateBMPstoconsider.
area(PI,BMPs,productionareas).
Providefinancialsupportforsome
BMPs(e.g.NMPs)adequatetoreduceP
bypercentcommensuratewithload;
identifyandassistwithMS4BMPs,if
applicable.Identifypointsourcepartner
toreducephosphorusload.Provide
educationforagriculturalcommunity.
ExampleGoalsand
Timeline
Usecurrentknownwaterquality
conditionstodescribegoalsinachieving
WQCandthegeneraltimelinefora
waterbodytoachievecompliancewith
WQC.GeneralWQCshouldbeachieved
within24yearsofthesecondpermit
term.
Shortterm:CompleteNR151,Wis.
Adm.Code,analysisinyears12.
Begininstalling,updating,orimproving
BMPsandotheridentifiedstrategiesin
years25.Ifapplicable,updateAM
plantoimprovech.NR151,Wis.Adm.
Code,compliance.Ifotherpointsource
partnersareselectedtoperformextraP
reductions,completeinyears35.
AchieveadequatePreduction
commensuratewithloadbyyear4.This
mayresultinmoreBMPsrequiredoran
extendedactionarea.
Longterm:Analyzeinstreamdatato
determineeffectivenessofBMPs.
ImproveBMPsasrequired.Achieve
waterqualitycriteriainyear3of
secondpermitterm.
Measures Identifydeliverablesoftheprojectto
achievethegoals.Thesedeliverables
shouldbecompletedontheappropriate
scheduletoensurethatthegoalsand
timelineoftheprojectaremaintained.
Monitoringproceduresshouldbe
developedpursuanttos.NR217.18(3)(a),
Wis.Adm.Code.
Shortterm:Provideanalysisinyears1
2anddeterminephosphorusreductions
inyears25throughtrackingand/or
modelingofcompliance.Reportsite
inspectionstothecountyLCDorWDNR.
Instreammonitoringshouldbe
performedannuallyandresultshould
besubmitted.
Longterm:Instreammonitoringshould
continuerecordingwaterqualityresults
anddetermineeffectivenessofBMPs.
NecessaryBMPimprovementsshould
beinstalled.AchieveWQCinyear3of
secondpermitterm.
DepartmentDetermination:TheAMplan,includingphosphorusreductionstrategies,
shouldbesubmittedaspartoftheAMrequestformtotheapplicablepermitdrafter.
Chapter 4 Page 98
Section 4.01

DepartmentpermitstaffareresponsibletoreviewtheAMplanandthestrategiesto
reducePcontributions.BecauseAMisanewimplementationoptioninWisconsin,and
inthenation,permitstaffshouldconsultwithrunoffmanagementandwaterevaluation
stafftoreviewandapprovetheproposedphosphorusreductionstrategies.Thisgroup
ofstaffshouldreviewtheAMplantodetermineifthestrategieswereselectedusing
reasonableinformationandassumptions,thestrategieswillresultinphosphorus
reductionstosurfacewater,andtheproposedactionsarelikelytoresultinachieving
waterqualitygoalsintheproposedactionarea.Asmoreexperienceisgained,the
Departmentmaylookformorespecificityinthissectionandwilladdtothisguidance
document.FacilitiesmaywishtousebasicmodelingtojustifyBMPselection.
AcopyofanyapprovedAMplanshouldbesenttotheWaterQualityStandards
SpecialistintheWaterEvaluationSection.
OtherImplementationDetails
TheapplicantshouldsubmitadditionaldetailsabouttheAMplanincluding,butnot
limitedto,partnershipbuildingcapacitiesandfundingavailabilitypursuanttoss.NR
217.18(2)(d)3andNR217.18(2)(d)4,Wis.Adm.Code.Theapplicantshouldconsiderany
additionalpartnersthatwereconsideredormaybesolicitedintheAMplaninthe
future.TheDepartmentwillbeinterestedinallpermitteesinthewatershedthatare
alsooptingforAMtoensuretheirplansarecoordinatedandnotduplicative.The
Departmentwillencourageajointplan,ifpossible,withagoalthatthecombinedplan
accomplishesgreaterenvironmentalbenefitthanseparateplans.Almostallplans
shouldincludemunicipalitiesandcountylandconservationstaffaspartners,butcould
alsoincludewatershedgroups,orevenindividualproducers.
Theapplicantshouldalsodemonstratethatthepermitteehastheabilitytofundand
implementtheplan,includingdemonstratingthattheauthoritieswhowillbe
implementingtheplanhavethenecessarylegal,financial,institutional,andmanagerial
resourcesavailable.Thefundsmaycomefromthepermitteethemselves,theirpartners,
orotheroutsidesources(e.g.,grants)andshouldbeadequatetosupporttheplan
initiatives.
AdaptiveManagementImplementationGuidancess.NR217.18(3)(a)(e),
Wis.Adm.Code:
PermitTermsandConditions
SectionNR217.18(3),Wis.Adm.Code,providestherequirementsthatmustbeincluded
inapermitincorporatinganAMpermit:
a) Timesandlocationsofmonitoringofthereceivingwaterandeffluentdischarge.
b) Requirementstodesignandimplementtheactionsintheadaptivemanagement
planalongwithanycomplianceschedules.
Chapter 4 Page 99
Section 4.01

c) Requirementstooptimizethepermitteestreatmentsystemtocontrol
phosphorus.
d) Reportingproceduresanddeadlines.
e) Numericaleffluentlimits
1. CalculatedWQBELorTMDLderived
2. Firstpermitterminterimlimit
3. Secondpermitterminterimlimit
4. RecalculatedWQBELorTMDLderivedifPwaterqualitystandardnot
metforthethirdpermitterm.
f) Provisiononfailuretoimplement
g) Reasonsforterminatingadaptivemanagement
ReceivingWaterMonitoring(S.NR217.18(3)(a),Wis.Adm.Code).Thissectionrequires
monitoringinthereceivingwateralongwithrecordingandreportingthemassand
concentrationofPineffluent.Thelocationandtimesofmonitoringandfrequencyof
reportingmustbespecifiedinthepermitbytheDepartment.Consistentwiththe
requirementsfortheAMplan,theseprovisionsshouldbeproportionaltothelevelof
contributionofPbythepointsource.
Table4:Streammonitoringrequirements
MonitoringRequirement
Location Upstreamanddownstreamfromtheoutfall(s)plusany
planrequirements
Times 2x/MonthMaythroughOctober,asaminimum
ReportFrequency Aspartofannualreport
*MonitoringrequirementsarebasedonapprovedAMplanrequirements.Locationsofmonitoring
shouldbeselectedtorepresentambientconditions,conditionsintheactionarea,andtheconditionat
thepointofdischarge.
Effluentdischargemonitoringfrequencyisspecifiedinthefacilityspermit.Monthly
masscalculationsreportedaspoundsshouldbebasedonthemonthlyaverage
concentrationinmg/LtimesthemonthlyaverageflowinMGDtimes8.34timesthe
numberofdaysinthemonth.
AdaptiveManagementPlanExpression(S.NR217.18(3)(b),Wis.Adm.Code).This
sectionrequiresprovisionsinthepermittodesignandimplementtheactionsidentified
inthepermitteesapprovedAMplaninaccordancewithanygoalsandmeasuresinthe
planandanyapplicablecompliancescheduleinthepermit.Itisanticipatedthata
provisionthatincorporatestheplanbyreferencewilladdressmostofthisrequirement
alongwithanyapplicableprogressschedules.
Optimization(S.NR217.18(3)(c),Wis.Adm.Code).Permitsmustcontainaprovision
thatpermitteesarerequiredtooptimizetheirexistingtreatmentsystemtocontrolP.
Manyvariablesastowhatexactlyconstitutestreatmentsystemoptimizationexist
Chapter 4 Page 100
Section 4.01

dependingonthetreatmentsystemused.Consultwiththepermitteetodeterminethe
specificactionstobetakentooptimizetheirsystemandincludetheseactionsinthe
permit.(Optimizemeanstooperatethetreatmentsystemtoremovethegreatest
amountofphosphorousinthemostefficientmanner.)
Monitoring(S.NR217.18(3)(d),Wis.Adm.Code).Thisprovisionrequiresreporting
proceduresanddeadlinesformonitoring,assessmentanddatagatheringrequirements
intheplan.Ataminimum,annualreportingshouldidentifytheactionsintheapproved
AMplanthathavebeenimplementedandcompleted,theactionsthatarecurrentlyin
progressofbeingimplemented,andthestatusoftheprogressinachievingthegoals.
Thisstatusshouldbebasedonthemeasuresintheplananddatamonitoring.
EffluentLimits(S.NR217.18(3)(e),Wis.Adm.Code).Thisisthesectionthatrequires
numericallimits.AWQBELthatiscalculatedusingthemassbalanceequationins.NR
217.13,Wis.Adm.Code,orisbasedonanapprovedTMDLmustbeincluded.As
explainedabove,compliancewiththeWQBEL,althoughcalculated,itisnotrequiredto
beachieveduntilAMhasbeencompleted.Thiscanbeaslongasthreepermitterms.
Instead,interimPlimitsareestablishedasfollows:
Table5:InterimPlimitsandWQBELexpressedineachofthethreepermitterms,where
threepermittermsaredeterminednecessary.
Permittermfollowing
AMapproval
1 2 3
WQBEL AMLimits:
- 0.6mg/Lasa6
mo.avg.
- 1.0mg/Lasa
mo.avg.
AMLimits:
- 0.5mg/Lasa6
mo.avg.
- 1.0mg/Lasa
mo.avg.
Previously
calculatedWQBEL,
recalculatedWQBEL
ifwaterquality
improved,orTMDL
derivedWQBELifan
approvedTMDL
existsforreceiving
water.
Acompliancescheduleofuptofiveyearsmaybeallowedtomeettheinterimlimitsor
WQBELinallthreepermitsissuedunderadaptivemanagement.Additionally,thefinal
WQBELwillbeincludedinthefactsheetorfootnote.ContinuingAMfromonepermit
termtothenextisdependentonthepermitteemeetingtherequirementsofthe
previouspermit.Ifnecessary,theplanmaybeadaptedatthetimeofreissuanceor
throughapermitmodificationtoaddordeleteactionsasappropriateortorevise
actionstobetterprovidetheexpectedresponseorthathaveprovedtobeinfeasibleas
designed.
FailuretoComply(S.NR217.18(3)(f),Wis.Adm.Code).Thisprovisionsimplyrequires
thepermittoincludeastatementthatfailuretoimplementanyofthetermsor
Chapter 4 Page 101
Section 4.01

conditionsestablishedunderss.217.18(3)(a)to(e),Wis.Adm.Code,isapermit
violation.
Termination(S.NR217.18(3)(g),Wis.Adm.Code).Thissectionincludesthereasons
wheretheDepartmentmayterminateadaptivemanagement.Theseinclude:
1. Failuretoimplementtheadaptivemanagementactionsinaccordancewiththe
plan
2. Newinformationthatbecomesavailablethatchangesthedeterminationsmade
bytheDepartmentinapprovingtheplan.
3. Changingcircumstancesbeyondthepermitteescontrolthathavemade
compliancewiththeapplicablePcriterioninaccordancewiththeplansgoals
andmeasuresinfeasible
4. AdeterminationbytheDepartmentthatsufficientreductionsofPhavenotbeen
achievedinatimelymannertomeettheapplicablePcriteria.Nodetermination
toterminateadaptivemanagementistobemadewithoutconsultationand
approvalfromtheDirectoroftheBureauofWaterQualityandthe
AdministratoroftheWaterDivision.
Note:IfapermitteewishestopursueAMduringthetermofapermit,theadaptive
managementrequestformmustbesubmittedtotheDepartmentandthepermit
modificationprocesswilloccur.
Chapter 4 Page 102

Section 4.01

Attachment1
StateofWisconsin
dnr.wi.gov
WatershedAdaptiveManagement
RequestForm
Form__()Page1of4
DRAFT
Notice:AnownerofanexistingWPDESpermittedwastewaterdischargemayrequestadaptivemanagementfor
phosphoruswaterqualitybasedeffluentlimits(WQBEL)inaccordancewiths.NR217.18,Wis.Adm.Code.For
permitteesrequestingthisoption,thisformmustbecompletedandsubmittedtotheDepartmentatthetimeofthe
permitapplication.Failuretoprovideallrequestedinformationmayresultindenialofyourrequest.Personally
identifiableinformationcollectedonthisformwillbeusedtoadministerthewatershedmanagementprogramand
maybeprovidedtorequestorsasrequiredbyWisconsinOpenRecordslaw[ss.19.31,Wis.Stats.]
FacilityandPermitInformation FacilityOwnerContactInformation
WPDESPermitNo.
ContactName
FacilityName
Address
City State ZIPCode
City

ReceivingWater
Emailaddress
TypeofRequest:
Thisistheformaladaptivemanagementrequestasrequiredins.NR217.18(2),Wis.Adm.Code
Thisisapreliminaryadaptivemanagementrequest(tobesubmittedaspartoffacilityplanning)
FacilityInformation(provideattachmentsasnecessary)
RequiredForAM
Request
CodeReference Conclusion Evidenceandsourceof
information(attachas
needed)
NPScontributeatleast
50%oftotalP
contribution
S.NR217.18(2)(b),
Wis.Adm.Code
NPScontributesatleast50%
NPSDOESNOTcontributeat
least50%
WQBELRequires
FiltrationorEquivalent
Technology
S.NR217.18(2)(c),
Wis.Adm.Code
Filtrationorequivalentrequired
FiltrationorequivalentNOT
required
AMPlan S.NR217.18(2)(d),
Wis.Adm.Code
PlanisIncludedPage3
PlanisNOTIncluded
Forapreliminaryadaptive
managementrequest,AMplannot
required
Chapter 4 Page 103

Section 4.01

FacilityOperationandPerformance(provideattachmentsasnecessary)
Page2of4
1.CurrentPremovalcapabilityIfthefacilityiscurrentlyrequiredbyaWPDESpermittomonitoreffluent
phosphorus(P)provideasummaryoftheinfluentandeffluentannualaveragePconcentrationsforeachofthepast
threeyears.IfpermitrequiredPdataisnotavailable,theapplicantshouldprovideanyotherPdatathatmaybe
applicableandavailable.Ifnodataisavailable,theDepartmentmayestimatethePeffluentconcentrationbasedon
datafromothersimilarfacilities.
2.FacilityOperationProvideasummarydescriptionofoverallfacilityoperation.Ifnotacontinuouslydischarging
facility,describethetimeperiodswheneffluentdischargeoccursandanystoragefacilitiesandprocedures.
3.PreviousStudiesReferenceorattachanyfacilityplanningorevaluationstudythatevaluatedfacility
performancecapabilities(NoteOnlyincludestudiesthatarerecent,withinthepast5years,orthatareotherwise
applicablefortheevaluationoftheexistingfacilityandcurrentconditions).
Chapter 4 Page 104

Section 4.01

AdaptiveManagementPlan(s.NR217.18(d),Wis.Adm.Code)
Note:Ifthisisapreliminaryadaptivemanagementrequestthissectionisnotrequired.
(provideattachmentsasnecessary)Page3of4
Watershed
PercentContributionofApplicantDischarge
ActionArea(includemap)
Watershedcharacteristicsandtimelinejustification
MajorContributionsofPointandNonpointSources(Ifthewastewaterfacilityserviceareaincludesmultiple
municipalitiesprovidethefollowinginformationforeachmunicipality)
ProposedActions
GoalsandMeasuresforDeterminingEffectiveness
Partner(s)
FundingSources
Chapter 4 Page 105
Section 4.01

Chapter 4 Page 106
Section 4.01
AdaptiveManagementRequestandCertificationPage4of4
Basedontheinformationprovided,Iamrequestingthewatershedadaptivemanagementoptiontoachieve
compliancewithphosphoruswaterqualitystandardinaccordancewiths.NR217.18,Wis.Adm.Code.
Icertifythattheinformationprovidedistrue,accurateandcomplete.
AuthorizedRepresentativeforthetreatmentfacility)
Title
SignatureofOfficial
DateSigned

Chapter4
Section4.02:DeterminingaNonPointSourceDominated
Watershed
Author:JimBaumann
SectionNR217.18(2),Wis.Adm.Code,allowstheDepartmenttoapproveand
authorizeuseofthewatershedAMoption,whenrequestedbythepermitteeandthe
foureligibilityconditionsaremet.Twoofthefourrelatetowhetherthewatershedis
nonpointsourcedominatedbasedoncontributionsofphosphorustothereceiving
water.Ins.NR217.18(2)(a),Wis.Adm.Code,theexceedanceofthephosphorus
criteriains.NR102.06,Wis.Adm.Code,iscausedbyphosphoruscontributionsfrom
bothpointsourcesandnonpointsources.Itishighlylikelythatvirtuallyallsituations
willmeetthisrequirement.Theotheristhefirstpartofs.NR217.18(2)(b),Wis.Adm.
Code,wherethesumofphosphoruscontributionsfrommunicipalseparatestormsewer
systemsandnonpointsourcesisatleast50%ofthetotalcontribution.SectionNR
217.18(2)(b),Wis.Adm.Code,containsanotheroptionwherethepermittee
demonstratesthattheapplicablephosphoruscriterioncannotbemetinthewatershed
withoutthecontrolofphosphorusfromnonpointsources.
3
Theintentofthisguidanceistoidentifyapplicableoptionsfordeterminingtherelative
contributionofphosphorusinawatershed.Inmanycasesthepercentcontributionof
phosphorusmayhavebeenpreviouslydeterminedandreportedinanappropriate
study,suchasTMDLsorwatershedplans.ThePRESTOmodelalsohascalculated
percentcontributionsbasedonpresumedlandcoverandphosphorusdata.Inmany
casesitisassumedthatPRESTOwillbeusedtomakethisdetermination.Aswithall
estimationtools,however,PRESTOdoeshaveerrorsurroundingitspointtononpoint
confidenceratios.Therefore,applicantshavetheoptiontouseothermethodsfor
makingthisdetermination.Additionally,PRESTOdoesnotpredicturbanwatershedsand
doesnotcoverportionsofSoutheasternWisconsin.Ifinformationontherelativeor
percentcontributiondoesnotexist,andtheapplicantdoesnotwishtousePRESTO,two
simplemethodsareavailableformakingsuchacalculation:
1. Applyingunitarealoadsappropriatetothewatershed.
2.Applyingphosphorusexportcoefficientsappropriatetothewatershed.

