281.15 Water quality standards.
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/wi/chapter-281/281-15A research copy — for the controlling text, always check the official state or federal source. Not legal advice.
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 consist of the designated uses of the waters or portions thereof and the water quality criteria for those waters based upon the designated use. Water quality standards shall protect the public interest, which include the protection of the public health and welfare and the present and prospective future use of such waters for public and private water systems, propagation of fish and aquatic life and wildlife, domestic and recreational purposes and agricultural, commercial, industrial and other legitimate uses. In all cases where the potential uses of water are in conflict, water quality standards shall be interpreted to protect the general public interest.
(2)In adopting or revising any water quality criteria for the waters of the state or any designated portion thereof, the department shall do all of the following:
(a)At least annually publish and provide public notice of water quality criteria to be adopted, revised or reviewed in the following year.
(b)Consider information reasonably available to the department on the likely social, economic, energy usage and environmental costs associated with attaining the criteria and provide a description of the economic and social considerations used in the establishment of the criteria.
(c)Establish criteria which are no more stringent than reasonably necessary to assure attainment of the designated use for the water bodies in question.
(d)Employ reasonable statistical techniques, where appropriate, in interpreting the relevant water quality data.