Septic Systems
This Department administers the sanitary provisions of the Dodge County Land Use Code and Chapter SPS. 383 of the Wisconsin Administrative Code, which regulate the installation and maintenance of Private Onsite Wastewater Treatment Systems (POWTS), better known as “septic systems”. In September of 2008, Chapter SPS. 383.255 was revised to include a new provision that requires all septic systems, regardless of when they were installed, must be serviced a minimum of once every three (3) years.
New code provisions (Updated September 2008) require that all septic systems, regardless of the age of the system, must be inspected and pumped by a licensed service provider at least once every three years for septic systems and as needed for holding tank systems.
The monitoring of the septic and holding tank systems by the County is required by State law and is not optional. Owners with a septic system will be assessed a county maintenance fee of $15 per maintenance cycle (once every three years for a typical septic system). Owners with a holding tank will be assessed an annual county maintenance fee of $10. The county maintenance fee is intended to cover most of the costs for the County to meet the new state requirement.
The purpose of proper septic system maintenance is to protect the health and safety of State residents and to protect the ground and surface waters of the State. Continued inspection and maintenance of a septic system is important to make sure that the wastewater or effluent from the septic system is being treated properly and to identify septic systems when they are not functioning correctly. When a failing septic system contaminates surface or drinking water, it can affect many more people than just the owner of the septic system.
Dodge County residents will be notified by mail by the Dodge County Land Resources and Parks Department when it is time to have their system maintenance completed. Owners will be given 90-days from the date of the letter to have the required maintenance completed. If you have any questions or comments regarding the new maintenance program requirements, please feel free to contact the Land Resources and Parks Department at 920-386-3703 or send your comments or questions to landresources@co.dodge.wi.us.