3
The determination of nonpoint source control is necessary to meet the criteria must be must be
demonstrated by the permittee and reviewed by Department staff on a case-by-case basis.
Chapter 4 Page 107
Section 4.02

Inbothofthesemethods,theentiredrainageareatotheoutfallshouldbeusedinthe
calculation.
4
UnitAreaLoads:
Unitarealoadshavebeenusedsinceatleasttheearly1980sfordetermining
phosphorusloadscarriedtoadownstreamlocation,whetheritisalocationona
stream,alakeortheGreatLakes.Theunitarealoadisderivedbycalculating
phosphorusloadsfromstreammonitoringdataoversomenumberofyears.Afterthe
influenceofmajorpointsourcecontributionsaresubtractedfromthecalculatedload,
theremainingloadisdividedbythedrainageareatothemonitoringstation.Theunit
arealoadthusrepresentsthecontributionofphosphorusfromthecombinationof
sourceswithinthemonitoredwatershed,suchasagriculturalnonpointsources,tile
drainage,septicsystems,wetlands,woodlands,etc.Theyalsotakeintoaccount
transportofphosphorusthroughthestreamsystem.Useofaunitarealoadapproach
maybeappropriatewheretheconditionsintheevaluatedwatershedaresimilarto
thoseinthemonitoredwatershed.
USGSfactsheetFS19597entitledUnitAreaLoadsofSuspendedSediment,
SuspendedSolids,andTotalPhosphorusFromSmallWatershedsinWisconsin(Corsiet.
al.)thatliststheunitarealoadsfornearly50WisconsinStreams.Thefactsheetalso
suggestsunitarealoadsforU.S.EPAaggregateecoregions.
Theusershouldusethefactsheetinformationwithcare.Theinformationisnot
particularlygoodforsomeoftheecoregions,especiallytheNorthCentralHardwoods
Forestswherethelanduseandsoilsvarygreatly.Also,thereareonlyafewsiteswithin
thisecoregion.Also,wherelandcovervariesgreatly,suchasinthedriftlessareawhere
percentagriculturalusevariesforabout50percenttoabout90percent,anecoregion
valuemaynotbethebestrepresentativevalue.
Method:
1.SelecttheunitarealoadfromtheUSGSfactsheetforanindividualstream,a
similarnearbystream,oranecoregion.
2.Multiplytheunitarealoadbythedrainageareatoarriveatawatershed
averageannualphosphorusload.Formanysituations,thelowflowinformation
tablesusedtoobtain7Q10and7Q2flowswillhaveacorrespondingdrainage
area.Ifthisinformationisnotavailable,itmaybepossibletouse12digitHUC

4
The reference to the entire drainage area is not meant to infer that implementation of the watershed
adaptive management option must occur throughout the entire drainage area. See the watershed adaptive
management option section of this guidance.
Chapter 4 Page 108
Section 4.02

areastoestimateadrainageareaortousethePurduedrainageareacalculation
websitehttps://engineering.purdue.edu/~lthia/MSDSS/index.html.
3.Determinetheannualaveragephosphorusloadfromthepointsource.The
informationbyyearcanbeobtainedfromSWAMP,theBureauofWaterQuality
Permitdatamanagementsystem.Iftheoperatingconditionsofthepointsource
havebeenconsistentoverthelastfewyears,ameanvalueofthreeyearsshould
beused.Iftheoperationhaschanged,suchasanincreaseordecreasein
volume,theyearoryearsconsistentwithexpectedoperationforthenextpermit
termshouldbeuse.
4.Addthewatershedannualphosphorusloadandtheaverageannualpoint
sourcephosphorusloadtodeterminethetotalaverageannualphosphorusload.
5.Determinetherelativepercentcontributionforthewatershedandpoint
source.Ifthepointsourcecontributionislessthan50%,thesituationshouldbe
consideredasnonpointsourcedominated.
PhosphorusExportCoefficientMethod(alsoavailableontheWisconsinLake
ModelingSuite):
InformationabouttheWisconsinLakeModelingSuite(WiLMS)isavailableat
http://dnr.wi.gov/lakes/Model/WiLMSDocumentation.pdf.Thismethodappliesa
phosphorusexportorlosscoefficienttoeachmajorlandusecategorieswithinthe
watershedtocalculateanannualload.Generally,thephosphorusexportcoefficients
arederivedfrommonitoringormodelingindividuallanduses.Theypresent
contributiontothereceivingwater,butdonottakeintoaccounttransportwithina
streamsystem.
Step1.Determinethewatershedareatotheoutfall
Formanysituations,thelowflowinformationusedtoobtain7Q10and7Q2
flowswillhaveacorrespondingdrainagearea.Ifthisinformationisnot
available,itmaybepossibletoapproximatethewatershedareabysummingthe
areaof12digitHUCareaswithinthewatershedorbyusingthePurduedrainage
areacalculationwebsiteat
https://engineering.purdue.edu/~lthia/MSDSS/index.html
Step2.Determinethelanduseofthewatershed
Formostsituations,theWISCLandAndersonLevel1forWisconsinwatershedsis
sufficient.Anderson1landuseisthebroadestcategorywiththelanduse
brokenintoagricultural,urban,forested,wetland,etc.AlthoughWISCLandis
Chapter 4 Page 109
Section 4.02

1993landcover,itislikelyrepresentativeformostruralareas.Formanyareas
withTMDLs,amoredetailedlandcoverandloadanalysismaybeavailable.
Step3.Applyphosphorusexportcoefficients(unitarealoads)
Forgeneraluse,usethefollowinginformation:
- Forcroplanduse:
Driftlessarea2.0to3.0poundsperacreperyear
Thephosphorusloadstendtobehigherperunitofagriculturein
thewesternpartofthedriftlessareawiththelowestvaluesinthe
SugarRiverBasin,theBlackEarthCreekwatershedandnearby
watershedsandtheeasternendoftheBarabooRiversubbasin.
SoutheastandEastCentralareas0.4to0.5poundsperacreperyear
PhosphorusloadstendtobelowendintheKettleMorainearea
andmaybeonthehighendintheclaysoilareas.Good
informationisnotavailablethroughoutmuchoftheRockRiver
Basin
Sandyareas0.2poundsperacreperyear
Thisisanestimatesincelittleinformationisavailable.
Otherareasshoulduseoneofthethreeunitarealoadsabove.Muchof
theLowerChippewaRiverBasinseemstobesimilartotheSugarRiver
Basin.WesternMarathonCountymaybesimilartotheeasternclays,but
couldbeslightlyhigher.
- Woodlands0.05to0.18poundsperacreperyear
Thelowerendoftherangeisappropriateforlowerslope,sandysoil
areas,suchasthoseinnortheasternWisconsinwiththehigherendofthe
rangeforthedriftlessarea.
- Urban0.3to0.8poundsperacreperyear
Thelowerendoftherangeisforlowdensityresidentialandthehighend
formixesofresidentialandcommercial.Iftheurbanareaissmall,use
0.5poundsperacreperyear.
Chapter 4 Page 110

Section 4.02

Chapter 4 Page 111
Section 4.02
- Wetlands0.1poundsperacreperyear
Step4.Determinethepointsourcecontribution
TheinformationbyyearcanbeobtainedfromtheDepartmentsBureauof
WaterQuality.Iftheoperatingconditionsofthepointsourcehavebeen
consistentoverthelastfewyears,ameanvalueofthreeyearsshouldbeused.
Iftheoperationhaschanged,suchasanincreaseordecreaseinvolume,the
yearoryearsconsistentwithexpectedoperationforthenextpermitterm
shouldbeuse.
Step5.Addtheloadsfromeachlandcovercategoryandtheaverageannualpoint
sourcephosphorusloadtodeterminethetotalaverageannualphosphorusload.
Step6.Determinepercentofcontributionfromagricultureandurbanlanduses.Ifthey
are50percentorgreater,considerthesituationasnonpointsourcedominated.
References:
Panuska,JohnC.,andLillie,RichardA.,PhosphorusLoadingsfromWisconsin
Watersheds:RecommendedPhosphorusExportCoefficientsforAgriculturaland
ForestedWatersheds,WisconsinDepartmentofNaturalResources,Research
ManagementFindings.April1995.
Corsi,StevenR.,Graczyk,DavidJ.,Owens,DavidW.,andBannermann,RogerT.,Unit
AreaLoadsofSuspendedSediment,SuspendedSolids,andTotalPhosphorusFromSmall
WatershedsinWisconsin,U.S.GeologicalSurvey,FactSheetFS19597.undated.

Chapter4
Section4.03:WaterQualityTrading
Author:MikeHammers
LastRevised:August21,2011
Permitteesmaychoosetoengageinwaterqualitytrading(WQT)asameanstoachieve
compliancewithwaterqualitybasedeffluentlimitsforphosphorus.Atthedirectionof
theNaturalResourcesBoard,theDepartmentpreparedaWQTframework.The
framework,whichisavailableontheUWExtensionwebsiteat
http://fyi.uwex.edu/wqtrading/(oronthewatersheddriveforinternalstaff),willbe
usedbytheDepartmentasthebasisfordevelopingguidanceonimplementingWQTin
theWPDESpermitprogram.
TheframeworksuggeststhefollowingwithrespecttotheWPDESpermitprogram:
- TheDepartmentshouldcreateanapplicationformforWQT.Theformwould
requirethepermitteethatisapplyingfortheuseofpollutantreductioncreditsto:
1. Identifythepollutantreductioncreditgenerator;
2. Identifythemethodsormanagementpracticesthatwillbeusedtogenerate
pollutantreductioncredits;
3. Providethelocationsofeachsitewherepollutantreductioncreditswillbe
generated;
4. Providetheamountofpollutantreductioncreditsthatwillbegenerated;
5. Providethedatewhenpollutantreductioncreditsbecomeavailable;and
6. Provideatradingratioforeachsiteandmanagementpracticeusedtogenerate
credits
- TheWQBELsrecommendationmemo,thepermitfactsheetorbothshould
communicatethefactthatthepermitteehasappliedforuseofpollutantreduction
creditsandshouldidentifytheparameterthatwillbetraded.
- EachapplicationforWQTshouldbemadeavailableforpubliccomment.
- TheWPDESpermitofthepermitteeusingpollutantreductioncreditsshould
contain:
Chapter 4 Page 112

Section 4.03

Chapter 4 Page 113
Section 4.03
1. TheWQBELthatmustbemetwithorwithoutWQT;
2. Permitlanguageallowingtheuseofpollutantreductioncredits;
3. Aneffluentlimitrepresentingaminimumlevelofeffluentqualityrequired(e.g.,
atechnologybasedlimitthatmustbemetwithouttheuseofWQT);
4. Reportingrequirementsofpollutantreductioncredituse;
5. Arequirementthatthepermitteecertifythatthemanagementpracticeusedby
thepollutantreductioncreditgeneratorisinplaceandbeingoperatedand
maintainedappropriately;and
6. Arequirementthatthepermitteeorthepermitteesagentinspectatleastonce
peryearthesiteandmanagementpracticeusedtogeneratepollutantreduction
credits.
- Ifthepollutantreductioncreditgeneratorisapointsource,thecreditgenerators
WPDESpermitshouldcontain:
1. Permitlanguageallowingthegenerationandtradingofpollutantreduction
credits;
2. Whenthetradedpollutantislimitedbythecreditgeneratorspermit,permit
languageshouldspecifyhowcompliancewitheffluentlimitsshallbe
demonstratedwhenpollutantreductioncreditsaretraded;and
3. Reportingrequirementsforpollutantreductioncreditgeneration.
- Dischargemonitoringreportsshouldtracktheuseofpollutantreductioncredits.
- TheDepartmentshouldinspectthesitesusedtogeneratepollutantreduction
credits.
- TheDepartmentmaydeclinetherequestforaWQTpermitwhentheDepartment
determinesthatthetradewillnotresultinnetwaterqualityimprovementto
complywitheffluentlimits.
WhiletheframeworkindicatesthatWQTmaybeusedtodemonstratecompliancewith
interimlimits,itislikelythattheguidancewillallowWQTtobeusedonlyto
demonstratecompliancewithfinalWQBELs.WQTimplementationguidanceneedstobe
developedbeforewidespreadtradingcanoccur.

Chapter5ToolsfortheRegulatedCommunity
ThisChapterismeanttoprovidevaluableinformationtotheregulatedcommunityand
otherinterestedgroups.Whenmakingdecisionsaboutafacility,itisimportanttowork
closelywithappropriateDepartmentstaff.Manyfacilitiesareuniqueandmustbe
handledonacasebycasebasis.However,thisChaptershouldhelptoexplainthe
responsibilitiesandoptionsthatexistfortheregulatedcommunity.Chapter1andthe
FrequentlyAskedQuestionspageofthisGuidancemayalsoprovideusefulinformation
thatcanhelpanswerphosphorusrelatedquestions:
http://dnr.wi.gov/org/water/wm/wqs/phosphorus/index.htm.
Ifyouhavephosphorusrelatedquestion,pleaseemailusat
DNRPhosphorus@wisconsin.gov.
Chapter 5 Page 114

Chapter5
Section5.01:MonitoringGuidance
Author:JimBaumannandMaryRyan
LastRevised:February1,2011
Introduction
Effluentmonitoringandambientstreammonitoringforphosphorustobeconductedby
thepermitteeisspecifiedinSubchapterIIIofChapter217,WaterQualityBasedEffluent
Limitations(WQBELs)forPhosphorus.Thereareseveralcircumstancesthatmayrequire
effluentandstreammonitoring:
1. Monitoringtoprovidedataforcalculationofwaterqualitybasedeffluentlimitations
usingtheconservationofmassequationins.NR217.13,Wis.Adm.Code.
Explanation:SectionNR217.13(2)(d),Wis.Adm.Code,specifiesthatupstream
phosphorusconcentrationsmustbeknownorcalculatedinordertoderivea
WQBEL.TheDepartmentwillusehistoricaldatafromthespecificstreamor
similarlocationtofulfillthisneed.However,adischargemaywishtomonitorthe
ambientphosphorusconcentrationtoprovidesitespecificinformation.Pursuant
tos.NR217.15(1),Wis.Adm.Code,permitteesmayalsoneedtocollecteffluent
samplesofphosphorustobeevaluatedforWQBELs,ifdataisnotavailable.This
datacollectionwillbespecifiedinthepermitapplicationforreissuances.NR
217.13(1)(d),Wis.Adm.Code.
2. MonitoringtofulfilltherequirementsofAdaptiveManagement(AM)ins.NR
217.18,Wis.Adm.Code.SeeSection4.02inGuidancedocumentfordetailsonAM
Monitoring.
Explanation:Inordertorequestadaptivemanagement,WQBELsmustbe
calculatedforphosphorus.Therefore,sufficientdatamustbecollectedto
calculateanddeterminethenecessityfortheseWQBELs(asdescribedabove).
Furthermore,s.NR217.18(3)(a),Wis.Adm.Code,specifiesthatmonitoringin
thereceivingwaterandeffluentmonitoringmustbeperformedtodocumentthe
effectivenessoftheAMplan.Thefrequencyofthismonitoringwilldependon
theAMplanandwillbespecifiedinthepermit.Thismonitoringcanalsobeused
torecalculateawaterqualitybasedeffluentlimittoreflecttheimprovedwater
quality.
3. Monitoringtofulfilltherequirementsofawastewaterpermit.
Explanation:PermitswithWQBELsforphosphoruswillrequireeffluent
monitoring.Thisincludespermitswithapprovedphosphorusvariances.Pursuant
tos.NR217.15(2),Wis.Adm.Code,theDepartmentmayalsorequiremonitoring
ofphosphorusdischargesinapermit,evenifWQBELsforphosphoruswerenot
required.Thefrequencyofthismonitoringwillbespecifiedinthepermit.
Chapter 5 Page 115

