About/General

Plan map

The watersheds shown on this map have DNR and EPA-approved Nine Key Element watershed plans. To review the Nine Key Element watershed plan areas with other DNR GIS layers, use: Water condition viewer * Note: The Priority Watershed and Lakes…

Nine key element watershed plans

CAFOs, water permits and NR 243

Compliance with Wisconsin’s agricultural standards and prohibitions is required of all cropland and livestock operations in the state, regardless of size. Reducing or preventing manure or process wastewater pollution from agricultural operations…

CAFO and CAFO WPDES permit statistics

Wisconsin is home to an increasing number of Concentrated Animal Feeding Operations (CAFOs). The Department of Natural Resources is pleased to offer you easy access to statistics and geographical information about Wisconsin's CAFOs and the…

Publications and resources for CAFOs and other agriculture operations

There are many resources for farmers and other agricultural operators that provide information and guidance about farming and the environment. In addition to the Department of Natural Resources, resources are available from other Wisconsin state…

First-time CAFO WPDES permit applications

If your operation has 1,000 animal units (AU), your operation is a Concentrated Animal Feeding Operation (CAFO) and you must obtain a Wisconsin Pollutant Discharge Elimination Permit (WPDES) from the Department of Natural Resources.

Concentrated animal feeding operations WPDES permits

What is an “animal unit”? “Animal units” (AU) measure equivalencies between animal types as established by s. NR 243.05, Wis. Adm. Code [exit DNR] and the CAFO WPDES permit program. For example, 1,000 beef cattle, 715 milking cows or 200,000…

Laboratory certification & registration program

The Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (DNR) Laboratory Certification Program was created in 1986 to help ensure that laboratories submit reliable and consistent data to the department's various environmental programs. The program currently…

Laboratory Certification Standards Review Council

The Laboratory Certification Standards Review Council is created under s. 15.107 (12), Wis. Stats. and generally meets quarterly each calendar year.Next meetingDate:Tuesday, April 22, 2025Time:9:00 a.m. to end of agendaLocation:In-person Option

PFAS certification

The Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources is offering certification for PFAS in drinking water (potable water), aqueous (non-potable water), and non-aqueous matrices.Labs that currently hold WI DNR PFAS certification can be found here: WI PFAS…