Complying with the regulations

The following are some resources to help you manage air pollution requirements.

Filing permits and reports

Before filing documents with DNR, facility contacts should be sure to have a Wisconsin User ID set up for the Web Access Management System, which is also called your WAMS ID. To get started, go to the DNR's Switchboard Instructions webpage. You can print off initial instructions that may be helpful to follow along as you go through the process. Refer to the FAQ on the Instructions page if you get stuck.

While setting up your WAMS ID, request access to all the systems you think you may need access to for reporting or future permit applications. Its best to have it set up in advance of any deadlines.

The following table includes common reports and notifications for the air program. Links in the first column will open up fact sheets or other descriptive information about the report/notification/certification. Submittals still filed with fillable PDF forms will have a link in the Forms column. Others will be available through the Switchboard and selecting the respective program access links. Additional instructions or tutorials/training are linked in the last column.

The following table lists the most common and most likely permits required by a printing facility to operate in compliance with the requirements. The first columns have links to resources and information to explain the permit or exemption criteria. The last column has links to instructions or online submittal portals for the specific permit or exemption to be filed. Where the application forms are fillable PDFs, there will be a link in the Forms column.

Fugitive dust control

"Fugitive dust" is a term used to describe any particulate matter (PM) emissions released through any means other than a stack or duct of some kind. Any business creating enough dust, smoke or fumes to be a noticeable source of air pollution must control those emissions. The following are examples of activities that would create fugitive dust:

• large trucks transporting materials along unpaved roads;
• unpaved parking lots;
• piles of materials stored on site, like grain; and
• dry materials directed to equipment not collected by another device, whether by baghouse, cyclone, wet scrubber, etc.

Any business that creates fugitive dust must do as much as possible to control those emissions and keep them from escaping into the environment. The following are a few suggestions based on the type of activity. Other best management practices recommended by industry experts are provided in the fact sheet Fugitive Dust Management (AM-556).

• For roads or storage piles, this may mean using water or chemicals to prevent dust plumes. Paving roads will reduce dust. Storage piles can be kept within a three-sided building to minimize emissions.
• To know how much of an additive is allowed in water for dust prevention, refer to the storm water standards for Water quality review procedures for additives, and the two companion documents: Allowable usage rates for water applied additives and Allowable usage rates for land applied additives.
• Mechanical collection devices (i.e., cyclones and dry filters) are effective, low-cost ways to control PM emissions from processing equipment. Unfortunately, higher collection efficiency in any type of equipment can often mean higher costs. For example, a baghouse can be a very high efficiency control option but is more expensive than the others.

Document your compliance actions

• Recordkeeping: What's Involved and Why It's Important (SB-118) — Do you need to maintain records even when you don't need a permit? Yes. Find out what you need to do by reading this fact sheet.
• Facilities with VOC emissions may be required to maintain monthly, 12-month rolling average, or daily records. The following spreadsheets have example calculations for these requirements:
  • Monthly VOC Emissions, 12-month Averaging (SB-306) [XLSX]
  • Daily VOC Emissions, Monthly Average (SB-307) [XLSX]
• Annual emissions calculations (SB-301 [XLSX] – Calculate emissions at the end of the year for permit compliance, completing the air emissions inventory report or Under-Threshold Notification.
• Monthly Emissions Example Calculations (SB-302) [XLS] — Examples of how to calculate monthly emissions for a range of operations. The file will download onto your computer.
• A DNR Air Program Inspector is Coming... What Can I Expect? (SB-120) — A fact sheet describing the things you might expect during an inspection and some items you should be prepared with upon the arrival of the inspector.
• Dust, Smoke and Fumes — Particulate Matter Emissions (SB-111) — This fact sheet summarizes the air pollution requirements for those sources with particulate matter emissions and discusses some of the ways to reduce those emissions as well.
• Controlling Odors (SB-110) — A fact sheet summarizes the requirements that no business may allow emissions from their business that create an objectionable odor off their property. There are a couple ways the DNR may determine if an odor is objectionable and some suggestions for how to avoid or control odors.
• Stack Testing Requirements (SB-119) — The DNR may require you to perform emissions testing at your exhaust stacks at any time. Testing may be required after receiving a construction permit, if a new regulation applies to a process, or to confirm emissions factors used to calculate your emissions. It's best to know all the elements summarized in this fact sheet because you do not want to repeat any testing due to misunderstanding the process.
  • If you are required to perform stack testing by an air pollution permit, there are a number of resources you can try for stack testing firms. The first one is the yellow pages. There is also a state-by-state listing online at ActiveSET.org. The DNR's Air Program maintains a list of stack test facilities in the Wisconsin area. Contact Andy Seeber at 608-267-0563 for a copy.
  • Or you can check Consultants List (SB-004). We recently asked those on the list to update the services they have available, whether they be permits, emissions testing, etc. (SBEAP has not reviewed the firms on this list, and their inclusion does not imply any endorsement. The information is provided for your assistance.) We also have a fact sheet on Tips for Hiring an Environmental Consultant (SB-005), which gives information about the questions to ask when hiring an outside consulting firm.