Section 5.01

EffluentPhosphorusMonitoring
MonitoringforthePermitApplication
Thepermitapplicationwillrequire12samplesforphosphoruscollectedweeklyfor3
months.TherecommendedanalyticalmethodisU.S.EPA365.1(AutomatedAscorbic
AcidReduction)andtherequiredsampletypeisa24hrflowproportionalcomposite.
Wastewatertreatmentlagoonsmaybeallowedtocollectgrabsamples,ifacomposite
samplerisunavailable.
EffluentPhosphorusMonitoringfortheWPDESPermit
SurfaceWaterSectionWQBELs:Allelectronicdischargemonitoringreports(eDMRs)as
ofApril2011requireLOD,LOQandLabIDtobereportedforphosphorus.The
Departmentencouragesmonitoringthatwillachievealevelofdetectionat30g/Land
alevelofquantitationat90g/Ltherebyenablinganunderstandingoftheimpactsof
Phosphorus.ThefollowingU.S.EPAMethodsarelistedforconsiderationbyfacilities
monitoringforphosphorus.
Approved Methods for Analysis of Total Phosphorus in Wastewater

Based on ch. NR 219, Wis. Adm. Code, Rev 2009
Analytical Technology
U.S. EPA
Method
Standard
Methods
ASTM
Method
USGS
Method
Other
1

Persulfate digestion
4500 - P B.5 18,
19, 20 or 21
edition 973.55
Followed by one of the
following :
Manual Ascorbic acid
reduction 365.3 (1978)
4500 - P E
2
18,
19, 20 or 21
edition D515-88 (A) I-4600-85 973.56
Automated Ascorbic acid
reduction
365.1 rev 2.0
(1993)
4500 - P F
2
18, 19,
20 or 21 edition
Semi-automated block
digestor 365.4 (1974) D515-88 (B) I-4610-91

1 "Official Methods of Analysis of the Association of Official Analytical Chemists" 16th Edition 1998
2 The letters E and F were switched in ch. NR 219, Wis. Adm. Code - this is the correct reference
WhenaWQBELappliestothepermitteesdischargethefollowingmonitoring
requirementsarerecommendedintheSurfaceWatersectionofthepermit.
Parameter: Phosphorus,Total
Units: g/L(ormg/LiftheWQBELisexpressedinmg/L)
Note:masslimitsmayalsobeincludedpers.NR
Chapter 5 Page 116
Section 5.01

SampleFrequency:3x/weekformajorwastewatertreatmentfacilities;1x/week
forminorwastewatertreatmentfacilities(orafrequency
thatisequaltothemonitoringforBOD/TSS)
SampleType: 24HrFlowPropComp(lagoonsystemsmaybeallowedto
collectgrabsamples)
Note:IftheP
99
ofthe30dayaveragedischargedoesnotexceedthecalculatedWQBEL
andthefacilitydidnotpreviouslyhaveaTBLthentheWQBELdoesnotneedtobe
includedinthepermit.Howeverifphosphorusispresentintheeffluentatalevelthat
warrantsmonitoringbasedonprofessionaljudgmentthenweeklyormonthly
monitoringshouldbeincludedinthepermit.
SurfaceWaterSectionTBLs:IfaTBLisincludedinthepermit,inmostcasestheexisting
requirementsforphosphoruscanbecontinuedinthereissuedpermit.
StandardRequirementsSection:TheStandardRequirementssectionforallWPDES
permitsincludestheSamplingandTestingProceduresasshownbelow:
SamplingandTestingProcedures
Samplingandlaboratorytestingproceduresshallbeperformedinaccordancewith
ChaptersNR218andNR219,Wis.Adm.Code,andshallbeperformedbyalaboratory
certifiedorregisteredinaccordancewiththerequirementsofch.NR149,Wis.Adm.
Code.Theanalyticalmethodologiesusedshallenablethelaboratorytoquantitateall
substancesforwhichmonitoringisrequiredatlevelsbelowtheeffluentlimitation.
Again,theDepartmentrecommendsalevelofdetectionat30g/Landalevelof
quantitationat90g/L.Iftherequiredlevelcannotbemetbyanyofthemethods
availableinch.NR219,Wis.Adm.Code,thenthemethodwiththelowestlimitof
detectionshallbeselected.Additionaltestproceduresmaybespecifiedinthispermit.
AmbientPhosphorusMonitoring
Consistentwiththeapproachusedtostudymorethan240Wisconsinstreamsand42
riversforthepurposeofdevelopingphosphoruscriteria,theobjectiveofthemonitoring
istocharacterizethephosphorusconcentrationsmostcommonlyoccurringinthe
streamduringtheprimaryalgaeandaquaticplantgrowingseasonofMaythrough
October.Toavoidenteringbiasintothemonitoringbypurposefullymonitoringhighor
lowflowconditions,themonitoringshouldbeconductedasfollows:
- Samplesshouldbecollectedusingadequatemethodsduringpreselected
daysordates(e.g.secondTuesdayofthemonth)oncepermonth(about30
daysapart)eachmonthfromMaythroughOctober.Ifsamplescannotbe
collectedeachofthesixmonths,ataminimumfourmonthsshouldbe
sampled.Anyapplicabledatacollectedshouldbesubmittedtothe
Chapter 5 Page 117
Section 5.01

Departmentforreview.Todetermineadequatemethodsfordatacollection
sees.NR205.07,Wis.Ad.Code.
Theuseofamedianvalueofthesampleresultswilldiscounttheinfluenceofshort
duringhighfloweventsorlowflowperiods.
SampleLocation
Thestreamshouldbemonitoredbasedonthebestlocationconsistentwiththe
following,recognizingthattheremaybeaneedtobalancethedesiredobjectives:
- Incloseproximityandupstreamoftheoutfall
Thisistoavoidfactors,suchasadditionaldrainageareaaddingflowand
phosphorustothestreamthatcouldchangetheresults.
- Representativeoftheupstreamconditions
Streamreacheswithmajorspringsormajorsedimentdeposits,suchas
formermillpondbeds,maycreatemuchlocalizedconditionsthatarent
reflectiveoftheupstreamconditionsandshouldbeavoided.Asaruleof
thumbthelocationselectedshouldberepresentativeofaquartertohalf
milestretchupstream.Alsoavoidreachesdownstreamofwherecattle
areinthestream.
- Hasthoroughmixingofthestreamwater
Streamreachesimmediatelydownstreamfromtributariesormajor
springsmaynothavecompletemixingandshouldbeavoided.
SampleCollectionatStreamLocation
Atthestreamlocation,thesamplesshouldbecollectedasfollows:
- Inportionofstreamwithgreatestorstrongestflow
Thismayormaynotbeinthemiddleofthestream.Ingeneral,relatively
straightreachesofthestreamarepreferred.However,ifameandersection
ofthestreamisselectedforsampling,thesampleshouldbecollectedinthe
portionwithgreatestflowattheoutsideofthemeander.Slowflowareas
alongthebanks,ineddiesorimmediatelydownstreamofislandsshouldbe
avoided.
- 3to6inchesbelowsurfaceusingthricerinsedsamplebottles,completely
fillingthesamplebottle
Surfacesamplestendtohavedebrisandotherthingsfloatingonthesurface
andshouldbeavoided.Whetherasampleiscollectedbyhanddirectlyina
samplebottleorwithasamplingdevice,suchasaVanDornsamplingbottle,
thecollectionvesselneedstoberinsedthreetimeswithwaterfromthe
Chapter 5 Page 118
Section 5.01

Chapter 5 Page 119
Section 5.01
samelocationasthesample.Careshouldbemadetoavoidtouchingthe
insidecapofsamplebottles.
- Avoiddisturbingthesamplesite
Ifthesampleiscollectedbywadinginthestream,walkupstreamtothe
samplelocationandtakethesamplefacingupstream.
- Donttrespassonprivatelandstocollectsample
Useapublicaccesspoint,suchasaroadrightofway,orseekpermission
fromthelandowneroroperatortocrosslandforthepurposeofcollecting
thesamples.
SampleHandling
Thecollectedsampleshouldbehandledasfollows:
- AddtheprescribedamountofH
2
SO
4
(generally2.0ml),capandinvert
severaltimestomix.
- UncapandcheckpHbytouchingpHpapertoresidualwaterontheinsideof
cap.AddadditionalacidifapHof2orlessisnotachieved.
- Followdirectionsfromlaboratoryforlabelingbottle,includingdate,time
andlocation.
- Storebottleoniceorrefrigeratetotransporttolaboratoryforanalysis.
- HavesampleanalyzedbyaWDNRcertifiedorregisteredlaboratory(s.NR
149.03(19);s.NR149.03(66),Wis.Adm.Code).

Chapter5
5.02:ComparisonofImplementationOptions
Author:JimBaumann
SubchapterIIIofch.NR217,Wis.Adm.Code,containsorreferencesanumberofoptionsfor
waterqualitybasedeffluentlimitcalculationandimplementationofthoselimits.The
opportunitytomixandmatchtheseoptionsnotonlyprovidesflexibility,itpotentiallycreates
apictureofcomplexity.Thepurposeofthispaper,andespeciallythetablebelow,istotryto
simplifytheoptionsinordertohelpthepermitwriterandthepermitteeselectanduseoptions.
Forthissimplifieddiscussion,theoptionsarebrokenintotwogroups,asfollows:
- MethodsforderivingWQBELs
o Proceduresins.NR217.13,Wis.Adm.Code(useasthebaseapproach)
o TMDLwasteloadallocations
- Optionsforimplementation
o Extendedcomplianceschedules
- WQT
- AM
AlthoughWQTandAMarelistedasoptionsforimplementation,theymay,iffullyimplemented,
resultinalessstringentWQBELduetoimprovedwaterqualityupstreamfromthepointsource
dischargelocationorthepointonadownstreamwaterwherethephosphoruscriteriafirst
apply.Forthisdiscussion,however,theyareconsideredprimarilyasimplementationoptions.
Theoptionsmaybeusedtogether.Forexample,aTMDLcouldbedevelopedduringtheperiod
ofacomplianceschedule,potentiallychangingboththeeffluentlimitandthecompliancedate.
Someoftheoptionsarealreadycombinedorbuiltin.Forexample,AMhasabuiltin
complianceschedule.
Beforeshiftingtothetablebelowwhichcomparesandcontraststhethreeimplementation
options,itisappropriatetobrieflydescribeanddiscusseachoftheoptionsandprovideafew
additionalnotes.
WaterQualityBasedEffluentLimitsderivedunders.NR217.13,Wis.Adm.Code.
ThisisthebaseapproachtoderivingWQBELs.TheapproachisbasedontheCleanWaterAct
obligationthattheeffluentlimitsmustbesufficienttoattainandmaintainwaterquality
standards.Ingeneral,foragivensetofflowconditionsandassumingthedischargesareatthe
facilitysdesigncapacity,thetotalreductioninphosphorusloadneededtoattainwaterquality
Chapter 5 Page 120
Section 5.02

standardsisassignedtothepointsource.Noothersourcecontrol,suchasupstreamnonpoint
sourcecontrol,isassumed.However,innocaseistheWQBELsettolessthanthereceiving
watercriterion.
TotalMaximumDailyLoadDerivedWQBELs
UndertheCleanWaterAct,aTMDLanalysisistheonlymeanstoshiftaportionofthe
responsibilityforcontrollingpollutantsfromthepointsourcedischargerstoothersources,such
asnonpointsources.ATMDLderivedWQBELcouldresultinalessstringentWQBEL,especially
insituationswherethepointsourcedischargeisarelativelysmallcontributorofphosphorus
and/orwhentheupstreamconditionsareclosetothephosphoruscriterioneitheraboveor
belowthecriterion.
ExtendedComplianceSchedules
Complianceschedulesareusedtoprovidethetimeneededtoinstallorotherwisebringabout
neededchangestotheoperationofthewastewatertreatmentfacility.IntheopinionofU.S.
EPA,complianceschedulesshouldbeoftheminimumlengthoftimenecessarytocomplywith
thepermitrequirement.Indirectly,complianceschedulesmayalsoallowtimeforotheroptions
tomaterialize,suchascompletionofaTMDL.
WaterQualityTrading
5
WQTdoesnotremove,shift,ortransferresponsibilityforpollutantcontrolfromthepoint
sourcedischarge.Itdoes,however,provideanalternatemeanstocreateandrealizean
equivalentorgreaterreductioninphosphorusloadfromothersources.Generally,thealternate
meansofcontrolwillbeatalowercost.
WatershedAdaptiveManagement
Underthisoption,thepointsourcedischargermaychoosetoacceptaninterimlimit(startingat
0.6mg/L),conductstreammonitoring,developwithpartnersawatershedmanagementplan
andimplementportionsofthatplan.Presumably,ifthewatershedmanagementplanisfully
implemented,thedischargerspermitwilleventuallyhaveasubstantiallylessstringentWQBEL
basedonimprovementsinwaterqualityupstream.Theexpectationfortheroleforthe
dischargerinimplementationofthewatershedmanagementplanisthatitisproportionaltothe
pointsourcecontribution.Thismaynotbethebestoptionforafacilitywherecompliancewith
a0.6mg/Linterimeffluentlimitwillrequireamajorcapitalinvestment.
Note:AlloftheseoptionspresumethatthefacilitywillhaveastringentWQBELforphosphorus
thatwouldotherwiserequirecapitalormajorO&Madditionstothefacilitysphosphorus
removalprocesses.Theyarenotintendedtoapplytosituationswherethechangefromexiting
technologybasedlimitstoWQBELsissmall,suchasfrom1.0mg/Lto0.8mg/L.

5
At the time of preparation of this paper, details of water quality trading were still in development.
Chapter 5 Page 121
Section 5.02

ComparingandContrastingFeaturesofImplementationOptionsforSubchapterIIIofch.NR
217,Wis.Adm.Code.
Thistablebrieflydescribesthefeaturesofthreeimplementationoptionsforcomplyingwith
phosphorusWQBELs.Thoseeffluentlimitsmaybederivedusingtheproceduresins.NR
217.13,Wis.Adm.Code,orthroughaTMDL.Althoughtheseoptionsarepresentedasseparate
ordistinct,tosomedegreetheymaybecombined.Althoughvariancestowaterquality
standardspursuanttos.283.15,Stats.arenotpresentedasanoption,theymayconstitutea
fourthoption.Seeaccompanyingdiscussionforadescriptionofeachoption.
Feature ExtendedCompliance
Schedulelatercoupledwith
aTMDL
WaterQualityTrading WatershedAdaptive
Management
Generaleligibility
andduration
WDNRmustdeterminea
needbasedonfactorsin
rules;sevenyearsmaximum,
exceptuptonineyearsif
tertiarytreatment,suchas
filtration,isneeded.
Norestrictionson
eligibility;durationto
bedetermined
Filtrationorsimilartertiary
treatmentneededtomeet
WQBEL
Bothpointsourcesand
nonpointsourcesmust
contributeorcause
exceedanceofapplicable
phosphoruscriterion
Nonpointsourceandurban
stormwatercontribution
mustbegreaterthan50%or
permitteemustdemonstrate
controlofnonpointsources
necessarytomeetapplicable
phosphoruscriterion.
Developmentof
watershedplan
Notrequired Notrequired Planrequired;updatedwith

eachpermitapplicationfor
reissuance
Permitteeroleinplan
implementationproportional
tophosphoruscontribution
Implementationfocusedto
subwatersheds
Progressrampedupovertwo
permitterms
Chapter 5 Page 122

Section 5.02

Monitoringof
streamwater
quality
Notrequired Notrequired Required

Discharge
monitoring
Asspecifiedinpermit Asspecifiedinpermit Asspecifiedinpermit

SubchapterII
technologybased
limits(e.g.,1
mg/L)
Mustbemet Mustbemet Mustbemet.

