Expedited wastewater treatment plant plan review

S. 281.41, Wis. Stats., required that the department establish an expedited procedure for the review and approval of plans for certain types of sewerage systems.

Limitations of expedited review

The expedited review procedure is limited to modifications to existing treatment facilities where all the following conditions are met:

• The project will not involve construction at a new site
• The project will not change the overall treatment capacity
• The project will not involve new treatment technology or a change of outfall location
• The project will not result in significant environmental effects

Projects qualifying for expedited plan review

Some examples of projects eligible for an expedited review include:

• Replacement of chlorination with ultraviolet disinfection
• Addition of screening or grit removal facilities
• Installation of chemical feed systems
• Modifications to aeration systems
• Installation of industrial equalization tanks
• Replacement of flow monitoring or sampling equipment

To help us improve the efficiency of the review process we are requiring Form 3400-205 to be submitted with ALL requests for plan approval. The form provides contact information and a project description. There is a box on the form to check if you are requesting an expedited review. Our goal is that within 30 days of receipt, the department will either: 1) issue an approval, or 2) identify any issues that preclude an expedited review. There is no fee for wastewater plan review or to request an expedited review.

Projects not requiring plan approval

Plan approval is not required for every modification to a treatment plant. See the section on reviewable projects for guidance. Whether or not formal plan approval is required, it is a good practice to keep the department’s basin engineer informed of any modifications.

Streamlined facilities planning requirements

We have developed additional guidance for streamlining the facilities planning requirements for some projects. See abbreviated form of facilities plans.

Questions?

If you have questions on the expedited plan review process for municipal and industrial systems, please contact a department plan reviewer.

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