This section will provide compliance resources for hazardous waste and solid waste requirements, and other specific topics for demolition/renovation.

• The waste program has created many fact sheets and guidance documents on a range of topics. You can find a list of publications on Hazardous Waste resources, on the Guidance tab.
• Questions on Solid Waste requirements can be found on the Solid Waste overview webpage.
• Reading the rules is an important step in complying with the parts of the waste requirements that may apply to your business. The DNR has provided a list of direct links to the different waste rule chapters here: solid and hazardous waste codes and statutes
• In order to keep up with new or changing rules, the DNR Waste programs provide newsletters from many of their topic areas. Go to the main managing waste and materials page and look for the Subscribe box on the right side of the page.
• The first step in complying with the waste requirements is for each business to identify their wastes and determine whether it is a hazardous waste. The fact sheet Waste Determination and Recordkeeping (WA-1152) describes the four-step process to help you determine if your waste is hazardous waste. This determination should be updated periodically, as processes or materials change.

Hazardous waste

• There are many unique hazardous waste definitions to learn related to hazardous wastes.
• The DNR has created a Avoiding Common Hazardous Waste Violations (WA-850) fact sheet and provided information to help you avoid those violations.
• The SBEAP worked with hazardous waste staff to create fillable checklists to help with key steps in your waste management efforts:
  • Waste Determination Checklist (SB-142)
  • Episodic Waste Generation Event Checklist (SB-148)
• If you need to find a hazardous waste transporter, the DNR has compiled a list by county and waste type.
• Universal waste is exempt from hazardous waste management if you meet the universal waste requirements. Review information on the Universal Waste webpage.

Solid waste

• The Waste Program has a page with frequently asked questions about solid waste topics. Review the page to see if any questions you have are answered there.
• Businesses can manage their solid wastes in many ways. To learn about a range of options, you can go to the recycling and composting page.
• Facilities with licenses as a solid waste storage facility or for processing a range of solid wastes can use the solid waste inspection and application forms provided by the DNR to make sure they are meeting all the requirements.
• The DNR has specific guidance for cleaning up storm debris.
• Burning waste, whether in open pits or burn barrels, is usually not the best method of disposal. Learn more about preferred practices to replace open burning at the open burning page.
• For more questions on recycling requirements for business, you can start here: small business and workplace recycling.

Demolition/construction/renovation wastes

• For any facility planning demolition, construction, or renovation of an existing building, the owner should consider key environmental requirements that may apply. The DNR has a webpage that compiles the information on demolition, construction and renovation activities.
• The DNR has created a five-step planning guide for your project, Planning your demolition or renovation project: A Guide to Hazard Evaluation, Recycling and Waste Disposal (WA-651), with information on hiring professionals to identify hazards like asbestos and mercury containing devices to recycling and disposal options for demolition materials.
  • Spanish version: Planificación de su proyecto de demolición o renovación (WA-1676).

Reporting and Notifications for Waste Requirements

Enrollment in EPA's MyRCRAid allows facilities to prepare and submit initial and subsequent notification forms electronically and requires a registration process that uses an electronic signature. Once the registration is complete, approval as a Wisconsin user is typically granted within one to three business days by receipt of a confirmation email. Once you have received this confirmation, the MyRCRAid application can be used notify the DNR of waste activities and obtain an EPA ID number by completing the 8700-12 form. MyRCRAid allows site managers to view, create and electronically sign manifests in e-Manifest.

• Visit RCRAInfo to register to use MyRCRAid
• Create an account with RCRAInfo Learning Zen for tutorials on MyRCRAid

The following table is a list of the most common and most likely submittals required. There may be other one-time or occasional submittals needed for activities not listed here.

Links in the first column will open up fact sheets or other descriptive information about the report/notification/certification. Submittals still filed with fillable PDF forms will have a link in the Forms column. Others will be available through the Switchboard and selecting the respective program access links. For instructions on setting up access through Switchboard, go to the Air tab on this page. Additional instructions or tutorials/training are linked in the last column.

This section provides compliance resources for both wastewater discharge and storm water runoff/discharge requirements.

Wastewater

• The DNR has many of the wastewater permit application systems available electronically, or if not fully electronic there are PDF fillable forms available on the water permit application page.
• In case you need help getting started with the electronic application process there are instructional videos available.
• There is a long list of guidance documents available on the wastewater discharge requirements.
• If you need help understanding the water data reporting system, go to the eReporting page.
• For information on industrial pretreatment system requirements and guidance on the permitting process, go to the construction of industrial wastewater pretreatment systems page.
• The DNR has a page specific to all of the industrial and municipal wastewater general discharge permits that are available, including fact sheets that describe the permit and application forms. Review the fact sheet if you have questions on a particular general permit or contact the wastewater permit specialist listed on the page.