FinalWQBELin
permit(although
compliancemay
notbeinpermit
term)
Yes,requiredbyU.S.EPA
Reviewedateachpermit
reissuance
Monthlyorannuallimits,as
specifiedins.NR217.14,
Wis.Adm.Code,or
consistentwithTMDL,where
applicable
Mayberevisedbasedon
wasteloadallocationof
approvedTMDL
Yes,requiredbyU.S.
EPA
Reviewedateach
permitreissuance
Monthlyorannual
limits,asspecifiedins.
NR217.14,Wis.Adm.
Code,orconsistent
withTMDL,where
applicable
Yes,requiredbyU.S.EPA
Reviewedateachpermit
reissuance
Maychangeifwatershed
planimplementationis
successful
Monthlyorannuallimits,as
specifiedins.NR217.14,
Wis.Adm.Code,or
consistentwithTMDL,where
applicable
Interimeffluent
limits
Required,butnospecific
limitspecified
Mustrepresentgood
managementandoperation
forsimilarfacilities
Notrequired 0.6mg/Llimitspecifiedfor
firstpermitterm,upto0.5
mg/Lforsecondpermitterm.
Expressedassixmonth
average.
1.0mg/Lmonthlyaverage.
Interimlimitmustbemetby
endofpermitterm.
Traderatio Notapplicable Required;detailstobe

determined
Notapplicable;unlesstrading
ispartofwatershedadaptive
managementplan
Otheractions Specifiedinpermit,suchas
optimizationplan
Determinationoftrade
valueforeachtrade;
detailstobe
determined
Asspecifiedinwatershed
adaptivemanagementplan
Chapter 5 Page 123

Section 5.02

Chapter 5 Page 124
Section 5.02

Reportingand
documentation
Annualreportingasspecified
inpermit;consistentwiths.
NR217.17,Wis.Adm.Code
Documentationof
agreementswithtrade
partners
Annualormore
frequentcompliance
reporting;detailstobe
determined
Annualreportingonprogress
tomeetmilestonesin
watershedadaptive
managementplan
Public
comment/review
Aspartofpermitpublic
noticeprocess;annual
reportsconsideredpublic
information
Tradingagreements
willbepublicnoticed
aspartofthepermit
reissuance.Also,
annualreports
consideredpublic
information;other
detailstobe
determined
Watershedadaptive
managementplansubjectto
pubicreviewaspartof
permitpublicnotice;annual
reportsconsideredaspublic
information

Chapter5
5.03:PolyphosphateAlternatives
Author:AmandaMinks
Polyphosphatesarefrequentlyusedinwastewaterandwatersupplystreamstocontrol
pipecorrosionandtosequesterheavymetalssuchasiron(Fe)andmanganese(Mn).
Theseheavymetalsarebenigntohumanhealthbutcancauseseveralnuisances
includingstainingclothingandanunpleasanttaste.Despitethesebenefits,theaddition
ofpolyphosphatestowatercanhaveunintendedconsequencesincludedaccelerated
algalgrowthinreceivingwaterways.
PolyphosphatesandWaterQualityCriteriaforPhosphorus:
Theuseofpolyphosphatescancausephosphorusstandardexceedancesatthepointof
dischargeandcaninhibitdownstreamusesduetoelevatedphosphorusconcentrations.
Facilitiesthatusepolyphosphates,thereby,addingpolyphosphatestoadischarge
stream,mustbeevaluatedforphosphoruslimits.
Theremayalsobesomesituationswhereafacilitydoesnotdirectlyuseoradd
polyphosphates,butuseswaterfromawatersupplythathaselevatedphosphorus
concentrationsduetotheuseofpolyphosphates.Sincethephosphorusconcentration
intheintakewaterhasbeenmodifiedfromtheambientconditions,thesefacilitiesmust
beevaluatedforphosphoruslimits,eveniftheydonotdirectlyaddoruse
polyphosphates.Iflimitsaredeterminedtobenecessarythepointsourceshouldwork
withwatersupplytofindappropriatealternativestophosphorususe.
Alternatives:
Thereareseveralalternativetousingpolyphosphatesforcorrosioncontrolorheavy
metalsequestration.Beforealternativesareconsidered,however,theexistingphysical
andchemicalconditionofthesystemshouldbeevaluated.Itmaybethatthephysical
conditionofdistributionpipesistheprimarycauseoftheproblem.Therefore,the
ongoingreplacementofsystempipingwillresolvethemajorityoftheproblem.The
acidity/alkalinityofthewatercouldalsocauserapidcorrosion.Inthesecases,addinga
simpleacidorbasepolymerwillhelpslowtherateofcorrosion.
Althoughthesemeasureswilllikelyhelp,theremaybesomesituationsthatwillstill
requiretheuseofchemicaladditives.Ratherthanusingpolyphosphates,bimetallic
compounds,likebimetallicphosphates,maybeused.Thesecompoundsarelesssoluble
thanotherformsofphosphatesandmayperformbetteratlowerconcentrations.
Sulfite,particularlysodiumsulfiteorsodiumbisulfite,isaneffectivereplacementfor
polyphosphateasacorrosioninhibitor.Sulfitepreventscorrosionbyscavengingresidual
dissolvedoxygenfromthewatersystemandcontrollingthepHlevelwithinan
Chapter 5 Page 125
Section 5.03

Chapter 5 Page 126
Section 5.03
acceptablerange.Sulfitebasedcorrosioninhibitorshavearelativelylowenvironmental
impact,marginalenvironmentaltoxicity,areeasytotest,andareeconomical
alternativetopolyphosphates.However,excessiveorcontinuousairingressionintothe
systemwillincreasethesulfiteinhibitordemandand,therefore,thecost.Previous
studieshavesuggestedthataddingsodiumsulfitemayincreasetheabundanceof
sulfatereducingbacteriainthewatersystem.Sulfitemayalsobeacontributingfactor
inthestresscrackingofstainlesssteelexpansionbellows.Typically,theapplicationrate
ofsulfiteis50100mg/LSO
3
(80160ppmNa
2
SO
3
),dependingonsitespecific
conditions.
AneffectivealternativeforFeandMnsequestrationistoaddsilicates,mostcommonly
sodiumsilicate,tothewatersystem.Studieshavefoundthatsilicateadditionisequally
aseffectiveaspolyphosphatesinmetalsequestration.However,silicateefficiencymay
bereducedinwaterwithhighcarbonateconcentrations.Itisrecommendedthatasmall
amountofasecondaryamendment,likehydrogenchlorideorotheracid,beaddedin
thesecasestoimprovetheeffectivenessofsilicate.Previousstudieshavefoundthat
effectiveapplicationratesofSiO
2
rangefrom7mg/Lto20mg/L,dependingonsite
specificconditions.Addingsilicatecanalsoactasacorrosioninhibitorinwaterstreams.
Studieshavesuggestedthatsilicatesformaprotectivelayeragainstcorrosionand
elevatethepHofthewatertofurtherpreventcorrosion.Silicabasedcorrosion
inhibitorshavealowenvironmentalimpact,marginalenvironmentaltoxicity,are
economicaltouse,anddonotactasanutrientforbacteria.However,studieshave
suggestedthatsilicateasacorrosioninhibitormaynotbeaseffectiveas
polyphosphatesorothercorrosioninhibitorsinstaticflowconditions.Instaticflow
conditions,phosphatesilicateblendsmaybeusedtoimprovesequestrationefficiency.
PreviousstudieshavefoundthateffectiveapplicationratesofSiO
2
,asacorrosion
inhibitor,rangefrom25mg/Lto40mg/L,dependingonsitespecificconditions.
Thereareseveralotherchemicaladditivesthatcouldbeusedforcorrosioninhibition
andforheavymetalsequestration.Theseincludeorganicinhibitors,molybdate
inhibitors,andnitriteinhibitors,amongothers.Althoughthesecompoundsmaybe
used,theymayhaveunintendedenvironmentalconsequencesandshouldbecarefully
evaluatedbeforeuse.

AppendixA.ChapterNR102.06,Wis.Adm.Code:Phosphorus
WaterQualityStandardsforWisconsinSurfaceWater
SectionNR102.06,Wis.Adm.Code,Phosphorus.
(1)GENERAL.Thissectionidentifiesthewaterqualitycriteriafortotalphosphorusthat
shallbemetinsurfacewaters.
(2)DEFINITIONS.Inthissection:
(a)Drainagelakemeansalakewithanoutletstreamthatcontinuallyflowsunder
averagesummerconditionsbasedonthepast30years.
(b)Ephemeralstreammeansachannelorstreamthatonlycarrieswaterforafew
daysduringandafterarainfallorsnowmelteventanddoesnotexhibitaflowduring
otherperiods,andincludes,butisnotlimitedto,grassedwaterways,grassed
swales,andareasofchannelizedflowasdefinedins.NR243.03(7).
(c)Meanwaterresidencetimemeanstheamountoftimethatavolumeofwater
enteringawaterbodywillresideinthatwaterbody.
(d)NearshorewatersmeansallwatersofLakeMichiganorLakeSuperiorwithin
thejurisdictionoftheStateofWisconsininthezoneextendingfromtheshoretoa
depthof10meters,basedonthelongtermmeanelevationforLakeSuperiorof
183.4meters(601.7feet)andforLakeMichiganof176.5meters(579.0feet).
(e)OpenwatersmeanallwatersofLakeMichiganorLakeSuperiorwithinthe
jurisdictionoftheStateofWisconsinwithdepthsgreaterthannearshorewaters.
(f)Reservoirmeansawaterbodywithaconstructedoutletstructureintendedto
impoundwaterandraisethedepthofthewaterbymorethantwotimesrelativeto
theconditionspriortoconstructionofthedam,andthathasameanwater
residencetimeof14daysormoreundersummermeanflowconditionsusing
informationcollectedoverorderivedfora30yearperiod.(fm)Seepagelake
meansalakethatdoesnothaveanoutletstreamthatcontinuallyflowsunder
averagesummerconditionsbasedonthepast30years.
(g)Stratifiedlakeorreservoirmeansalakeorreservoirwhereeitherofthe
followingequationsresultsinavalueofgreaterthan3.8:
MaximumDepth(meters)0.1
Log
10
LakeArea(hectares)
MaximumDepth(feet)*0.3050.1
Log
10
LakeArea(acres)*0.405
(i)Stratifiedtwostoryfisherylakemeansastratifiedlakewhichhassupporteda
coldwaterfisheryinitslowerdepthswithinthelast50years.
(j)Totalphosphorusmeansallofthephosphorusinawatersampleanalyzedusing
themethodsidentifiedundertheprovisionsofs.NR219.04(1).
Appendix A Page 127

(3)STREAMSANDRIVERS.Toprotectthefishandaquaticlifeusesestablishedins.NR
102.04(3)onriversandstreamsthatgenerallyexhibitunidirectionalflow,total
phosphoruscriteriaareestablishedasfollows:
(a)Atotalphosphoruscriterionof100g/Lisestablishedforthefollowingriversor
otherunidirectionalflowingwaters:
1.AppleRiverfromtheoutletoftheAppleRiverFlowageinAmerytotheSt.
CroixRiver,excludingBlackBrookFlowage.
2.BadRiverfromconfluencewiththeMarengoRiverwithintheBadRiverIndian
ReservationdownstreamtoLakeSuperior.
3.BarabooRiverfromhighway58inLaValletotheWisconsinRiver.
4.BarkRiverfromconfluencewithScuppernongRivernearHebrontotheRock
River.
5.BlackRiverfromconfluencewithCunninghamCreeknearNeillsvilleto
MississippiRiver,excludingLakeArbutus.
6.BruleRiverfromstatehighway55inForestCountydownstreamto
MenomineeRiver.
7.BuffaloRiverfromconfluencewithHarveyCreeknearMondovitoMississippi
River.
8.ChippewaRiverfromLakeChippewainSawyerCountytoMississippiRiver,
excludingHolcombeFlowage,CornellFlowage,OldAbeLake,LakeWissotaand
DellsPond.
9.CrawfishRiverfromconfluencewithBeaverDamRivertoRockRiver.
10.EastBranchPecatonicaRiverfromconfluencewithAppleBranchCreeknear
ArgyletoPecatonicaRiver.
11.EauClaireRiverfromconfluencewithBridgeCreeknearAugustato
ChippewaRiver,excludingAltoonaLake.
12.EmbarrassRiverfromconfluencewithPigeonRivernearClintonvilletoWolf
River.
13.FlambeauRiverfromoutletofTurtleFlambeauFlowageinIronCountyto
ChippewaRiver,excludingPixleyFlowage,CrowleyFlowageandDairyland
Flowage.
14.FoxRiverfromoutletofLakePuckawaynearPrincetontoGreenBay,
excludingLakeButtedesMortsandLakeWinnebago.
15.FoxRiverfromconfluencewithMukwonagoRivernearMukwonagotostate
line,excludingTichiganLake.
16.GrantRiverfromconfluencewithRattlesnakeCreeknearBeetownto
MississippiRiver.
Appendix A Page 128

17.JumpRiverfromconfluencewiththeNorthForkandtheSouthForkofthe
JumpriversinPriceCountytoHolcombeFlowage.
18.KickapooRiverfromconfluencewithWeisterCreeknearLaFargeto
WisconsinRiver.
19.KinnickinnicRiverfromconfluencewithWilsonParkCreekinMilwaukeeto
MilwaukeeRiver.
20.LaCrosseRiverfromconfluencewithFishCreeknearBangortoMississippi
River,excludingNeshonocLake.
21.LemonweirRiverfromoutletofNewLisbonLakeinNewLisbontoWisconsin
River,excludingDecorahLake.
22.LittleWolfRiverfromconfluencewithSouthBranchLittleWolfRivernear
RoyaltontoWolfRiver.
23.ManitowocRiverfromconfluenceofNorthBranchandSouthBranch
ManitowocriverstotheopeningattheendofthepiersatLakeMichigan.
24.MenomineeRiverfromconfluencewithBruleRivertotheopeningattheend
ofthepiersatGreenBay.
25.MenomoneeRiverfromconfluencewithLittleMenomoneeRiverto
MilwaukeeRiver.
26.MilwaukeeRiverfromconfluencewithCedarCreekdownstreamtothe
openingsofthebreakwatersatLakeMichigan.
27.MississippiRivermainchannelsandsidechannels.
28.NamekagonRiverfromoutletofTregoLakenearTregotoSt.CroixRiver.
29.OcontoRiverfromconfluencewithPeshtigoBrooktotheopeningattheend
ofthepiersatGreenBay.
30.PecatonicaRiverfromconfluencewithVinegarBranchnearDarlingtonto
stateline.
31.PelicanRiverfromconfluencewithSlaughterhouseCreeknearRhinelander
toWisconsinRiver.
32.PeshtigoRiverfromconfluencewithBrandywineCreekdownstreamto
GreenBay,excludingCauldronFallsFlowageandHighFallsFlowage.
33.PineRiverfromconfluencewithPoppleRiverinFlorenceCountyto
MenomineeRiver,excludingPineRiverFlowage.
34.RedCedarRiverfromconfluencewithBrillRivertoChippewaRiver,excluding
RiceLake,TainterLakeandLakeMenomin.
35.RockRiverfromoutletofSinissippiLakedownstreamtothestateline,
excludingLakeKoshkonong.
Appendix A Page 129

36.St.CroixRiverfromconfluencewithNamekagonRiverdownstreamto
MississippiRiver,excludingLakeSt.CroixnearHudson.
37.St.LouisRiverfromstatelinetotheopeningbetweenMinnesotaPointand
WisconsinPointatLakeSuperior.
38.SheboyganRiverfromoutletofSheboyganMarshtotheopeningattheend
ofthepiersatLakeMichigan.
39.SouthForkofFlambeauRiverfromstatehighway13nearFifieldtoFlambeau
River.
40.SugarRiverfromoutletofAlbanyLaketostateline,excludingDecaturLake.
41.TomahawkRiverfromoutletofWillowReservoirtoLakeNokomis.
42.TrempealeauRiverfromconfluencewithPigeonCreeknearWhitehallto
MississippiRiver.
43.WhiteRiverfromoutletofWhiteRiverFlowageinAshlandCountytoBad
River.
44.WisconsinRiverfromtheRhinelanderDamtoMississippiRiver,excluding
LakeAlice,LakeMohawksin,AlexanderLake,LakeWausau,MosineeFlowage,
LakeDubay,WisconsinRiverFlowage,BironFlowage,PetenwellFlowage,Castle
RockFlowageandLakeWisconsin.
45.WolfRiverfromconfluencewithHuntingCreekinLangladeCountytoLake
Poygan.
46.YaharaRiverfromoutletofLakeKegonsatoRockRiver.(b)Exceptas
providedinsubs.(6)and(7),allothersurfacewatersgenerallyexhibiting
unidirectionalflowthatarenotlistedinpar.(a)areconsideredstreamsandshall
meetatotalphosphoruscriterionof75g/L.
(4)RESERVOIRSANDLAKES.Exceptasprovidedinsub.(1),toprotectfishandaquatic
lifeusesestablishedins.NR102.04(3)andrecreationalusesestablishedins.NR102.04
(5),totalphosphoruscriteriaareestablishedforreservoirsandlakes,asfollows:
(a)Forstratifiedreservoirs,totalphosphoruscriterionis30g/L.Forreservoirsthat
arenotstratified,totalphosphoruscriterionis40g/L.
(b)Forthefollowinglakesthatdonotexhibitunidirectionalflow,thefollowingtotal
phosphoruscriteriaareestablished:
1.Forstratified,twostoryfisherylakes,15g/L.
2.Forlakesthatarebothdrainageandstratifiedlakes,30g/L.
3.Forlakesthataredrainagelakes,butarenotstratifiedlakes,40g/L.
4.Forlakesthatarebothseepageandstratifiedlakes,20g/L.
5.Forlakesthatareseepagelakes,butarenotstratifiedlakes,40g/L.
Appendix A Page 130

