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Do you want to learn more about Comm 83 - Septic System issues?
Start by reviewing Septic
System Legal Updates
 Description of Septic Systems
Background
The state's private septic system regulations ("Comm
83") establish standards and criteria for the design,
installation, inspection and management of a private onsite
wastewater systems ("POWTS") so that the systems are
safe and will protect the public.
Comm 83 does not dictate the selection of certain POWTS, and
instead sets p a r a m e t e r s , options, prohibitions, and
limitations for the design of POWTS. As a consequence of this
flexibility, Comm 83 allows the use of five new categories of
POWTS. Unlike conventional systems that rely upon the soil to
treat wastewater, the new POWTS systems contain filtering devices
that remove organic material and bacteria from wastewater before
it is released into the ground. Because of the effectiveness of
these filtering devices, the new POWTS may require a minimum of
six inches of in situ soil (native or naturally occurring soil),
rather than the 24 inches of in situ soil required by conventional
systems. The new systems generally have been approved by the
United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the
Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (DNR) and have been used
for years in states like Minnesota and Michigan.
In addition to the new systems that will be made available, the
proposed rule contains the following important provisions:
- Allows counties to delay usage of new system designs for new
development until January 1, 2003. Counties, however, cannot
delay the use of these designs for replacement systems.
- Requires plan approval and a sanitary permit before the
installation of a POWTS may begin; local governmental units
would still be required to review plans employing “conventional”
technology for residential projects while plans for commercial
projects or projects employing technologies not previously
recognized would be reviewed by the Wisconsin Department of
Commerce ("Commerce'). Plans using other types of “pre-recognized”
solutions would be reviewed by either the local governmental
unit or Commerce depending upon where the submitter wanted the
service to be performed and if the local government unit had
opted to provide this service as an agent of the department.
- Requires the testing of components before the system is put
into service.
- Improves inspection and maintenance requirements. The
proposed code requires property owners to maintain a
maintenance or service contract with a professional
maintenance provider meeting the state maintenance
requirements. In addition, property owners must provide a copy
of the maintenance report to Commerce or the county, if
applicable, within 10 business days from the date of the
inspection, maintenance, or servicing.
- Authorizes municipalities to prohibit the use of holding
tanks, constructed wetlands, and evapotranspiration beds.
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