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Department of Safety and Professional Services
Department of Safety and Professional Services

Checklist for the Product Review of Water Treatment Devices

Definitions

Water Treatment Device

device which renders inactive or removes microbiological, particulate, inorganic, organic or radioactive contaminants from water which passes through the device or the water supply system downstream of the device; or injects into the water supply system gaseous, liquid or solid additives other than water, to render inactive microbiological, particulate, inorganic, organic or radioactive contaminants. [Wis. Admin. Code Section SPS 381.01 (285)]

The following information must be provided with each water treatment device application:

  1. A $250.00 (US) fee for each application submitted.

  2. A copy of sales brochures, web content or other promotional materials that will be used in Wisconsin.

  3. A written detailed description of device function(s).

  4. Detailed assembly drawings or exploded view of the device which clearly shows the water flow paths within the device.

  5. Detailed information on the size, color, location, information shown and methods for labeling the device. Actual labels are acceptable.

  6. Complete installation instructions including detailed installation drawings indicating all connections between the device and plumbing system.

  7. A list and copy of all national standards that are not referenced in Wis. Admin. Code Section SPS 381.20, to which the device conforms.

  8. For wetted (i.e., potable water contacting) materials of construction, documentation shall be provided to show that the construction material is accepted for contact with potable water by an ANSI accredited listing agency acceptable to the Department. See ch. 384 appendix, A-384.11.

  9. The trade name, scientific name and chemical formula of any chemical used in the device that may be added to or leached into the water as part of the process or because of the process. Acceptable documentation must be provided showing that the chemical(s) is accepted for use with potable water by an ANSI accredited listing agency acceptable to the Department. See ch. 384 appendix, A-384.11. Devices that contain a media that requires the sacrificial release of a regulated contaminant to reduce other specific contaminants from water must include effluent monitoring for the sacrificial contaminant in conjunction with all effluent target contaminant samples.

  10. Disposal requirements of any wastewater, backwash water, filters, membranes or other expendable system components.

  11. A signed report, by an ANSI accredited third party testing laboratory acceptable to the Department (see ch. 384 appendix, A-384.11) or the manufacturer, which concludes that the device performs in accordance with the assertions submitted to the Department. The test report must be complete enough to verify an acceptable testing protocol was used and to identify the laboratory that performed the testing. Acceptable testing protocols include those specified in the following standards: 
    NSF/ANSI Standards 42, 44, 53, 55, 58 or 62.
    If varying from the testing protocols contained in these standards, it is strongly recommended that the variations be accepted by this Department in writing prior to performing any testing on the device. Otherwise, the Department cannot ensure the results of the testing will be acceptable.
    For devices that are not covered by the given NSF Standards, then contact this Department for an acceptable testing protocol.

  12. A graph indicating the pressure loss, in psig, through point-of-entry (i.e., whole house) devices, over the entire flow rate range of the device.
    Point-of-use devices are exempt from this requirement.

  13. Hydrostatic pressure testing. At minimum, the Department requires a hydrostatic pressure test performed at 150 psig, for a duration of 15 min., at a water temperature of approximately 73.4 F. This information is only required for in-line devices subject to line pressure. Devices that discharge to atmosphere are exempt from this requirement.

Additional Information

Scope of Program:

The scope of Wisconsin's water treatment device review program is limited to devices serving:

  1. One- and two-family dwellings (e.g. homes and duplexes).

  2. Two or less dwelling units in a multi-family dwelling (e.g. apartments and condos).

  3. Non-transient non-community (NTNC) water systems. NTNC water systems are water systems that serve at least 25 of the same people over six months of the year. Examples of NTNC systems include, but are not limited to, schools, daycares, factories and businesses. SDWA violations only, as directed by the WDNR.

  4. Transient non-community (TNC) water systems. TNC water systems are water systems that serve at least 25 people at least 60 days of the year but do not serve the same 25 people over six months of the year. Examples of TNC systems include, but are not limited to, motels, restaurants, parks, taverns, and gas stations. SDWA violations only, as directed by the WDNR.

  5. In-store, consumer self-service, water vending machines.

Water treatment devices not covered by categories 1-5 immediately above are exempt from the device review process.

Carafe type, pour-through water filters are exempt from the device review process because they do not have a connection to a water supply system.

If the complete device, not separate subcomponents, is currently listed under NSF/ANSI Standards 42, 44, 53, 55, 58, or 62, for all performance claims, by an ANSI accredited third party testing laboratory acceptable to the Department (see ch. 384 appendix, A-384), then the device is exempt from review and approval.

Confidential Information:

Information may be identified as confidential by a submitter. Such identification must be made at the time of submittal by permanently marking “confidential business information” on each page containing information deemed a trade secret under Wis. Stat. Section 134.90 (1) (c) which reads:

(c) “Trade secret" means information, including a formula, pattern, compilation, program, device, method, technique or process to which all of the following apply:

1. The information derives independent economic value, actual or potential, from not being generally known to, and not being readily ascertainable by proper means by, other persons who can obtain economic value from its disclosure or use.

2. The information is the subject of efforts to maintain its secrecy that are reasonable under the circumstances.

Links: 

  1. Plumbing Code (i.e. Wis. Admin. Code chs. SPS 381-387): https://docs.legis.wisconsin.gov/code/admin_code/sps/safety_and_buildings_and_environment/380_387

  2. Plumbing Product Listing Service (Search under the “Plumbing Products” tab): https://esla.force.com/publiclookup

General Information:

If granted, the term of approval is five years and effective statewide. All submitters are notified six months prior to their expiration date via email notifications. Approvals can be renewed for additional five-year terms; the renewal fee is $125.00.

Approvals can be revised (modified) after being approved; however, the manufacturer must apply for a revision; the revision fee is $125.00. Revising a file does not extend the expiration date of the original approval.

If an approved plumbing product is modified or additional assertions of function or performance are made, the approval shall be considered null and void, unless the change is submitted to the Department for review and the approval is reaffirmed.

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