Triennial Standards Review
Helping improve Wisconsin's surface water quality
Every three years, the DNR reviews Wisconsin's water quality standards or related guidance to determine which standards need development or revision, as required by the federal Clean Water Act. This comprehensive evaluation, called the Triennial Standards Review (TSR), is an essential process to keep Wisconsin's surface waters swimmable, fishable and drinkable.
This review helps DNR staff focus efforts to integrate the latest science, technology and federal requirements into how the state regulates water quality. In addition, the review assists the staff with work-planning and identifying needed actions for moving projects forward. Water quality standards act as guidelines for setting an appropriate level of protection for Wisconsin's lakes, rivers and streams.
Components of water quality standards reviewed as part of the Triennial Standards Review include the following:
- designated uses – goals and expectations established for each waterbody
- water quality criteria – narrative and numeric benchmarks established to protect the designated uses
- antidegradation – policy or procedure established to protect high-quality waters
- water quality variances – short-term changes to permit limits or water quality standards when criteria are unattainable.
Public Hearing
The DNR held a public hearing and informational webinar to gather input on which topics related to surface water quality standards should be top priorities for work over the next three years.
- The hearing/webinar was held on Wednesday, July 17, 2024. The comment period closed on July 26, 2024.
- View a recording of the hearing hearing via Widen. https://widnr.widen.net/s/9xksz8cgk7/triennialstandardsreviewpublichearing71724 (00:48:46)
- Triennial Standards Review 2024-2026 Public Hearing Slides
- The Draft 2024-2026 Workplan is available for review. This document includes a short description of each topic. At the public hearing, the DNR reviewed the department’s draft list of priority topics, described each topic, and took comments and questions. Participants provided their comments verbally at the hearing or in writing.
Triennial Review Process
Step 1: Gather topic suggestions related to water quality standards. Compile a list of relevant topics.
Step 2: Solicit public input to rank topics during the public comment period and public hearing
Step 3: Use public input to help prioritize topics and draft a workplan for the next three years. Submit the final plan to EPA.
Once the Triennial work plan is complete, staff will begin work on the prioritized topics as time and resources allow.
- To receive notice of and participate in the upcoming cycle steps, subscribe to Water Quality Standards and Assessments.
Previous Cycles
Information about previous cycles is available below. Work on topics begun in previous cycles will continue until work is completed.
2021-2023
2018-2020
2015-2017
2012-2014
- No final status report available.
- 2013 Mid-point Topic Status Report
- 2012 Prioritized Workplan
2008-2011
- No final status report available.
- 2008 Prioritized Workplan