Storm water runoff

• If you have a question, the DNR has created a Frequently Asked Questions page for storm water issues. Check this page first to see if your question has been answered.
• For businesses preparing a storm water plan for a construction project, both before and after construction, you may want to look for best practices summarized on this storm water practices presentations and information page.
  • There's also a good inspection checklist (3400-187) available for construction projects.
• If you need to prepare a storm water pollution prevention plan, or have one that needs updating, you can read more on the erosion control and storm water management plans page.

Reporting and notifications

The following table is a list of the most common and most likely submittals required for facilities. There may be other one-time or occasional submittals needed for activities not listed here.

Links in the first column will open up fact sheets or other descriptive information about the report/notification/certification. Submittals still filed with fillable PDF forms will have a link in the Forms column. Others will be available through the Switchboard and selecting the respective program access links. For instructions on setting up access through Switchboard, go to the Air tab on this page. Additional instructions or tutorials/training are linked in the last column.

Permits and Exemptions

The following table lists the most common and most likely permits required by a printing facility to operate in compliance with the requirements. The first columns have links to resources and information to explain the permit or exemption criteria. The last column has links to instructions or online submittal portals for the specific permit or exemption to be filed. Where the application forms are fillable PDFs, there will be a link in the Forms column.

Both the DNR and EPA provide a range of resources to help small public drinking water sources manage their systems.

Public water systems

It is important to first know whether you have a public or private water system. All but the smallest businesses will likely be defined as a public water system, even if members of the public do not enter your facility, because of the number of employees that may access your water supply. Businesses that might be a small public water system are those with 25 employees for at least six months of the year. Or in DNR's terms, a Non-transient, Non-community (NN) water system. If your business fits that description, here are some resources to help you comply with state and federal rules.

• As an owner or operator of the water system, what do you need to do? The information for public water systems owners and operator page provides a summary of the requirements along with links to helpful guidance documents and specific state code chapters.
  • You may find this An Operator's Handbook for Safe Drinking Water (DG-056) helpful in walking through what you need to do to make sure your drinking water system is safe.
  • Learn about the operator certification requirements for these small water systems.
• If you are selling or purchasing property with a public water system, you may want to review the property transfer well inspections page on property transfer well inspections.
• If you are planning to install new wells on your property or increase the capacity of your existing well, you may need to look into the high capacity well requirements.

Other resources available from outside the DNR:

• The EPA offers a compliance assistance page for the Safe Drinking Water Act regulations.
• Training available for homeowners may also assist small businesses owning their own well.
• The EPA has resources to help you reduce your water use.
• For operators of small systems, the WaterOperator.org page offers a range of resources. You can subscribe to their newsletter and blog. They have videos for training.

Water quality data

Whether you own a water system or use one at your business, you may want to check on the water quality data available on your system or neighboring systems.

• Do you know if your system is reporting contamination? Check out the water quality data page.

Pollution prevention (P2)

• Companies looking to switch materials for lower impact options have multiple options:
  • EPA's Safer Choice site
  • EPA's Sustainable Materials site
  • EPA's Green Chemistry program is about looking for alternative materials
  • Safer pesticides can be found on EPA's Safe Pest Control pages
  • The Toxics Use Reduction Institute will conduct studies on materials to test the results of different safer cleaning products
• Cascade Asset Management provides an asset management program for businesses or institutions in the Madison and southeast Wisconsin area that need assistance in managing their electronic equipment. While Cascade does charge a fee for processing the equipment, they also provide a rebate to you from the recycling or reuse value of the equipment. They will also pick up the equipment you wish to recycle for a fee. For a list of all their fees and services, you can contact Cascade Asset Management at 1-888-222-8399.
• If you need to find a place to recycle some of your wastes, you can search the Recycling Markets Directory, which is managed by the UW Extension Solid and Hazardous Waste Education Center.
• Green Tier facilities that recycle electronics:
  • ITADlogic
  • Sadoff Iron & Metal

Improve your environmental performance

• Practical Guide to Environmental Management for Small Business [TXT] — This publication based on Environmental Management Systems (EMS) concepts is designed to help small businesses organize their environmental management responsibilities in a productive and cost-effective way.
• Documenting your Environmental Management Plan [TXT] — The workbook allows the small business owner to get environmental management issues organized one step at a time. Each section includes an explanation of what needs to be done, worksheets to help the business owner complete the tasks and examples of completed documentation from two hypothetical small businesses. The workbook serves as a support document to the Practical Guide to Environmental Management for Small Business.
• Environmental Management Systems and Small Business (SB-006) — What is an EMS and what does it mean to be ISO certified?