(c)Watersimpoundedonriversorstreamsthatdontmeetthedefinitionof
reservoirinthissectionshallmeettheriverandstreamcriterioninsub.(3)that
appliestotheprimarystreamorriverenteringtheimpoundedwater.
(5)GREATLAKES.Toprotectfishandaquaticlifeusesestablishedins.NR102.04(3)and
recreationalusesestablishedins.NR102.04(5)ontheGreatLakes,totalphosphorus
criteriaareestablishedasfollows:
(a)ForbothopenandnearshorewatersofLakeSuperior,5g/L.
(b)ForbothopenandnearshorewatersofLakeMichigan,excludingwaters
identifiedinpar.(c),7g/L.
(c)FortheportionofGreenBayfromthemouthoftheFoxRivertoalinefromLong
TailPointtoPointauSable,thewaterclarityandotherphosphorusrelated
conditionsthataresuitableforsupportofadiversebiologicalcommunity,including
arobustandsustainableareaofsubmersedaquaticvegetationinshallowwater
areas.
(6)EXCLUSIONS.Thefollowingwatersareexcludedfromsubs.(3)(b),(4)and(5):
(a)Ephemeralstreams.
(b)Lakesandreservoirsoflessthan5acresinsurfacearea.
(c)Wetlands,includingbogs.
(d)Watersidentifiedaslimitedaquaticlifewatersinch.NR104.Limitedaquaticlife
watersarethosesubjecttothecriteriains.NR104.02(3)(b)(2).
(7)SITESPECIFICCRITERIA.Acriterioncontainedwithinthissectionmaybemodifiedby
ruleforaspecificsurfacewatersegmentorwaterbody.Asitespecificcriterionmaybe
adoptedinplaceofthegenerallyapplicablecriteriainthissectionwheresitespecific
dataandanalysisusingscientificallydefensiblemethodsandsoundscientificrationale
demonstrateadifferentcriterionisprotectiveofthedesignateduseofthespecific
surfacewatersegmentorwaterbody.
Note:Reservoirs,twostoryfisherylakesandwaterbodieswithhighnaturalbackgroundphosphorusconcentrationsarethemost
appropriatewaterbodiesforsitespecificcriteria.
Note:Whenplacingawaterbodyonthe303(d)listasimpairedforphosphorus,theDepartmentconsidersfactorssuchas
frequencyanddurationofcriterionexceedances,thetimeofyearoftheexceedanceandthemagnitudeofeachexceedanceabove
theapplicablecriterion.TheDepartmentmayalsochoosetoconsiderotherfactorssuchastheconcentrationofsuspendedalgae
andfloatingplants;densityofbenthicalgae;macrophytedensity;minimumanddailychangeindissolvedoxygenlevelsdueto
diurnalswings;waterclarity;andnaturalbackgroundphosphorusconcentrations.The303(d)listisalistofimpairedwaters
establishedbytheDepartmentandapprovedbyU.S.EPApursuantto33USC1313(d)(1)(A)and40CFR130.7.Informationon
frequencyanddurationiscontainedintheDepartmentsimpairedwaterslistingguidance,WisconsinConsolidatedAssessmentand
ListingMethodology.
History:Cr.Register,July,1975,No.235,eff.8175;am.Register,October,1986,No.370,eff.11186;renum.fromNR102.04,
Register,February,1989,No.398,eff.3189;am.Register,November,1992,No.443,eff.12192;CR10035:r.andrecr.
RegisterNovember2010No.659,eff.12110;renumberingof(2)(fm)madeunders.13.92(4)(b)1.,Stats.,RegisterNovember
2010No.659.NR102.07LakeMichiganandLakeSuperiorthermalstandards.
History:Cr.Register,September,1973,No.213,eff.10173;r.andrecr.Register,July,1975,No.235,eff.8175;renum.fromNR
102.05,Register,February,1989,No.398,eff.3189;CR07111:r.RegisterSeptember2010No.657,eff.10110.NR102.08
Mississippiriverthermalstandards.
Appendix A Page 131

Appendix A Page 132
History:Cr.Register,July,1975,No.235,eff.8175;renum.fromNR102.06,Register,February,1989,No.398,eff.3189;CR
07111:r.RegisterSeptember2010No.657,eff.10110.NR102.09Reviewofthermalstandards.
History:Cr.Register,July,1975,No.235,eff.8175;am.Register,February,1977,No.254,eff.3177;renum.fromNR102.07,
Register,February,1989,No.398,eff.3189;CR07111:r.RegisterSeptember2010No.657,eff.10110.

AppendixB.ChapterNR217SubchapterII:PhosphorusEffluent
StandardsandLimitations
NR217.02Applicability.Thissubchapterisapplicabletopointsourceswhichdischarge
phosphorustothesurfacewatersofthestate.
History:Cr.Register,November,1992,No.443,eff.12192;CR10035:am.
RegisterNovember2010No.659,eff.12110.
NR217.03Definitions.Definitionsoftermsandthemeaningofabbreviationsusedin
thissubchapterareasdefinedinss.NR102.03,106.03,205.03,210.03,and243.03.In
addition:effluentstandardmeansanyrequirementforphosphorusestablished
pursuanttos.283.11(3),Stats.,andthissubchapter.
History:Cr.Register,November,1992,No.443,eff.12192;CR10035:am.
RegisterNovember2010No.659,eff.12110.
NR217.04Effluentstandardsandlimitationsforphosphorus.
(1)GENERAL.EffluentlimitationsfortotalphosphorusshallbeimposedinWPDES
permitsforwastewatersdischargedtosurfacewatersasspecifiedinthissection.
(a)Aneffluentstandardfortotalphosphorusshallapplyasfollows:
1.Aneffluentlimitationequalto1mg/Ltotalphosphorusasamonthlyaverage
shallapplytopubliclyownedtreatmentworksandprivatelyowneddomestic
sewageworkssubjecttoch.NR210whichdischargewastewatercontaining
morethan150poundsoftotalphosphoruspermonth,unlessanalternative
limitationisprovidedundersub.(2).
2.Aneffluentlimitationequalto1mg/Ltotalphosphorusasamonthlyaverage
shallapplyincaseswherethedischargeofwastewaterfromalloutfallsofa
facilityotherthanthosesubjecttoch.NR210containsacumulativetotalof
morethan60poundsoftotalphosphoruspermonth,unlessanalternative
limitationisprovidedundersub.(2).Outfallsconsistingofnoncontactcooling
waterwithoutphosphoruscontainingadditivesmaynotbeincludedinthe
calculationofthecumulativetotalofphosphorusdischargedfromthefacility.
Compliancewiththeconcentrationlimitshallbedeterminedasarolling12
monthaverageasdeterminedbythetotalphosphorusfromalloutfallssubject
totheeffluentlimitationforthemostrecent12monthsdividedbythetotalflow
forallthoseoutfallsforthesameperiod.
3.Effluentlimitationsforphosphorusequalto1mg/Lasamonthlyaverage
containedinpermitsonDecember1,1992shallremainineffect.
4.Effluentlimitationsforphosphorusequalto85%removalofinfluent
concentrationsofphosphoruscontainedinpermitsonDecember1,1992shall
bemodifiedto1mg/Ltotalphosphorusasamonthlyaverageuponreissuanceof
thepermitunlessanalternativelimitationisprovidedundersub.(2).
Appendix B Page 133

5.Runofftosurfacewatersfromanimalfeedingoperationsshallbecontrolled
usingbestmanagementpracticestoachievethepurposeofthischapter
pertainingtophosphorus.
6.TheDepartmentshalldetermineifapermitteeisdischargingmorethanthe
applicablethresholdvaluespecifiedinsubd.1.or2.byexaminingavailabledata
onorrequiringmonitoringoftheamountofphosphoruscontainedinthe
wastewatereffluent.Suchdatashallberepresentativeoftheamountof
phosphoruscontainedinthewastewatereffluentduringperiodsofdischargeor
operation.
Note:ThethresholdvaluesofthissectionwillbeappliedatthetimeofWPDESpermitreissuanceorpermitmodificationwhichmay
occurduetochangesinwastecharacteristics.
Note:SeeNR102.06inreferencetowaterqualitystandards.
(2)ALTERNATIVEEFFLUENTLIMITATIONSTOTHEEFFLUENTSTANDARDFOR
PHOSPHORUS.
(a)Permitteessubjecttosub.(1)(a)1.,2.,or4.mayrequestanalternativeeffluent
limitationfortotalphosphorusifoneormoreofthefollowingapply:
1.Apermitteemayrequestanalternativeeffluentlimitationincaseswhere
achievingthe1mg/Ltotalphosphoruseffluentstandardisnotpractically
achievable.
a.Apermitteerequestinganalternativeeffluentlimitationunderthis
subdivisionshallprovide,asapartoftheWPDESpermitprocess,information
whichdemonstratesthatthe1mg/Ltotalphosphoruseffluentstandardis
notpracticallyachievableandinformationnecessaryfortheDepartmentto
establishanalternativeeffluentlimitation.Theinformationprovidedshall
includebutnotbelimitedtothefollowing:theresultsofacomprehensive
phosphorusminimizationstudytodeterminethesourcesofphosphorusto
thewastewater,anevaluationofpossiblemethodstoreducethesourcesof
phosphorustothewastewater,adescriptionofactionsimplementedto
reducethesourcesofphosphorustothewastewater.Inaddition,the
permitteeshallprovidedataonthephosphorusconcentrationsinthe
influenttoandeffluentfromthewastewatertreatmentfacilitieswhichare
achievableafterphosphorusminimizationstepshavebeenimplemented,
alternativetreatmenttechnologieswhichmaybeemployedtoachievethe1
mg/Leffluentstandard,andtheirassociatedremovalefficienciesandcosts
andtherequestedalternativeeffluentlimitation.
b.TheDepartmentshallreviewrequestsandtheinformationprovidedby
permitteesandmayestablishalternativeeffluentlimitationstotheeffluent
standardimposedundersub.(1)(a)1.,2.or4.wherethisstandard,inthe
bestprofessionaljudgmentoftheDepartment,isnotpracticallyachievable.
Forthesecases,theDepartmentshallestablishanalternativeeffluent
limitationconsideringtheeffluentqualityachievablewiththeapplicationof
Appendix B Page 134

treatmenttechnologies,processchanges,andphosphorusminimization
stepstoreducetheamountofphosphorustothemaximumextent
practicallyachievabletakingintoaccountenergy,economicand
environmentalimpacts.
2.Apermitteemayrequestanalternativeeffluentlimitationincaseswherethe
operationofspecificbiologicalphosphorusremovaltechnologieswillachievea
levelofperformanceequivalenttoa1mg/Leffluentstandard.Systemswhich
employbiologicalphosphorusremovaltechnologyshallresultintheremovalof
notlessthan90 ofthephosphoruswhichwouldberemovedbyachievingthe
1mg/Ltotalphosphoruseffluentstandardbaseduponamassdetermination.
subdivisionshall,asapartoftheWPDESpermitapplicationprocess,provide
informationwhichdemonstratesthatachievingtherequestedalternative
effluentlimitationusingbiologicalphosphorusremovalwillachievethis
requirement.Theinformationshallincludedataonthetotalmassof
phosphorusdischargedusingbiologicalremovalwithandwithoutchemical
polishingandthetotalmassofphosphorusdischargedusingtreatment
technologiestoachievethe1mg/Leffluentstandardandtheinformation
necessaryfortheDepartmenttoestablishanalternativeeffluentlimitation.
permitteesandmayestablishalternativeeffluentlimitationstotheeffluent
standardimposedundersub.(1)(a)1,2,or4wherethealternative
limitation,inthebestprofessionaljudgmentoftheDepartment,willresultin
insignificantdifferencesintheamountofphosphorusdischarged,onamass
basis,comparedtothemasswhichwouldbedischargedbyachievingthe1
mg/Ltotalphosphoruseffluentstandard.Forthesecases,theDepartment
shallestablishanalternativeeffluentlimitationconsideringtheeffluent
qualityachievablewiththeapplicationofbiologicalphosphorusremoval
technologies,takingintoaccountthetotalphosphorusremovalperformance
onamassbasis.Thealternativeeffluentlimitationestablishedbythe
Departmentunderthissubparagraphmaynotexceed2mg/Lasamonthly
average.
3.Apermitteemayrequestanalternativeeffluentlimitationincaseswhere
phosphorusdeficientwastewatersnecessitatetheadditionofphosphorustoa
biologicaltreatmentsystemtoassureefficientoperationandcompliancewith
othereffluentlimitations.
subdivisionshall,asapartoftheWPDESapplicationprocess,provide
informationwhichdemonstratesthatachievingthe1mg/Ltotalphosphorus
effluentstandardisnotpracticallyachievableandtheinformationnecessary
fortheDepartmenttoestablishanalternativeeffluentlimitation.The
informationprovidedshallincludebutnotbelimitedtothefollowing:the
Appendix B Page 135

resultsofacomprehensivephosphorusminimizationstudytominimizethe
amountofphosphorusdischargedwhileallowingefficientoperationofthe
wastewatertreatmentsystem,adescriptionofactionsimplementedto
reducetheamountofphosphorusdischarged,thephosphoruseffluent
concentrationsachievableafterphosphorusminimizationstepshavebeen
implemented,theremovalefficienciesandcostsassociatedwithalternative
treatmenttechnologieswhichwouldbenecessarytoachievethe1mg/L
effluentstandardandtherequestedalternativelimitation.
thepermitteeandmayestablishalternativeeffluentlimitationstothe
effluentstandardimposedundersub.(1)(a)2wherethisstandard,inthe
bestprofessionaljudgmentoftheDepartment,isnotpracticallyachievable.
TheDepartmentshallestablishanalternativeeffluentlimitationconsidering
theminimumphosphoruseffluentqualityachievablewhileallowingefficient
operationofthewastewatertreatmentsystem.Thealternativeeffluent
limitationestablishedbytheDepartmentunderthissubdivisionmaynot
exceed2mg/Lasamonthlyaverage.
(b)Permitteessubjecttosub.(1)(a)1.or2.whichdonotdischargetheireffluent
intothebasinsoftheGreatLakesortheFox(Illinois)rivermayrequestan
alternativeeffluentlimitationfortotalphosphorusaccordingtotheprovisionofthis
paragraph.
1.Apermitteemayrequestanalternativeeffluentlimitationunderthis
paragraphincaseswhereachievingthe1mg/Leffluentstandardwouldnot
resultinanenvironmentallysignificantimprovementinwaterqualityand
materialprogresstowardstheattainmentandmaintenanceofassociated
surfacewaterqualitystandardsforthereceivingwaterasestablishedinchs.NR
102to104.
2.Apermitteerequestinganalternativeeffluentlimitationunderthisparagraph
shallproposefortheDepartmentsapprovalastudyplantoidentifythe
receivingwatersaffectedorpotentiallyaffectedbythedischarge,describehow
informationwillbeobtainedtojustifyanalternativeeffluentlimitationunder
thisparagraph,andprovidetheinformationnecessarytoestablishinterimand
alternativeeffluentlimitationsunderthisparagraph.Thisstudyplanshallbe
submittedasapartoftheWPDESpermitapplicationprocess.Theresultsofthe
studyshallincludeanevaluationofallpointandnonpointsourcesof
phosphorusinthewatershedsandtheimpactsofthephosphoruscontributions
onbiologicalandchemicalwaterqualityconditions.Uponreviewofthestudy
plan,theDepartmentmayrequireadditionalinformationasdeemednecessary
andmayexpandthestudytoincludeotherwatershedsorportionsthereofthat
maybesignificantlyimpactedbythepermitteesdischargeofphosphorus.
3.TheDepartmentmayestablishanalternativeeffluentlimitationwhere,inthe
bestprofessionaljudgmentoftheDepartmentandbasedupontheinformation
Appendix B Page 136

Appendix B Page 137
providedbythepermitteepursuanttothestudyplanandotherrelevant
information,achievingtheeffluentstandardundersub.(1)(a)1or2wouldnot
resultinanenvironmentallysignificantimprovementinwaterqualityand
materialprogresstowardstheattainmentofassociatedsurfacewaterquality
standardsforthereceivingwaterbodyasestablishedinchs.NR102to104.
4.Aninterimeffluentlimitationandcompliancescheduleforcompletingthe
studyshallbeimposedinapermituntiltherequestforanexemptionfromthe1
mg/Leffluentstandardisapprovedordenied.Theinterimeffluentlimitation
shallbeequaltotherepresentativeconcentrationoftotalphosphorusasa
monthlyaverageintheeffluentbasedontheinformationprovidedbythe
permitteeasapartoftheWPDESpermitapplicationprocess.
5.Alternativeeffluentlimitationsestablishedunderthisparagraphmaynot
exceedtheinterimeffluentlimitationestablishedundersubd.4.
(3)ANALYTICALMETHODSANDLABORATORYPROCEDURES.
Methodsusedforanalysisofinfluentandeffluentsamplesshallbeasdescribedinch.
NR219unlessalternativemethodsarespecifiedintheWPDESdischargepermit.
(4)COMPLIANCE.TheDepartmentshalldetermineandspecifyareasonablecompliance
scheduleinthepermitteesWPDESpermitifthefacilityisunabletomeettheeffluent
standardorlimitationsdeterminedaccordingtothissectionatthetimeofpermit
issuanceorreissuance.Thedateforcompliancewiththissectionmaynotextend
beyond3yearsfromthedateofpermitissuanceorreissuance,unlesstheDepartment
determinesthatcircumstancesbeyondthepermitteescontrol,suchasan
environmentalimpactstatement,requireadditionaltimeforcompliance.Insuch
circumstances,thedateforcompliancewiththissectionmaynotextendbeyond5years
fromthedateofpermitissuanceorreissuance.
(5)DEPARTMENTDETERMINATIONS.Effluentstandardsandlimitationsestablished
undersubs.(1)(a)and(2)arenotsubjecttothevarianceprocedureunders.283.15,
Stats.
History:Cr.Register,November,1992,No.443,eff.12192.

