POWTS Maintenance WCCA Fall Conference November 3, 2006 Pete Tarnowski Manitowoc County

POWTS Maintenance Prior to January 1, 2006, Manitowoc County tracked 5019 (53%) sanitary systems in the County out of an estimated 9533 Rural Housing Units. Prior to January 1, 2006, Manitowoc County tracked 5019 (53%) sanitary systems in the County out of an estimated 9533 Rural Housing Units. 3-Year maintenance letters and holding tank pumping reports. 3-Year maintenance letters and holding tank pumping reports.

POWTS Maintenance Beginning in 2006, Manitowoc County requires a comprehensive system inspection for all property transfers that involve a structure served by a pre-1980 septic system. Beginning in 2006, Manitowoc County requires a comprehensive system inspection for all property transfers that involve a structure served by a pre-1980 septic system. –Pass – Entered into Maintenance Program –Fail – One year to replace or upgrade

POWTS Maintenance The County Board approved a $10.00 fee for all holding tanks and POWTS in the program to cover administration costs. The County Board approved a $10.00 fee for all holding tanks and POWTS in the program to cover administration costs. Collected annually starting with the 2005 tax bills. Collected annually starting with the 2005 tax bills. This is a fee, not a special assessment, although it will be collected in the same manner. This is a fee, not a special assessment, although it will be collected in the same manner. Wood County Court Case Wood County Court Case –Wis. Stat. § (4) –Wis. Stat. § –Robinson vs. Town of Bristol

POWTS Maintenance Since January 1, 2006 Since January 1, 2006 –725 Deed transactions –162 Notices sent requiring inspection –64 No Inspection required ROW Project ROW Project Revocable Living Trust Revocable Living Trust Sanitary District Sanitary District Deed Corrections Deed Corrections –21 Systems passed inspection –19 Failed and have or will replace –47 Second Notices –58 No response

POWTS Maintenance Phase II – 2007 Implementation Phase II – 2007 Implementation –Identified remaining POWTS (pre-1980) 5300 Parcels with ≥$20,000 improvements 5300 Parcels with ≥$20,000 improvements $10 fee starting with 2006 tax bill $10 fee starting with 2006 tax bill 3-year maintenance letters or holding tank pumping reports 3-year maintenance letters or holding tank pumping reports

POWTS Maintenance Dear Property Owner: Dear Property Owner: You have been identified as an owner of property that is served by a Private Onsite Wastewater Treatment System (POWTS). The State of Wisconsin Administrative Code (Comm. 83) and Manitowoc County’s Private Sewage System Ordinance (Section 13.09) require a maintenance program for all POWTS. These laws seek to protect our ground and surface water, both in the interest of public health and of the environment. We can be proud that Manitowoc County has taken a lead role and is one of only a few counties in Wisconsin actively working towards 100% compliance with Comm. 83. You have been identified as an owner of property that is served by a Private Onsite Wastewater Treatment System (POWTS). The State of Wisconsin Administrative Code (Comm. 83) and Manitowoc County’s Private Sewage System Ordinance (Section 13.09) require a maintenance program for all POWTS. These laws seek to protect our ground and surface water, both in the interest of public health and of the environment. We can be proud that Manitowoc County has taken a lead role and is one of only a few counties in Wisconsin actively working towards 100% compliance with Comm. 83. The maintenance program involves a visual inspection of the entire system once every three years and pumping of the septic tank when the sludge volume equals one-third or more of the tank capacity. The inspection must be completed by a licensed plumber or master plumber, restricted service; a certified POWTS inspector; a certified septage servicing operator; or a registered POWTS maintainer. Failure to comply could result in the assessment of a fine. The maintenance program involves a visual inspection of the entire system once every three years and pumping of the septic tank when the sludge volume equals one-third or more of the tank capacity. The inspection must be completed by a licensed plumber or master plumber, restricted service; a certified POWTS inspector; a certified septage servicing operator; or a registered POWTS maintainer. Failure to comply could result in the assessment of a fine. Chapter 13 of the Manitowoc County Code now provides for an annual maintenance program fee of $10 to be paid by each property owner with a POWTS. This modest fee is designed to cover the cost of information collection and administration of the program and will be included on the property tax bill you will receive in December. Chapter 13 of the Manitowoc County Code now provides for an annual maintenance program fee of $10 to be paid by each property owner with a POWTS. This modest fee is designed to cover the cost of information collection and administration of the program and will be included on the property tax bill you will receive in December. As we continue to look for ways to protect Manitowoc County’s most valuable natural resources, the support of rural landowners is critical. Thank you in advance for your cooperation. As we continue to look for ways to protect Manitowoc County’s most valuable natural resources, the support of rural landowners is critical. Thank you in advance for your cooperation. If you have any questions or would like more information, please call or access “What’s happening in Manitowoc County” at If you have any questions or would like more information, please call or access “What’s happening in Manitowoc County” at Sincerely, Sincerely, Bob ZiegelbauerMike Demske, Department Director Bob ZiegelbauerMike Demske, Department Director Manitowoc County ExecutiveManitowoc County Planning and Park Commission Manitowoc County ExecutiveManitowoc County Planning and Park Commission If you received this card in error, please call the Manitowoc County Planning and Park Commission at your earliest convenience ( ). If contacted by October 30, 2006, the error will be corrected prior to the printing of your tax bill. If you received this card in error, please call the Manitowoc County Planning and Park Commission at your earliest convenience ( ). If contacted by October 30, 2006, the error will be corrected prior to the printing of your tax bill.

POWTS Maintenance Removed 243 in Sanitary Districts Removed 243 in Sanitary Districts Removed and / or Corrected over 100 Removed and / or Corrected over 100 –Barns & Sheds Additions Additions –Churches, Schools & Tax Exempt Properties

POWTS Maintenance 4900 New 3-Year Maintenance Letters 4900 New 3-Year Maintenance Letters –18 Townships Cato through Gibson 2007 Cato through Gibson 2007 Kossuth through Meeme 2008 Kossuth through Meeme 2008 Mishicot through Two Rivers 2009 Mishicot through Two Rivers 2009

POWTS Maintenance Public Relations Public Relations –Sent out information card pertaining to maintenance. –News release –Radio programs –County website

POWTS Maintenance Concerns Concerns –“Unknowns” Locating old systems Locating old systems No tank No tank Failures Failures –Workload issues Staff Staff Contractors Contractors

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