Environmental Health and Safety

The Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (WDNR), Wisconsin Department of Safety & Professional Services (DSPS) and the United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) hold educational institutions to the same environmental and occupational standards applied to businesses and the rest of the regulated community.

UW-Whitewater is committed to environmental and occupational compliance, and continues to communicate this commitment to their staff (Wis. Stats. 291.91). Inspectors have legal authority to enter a regulated facility without warning and without delay.

The UW System has developed a checklist to assist campuses in preparing for a RCRA or other environment, health and safety compliance audit: UWSA Audit Checklist.

The WDNR regulates air emissions under the Wisconsin air pollution control permit program. Air emission permits for some heating and cooling plants located on University of Wisconsin campuses are managed directly by the Wisconsin Department of Administration (DOA).

The federal Emergency Planning and Community Right-to-Know Act (EPCRA) is administered by the Wisconsin Department of Emergency Management (WEM), under Wisconsin Administrative Code, Chapters WEM 1-3. The UW System has developed an EPRCA guide, which covers the following topics:

• Emergency Planning Notification for Extremely Hazardous Substances
• Emergency Notification of Release and Wisconsin Spill Reporting Requirements
• SDS Chemical List Submission
• Tier II Emergency and Hazardous Chemical Inventory Reports
• Toxic Chemical Inventory Release (TRI) Reporting

Under the federal Oil Pollution Act, the EPA requires some oil storage facilities to maintain Spill Prevention, Control and Countermeasure plans in order to prevent discharges into navigable waterways. Under the SPCC rule, oil is widely defined and includes, but is not limited to: petroleum; fuel oils; mineral oils; oil refuse and sludge; animal fats, oils and greases; vegetable oils and greases; and other synthetic oils and greases.

A facility is subject to the SPCC regulations and required to prepare and implement an SPCC plan if it has an aggregate aboveground capacity greater than 1,320 gallons in containers 55-gallons or more in size, or an underground capacity greater than 42,000 gallons, and there is a reasonable expectation of a discharge into a navigable waterway or adjoining shoreline. 

Please view the UWSA Spill Prevention, Control & Countermeasure webpage for more information on the plan requirements.

The Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection (DATCP) regulates petroleum and hazardous liquid storage tanks, both aboveground and underground, under Wisconsin Administrative Code Chapter 93. Owners of underground tanks may be subject to annual permitting requirements as well as Class A/B/C training requirements for tank operators.

Stormwater
The WDNR regulates point source and nonpoint source stormwater pollution through the Wisconsin Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (WPDES) program, which includes construction, industrial and municipal separate storm sewer system (MS4) permits. 

Drinking Water
Under the federal Safe Drinking Water Act (SDWA), the EPA sets drinking water standards and endeavors to protect public drinking water supplies and ensure drinking water safety. The WDNR manages activities and programs related to drinking water quality and safety through the Bureau of Drinking Water and Groundwater. In addition, local public health departments and water utilities work collaboratively to ensure safe drinking water for communities across the state