Septic System Maintenance Program
Program Narrative
This program has been developed in order to maintain compliance with laws requiring the Health Department to obtain and keep records of the maintenance of different types of POWTS. The Wisconsin State Legislature adopted Act 347 on April 14, 2006. This legislation created s.145.20(5) stats., which establishes the requirements for a private sewage system maintenance program. Wisconsin Administrative Rule Comm. 83.52 applies the maintenance program to all private sewage systems. These state laws require the maintenance program to be administered by the local governmental unit responsible for the regulation of private sewage systems. This governmental unit is the health department in Eau Claire County. In May of 2007, the Eau Claire County Sanitary Code was revised to comply with new state laws regarding private onsite wastewater treatment systems (POWTS).Section 8.12.220 of the Eau Claire County Health and Safety Ordinance requires that all POWTS be subject to a maintenance program. Comm. 83 requires that the local government unit, in this case the Health Department, notify all property owners of the POWTS maintenance requirements and follow up with non-compliance. The program is responsible for the implementation and monitoring of all POWTS installed in Eau Claire County as well as developing and/or providing maintenance and operation information for property owners.
Septic Tank Maintenance
The Wisconsin Fund Program and Comm 83 require that homeowners maintain their systems by regularly servicing their septic tanks. Every three years the homeowner is sent a notice to that effect. A form signed by the owner and the licensed plumber or septic tank pumper is then returned to the Health Department.Inspection/Service Information
- Tank pumping and maintenance, other than switching valves and cleaning filters, must be performed by a licensed:
- Septage pumper/hauler
- POWTS maintainer
- Plumber (does not have to be a Master Plumber)
- Contractors providing these services may be found in the telephone book. A list of pumpers/maintainers providing services in the Eau Claire area is available from the Health Department (contact us).
Holding Tank Maintenance
Eau Claire County Sanitary Ordinance 8.12.240 requires holding tank owners to submit quarterly pumping reports that specify the amounts pumped, the dates of pumping, the name of the pumper, and the disposal location. Inspection/Service Information- Tank pumping and maintenance, other than switching valves and cleaning filters, must be performed by a licensed:
- Septage pumper/hauler
- POWTS maintainer
- Plumber (does not have to be a Master Plumber)
- Contractors providing these services may be found in the telephone book. A list of pumpers/maintainers providing services in the Eau Claire area is available from the Health Department (contact us).
