Engineering Design Report Guidance

Industrial Wastewater Systems Plan Review

A proposal for a new or modified wastewater treatment system for industrial wastewater must be submitted to the Wisconsin Department of Natural resources for approval, prior to the start of construction. And prior to developing the plans and specifications, the Department recommends the submittal of a preliminary plan that generally describes the anticipated wastewater treatment method. The review of the preliminary plan will enable the system owner to obtain initial feedback from the Department on the overall reasonableness of the proposal with regard to state regulations and water quality protection goals. This early consultation may save time and money in the long run.

A complete submittal of construction plans to WDNR for a proposed new or modified wastewater system for industrial wastewater must contain an engineering design report in addition to the treatment system plan drawings, and specifications.

The engineering report should contain at a minimum, the following:

• a complete characterization of the waste to be treated;
• existing and projected future waste loadings;
• reaction rate/treatability data;
• design calculations ;
• results of any pilot testing;
• sizing and loading for all major units;
• soil testing and depth to groundwater and bedrock results for lagoon and land treatment systems;
• application rates and intensity and load/rest cycle for land treatment systems ;
• calculations for any required aeration;
• sludge generation and handling;
• head loss calculations for major transmission systems, such as force mains to an irrigation system;
• specific listing of any request for a variance from minimum requirements listed in Wisconsin Administrative codes, (such as NR 213 or NR 214), and justification for granting a variance to the design code.

The plan drawings should include:

• flow schematics for wastewater and sludge;
• plan and elevation views for all units and inlet and effluent structures;
• a hydraulic profile;
• piping layouts;
• location of meters, sampling equipment, and valves;
• sludge draw-offs;
• tie-ins to existing units;
• plans and profiles of all major transmission systems; and
• monitoring well locations.

The specifications should include:

• specifications for all mechanical equipment, such as sampling devices, meters, pumps, aeration equipment, and irrigators;
• lagoon liner installation specifications; and
• monitoring well installation specifications.

Depending upon the type of system being proposed additional information may be necessary.