Section 200.01. Purpose.

  The purpose of this chapter is:

(1)  To set forth the requirements for filing applications for the discharge permits required by s. 283.31 , Stats., to prescribe the form of such applications pursuant to s. 283.37 , Stats., and to specify the number of business days within which the department will publish a public notice indicating its intended action on a Wisconsin pollutant discharge elimination system permit application or request for modification pursuant to s. 227.116 , Stats. Section 283.31 , Stats., requires a permit for the lawful discharge of any pollutant into the waters of the state, which include groundwaters by the definition in s. 283.01 (13) , Stats. The federal water pollution control act of 1977, P.L. 95-217 ; 33 USC 466 et seq., requires a permit for the lawful discharge of any pollutant into navigable waters. Therefore in Wisconsin, permits are required for discharges from point sources to surface waters of the state and additionally to land areas where pollutants may percolate, seep to, or be leached to groundwaters. This includes the land application of sludge.

(2)  To set forth the requirements for filing applications for variances to water quality standards allowed by s. 283.15 , Stats.