Chapter 281, WATER AND SEWAGE

281.01 Definitions. In this chapter, unless the context requires otherwise: (3) “Department” means the department of natural resources. (4) “Garbage” means discarded materials resulting from the handling, processing, storage and consumption of food. (5) “Industrial wastes” includ…

281.11 Statement of policy and purpose. The department shall serve as the central unit of state government to protect, maintain and improve the quality and management of the waters of the state, ground and surface, public and private. Continued pollution of the waters of the stat…

281.12 General department powers and duties. (1) The department shall have general supervision and control over the waters of the state. It shall carry out the planning, management and regulatory programs necessary for implementing the policy and purpose of this chapter. The depa…

281.13 Surveys and research. (1) (a) The department is authorized to act with the U.S. geological survey in determining the sanitary and other conditions and nature of the natural water sources in this state, for the following purposes: 1. To determine the nature and condition of…

281.14 Wisconsin River monitoring and study. (1) In this section: (a) “Nonpoint source” has the meaning given in s. 281.16 (1) (e). (b) “Point source” has the meaning given in s. 283.01 (12). (2) The department shall conduct a program to monitor and study the introduction of nutr…

281.145 River and stream monitoring and study. 281.15 Water quality standards. 281.16 Water quality protection; nonpoint sources.

281.15 Water quality standards. (1) The department shall promulgate rules setting standards of water quality to be applicable to the waters of the state, recognizing that different standards may be required for different waters or portions thereof. Water quality standards shall c…

281.16 Water quality protection; nonpoint sources. (1) DEFINITIONS. In this section: (a) “Agricultural facility” means a structure associated with an agricultural practice. (b) “Agricultural practice” means beekeeping; commercial feedlots; dairying; egg production; floriculture; …

281.165 Compliance with water quality standards for wetlands. 281.17 Water quality and quantity; specific regulations. 281.19 Orders. 281.20 Orders; nonpoint source pollution. SUBCHAPTER III WATER QUALITY AND QUANTITY; GENERAL REGULATIONS 281.31 Navigable waters protection law. 2…

281.17 Water quality and quantity; specific regulations. (2) The department shall supervise chemical treatment of waters for the suppression of nuisance-producing organisms that are not regulated by the program established under s. 23.24 (2). It may purchase equipment and may mak…

281.19 Orders. (1) The department may issue general orders, and adopt rules applicable throughout the state for the construction, installation, use and operation of practicable and available systems, methods and means for preventing and abating pollution of the waters of the stat…

281.20 Orders; nonpoint source pollution. (1) Under the procedure specified in sub. (3), the department may do any of the following: (a) Order or cause the abatement of pollution which the department, in consultation with the department of agriculture, trade and consumer protecti…

281.31 Navigable waters protection law. (1) To aid in the fulfillment of the state’s role as trustee of its navigable waters and to promote public health, safety, convenience and general welfare, it is declared to be in the public interest to make studies, establish policies, mak…

281.33 Construction site erosion control and storm water management. (1) OBJECTIVES. To aid in the fulfillment of the state’s role as trustee of its navigable waters, to promote public health, safety and general welfare and to protect natural resources, it is declared to be in th…

281.34 Groundwater withdrawals. (1) DEFINITIONS. In this section: (ae) “Fire protection well” means a well used primarily for fire protection purposes. (am) “Groundwater protection area” means an area within 1,200 feet of any of the following: 1. An outstanding resource water ide…

281.343 Great Lakes — St. Lawrence River Basin Water Resources Compact. (1) LEGISLATIVE DETERMINATION. The legislature determines that it is in the interests of this state to ratify the Great Lakes — St. Lawrence River Basin Water Resources Compact. Nothing in this section may be…