AppendixC.ChapterNR217SubchapterIII:WaterQualityBased
EffluentLimitationsforPhosphorus
NR217.10Applicability.Thissubchapterappliestodischargesofphosphorustosurface
watersofthestatefromthefollowingpointsources:
(1)Publiclyandprivatelyownedwastewaterfacilitiesortreatmentworks;
(2)Noncontactcoolingwaterdischargeswhichcontainphosphorusunless100percent
ofthephosphorusinthedischargeoriginatesfromthereceivingwaterasintakewater;
(3)Concentratedanimalfeedingoperationsthatdischargemanureorprocess
wastewaterfromtheproductionareathroughalternativetreatmentfacilitiesunders.
NR243.13;and
(4)Afacilityorsitethatisregulatedunderch.NR216onlywheretheDepartmenthas
determinedthatcompliancewiththestandardsinchs.NR151and216arenot
sufficienttomeetphosphoruscriteriains.NR102.06.
Note:Theremaybeotherpointsourcesthatarenotsubjecttotheproceduresinthissubchapter,butwhicharebesubjecttos.
283.13(5),Stats.,orproceduresinotherrules(e.g.,ch.NR243requirementsforconcentratedanimalfeedingoperations).
History:CR10035:cr.RegisterNovember2010No.659,eff.12110.
NR217.11Definitions.Definitionsoftermsandthemeaningofabbreviationsusedin
thissubchapterareasdefinedinss.NR102.03,106.03,205.03,210.03,and243.03.In
addition,forpurposesofthissubchapter,thefollowingdefinitionsapply:
(1)303(d)listmeansalistofwatersestablishedbytheDepartmentandapprovedby
U.S.EPApursuantto33USC1313
(d)(1)(A)and40CFR130.7.
(2)Adaptivemanagementmeanstheuseofmonitoringdataandotherinformationat
thetimeofpermitreissuancetoreassessmanagementdecisionsandpermit
requirements.
(3)NewdischargermeansapointsourcewhichwasnotauthorizedbyaWPDES
permitasofDecember1,2010.Anewdischargerincludesarelocationofanoutfalltoa
differentreceivingwater.
(4)Phosphorusimpairedwatermeansasurfacewaterlistedonthe303(d)listthatis
impairedforphosphorus,nutrients,ordiurnalswingsofdissolvedoxygen.
Note:Asurfacewatermaybeimpairedandplacedonthe303(d)listforareasonotherthanphosphorus,nutrients,ordissolved
oxygen(e.g.,mercury),howevertheproceduresinthissubchapteronlyapplytoimpairmentsrelatedtophosphorus,nutrients,or
diurnalswingsofdissolvedoxygen.
(5)Privatelyownedwastewaterfacilitiesortreatmentworksmeansafacilityor
treatmentworksownedbyanongovernmentalentitythatdischargesdomestic
wastewater,commercialwastewater,orindustrialwastewateroracombination
thereof.
(6)Technologybasedlimitationmeansaneffluentlimitationforphosphorus
establishedpursuanttos.283.11(3),Stats.,andsubch.IIors.283.13(2)or(4),Stats.
Appendix C Page 138

(7)TotalmaximumdailyloadorTMDLmeanstheamountofpollutantsspecifiedas
afunctionofoneormorewaterqualityparametersthatcanbedischargedintoawater
qualitylimitedsegmentandstillensureattainmentoftheapplicablewaterquality
standardinawatershed.
(8)USEPAmeanstheUnitedStatesEnvironmentalProtectionAgency.
(9)WQBELmeansawaterqualitybasedeffluentlimitation.
NR217.12General.
(1)Waterqualitybasedeffluentlimitationsforphosphorusshallbeincludedinapermit
whenevertheDepartmentdetermines:
(a)Thedischargefromapointsourcecontainsphosphorusatconcentrationsor
loadingswhichwillcause,hasthereasonablepotentialtocauseorcontributetoan
exceedanceofthecriteriains.NR102.06ineitherthereceivingwateror
downstreamwaters;and
(b)Thetechnologybasedlimitationorthealternativetreatmenttechnology
limitationcalculatedunders.NR243.13islessstringentthannecessarytoachieve
theapplicablewaterqualitystandardforphosphorusins.NR102.06.
(2)Ifthetechnologybasedlimitationexpressedasaconcentrationismorestringent
thanthewaterqualitybasedeffluentlimitationexpressedasaconcentrationunders.
NR217.13,thenthetechnologybasedlimitshallbeincludedinthepermit,alongwith
anymasslimitationscalculatedunderthissubchapterasrequiredunders.NR217.14(1)
and(3).
NR217.13Calculationofwaterqualitybasedeffluentlimitationsforphosphorus.
(1)BASISFORLIMITATIONS.
(a)TheDepartmentshallcalculatepotentialwaterqualitybasedeffluentlimitations
forpointsourcedischargersofphosphorususingtheproceduresinthissection.
(b)Waterqualitybasedeffluentlimitationsforphosphorusshallbecalculatedbased
ontheapplicablephosphoruscriteriains.NR102.06atthepointofdischarge,
excepttheDepartmentmaycalculatethelimitationtoprotectdownstreamwaters.
(2)DISCHARGESTOSTREAMSANDRIVERS.
(a)Limitationcalculation.Fordischargesofphosphorustoflowingstreamsand
rivers,thewaterqualitybasedeffluentlimitationshallbecalculatedusingthe
followingconservationofmassequation:
Limitation=[(WQC)(Qs+(1f)Qe)(QsfQe)(Cs)]/Qe
Where:
Limitation=Waterqualitybasedeffluentlimitation(inunitsofmassperunit
ofvolume),
Appendix C Page 139

WQC=Thewaterqualitycriterionconcentration(inunitsofmassperunit
volume)froms.NR102.06,
Qs=Receivingwaterdesignflow(inunitsofvolumeperunittime)as
specifiedinpar.(b),
Qe=Effluentflow(inunitsofvolumeperunittime)asspecifiedinpar.(c),
f=Fractionoftheeffluentflowthatiswithdrawnfromthereceivingwater,
and
Cs=Upstreamconcentration(inunitsofmassperunitvolume)asspecified
inpar.(d).
(b)Receivingwaterdesignflow(Qs).Basedontheavailabilityofinformationandthe
professionaljudgmentoftheDepartment,thevalueofQstobeusedincalculating
theeffluentlimitationfordischargestoflowingwatersshallbedeterminedusing
oneofthefollowing:
1.Theaverageminimum7dayflowwhichoccursonceevery2years(7dayQ2)
basedoninformationderivedbytheU.S.geologicalsurveyorotherDepartment
approvedinformationsource,usingdatafromarepresentativegaugingstation
withaperiodofrecordofatleast10years.
2.IfprovidedbythepermitteeandapprovedbytheDepartment,theaverage
low30dayflowwhichoccursonceevery3years(30dayQ3)basedon
informationderivedbytheU.S.geologicalsurveyorotherDepartment
approvedinformationsource,usingdatafromarepresentativegaugingstation
withaperiodofrecordofatleast10years.
3.Otherflowdeemedmorerepresentativeofflowconditionsandapprovedby
theDepartment.
(c)Effluentflows(Qe).
1.Fordischargerssubjecttoch.NR210andwhichdischargefor24hoursper
dayonayearroundbasis,Qeshallequalthemaximumeffluentflow,expressed
asadailyaverage,thatisanticipatedtooccurfor12continuousmonthsduring
thedesignlifeofthetreatmentfacilityunlessitisdemonstratedtothe
Departmentthatthisdesignflowrateisnotrepresentativeofprojectedflowsat
thefacility.
2.Forotherdischargersnotsubjecttoch.NR210,Qeshallequal,basedonthe
bestprofessionaljudgmentoftheDepartment,oneofthefollowing:
a.Themaximumeffluentflow,expressedasa365dayrollingaverageofdaily
dischargesthathasoccurredfor12continuousmonthsandrepresents
normaloperations.
b.Themaximumeffluentflow,expressedasa30dayrollingaverage,which
hasoccurredfor30continuousdaysandrepresentsnormaloperations.
Appendix C Page 140

3.Forseasonaldischarges,dischargesproportionaltostreamflow,orother
noncontinuousdischargesituations,Qeshallbedeterminedonacasebycase
basis.
(d)Upstreamconcentrations(Cs).Therepresentativeupstreamconcentrationof
phosphorusshallbeusedinspecificwaterqualitybasedeffluentlimitcalculations.
Ataminimum,therepresentativeupstreamconcentrationshallbeeithera
concentrationderivedbytheDepartmentbasedondatafromthespecificstreamor
fromasimilarlocation.Wheredataiscollectedontheupstreamlocation,the
concentrationusedshallequalthemedianofatleastfoursamplescollected
throughouttheperiodofMaythroughOctober.Allsamplescollectedduringa
28dayperiodshallbeconsideredasasinglesampleandtheaverageofthe
concentrationsused.Wheredataisavailablefrommorethanoneyearinthelast
fiveyears,theDepartmentmayusealloftheyearsofdatainthecalculationofthe
upstreamconcentration.TheDepartmentmayalsousedataolderthanfiveyears
providedthatitisrepresentativeofcurrentconditions.Upstreamconcentrations
maynotbemeasuredatalocationwithinthedirectinfluenceofapointsource
discharge.Thedeterminationofupstreamconcentrationsshallbeevaluatedateach
permitreissuance.
Note:TheDepartmenthasguidanceoncollectionmethodsforambientwatersamplingandmaydevelopguidanceforthe
evaluationofrepresentativedata.TheguidancemaybeobtainedfromtheofficesoftheDepartmentofnaturalresources,bureauof
watershedmanagementat101SouthWebsterStreet,P.O.Box7921,Madison,Wisconsin53707.
(3)DISCHARGESTOINLANDLAKESANDRESERVOIRS.Fordischargesofphosphorus
directlytoinlandlakes,reservoirs,andotherreceivingwaterswhichdonotexhibita
unidirectionalflowatthepointofdischarge,theDepartmentshallsettheeffluentlimit
equaltothecriterionforthereceivingwaterorthedownstreamwater.
Note:Asdescribedins.NR217.16,effluentlimitationsfordischargestolakesmayalsobebasedonthewasteloadallocationofa
totalmaximumdailyload,wherethetotalmaximumdailyloadhasbeenapprovedbyUSEPA.
(4)DISCHARGESDIRECTLYTOGREATLAKES.FordischargesdirectlytotheGreatLakes,
theDepartmentshallseteffluentlimitsconsistentwithnearshoreorwholelakemodel
resultsapprovedbytheDepartment.TheDepartmentmaysetaninterimeffluentlimit
basedonthebestreadilyavailablephosphorusremovaltechnologycommonlyusedin
Wisconsin.
Note:Atthetimethisrulewaspromulgated,December1,2010,thebestreadilyavailablephosphorusremovaltechnologyindicates
alimitof0.6mg/L.
(5)OTHERMETHODSOFLIMITCALCULATION.TheDepartmentmayuseothermodels
andequationsforcalculatingawaterqualitybasedeffluentlimitationif,inthebest
professionaljudgmentoftheDepartment,themodelprovidesamoreaccurate
representationoftheconditions.
(6)MULTIPLEDISCHARGES.
(a)Exceptasprovidedinpar.(b),whenevertheDepartmentdeterminesthatmore
thanonedischargemaybeaffectingthewaterqualityofthesamereceivingwater,
theresultantcombinedallowableloadshallbedividedamongthevariousdischarges
Appendix C Page 141

usinganallocationmethodbasedonsitespecificconsiderations.Wheneverthe
departmentmakesadeterminationunderthissubsection,theDepartmentshall
notifyallpermitteeswhomaybeaffectingthewaterqualityofthesamereceiving
waterofthedeterminationandanylimitationsdevelopedunderthissubsection.
PermitteesshallbegiventheopportunitytocommenttotheDepartmentonany
determinationmadeunderthissubsection.
(b)ThissubsectiondoesnotapplyifthereisaUSEPAapprovedTMDLfor
phosphorusforthereceivingwater.IfthereisaUSEPAapprovedTMDL,the
combinedallowableloadshallbedividedinaccordancewiththeapprovedTMDL.
(7)MINIMUMEFFLUENTLIMITATIONS.Ifthewaterqualitybasedeffluentlimitation
calculatedpursuanttotheproceduresinthissectionislessthanthephosphorus
criterionspecifiedins.NR102.06forthewaterbody,theeffluentlimitshallbesettobe
equaltothecriterion.
(8)NEWDISCHARGERS.Ifanewdischargerisproposingadischargeofphosphorustoa
receivingordownstreamwaterthatisaphosphorusimpairedwater,thenewdischarger
maynotdischargephosphorusexceptasfollows:
(a)Thenewdischargeofphosphorusisallocatedpartofthereservecapacityorpart
ofthewasteloadallocationinaUSEPAapprovedTMDL;
(b)Thenewdischargercandemonstratethenewdischargeofphosphoruswill
improvewaterqualityinthephosphorusimpairedsegment;or
(c)Thenewdischargercandemonstratethatthenewphosphorusloadwillbeoffset
throughaphosphorustradeorothermeanswithanotherdischargeofphosphorus
tothe303(d)listedwater.TheoffsetmustbeapprovedbytheDepartmentand
mustbeimplementedpriortodischarge.
Note:Section283.84,Stats.,establishesrequirementsforpollutanttrades.
NR217.14Expressionoflimitations.(1)GENERAL.
(a)Waterqualitybasedeffluentlimitations,whenrequiredpursuanttos.NR217.15,
shallbeexpressedinadischargepermitasaconcentration.Amasslimitshallalso
beincludedinapermitfordischargesofphosphorustoanyofthefollowing
receivingordownstreamwaters:
1.Alakeorreservoir;
2.Anoutstandingorexceptionalresourcewater,asdesignatedinss.NR102.10
and102.11;
3.Aphosphorusimpairedwater;or
4.AsurfacewaterthathasanapprovedTMDLforphosphorus.
(b)TheDepartmentmayestablishmasslimitationsinpermitsforanyother
dischargesofphosphorusifaconcentrationlimitforphosphorusisincludedinthe
Appendix C Page 142

permit,andwhereanincreaseinphosphorusloadislikelytoresultinadverse
effectsonwaterqualityinthereceivingwaterordownstreamwater.
(c)Fordischargestolakes,theDepartmentshallalsoincludeanannualmasslimit
forphosphorusinthepermit.
(d)IfthereisaUSEPAapprovedTMDLforthereceivingwater,theDepartmentshall
includeamasslimitexpressedinthemannerconsistentwiththerequirementsof
theTMDL.Asprovidedins.NR217.16,thisTMDLbasedmasslimitmaybeincluded
inthepermitinadditionto,orinlieuofthemasslimitestablishedpursuanttothis
section.
Note:Inaccordancewiths.283.84,Stats.,theDepartmentmayapprovetheuseofphosphorustradingasameansforapointsource
toachievecompliancewiththewaterqualitybasedeffluentlimitation,includingaTMDLbasedlimitation.Thetradeshallbe
incorporatedintothetermsoftheWPDESpermitforthepointsourceandmustbeapprovedbytheDepartmentpriorto
implementation.
(2)CONCENTRATIONBASEDLIMITATIONS.Concentrationeffluentlimitationscalculated
unders.NR217.13shallbeexpressedasamonthlyaverageinpermits,exceptfor
concentrationsoflessthanorequalto0.3mg/Lwherelimitationsmaybeexpressedas
annualaverages.Ifaconcentrationlimitationexpressedasanannualaverageis
includedinapermit,amonthlyaverageconcentrationlimitationequaltothreetimes
thewaterqualitybasedeffluentlimitationcalculatedunders.NR217.13shallalsobe
includedinthepermit.
(3)MASSBASEDLIMITATIONS.Concentrationeffluentlimitationsascalculatedunders.
NR217.13shallbeconvertedintomasseffluentlimitationsusingtheeffluentflow
identifiedins.NR217.13andanappropriateconversionfactor,andexpressedasa
monthlyaverageinthepermit,exceptforconcentrationbasedlimitationsoflessthan
orequalto0.3mg/Lwheremasslimitationsmaybeexpressedasannualaverages.
NR217.15Determinationofnecessityforwaterqualitybasedeffluentlimitationsforphosphorus.
(1)General.
(a)TheDepartmentshallincludeawaterqualitybasedeffluentlimitationfor
phosphorusinapermitwheneverthedischargeordischargesfromapointsourceor
pointsourcescontainphosphorusatconcentrationsorloadingswhichwillcause,
hasthereasonablepotentialtocauseorcontributeto,anexceedanceofthewater
qualitystandardsins.NR102.06ineitherthereceivingwaterordownstream
waters.TheDepartmentshallusetheproceduresinthissectiontomakethis
determination.
(b)Permitteeswithexistingphosphoruslimitations.Ifapermitteehasatechnology
basedphosphoruslimitationinapermitthatislessrestrictivethanawaterquality
basedeffluentlimitationforphosphoruscalculatedpursuanttos.NR217.13,then
theDepartmentshallincludethewaterqualitybasedeffluentlimitationinthe
permit.
Appendix C Page 143

