Section NR 200.22 - Information to be included in an application for a variance(1) A permittee applying for a variance shall supply the following information: (a) Facility name, address and WPDES permit number.(b) The name, address and telephone of a facility contact person.(c) The date the permit was issued, reissued or modified which gives rise to the request for a variance.(d) Each water quality standard, pollutant and corresponding effluent limitation for which a variance is being requested.(e) Results of monitoring data for the pollutant for which the permittee is seeking a variance which represents the past and current levels of effluent quality. Monitoring shall conform with the following: 1. The submittal shall specify sample location, sample type, sampling dates, analysis dates and laboratory name and certification number. 2. Data quantity shall be sufficient to allow appropriate statistical treatment to characterize effluent quality over time.3. Samples shall be collected on days when contributions from industrial, commercial or other processes or sources of wastewater are expected to be at normal levels.4. Results of monitoring shall be summarized in tabular or graphical format or both.5. Any changes, such as changes in contract lab or method of analysis or treatment or process changes that occurred which may have affected results or could explain data trends shall be noted and an explanation provided.6. In addition, for this data to be considered to be representative, the permittee shall supply information to demonstrate that: a. Sample results fall above the limit of quantitation for the analytical method used or that the most sensitive approved analytical method listed for the pollutant in ch. NR 219 was used with proper technique to produce the results.b. Proper laboratory quality control procedures were used to generate the data. To make this demonstration, the permittee shall supply, for several representative analytical runs, the raw data for samples, instrument initial and continuing calibrations, and all applicable quality control samples. Note: Pursuant to s. 299.11(4) (c), Stats., subd. 6. b. is shown as amended eff. 6-29-21 by CR 17-046. Prior to 6-29-21 it reads:
b.Proper laboratory quality control procedures were used to generate the data. To make this demonstration, the permittee shall supply, for several representative analytical runs, the raw data for samples, calibrations, calibration verifications and quality control steps. The raw data for quality control steps shall include results of replicate samples, identity of samples used for replicate samples, matrix spikes, matrix spike concentrations used, reagent blanks, method blanks and quality control limits. Raw data, replicate sample, matrix spike and quality control limit have the meanings specified in s. NR 149.03.Note: In the revisions to Ch. NR 149, replicate samples are referred to and defined as "replicates".
c. Proper sampling quality control procedures designed to minimize sample contamination were used. This demonstration shall include a description of sampling procedures and submittal of results of field blanks. A field blank is a volume of reagent grade water which is handled in such a way so as to duplicate as closely as possible the exposure of a water sample to potential sources of contamination during sampling, preservation and transportation to the laboratory. (f) Changes which could be made to enhance treatment or source reduction of flows coming to the treatment facility or which would reduce the level of toxicity or the discharge of the pollutant for which the permittee is seeking a variance. This information shall include the following: 1. An estimate of capital and operating costs for the changes and a reasonable schedule for planning and accomplishing the work.2. If the source of the pollutant is believed to be from dissolution of metals from water supply distribution piping materials: a. Information on past and current water supply treatment practices which may increase or decrease the corrosive nature of the water supply including what changes have been made and when.b. Data on the water supply stability or corrosivity, using one of various methods of determination, for the raw and treated water supply.c. Other potential water sources or methods of water supply treatment as an alternative.(g) Information which establishes the significance of industrial and commercial wastewater sources versus domestic waste-water sources of the pollutant for which a variance is requested. This may include an approximate mass-balance calculation of treatment system loadings from all sources.(h) For facilities which monitor the treatment system sludge pursuant to requirements in ch. NR 204 or 214 for the pollutant for which a variance is requested, results of the most recent 3 years(i) If a variance is being requested for whole effluent toxicity in conjunction with a specific chemical pollutant or if whole effluent toxicity failures have been experienced and they are believed to have resulted from the pollutant for which the variance is being requested, evidence which points to the pollutant as the cause of the whole effluent toxicity failures.(j) Effluent limitations which the permittee believes it can currently achieve.(k) Effluent limitations which the permittee believes it can achieve at some later date during the term of the variance and the corresponding schedule which would be followed to meet these limitations. (l) Whether the permittee believes it can meet the effluent limitations that give rise to the variance request at any time during the term of the permit.(m) A detailed discussion of evidence and reasons why the permittee believes a variance is warranted based on one or more of the grounds listed in s. NR 200.20(2).(n) Demonstration that the variance requested conforms with antidegradation requirements specified in ch. NR 207.(o) Characterization of the extent of any increased risk to human health and the environment associated with granting the variance so as to allow the department to decide if such increased risk is consistent with protection of the public health, safety and welfare.(p) For variance requests based on s. NR 200.20(2) (f), the permittee shall conduct a financial impact analysis which shall include an estimate of the capital, operation and maintenance and financing costs, translated into an annualized cost, of potential changes identified in par. (g) compared with an analysis of financial affordability. The analysis of financial affordability shall include: 1. For publicly owned systems, an estimate of how much annual municipal revenue would need to increase, taking into account any offsetting state shared revenues if the most cost-effective pollutant control option was implemented and how this would affect user fees if user fees were used to finance the costs. This analysis shall also compare projected user fees with user fees in similar communities. If industrial or commercial contributions comprise a significant source of the pollutant, information requested in subd. 2. shall also be provided.2. For privately owned systems or if the most cost-effective pollutant control option for a publicly owned system involves additional regulation of privately owned contributors as the impacted parties, an estimate of how implementing the most cost-effective pollutant control option would affect profitability and other financial health indicators of the private entity.3. An analysis of the socioeconomic impacts to the community where the entity is located. Note: Permittees may find helpful a United States Environmental Protection Agency publication titled Interim Economic Guidance for Water Quality Standards - Workbook, EPA-823-B-95-002, March 1995. Information on ordering EPA publications can be found on the World Wide Web at http://www.epa.gov/.
(2) In addition to the information required in sub. (1), the permittee may, within the 60-day time limits specified in s. NR 200.21, submit to the department any other information to support the request for a variance.Wis. Admin. Code Department of Natural Resources NR 200.22
Cr. Register, November, 1999, No. 527, eff. 12-1-99.Amended by, CR 17-046: am. (1) (e) 6. b. Register February 2021 No. 782, eff. 6/29/2021