281.344 Water conservation, reporting, and supply regulation; when compact is not in effect.

281.346 Water conservation, reporting, and supply regulation; after the compact takes effect.

281.348 Water supply service area plans for public water supply systems. 281.35 Water resources conservation and management. 281.36 Permits for discharges into wetlands; mitigation. 281.37 Wetland mitigation grant program. SUBCHAPTER IV WATER AND SEWAGE FACILITIES; SEPTAGE DISPOS…

281.35 Water resources conservation and management. (1) DEFINITIONS. In this section: (a) “Approval” means a permit issued under s. 30.18, 281.344 (5), or 281.346 (5) or an approval under s. 281.17 (1), 2001 stats., or s. 281.34 or 281.41. (b) “Authorized base level of water loss…

281.36 Permits for discharges into wetlands; mitigation. (1) DEFINITIONS. In this section: (a) “Additional federal law or interpretation” means any of the following: 1. An amendment to 33 USC 1344 (f) that becomes effective after January 9, 2001. 2. Any other federal statutory pr…

281.37 Wetland mitigation grant program. (1) In this subsection: (a) “Department land” means land owned by or under easement to the state that is under the jurisdiction of the department and used for one of the purposes specified in s. 23.09 (2) (d). (b) “Mitigation program” mean…

281.41 Approval of plans. (1) (a) Except as provided under sub. (2), every owner within the time prescribed by the department, shall file with the department a certified copy of complete plans of a proposed system or plant or extension thereof, in scope and detail satisfactory to…

281.43 Joint sewerage systems. (1) The department of natural resources may require the sewerage system, or sewage or refuse disposal plant of any governmental unit including any town, village or city, to be so planned and constructed that it may be connected with that of any othe…

281.45 House connections. To assure preservation of public health, comfort and safety, any city, village or town or town sanitary district having a system of waterworks or sewerage, or both, may by ordinance require buildings used for human habitation and located adjacent to a se…

281.47 Sewage drains; sewage discharge into certain lakes. (1) (a) When any city, village, town or owner has constructed or constructs a sewage system complying with s. 281.41, the outflow or effluent from such system may be discharged into any stream or drain constructed pursuan…

281.48 Servicing septic tanks, soil absorption fields, holding tanks, grease interceptors and privies. (2) DEFINITIONS. In this section: (b) “Grease interceptor” means a receptacle designed to intercept and retain grease or fatty substances. (bm) “Private on-site wastewater treat…

281.49 Disposal of septage in municipal sewage systems. (1) DEFINITIONS. In this section: (b) “Licensed disposer” means a person engaged in servicing, as defined in s. 281.48 (2) (f), under a license issued under s. 281.48 (3) (a). (m) “Septage” means the scum, liquid, sludge or …

281.51 Financial assistance program; local water quality planning. (1) DEFINITIONS. As used in this section: (a) “Designated local agency” means the designated local agency under section 208 of the federal act. (b) “Federal act” means the federal water pollution control act amend…

281.53 Municipal clean drinking water grants. (1) The department may award a municipal clean drinking water grant, from the appropriation under s. 20.866 (2) (tb), to a municipality for capital costs to achieve compliance with standards for contaminants established by the departm…

281.55 Financial assistance program. (1) The legislature finds that state financial assistance for the construction and financing of pollution prevention and abatement facilities is a public purpose and a proper state government function in that the state is trustee of the waters…

281.56 Financial assistance program; sewerage systems. (1) The financial assistance program established under this section is to be used only if the applicant is unable to receive assistance in a timely manner from the federal government and supplementary funding program establis…

281.57 Financial assistance program; point source pollution abatement. (1) LEGISLATIVE INTENT. The legislature finds that state financial assistance for facility planning, engineering design and construction of point source pollution abatement facilities is a public purpose and a…

281.58 Clean water fund program; financial assistance. (1) DEFINITIONS. In this section: (ai) “Clean water fund program” means the program administered under this section with financial management provided under s. 281.59. (am) “Effluent limitation” has the meaning designated in …