(c)Permitteeswithoutexistingphosphoruslimitations.Ifapermitteedischarges
phosphorus,butdoesnothaveatechnologybasedlimitationforphosphorusinits
permit,theDepartmentshallusetheproceduresinthisparagraphtodetermine
whetheradischargewillcause,hasthereasonablepotentialtocauseorcontribute
toanexceedanceofthephosphoruswaterqualitycriterionins.NR102.06inthe
receivingordownstreamwaters,andwhethertoincludeawaterqualitybased
effluentlimitforphosphorusintheWPDESpermit.
1.Usingatleast11dailydischargeconcentrationsofphosphorus,iftheupper
99thpercentileofthe30dayaveragedischargeconcentrationofphosphorus
exceedsthepotentialphosphoruslimitationcalculatedunders.NR217.13,then
thewaterqualitybasedeffluentlimitationforphosphorusshallbeincludedin
theWPDESpermit.Iftheupper99thpercentileofthe30dayaveragedischarge
concentrationofphosphorusislessthanthepotentialphosphoruslimitation
calculatedunders.NR217.13,thenawaterqualitybasedeffluentlimitationfor
phosphorusisnotrequiredintheWPDESpermit.Theupper99thpercentileof
availabledischargeconcentrationsshallbecalculatedpursuanttos.NR106.05
(5).
2.If11dailydischargeconcentrationsofphosphorusarenotavailablefora
permittee,thenawaterqualitybasedeffluentlimitationforphosphorusshallbe
includedinthepermitwhenthemeanofavailableeffluentconcentrationsis
greaterthanonefifthofthelimit.
3.Ifnophosphoruseffluentdataisavailableforanexistingpermittee,the
Departmentmayrequirephosphorussamplingaspartofapermitapplicationfor
reissuancetodeterminewhetherawaterqualitybasedeffluentlimitis
necessaryintheWPDESpermitunderpar.(a),ortheDepartmentmayuse
effluentdatainformationfromsimilarpointsourcestomakethedetermination
underpar.(a).
Note:TheDepartmentwilldevelopguidanceregardingtheadministrationofthissectiontoensurethatpermitteddischargeswitha
reasonablepotentialtocauseorcontributetoexceedancesoftheapplicablephosphoruswaterqualitycriterionins.NR102.06are
identified.
(d)Sampling.Priortopermitreissuance,apermitteedischarginganyphosphorus
shallcollecteffluentsamplesofphosphorusatafrequencyspecifiedbythe
Departmentinthepermitapplicationforreissuance.
(e)Newdischargers.TheDepartmentshallincludeawaterqualitybasedphosphorus
limitationinapermitforanewdischargeriftheDepartmentdeterminesthenew
dischargerwilldischargephosphorusatconcentrationsorloadingswhichmaycause
orcontributetoexceedancesofthewaterqualitycriteriains.NR102.06ineither
thereceivingwaterordownstreamwaters.Toestimatetheamountofphosphorus
dischargedbyanewdischarger,theDepartmentmayconsiderprojecteddischarge
informationfromthepermitapplicantandphosphorusdischargeinformationfrom
similarsources.
Appendix C Page 144

(2)IftheDepartmentdeterminesawaterqualitybasedeffluentlimitationisnot
necessaryinapermitbasedontheproceduresinthissection,theDepartmentmaystill
requiremonitoringforphosphorusdischarges.
History:CR10035:cr.RegisterNovember2010No.659,eff.12110;correctionin(1)(c)1.madeunders.13.92(4)(b)7.,Stats.,
RegisterNovember2010No.659.
NR217.16RelationshipofWQBELsandTMDLbasedlimitations.
(1)Inadditiontoawaterqualitybasedeffluentlimitationcalculatedpursuanttos.NR
217.13,theDepartmentmayderiveawaterqualitybasedeffluentlimitationfor
phosphorusconsistentwiththewasteloadallocationandassumptionsofaUSEPA
approvedTMDLthatisdesignedtoachievewaterqualitystandardsinch.NR102.This
TMDLbasedlimitationmaybeincludedinapermitinadditionto,orinlieuof,thewater
qualitybasedlimitationcalculatedunders.NR217.13.Whendecidingwhethertousea
TMDLbasedlimitasasubstituteforthelimitationcalculatedunders.NR217.13,the
Departmentshallconsiderthefollowingfactors:
(a)Thedegreetowhichnonpointsourcescontributephosphorustotheimpaired
water;
(b)Whetherwatersupstreamoftheimpairedwatersaremeetingthephosphorus
criteria;and
(c)Whetherwatersdownstreamoftheimpairedwateraremeetingthephosphorus
criteria.
(2)IfthephosphoruslimitationbasedonanapprovedTMDLislessstringentthanthe
waterqualitybasedeffluentlimitationcalculatedins.NR217.13,theDepartmentmay
includetheTMDLbasedlimitinlieuofthelimitcalculatedins.NR217.13ifthelimit
calculatedunders.NR217.13hasnotyettakeneffect.IftheDepartmentincludesthe
TMDLbasedlimitationforphosphorusintheWPDESpermitinlieuofthelimit
calculatedins.NR217.13,theTMDLbasedlimitmayremaininthepermitforuptotwo
permittermstoallowtimeforimplementationoftheTMDL,ortheimplementation
periodspecifiedintheTMDL,whicheverisless.TheDepartmentmayincludeaschedule
ofcompliancetoachieveaTMDLbasedlimitiftheDepartmentdeterminesaschedule
ofcomplianceisnecessary.Ifaftertwopermitterms,theDepartmentdeterminesthe
nonpointsourceloadallocationhasnotbeensubstantiallyreduced,theDepartment
mayimposethemorestringentwaterqualitybasedeffluentlimitationcalculatedunder
s.NR217.13,ormayincludetheTMDLbasedlimitationforanadditionalpermittermif
theDepartmentdeterminestherewillbesignificantnonpointsourceloadreductions
withintheupcomingpermitterm.IftheDepartmentdecidestoremoveaTMDLbased
phosphoruslimitfromapermitandinsteadincludeamorestringentwaterquality
basedphosphoruslimitinthepermitcalculatedunders.NR217.13,theDepartment
mayprovideascheduleofcomplianceforthemorestringentlimitiftheDepartment
determinesadditionaltimeisneededforthepermitteetocomplywiththerevisedlimit.
Suchschedulesshallrequirecomplianceassoonaspossible,butinnocasenomore
thanfiveyearsfromthedatethatthepermitisreissuedormodifiedtoincludethe
revisedeffluentlimitations.
Appendix C Page 145

(3)Ifaphosphoruswaterqualitybasedlimitcalculatedunders.NR217.13hasalready
takeneffectinapermit,theDepartmentmayreplacethelimitwithalessstringent
TMDLbasedlimit,ifallowedpursuanttoantidegradationproceduresinch.NR207.
Note:TheTMDLbasedlimitationmaybelessstringentthanthewaterqualitybasedeffluentlimitationcalculatedunders.NR
217.13incaseswherenonpointsourcesarethesignificantphosphorussourcesresponsiblefortheimpairment.
(4)IfthephosphoruslimitationbasedonanapprovedTMDLismorestringentthanthe
waterqualitybasedeffluentlimitationcalculatedunders.NR217.13,theDepartment
shallincludethemorestringentTMDLbasedlimitationintheWPDESpermit.
NR217.17Schedulesofcompliance.
(1)GENERAL.
(a)Exceptasprovidedinsub.(4),theDepartmentmayprovideascheduleof
complianceforawaterqualitybasedphosphoruslimitationinaWPDESpermit,
wherebasedonavailableinformationtheDepartmentfindsthat:
1.Thescheduleofcompliancewillleadtocompliancewiththewaterquality
basedeffluentlimitationassoonaspossible;and
2.Thescheduleofcomplianceisappropriateandnecessarybecausethe
permitteecannotimmediatelyachievecompliancewiththewaterqualitybased
effluentlimitationbasedonexistingoperationofitstreatmentsystem.
Note:Beforeanycompliancescheduleisestablishedinapermitpursuanttothissubchapter,theDepartmentmustmakethefinding
inpar(a).
(b)Indeterminingwhetheracompliancescheduleisappropriateanddetermining
thelengthofthecomplianceschedule,theDepartmentshallconsiderallofthe
followingfactors:
1.Whetherthereisanyneedformodificationstothetreatmentfacilities,
operationsormeasurestomeetthewaterqualitybasedeffluentlimitation,and
ifso,howlongitwilltaketoimplementthemodifications.IftheDepartment
determinesthatapermitteeonlyneedstomakeoperationalchangestoachieve
compliancewithalimitation,thecompliancescheduleshallbeasbriefas
possibleandonlyallowtimeforoperationalstartupadjustments.
2.Theamountoftimethedischargerhasalreadyhadtomeetthewaterquality
basedeffluentlimitationunderpriorpermits.
3.Theextenttowhichthedischargerhasmadegoodfaitheffortstocomplywith
thewaterqualitybasedeffluentlimitationandotherrequirementsinprior
permits,ifapplicable.
4.Theextenttowhichthephosphorusremovalprocesstechnologieshavebeen
developedandproventobeeffective.
Appendix C Page 146

(c)Indeterminingwhetheracompliancescheduleisappropriateanddetermining
thelengthofthecomplianceschedule,theDepartmentmayalsoconsideranyofthe
followingfactors:
1.Whetherthereisaneedtoacquireasubstantialamountofpropertyto
accommodatetheneededmodifications;and
2.Whetherthereisaneedtodevelopanextensivefinancingplanandobtain
financingfortheproposedtreatmentplantupgrade.
Note:Acomplianceschedulemaybeprovidedforawaterqualitybasedeffluentlimitforphosphoruscalculatedunders.NR217.13
andaTMDLbasedlimitforphosphorus.
(2)MAXIMUMCOMPLIANCESCHEDULEPERIOD.Exceptforsituationswherefiltrationor
asimilarphosphorusremovalprocessisrequired,anycompliancescheduleestablished
bytheDepartmentundersub.(1)maynotexceedsevenyearsfromthedateapermit
wasfirstmodifiedorreissuedtoincludeawaterqualitybasedphosphoruslimit
calculatedunders.NR217.13.Wherecompliancewiththewaterqualitybased
phosphoruslimitrequirestheconstructionoffiltrationorasimilarphosphorusremoval
process,theDepartmentmaygrantascheduleofcompliancenottoexceednineyears
fromthedatethatthepermitisfirstreissuedormodifiedtoincludeeffluentlimitations
developedunderprovisionsofthissubchapter.Incaseswhereacomplianceschedule
extendsbeyondfiveyears,theDepartmentmayrevisethescheduleatreissuanceor
pursuanttoapermitmodification.
(3)REQUIREMENTS,LIMITATIONS,DATES,ANDREPORTING.Whengrantingaschedule
ofcompliance,theDepartmentshallinclude,asconditionsofthepermit,thefollowing:
(a)Datesforachievementofinterimrequirements.Thetimebetweeninterimdates
maynotexceedoneyear.
(b)Asequenceofactionsoroperationsthatmayinclude,asappropriate,butarenot
limitedto:
1.Developmentandimplementationofaphosphorusdischargeoptimization
planforthecurrentoperation.
2.Preparationofpreliminaryandfinaldesignsfornewormodifiedtreatment
technology.
3.Initiationandcompletionofconstruction.
(c)Interimeffluentlimitationsrepresentinggoodmanagementandoperationfor
similartreatmentprocessesbasedonperformanceofotherwastewatertreatment
facilitiesthatwillleadtocompliancewiththefinalwaterqualitybasedeffluent
limitation.
(d)Arequirementthatnolaterthan30daysfollowingeachinterimdateandthe
finaldateofcompliance,thepermitteeshallnotifytheDepartmentinwritingofits
complianceornoncompliancewiththeinterimorfinalrequirements,including
submittalofprogressreports.Ifanyinterimrequirementwilltakemorethanone
Appendix C Page 147

yeartocomplete,thepermitshallalsoincludeaprojectedcompletiondateforthe
interimrequirement.
(e)Thefinalwaterqualitybasedeffluentlimitforphosphoruscalculatedpursuantto
s.NR217.13shallbeincludedinthepermitevenifthelimitisnoteffectiveduring
thepermitterm.TheDepartmentmayrevisethefinallimitatpermitreissuanceor
pursuanttoapermitmodification.
(f)Ifthepermitteechoosestoengageinwaterqualitytradingasameanstoachieve
compliancewithinterimlimitationorfinalwaterqualitybasedeffluentlimitations,
thenthetermsandconditionsrelatedtothetradeshallbeincorporatedintothe
permit.
(4)NEWDISCHARGERS.Anynewdischargermaynotreceiveacompliancescheduleto
achievecompliancewithaphosphoruswaterqualitybasedeffluentlimitation.
NR217.18Watershedadaptivemanagement.
(1)GENERAL.Adaptivemanagementisastrategytoachievethephosphoruswater
qualitycriteriains.NR102.06inthemosteconomicallyefficientmanner,andassoonas
possible,takingintoconsiderationthecontributionsofphosphorusfrompointand
nonpointsourcesinawatershed.
(2)APPLICATION.Ifrequestedbythepermitteeinthepermitapplicationforreissuance
andifapprovedbytheDepartment,thepermitteemayimplementawatershed
adaptivemanagementapproachunderthissectionasameanstoachievecompliance
withthephosphoruswaterqualitystandardsins.NR102.06.TheDepartmentmay
approveandauthorizetheadaptivemanagementoptioninthissectiononlyifthe
permitteedemonstratesandtheDepartmentconcursthatallofthefollowing
conditionsaremet:
(a)Theexceedanceoftheapplicablephosphoruscriterionins.NR102.06iscaused
byphosphoruscontributionsfrombothpointsourcesandnonpointsources.
(b)Eitherthesumofthenonpointsourcesandthepermittedmunicipalseparate
stormsewersystemcontributionofphosphorustothereceivingwaterisatleast50
percentofatotalcontributionwithinthewatershedofthereceivingwaterwhere
theapplicablephosphoruscriterionins.NR102.06isexceeded;orthepermittee
demonstratesthattheapplicablephosphoruscriterioncannotbemetinthe
watershedwithoutthecontrolofphosphorusfromnonpointsources.
(c)Documentationthattheproposedwaterqualitybasedeffluentlimitinthe
applicantspermitwillrequirefiltrationorotherequivalenttreatmenttechnologyto
achievecompliance.
(d)Thepermitteehassubmittedanadaptivemanagementplanthatidentifies
specificactionstobeimplementedthatwillachievecompliancewiththeapplicable
phosphoruscriterionins.NR102.06throughverifiablereductionsofphosphorus
Appendix C Page 148

