POWTS Maintenance FAQ
Q: Why do I have to complete maintenance on my septic system?
A: State statutes and administrative codes require that all POWTS be maintained on a regular basis. The purpose is to protect our ground and surface waters by ensuring septic systems are functioning and treating wastewater properly.
Wisconsin POWTS Maintenance Program Brochure
Q: What are the maintenance requirements?
A: The requirement is that each POWTS is inspected at least once every three years. Pumping is also required if the total sludge and scum volume is at least 1/3 of the tank volume. It is a good idea to have your tank(s) pumped at the time of inspection regardless of the solids volume to help ensure proper operation and extend system lifespans.
Q: How will I know when my maintenance is due?
A: Our department will mail you a notice 30-60 days prior to your due date. This will be 3 years from your last reported inspection or installation date if it is a new system. The notice will also include a form that needs to be signed by a certified inspector or pumper and submitted to our department to verify compliance.
Administrative Fee FAQ
Q: Why am I required to pay an administrative fee?
A: Rock County Public Health is mandated to administer a local POWTS Maintenance Program but is not provided with any state funding. When the Rock County Board of Supervisors adopted the program in 2002 it was deemed unfair to utilize the general tax fund to pay for the program since many residents were connected to public sewer. The Board decided that POWTS owners should bear the cost by paying a $15 administrative fee every three years ($5 per year) when maintenance was due.
Q: How is the fee collected?
A: Historically, POWTS owners were required to submit the $15 fee along with the maintenance verification form every three years. Starting with the 2024 property tax bills, the fees will now be collected as a Special Assessment and listed as a “POWTS MAINT FEE” on the billing statements. The amount due on the 2024 tax bill will vary depending on when the administrative fee was last paid.
Q: Why I am I being assessed $10 on my 2024 tax bill and others are only paying $5 or nothing on their 2024 tax bill?
A: Since the payment is shifting from a $15 fee every 3-years to an annual fee, those that just paid their $15 in 2024 will not owe anything in this initial year of the new system. Others who paid their fee in 2023 will only owe for a $5 fee for 2024. Those that last paid in 2022 will owe $10 covering unpaid years of 2023 and 2024.
Previously collected $15 fees reflected the 3-year maintenance cycle ending in the year paid.
|
Year $15 Fee Paid
|
Years Fee Applied To
|
2024 Tax Bill Special Assessment(per septic system)
|
|
2020
|
2021
|
2022
|
2023
|
2024
|
|
2024
|
-
|
-
|
$5
|
$5
|
$5
|
$0
|
|
2023
|
-
|
$5
|
$5
|
$5
|
-
|
$5
|
|
2022
|
$5
|
$5
|
$5
|
-
|
-
|
$10
|
Q: After this year’s tax bill, will future POWTS tax fees be the same rate for everyone?
A: After the initial year of having ‘pro-rated’ fee amounts ($0, $5, or $10), the next tax bill for 2025 will result in a $5 annual fee for all POWTS owners.
Q: Is this change resulting in an increase in what I am paying for the POWTS maintenance administrative fee?
A: No. POWTS owners will be paying $5 every year which is the same as the previous charge of $15 every 3 years. This rate has remained unchanged since 2002.
Q: Am I still required to have my Septic system inspected and possibly pumped every 3 years?
A: Yes. The State required septic maintenance inspection is still required every 3 years. You will continue to receive notices prior to your due date, but will no longer have to submit the $15 fee with the verification form.
