Safety and Buildings Division - Water Quality Management Letter Information

What is the WQM letter?
The WQM letter is a "Water Quality Management" letter from a designated planning or management agency indicating conformance with a sewer development plan.

Why is a WQM letter required?
In 1985, the Department of Natural Resources (DNR) passed rules to regulate additional flows on municipal sewers. DNR's rule NR 121 requires that additional flows that are proposed in specific areas be evaluated as to the affect they will have on municipal sewer system.

Where is a WQM letter required? (PDF file)
Only certain areas of the state require a WQM letter when additional flows are proposed. These areas are linked from an Internet address in the appendix of SPS 382. When the project is located in a designated county or community it may require a WQM letter.

Do you need a WQM letter?
Question 1: Does the project require plumbing plan review, convey sewage to a municipal sewer, and will it be located in a WQM area. Tables SPS 382.20-1 and SPS 382.20-2 list the projects which require general plumbing plan review.

If no to any part of Question 1, a WQM letter is not required.

If yes to all parts of Question 1, answer Question 2: Will the project create a new private interceptor main sewer (PIMS) or extend and existing PIMS. IF yes to Question 2, a WQM letter is required.

If no to Question 2, then answer Question 3: Will the project discharge more than 54 drainage fixture units to the proposed building sewer? If no to Question 3, then no WQM letter is required.

If yes to Question 3, answer Question 4. Will the new building sewer be installed to connect to a PIMS or will the proposed building sewer connect to a point outside the lot line or private easement to a municipal sewer? If yes to Question 4, a WQM letter is required. If no to Question 4, a WQM letter is not required.

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