frompointandnonpointsourcesinthewatershed.Ataminimum,theplanshall
includethefollowing:
1.Ananalysisofthelevelsofphosphorusinthepermitteeseffluentand
significantsourcesofpointandnonpointphosphorusloadingsinthewatershed.
2.Goalsandmeasuresfordeterminingwhethertheactionsidentifiedintheplan
areeffectiveinachievingcompliancewiththeapplicablephosphoruscriterionin
s.NR102.06.
3.Identificationofanyanticipatedpartnersthatwillassistinimplementingthe
phosphorusreductionstoachievecompliancewiththeapplicablephosphorus
criterionins.NR102.06,includingthepartnerslevelofsupportfortheplan.
4.Ademonstrationthatthepermitteehastheabilitytofundandimplementthe
planeitherindividually,orinconjunctionwithotherpermitteesandnonpoint
sources,orotherpartners,includingmunicipalandcountygovernments,inthe
watershed.Plansshouldincludeanycontractsreflectingcommitmentsby
partnerstoimplementapplicableactions.
(3)PERMITTERMSANDCONDITIONS.IftheDepartmentdeterminesthatthepermittee
hasprovidedallnecessaryinformationandtheconditionsinsub.(2)havebeenmet,it
mayissueapermitthatincludeswatershedadaptivemanagementactionstoachieve
compliancewiththeapplicablephosphoruscriterionins.NR102.06onaschedule
approvedbytheDepartment.Ataminimum,thepermitshallincludethefollowing:
(a)Monitoringinthereceivingwateratlocationsandtimesestablishedinthepermit
toassessphosphorusloadingandtodocumentprogresstowardachievingthe
applicablephosphoruscriterionins.NR102.06.TheDepartmentshallalsorequire
permitteestomonitor,recordandreportthemassandconcentrationofphosphorus
intheeffluentatanappropriatefrequencyspecifiedbytheDepartmentinthe
permit.
(b)Requirementstodesignandimplementtheactionsidentifiedinthepermittees
approvedadaptivemanagementplaninaccordancewiththegoalsandmeasures
identifiedintheplanandanycompliancescheduleincludedinthepermit.
(c)Requirementstooptimizethepermitteestreatmentsystemtocontrol
phosphorus.
(d)Reportingproceduresanddeadlinesforallmonitoring,assessmentanddata
gatheringrequirementsintheplan.Permitteesshallberequiredtofileandthe
Departmentwillreviewanannualreportthatidentifiesimplementationofactionsin
theplanthatwerecompletedthepreviousyear,andthatdocumentsanyprogressin
achievingthegoalsandmeasuresintheadaptivemanagementplan.Adjustmentor
corrections,totheextentthattheyareneeded,willbeincorporatedintothepermit
viapermitmodificationprocedures.
(e)Numericaleffluentlimitationsasfollows:
Appendix C Page 149

1.Allpermitsissuedunderadaptivemanagementinthissectionshallinclude
waterqualitybasedeffluentlimitationscalculatedconsistentwiththefederal
waterpollutioncontrolact,33USC1251to1387,thatareestablishedaccording
tos.NR217.13oraUSEPAapprovedTMDL.Theselimitationsshalltakeeffectin
accordancewiththetimeframeestablishedinthisparagraph,orpursuanttopar.
(g)ifadaptivemanagementisterminated.
2.InthefirstpermitreissuancetermfollowingapprovalbytheDepartment
undersub.(2),theinitialinterimeffluentlimitationshallbenohigherthan0.6
mg/Loftotalphosphorusexpressedasasixmonthaverage.Aneffluentlimit
nottoexceed1.0mg/Loftotalphosphorusexpressedasamonthlyaverageshall
alsobeincludedinthepermit.TheDepartmentmayallowthepermitteea
complianceschedulethatmaynotexceedfiveyearsifnecessarytomeetthis
interimlimitation.
3.Ifthepermitteehasmetalloftherequirementsofitspreviouspermit,butthe
monitoringdataofthereceivingwaterindicatethattheapplicablephosphorus
waterqualitycriterionins.NR102.06hasnotbeenmetbythetimethefirst
permitissuedunderadaptivemanagementexpires,theDepartmentmayissuea
subsequentadaptivemanagementpermit.Thesubsequentpermitshallinclude
aninterimeffluentlimitationofnohigherthan0.5mg/Lexpressedasa
sixmonthaverage.Aneffluentlimitnottoexceed1.0mg/Loftotalphosphorus
expressedasamonthlyaverageshallalsobeincludedinthepermit.The
subsequentpermitshallalsoincludeanupdatedadaptivemanagementplanto
achievethephosphoruswaterqualitycriterionins.NR102.06.TheDepartment
mayallowthepermitteeacomplianceschedulethatmaynotexceedfiveyearsif
necessarytomeetthisinterimlimitation.
4.Ifbytheexpirationofthesecondpermitissuedunderadaptivemanagement,
monitoringdatacollectedforthereceivingwaterindicatethattheapplicable
phosphoruscriterionunders.NR102.06hasnotbeenmet,theDepartmentshall
requirecompliancewithawaterqualitybasedeffluentlimitationforphosphorus
calculatedunders.NR217.13oraUSEPAapprovedTMDL.TheDepartmentmay
allowthepermitteeacomplianceschedulethatmaynotexceedfiveyearsif
necessarytomeetthislimitation.
(f)Astatementthatfailuretoimplementanyofthetermsorconditionsestablished
underpars.(a)through(e)above,isaviolationofthepermit.
(g)ProvisionsthattheDepartmentmayterminateadaptivemanagementfora
permitteeandrequirecompliancewithaphosphoruseffluentlimitationcalculated
unders.NR217.13oraUSEPAapprovedTMDLbasedonanyofthefollowing
reasons:
1.Failuretoimplementtheadaptivemanagementactionsinaccordancewith
theapprovedadaptivemanagementplanandcompliancescheduleestablished
inthepermit.
Appendix C Page 150

2.NewinformationbecomesavailablethatchangestheDepartments
determinationsmadeundersub.(2).
3.Circumstancesbeyondthepermitteescontrolhavemadecompliancewith
theapplicablephosphoruscriterionins.NR102.06pursuanttotheplansgoals
andmeasuresinfeasible.
4.AdeterminationbytheDepartmentthatsufficientreductionshavenotbeen
achievedtotimelyreducetheamounttotalphosphorustomeetthecriteriains.
NR102.06.
NR217.19Variancesforstabilizationpondsandlagoonsystems.(1)GENERAL.
(a)Anowneroroperatorofapermittedwastewatertreatmentsystemthatconsists
primarilyofastabilizationpondsystemoralagoonsystemmayapplyforavariance
tothephosphoruswaterqualitybasedeffluentlimitationspursuanttos.283.15(4)
(a)1.f.,Stats.,usingtheproceduresinthissection.
Note:Stabilizationpondsandlagoonsareoperatedprimarilybycommunitiesservingapopulationof2000orlessandsmall
industries.Withcurrentlyavailabletechnologythatcouldbeusedinconjunctionwithstabilizationpondsorlagoons,itisunlikely
thatphosphoruswaterqualitybasedeffluentlimitslessthan1mg/Lcanbeconsistentlymet.Tomeetphosphoruswaterquality
basedeffluentlimitsoflessthan1mg/L,itwillbenecessaryforownersofthesystemstoconstructnewwastewatertreatment
plantswhichcouldresultinsubstantialandwidespreadadversesocialandeconomicimpacts.
(b)Anewdischargermaynotreceiveapprovalforavarianceunderthissectionor
pursuanttoanyothervarianceprocedure.
(2)APPLICATIONFORAVARIANCE.
(a)Theapplicationforavarianceunderthissectionshallbesubmittedwiththe
WPDESpermitapplicationforreissuance,orwithin30daysafterthepermittee
receiveswrittennotificationoftheproposedphosphoruslimits,ifthenotification
occurslater.Theapplicationshallbesubmittedonthephosphoruslagoonand
stabilizationpondvarianceformmadeavailablefromtheDepartmentoronaform
containingequivalentinformation.
Note:Ownersoroperatorsofstabilizationpondsorlagoonsystemsmayobtainthevarianceapplicationformfromtheofficesofthe
Departmentofnaturalresources,bureauofwatershedmanagementat101SouthWebsterStreet,P.O.Box7921,Madison,
Wisconsin53707.Theformwillprovideguidanceonthetypeofinformationneededtodemonstratewidespreadsocialand
economicimpacts.
(b)Theapplicationshall,ataminimum,includethefollowinginformation:
1.Informationrequiredbys.NR200.22,exceptfortheinformationins.NR
200.22(1)(e)6.
2.Astatementthatthepermitteeisseekingavariancepursuanttothissection
ands.283.15(4)(a)1.f.,Stats.
3.Informationonthenumberandvolumeoflagoonorpondtreatmentcells,
treatmentprocesses,dischargeperiods,retentiontimes,populationserved,
influentflow,andavailablecapacityforholdingwastewater.
Appendix C Page 151

4.OtherinformationrequestedbytheDepartmentthatisrelevanttothereview
conductedundersub.(3).
Note:Itisrecommendedthatthepermitteeaskforcalculationofpotentialphosphoruswaterqualitybasedlimitsatleast12months
priortopermitexpiration.Thisinformationwillhelpthepermitteecompletetheirvariancerequestportionofthepermitapplication
whichisdue180dayspriortopermitexpiration.
(3)DEPARTMENTREVIEW.
(a)TheDepartmentshallreviewthesubmittedapplicationforthevarianceand
determinewhetherthepermitteecanachievethephosphoruseffluentlimitations
calculatedpursuanttos.NR217.13withoutwidespreadadversesocialand
economicimpacts.Inmakingthisdetermination,theDepartmentshall:
1.Comparethecalculatedphosphoruseffluentlimitationstothephosphorus
effluentdatasubmittedundersub.(2).Ifthepermitteedoesnothavesufficient
phosphorusdischargedataforitssystem,theDepartmentmayaugmentthe
datasetwitheffluentdatafromasimilarlagoonorpondsysteminthestateto
makethecomparison.TheDepartmentmayapplystatisticalmethodologiesto
makeitsdeterminationontheabilityofthecurrentlagoonorstabilizationpond
systemtomeetphosphoruslimitations.
2.Evaluatethefinancialaffordabilityanalysissubmittedbythepermitteein
responsetothevarianceapplicationrequirementins.NR200.22(p).
Note:TheDepartmentmayuseaUSEPApublicationtitled,InterimEconomicGuidanceforWaterQualityStandardsWorkbook,
EPA823B95002,March1995,whichprovidesinformationonevaluatingeconomicandsocialimpacts.
(b)TheDepartmentsdecisiontoapproveordenyavarianceunderthissectionshall
bemadeonorbeforethedateofthes.283.53(3)(d),Stats.,publicnoticeforthe
proposedpermitreissuanceandshallbemadeinaccordancewiththefollowing:
1.IftheDepartmentdeterminesthatthepermitteecannotmeetthephosphorus
waterqualitybasedeffluentlimitationwithoutwidespreadadversesocialand
economicimpacts,theDepartmentshallapprovethevariance.Ifthevarianceis
approved,theDepartmentshallspecifyinthepermitthatthevariancehasbeen
grantedforphosphorus,andtherequirementsinsub.(4)shallalsobeincluded
inthepermit.
2.IftheDepartmentdeterminesthatthepermitteecanmeetthephosphorus
effluentlimitationswithoutwidespreadadversesocialandeconomicimpactsor
thateffluentlimitationsarenotnecessaryasdeterminedbys.NR217.15,the
Departmentshalldenythevarianceandnotifytheapplicantofthis
determinationinwriting.
(c)IftheDepartmentdeniesavarianceunderthissection,apermitteemaynot
applyagainafterthepermitisissuedforavariancefromthephosphoruswater
qualitystandardbasedonthefactorins.283.15(4)(a)1.f.,Stats.,forthesame
permitterm.
Appendix C Page 152

Appendix C Page 153
(d)ApermitteemayseekavariancefromaphosphoruslimitinareissuedWPDES
permitbasedonthefactorsins.283.15(4)(a)1.a.toe.,Stats.,andusingthe
proceduresandrequirementsins.283.15,Stats.,andch.NR200.
Note:AllvariancesaresubjecttoUSEPAreviewandapproval.
(4)PERMITTERMSIFVARIANCEISAPPROVED.IftheDepartmentapprovesavarianceto
thephosphoruseffluentlimitationsunderthissection,thefollowingrequirementsshall
beincludedinthereissuedpermit:
(a)Thepermitshallincludeaphosphorusvarianceeffluentlimitationasfollows:
1.Thenumericlimitationshallequaltheupper99thpercentileofrepresentative
dailydischargeconcentrations(onedayP
99
)ascalculatedins.NR106.05(5)(a).
2.Thevariancelimitationshallbeexpressedasadailymaximumconcentration.
(b)Thepermitteeshallconductmonitoringofphosphorusduringdischargeperiods
atafrequencyspecifiedinthepermit.
(c)Thepermitteeshall,totheextentpracticable,identifyandminimizethe
nondomesticsourcesofphosphorustothesystemandoperatethetreatment
systemtominimizeexceedancesofthecalculatedlimits.
(d)Thepermitteeshallinvestigatetreatmenttechnologies,processchanges,
pollutantsourcereductionsteps,wastewaterreuseorothertechniquesthatmay
resultincompliancebythepermitteewiththeapplicablephosphoruswaterquality
standard,andshallsubmitreportsonthoseinvestigationsasrequiredbythe
Department.
(5)CONTINUEDVARIANCES.Ifapermitteereceivedapprovalforavariancetothe
phosphorusstandardunderthissectioninareissuedpermit,thepermitteemayrequest
acontinuedvariancefromthephosphorusstandardinasubsequentreissuedpermit
pursuanttotheproceduresandrequirementsinthissection.

Phosphorus Guidance Signed

Diunggah oleh

Informasi Dokumen

Deskripsi Asli:

Judul Asli

Hak Cipta

Format Tersedia

Bagikan dokumen Ini

Bagikan atau Tanam Dokumen

Opsi Berbagi

Apakah menurut Anda dokumen ini bermanfaat?

Apakah konten ini tidak pantas?

Hak Cipta:

Format Tersedia

Phosphorus Guidance Signed

Diunggah oleh

Hak Cipta:

Format Tersedia

Summary:

Baumann,Jim Figiel,Diane Fratrick,Jackie

Chapter 1 Section 1.01

Chapter 1 Section 1.01

Chapter 1 Section 1.01

Chapter 1 Section 1.02

Chapter 1 Section 1.03

Sameas2) Sameas2) Monthlyavg.conc.and

Chapter 1 Section 1.03

Chapter 2 Section 2.02

Chapter 2 Section 2.03

Implementation Guidance for Wisconsins Phosphorus Water Quality Standards

Chapter 2 Section 2.04

Implementation Guidance for Wisconsins Phosphorus Water Quality Standards

Chapter 2 Section 2.05

Chapter 2 Section 2.05

Implementation Guidance for Wisconsins Phosphorus Water Quality Standards

Chapter 2 Section 2.06

Implementation Guidance for Wisconsins Phosphorus Water Quality Standards

Implementation Guidance for Wisconsins Phosphorus Water Quality Standards

City State ZIPCode

State ZIPcode PhoneNo.(incl.areacode) FAXNumber

Basin1 Basin2 Basin3

Implementation Guidance for Wisconsins Phosphorus Water Quality Standards

City State ZIPCode

State ZIPcode PhoneNo.(incl.areacode) FAXNumber

Chapter 4 Page 102

City State ZIPCode

State ZIPcode PhoneNo.(incl.areacode) FAXNumber

Chapter 4 Page 103

Chapter 4 Page 104

Implementation Guidance for Wisconsins Phosphorus Water Quality Standards

Chapter 4 Page 110

Implementation Guidance for Wisconsins Phosphorus Water Quality Standards

Chapter 4 Page 112

Chapter 5 Page 115

Approved Methods for Analysis of Total Phosphorus in Wastewater

Implementation Guidance for Wisconsins Phosphorus Water Quality Standards

Notrequired Notrequired Planrequired;updatedwith

Chapter 5 Page 122

Notrequired Notrequired Required

Asspecifiedinpermit Asspecifiedinpermit Asspecifiedinpermit

Mustbemet Mustbemet Mustbemet.

Traderatio Notapplicable Required;detailstobe

Chapter 5 Page 123

Implementation Guidance for Wisconsins Phosphorus Water Quality Standards

Implementation Guidance for Wisconsins Phosphorus Water Quality Standards

Anda mungkin juga menyukai