Storm Water_Content Page_Industrial storm water permits

Industrial storm water permits

By Feb. 15th of each calendar year, industrial storm water permittees are required to perform an annual check to determine whether their facility discharges a pollutant of concern via storm water to a waterbody subject to a state and federally approved Total Maximum Daily Load (TMDL) or to an impaired waterbody listed in accordance with Section 303(d)(1) of the Federal Clean Water Act, 33 USC § 1313(d)(1) (C), and the implementing regulations of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (USEPA), 40 CFR § 130.7(c)(1). By Feb. 15th of each calendar year, industrial storm water permittees are required to perform an annual check to determine whether their facility discharges a pollutant of concern via storm water to a waterbody subject to a state and federally approved Total Maximum Daily Load (TMDL) or to an impaired waterbody listed in accordance with Section 303(d)(1) of the Federal Clean Water Act, 33 USC § 1313(d)(1) (C), and the implementing regulations of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (USEPA), 40 CFR § 130.7(c)(1). 

  • The weblink contained in the general industrial permits has moved and can be found on the Water Conditions List web page.
  • The 2024 Water Condition Lists [XLSX] may be used to check receiving water status for both the impaired waters list (IWL) and restoration waters list (RWL) section of a TMDL.
  • If a permittee is unsure what waterbody their facility discharges to, the receiving water and Water Body Identification Code (WBIC) may be found using the Surface Water Data Viewer.

On May 1, 2021 The department has made a final determination to reissue the Recycling of Scrap and Waste Materials, WPDES General Permit No. WI-S058831-4 and Dismantling of Vehicles for Parts Selling and Salvage, WPDES General Permit No. WI-S059145-4. The department has prepared a response to comments received during the public notice period. The Recycling of Scrap and Waste Materials, WPDES General Permit No. WI-S058831-4 and Dismantling of Vehicles for Parts Selling and Salvage, WPDES General Permit No. WI-S059145-4 are now available.

On May 31, 2021 the department has made a final determination to reissue the Tier 1 Industrial Storm Water General Permit, WPDES General Permit No. S067849-5 and Tier 2 Industrial Storm Water General Permit, WPDES General Permit No. S067857-5. The department has prepared a response to comments received during the public notice period. The Tier 1 Industrial Storm Water General Permit, WPDES General Permit No. S067849-5 and associated fact sheet and Tier 2 Industrial Storm Water General Permit, WPDES General Permit No. S067857-5 and associated fact sheet are now available.

Following an administrative order signed Oct. 4, 2024, the Mineral (Nonmetallic) Mining and/or Processing General Permit, WPDES General Permit No. WI-0046515-07-2 will become Effective Dec. 31, 2024. As a result of the order, sampling point 006 will only apply to process wastewater discharges to groundwater (such as infiltration from unlined ponds) at industrial sand facility activities commonly categorized under Standard Industrial Code (SIC) 1446, pursuant to federal Occupational Health and Safety Administration (OSHA) regulations. A summary of the changes may be found in the modified permit fact sheet. 

On June 7, 2022 the department has made a final determination to reissue the Mineral (Nonmetallic) Mining and/or Processing General Permit, WPDES General Permit No. WI-0046515-07-0. This general permit replaces and combines the Nonmetallic mining operation WPDES General Permit No. WI-A046515-06 and WPDES General Permit No. WI-B046515-06. The permit will become effective Jan. 1, 2023. The department has prepared a Notice of Final Determination along with a response to comments received during the public notice period. The (Nonmetallic) Mining and/or Processing General Permit, WPDES General Permit No. WI-0046515-07-0 and associated fact sheet are now available.

On Sept. 5, 2023 the department has made a final determination to modify the Mineral (Nonmetallic) Mining and/or Processing General Permit, WPDES General Permit No. WI-0046515-07-1. This general permit modifies the Nonmetallic mining operation WPDES General Permit No. WI-0046515-07. The permit will become effective Oct. 1, 2023. The department has prepared a Notice of Final Determination  along with a response to comments received during the public notice period. The (Nonmetallic) Mining and/or Processing General Permit, WPDES General Permit No. WI-0046515-07-1 and associated fact sheet are now available.

Pollutants carried in storm water runoff from industrial facilities threaten or degrade water quality in many areas of the state. Because of this problem, state and federal laws require that certain dischargers of industrial storm water have a storm water discharge permit. The purpose of the permit is to identify conditions under which industrial storm water can be discharged so that the quality of surface waters, wetlands and groundwater is protected.

Industrial storm water discharge permit coverage is based on both:

These exposed materials can contaminate storm water runoff
These exposed materials can contaminate storm water runoff. DNR Photo - Gerry Jarmuz

Chapter NR 216 [PDF, Exit DNR] Wis. Adm. Code, contains a list of classifications of industrial facilities that must obtain storm water discharge permit coverage. For information on the types of pollutant concerns at industrial sites and how they are regulated see How is storm water regulated?

Use the links below to find out information on who is affected, how industries comply with permit requirements and technical assistance documents.