281.59 Environmental improvement fund; financial management. (1) DEFINITIONS. In this section: (ag) “Clean water fund program” means the program administered under s. 281.58, with financial management provided under this section. (am) “Effluent limitation” has the meaning given i…

281.605 Outstanding loans under the former land recycling loan program. Section 281.60 (8m), 2021 stats., s. 281.60 (11), 2021 stats., s. 281.60 (11m), 2021 stats., s. 281.60 (13) (c), 2021 stats., s. 281.60 (13) (d), 2021 stats., s. 281.60 (13) (f), 2021 stats., and s. 281.60 (1…

281.61 Safe drinking water loan program. (1) DEFINITIONS. In this section: (ag) “Community water system” means a public water system that serves at least 15 service connections used by year-round residents or that regularly serves at least 25 year-round residents. (am) “Local gov…

281.62 Other drinking water quality activities. (1) In this section: (a) “Community water system” means a public water system that serves at least 15 service connections used by year-round residents of the area served by the public water system or that regularly serves at least 2…

281.625 Drinking water loan guarantee program. (1) In this section: (a) “Community water system” means a public water system that serves at least 15 service connections used by year-round residents or that regularly serves at least 25 year-round residents. (b) “Local governmental…

281.63 Financial assistance program; combined sewer overflow abatement. (1) LEGISLATIVE FINDINGS. The legislature finds that state financial assistance for the elimination of combined sewer overflow to the waters of the state is a public purpose and a proper function of state gov…

281.65 Financial assistance; nonpoint source water pollution abatement. (1) The purposes of the nonpoint source pollution abatement financial assistance program under this section are to: (a) Provide the necessary administrative framework and financial assistance for the implemen…

281.66 Urban nonpoint source water pollution abatement and storm water management program. (1) DEFINITIONS. In this section: (a) “Governmental unit” has the meaning given in s. 281.65 (2) (am). (b) “Nonpoint source” has the meaning given in s. 281.65 (2) (b). (c) “Population” mea…

281.665 Municipal flood control and riparian restoration program. (1) DEFINITIONS. In this section: (a) “Conservation easement” has the meaning given in s. 700.40 (1) (a). (b) “Local governmental unit” means a city, village, town or metropolitan sewerage district. (2) ADMINISTRAT…

281.67 Watershed projects. The department shall assist and advise the department of agriculture, trade and consumer protection regarding watershed projects under 16 USC 1001 to 1008. History: 1981 c. 346; 1995 a. 227 s. 429; Stats. 1995 s. 281.67.

281.68 Lake management planning grants and lake monitoring and protection contracts. (1) DEFINITIONS. In this section: (ag) “Lake” includes a flowage. (ar) “Producer-led group” means any group that meets the criteria under s. 93.59 (2). (b) “Qualified lake association” means an a…

281.69 Lake management and classification grants and contracts. (1b) DEFINITIONS. In this section: (ae) “Floating treatment wetland” means an artificial, buoyant platform for keeping plants afloat that mimics the function of natural wetlands and allows plants to grow in water tha…

281.695 Aids to municipalities for prevention and abatement of water pollution. (1) As used in this section “municipality” means any city, town, village, town sanitary district, public inland lake protection and rehabilitation district or metropolitan sewerage district. (2) Any m…

281.70 River protection grants. (1) DEFINITIONS. In this section: (a) “Floating treatment wetland” means an artificial, buoyant platform for keeping plants afloat that mimics the function of natural wetlands and allows plants to grow in water that is typically too deep for them a…

281.71 Lake management project grants; river protection grants; purchases. (1) In order to receive a grant for a purchase under s. 281.69 (3) (b) 1. or 281.70 (5) (c) 1., the recipient shall enter into a contract with the department that contains all of the following provisions: …

281.72 River protection; contracts with nonprofit organizations. (1) DEFINITION. In this section, “nonprofit conservation organization” means a river management organization that meets the qualifications under s. 281.70 (4) (b) or a nonprofit corporation, a charitable trust or ot…