Section 206.08. Effluent limitations for specific types of land disposal systems.

 

(1)   Absorption pond systems.

(a) Design limitations. Absorption pond systems shall conform to the design requirements in s. NR 110.255 (1) .

(b) Effluent limitations.

1. The discharge to an absorption pond system may not exceed a monthly average BOD 5 concentration of 50 mg/l.

2. The maximum hydraulic application rate to an absorption pond system shall be determined on a case-by-case basis in accordance with s. NR 110.255 (1) (a) 2.

3. The discharge to an absorption pond system which is subject to the groundwater quality standards in ss. NR 140.10 and 140.12 shall comply with the following limitations:

a. The monthly average total nitrogen concentration may not exceed 10 mg/l.

b. The total dissolved solids concentration may not exceed 500 mg/l.

c. The chloride concentration may not exceed 250 mg/l.

4. If an absorption pond system has been granted an exemption to groundwater quality standards under s. NR 140.28 , the discharge requirements for nitrogen, total dissolved solids and chloride will be determined by the department on a case-by-case basis. Information to be considered in approving alternate limitations shall include:

a. Alternate concentration limits under ch. NR 140 ;

b. Qualifications on the exemption, if any exist;

c. Level of treatment of the wastewater for the particular contaminant;

d. Removal capability prior to discharge to the treatment system;

e. Expected increase in the concentration of a pollutant in groundwater downgradient at the point of standards application.

5. The department may approve alternative effluent limitations in accordance with s. NR 206.06 for total nitrogen, BOD 5 , hydraulic application rate, total dissolved solids and chlorides; and may require effluent limitations for additional substances on a case-by-case basis in order to protect and maintain groundwater quality as required in ch. NR 140 .

(2)   Spray irrigation systems.

(a) Design limitations. Spray irrigation systems shall conform to the design requirements in s. NR 110.255 (2) .

(b) Effluent limitations.

1. Discharge shall be limited to prevent any runoff of effluent from the site. Wastewater may not be sprayed during any rainfall event that causes runoff from the site. Uncontaminated storm water may be allowed to drain from a spray irrigation field.

2. The volume of discharge shall be limited to prevent ponding, except for temporary conditions following rainfall events.

3. The monthly average BOD 5 concentration may not exceed 50 mg/l.

4. The department may limit the fecal coliform bacteria in the discharge to the spray irrigation system based on the potential impact to public health.

5. The hydraulic application rate for each system shall be based on hydrogeologic conditions, soil texture, permeability, cation exchange capacity, topography, cover crop and wastewater characteristics. The average hydraulic application rate may not exceed 10,000 gallons per acre per day.

6. The annual nitrogen application rate shall be limited to the nitrogen needs of the cover crop plus demonstrable denitrification occurring in the treatment system. Determination of the annual nitrogen application rate shall include the nitrogen supplied by the wastewater and any supplemental fertilizers used.

7. The soil at each individual spray irrigation field shall be tested annually for nitrogen, available phosphorus, available potassium and pH. The results of these analyses shall be submitted to the department and used to manage the spray irrigation system.

8. The department may limit additional parameters as necessary to protect and maintain groundwater quality as required in ch. NR 140 .

(3)   Ridge and furrow systems.

(a) Design limitations. Ridge and furrow systems shall conform to the design requirements in s. NR 110.255 (3) .

(b) Effluent limitations.

1. Discharge to a ridge and furrow system shall be limited so that the discharge and precipitation from a 10-year frequency, 24-hour duration rainfall event does not overflow the boundary of the system.

2. The discharge shall be alternately distributed to individual sections of the disposal system to allow sufficient resting periods to maintain the treatment capability of the soil.

3. The monthly average BOD 5 concentration may not exceed 50 mg/l.

4. The volume of discharge shall be limited to prevent inundation of the ridges except for temporary conditions following precipitation events.

5. The average hydraulic application rate may not exceed 10,000 gallons per acre per day for the system.

6. The annual total nitrogen in the wastewater applied to the system shall be limited to the annual nitrogen need of the cover crop plus demonstrable denitrification occurring in the treatment system.

7. The department may limit additional parameters as necessary to protect and maintain groundwater quality as required in ch. NR 140 .

(4)   Overland flow systems.

(a) Design limitations. Overland flow systems shall conform to the design requirements in s. NR 110.255 (4) .

(b) Effluent limitations.

1. The discharge to the overland flow system shall be alternately distributed to individual sections of the system in a regular load/rest cycle that allows sufficient resting to dry accumulated solids and maintain a complete grass cover.

2. The hydraulic application rate shall be as defined in the management plan, developed according to s. NR 206.07 (2) (h) . The hydraulic application rate is expressed as a flow rate per unit width of slope.

3. Hydraulic application rates shall be reduced substantially when the vegetative cover has not developed sufficiently to anchor the soil and create the filter mat necessary for effective wastewater treatment. This condition may occur during original or springtime system startup.

4. The discharge of wastewater to an overland flow system shall be in accordance with a WPDES permit.

5. The department may limit parameters to an overland flow system in order to protect and maintain groundwater quality as required in ch. NR 140 .

(5)  All other land disposal systems shall be evaluated by the department on a case-by-case basis.

History: Cr. Register, March, 1985, No. 351 , eff. 4-1-85; r. and recr. Register, November, 1990, No. 419 , eff. 12-1-90.

Note

The effluent limitations in par. (b) 3. have been established to provide compliance with the groundwater enforcement standards for nitrate, total dissolved solids and chloride. The department has determined that it is not technically and economically feasible for absorption pond systems to comply with the preventive action limits for these substances. These effluent limitations, in combination with groundwater monitoring requirements, will assist the department in minimizing the levels of nitrate, total dissolved solids and chloride in the groundwater, to the extent technically and economically feasible. Groundwater enforcement standards and preventive action limits are specified in ss. NR 140.10 and 140.12 . Microsoft Windows NT 6.1.7601 Service Pack 1 Based upon the department's experience, the recommended range for the average hydraulic application rate is 2,000 to 7,000 gallons per acre per day, based on a monthly average. Microsoft Windows NT 6.1.7601 Service Pack 1 Based upon the department's experience, the recommended range for the average hydraulic application rate is 2,000 to 5,000 gallons per acre per day based on a monthly average. Microsoft Windows NT 6.1.7601 Service Pack 1