Repository of Documents

Wisconsin

Water Quality Standards for Wisconsin

Adobe Acrobat Reader is required to view PDF documents. The most recent version of the Adobe Acrobat Reader is available as a free download. An Adobe Acrobat plug-in for assisted technologies is also available.

• Chapter NR 2.  Procedure and Practice - (PDF, 48K)  Document contains rules that apply during all hearings and proceedings before the department of natural resources unless otherwise specified.
• Chapter NR 102. Water Quality Standards for Wisconsin Surface Waters  - (PDF, 52K)  This document, in conjunction with NR 103 to 105 establishes water quality standards for surface waters of the State. 
• Chapter NR 103. Water Quality Standards for Wetlands - (PDF, 21K)  This document establishes water quality standards for wetlands.
• Chapter NR 104. Uses and Designated Standards - (PDF, 67K)  This document specifies the designated uses, effluent limitations, provisions for changes, and applicable variances for intrastate and interstate waters of the State.
• Chapter NR 105. Surface Water Quality Criteria and Secondary Values for Toxic Substances - (PDF, 1.8M)  This document establishes water quality criteria, methods for developing water quality criteria and secondary values for toxic substances.
• Chapter NR 205. General Provisions - (PDF, 46K)  The document specifies definitions for use in Chapters 200-298.
• Chapter NR 207. Water Quality Antidegradation - (PDF, 26K)  This document sets forth the antidegradation implementation procedures for the antidegradation policy in NR 102.5.
• 283.15  Variances to Water Quality Standards - (PDF, 19K)
• Stream Classification Guidelines for Wisconsin - (PDF, 1.5M)  This document describes potential stream designated uses and provides a basis for making and supporting water quality management decisions.
• Water Quality Rules Implementation Plan - (PDF, 13.4M)  This document describes the implementation of water quality regulations adopted by the State in 1997. 
• Mixing Zone Guidance for Chronic Toxicity and Zones of Initial Dilution - (PDF, 2M)
• Water Quality Standards for Wetlands - (PDF, 1.4M)  This document provides background for NR 103 Water Quality Standards for Wetlands and guidance for its implementation.
• Federal Regulations, 40 CFR 132, Tables 1 and 2 - (PDF, 126K) 

EPA disapproved the acute and chronic aquatic life criteria for copper and nickel (Wis. Adm. Code NR 105, Tables 2 and 6), a chronic aquatic life criterion for endrin  (Wis. Adm. Code NR 105, Table 5) as being inconsistent with Tables 1 and 2 of the Great Lakes Guidance at 40 CFR 132. In addition, EPA also disapproved Wisconsin's failure to adopt and submit to EPA a chronic aquatic life water quality criterion for selenium as required by 40 CFR 132.3(b). Pursuant to the Great Lakes Guidance, these water quality criteria are replaced by corresponding federal water quality criteria contained at 40 CFR 132, Tables 1 and 2.

Back to the Water Quality Standards Homepage