Purpose

Purpose.

(1) The purpose of this chapter is to establish, in conjunction with chs. NR 103 to 105 , water quality standards for surface waters of the state pursuant to s. 281.15 , Stats. This chapter describes the designated use categories for such waters and the water quality criteria necessary to support these uses. This chapter , chs. NR 103 to 105 , and ch. NR 119 constitute the water quality standards for the surface waters of Wisconsin.

(2) The long-range goal of Wisconsin water quality standards is to protect the use of water resources for all lawful purposes. Water quality standards shall protect the public interest, which includes the protection of public health and welfare and the present and prospective uses of all waters of the state for public and private water supplies, propagation of fish and other aquatic life and wild and domestic animals, domestic and recreational purposes, and agricultural, commercial, industrial, and other legitimate uses. In all cases where the potential uses are in conflict, water quality standards shall protect the general public interest.

(3) Water quality standards serve as a basis for developing and implementing control strategies to achieve legislative policies and goals. Water quality standards are the basis for deriving water quality based effluent limitations and the limitations shall be determined to attain and maintain uses and criteria, unless more stringent effluent limitations are established to protect downstream waters. Water quality standards also serve as a basis for decisions in other regulatory, permitting or funding activities that impact water quality.