281.48 Servicing septic tanks, soil absorption fields, holding tanks, grease interceptors and privies.

833 words·~4 min read·/wi/chapter-281/281-48

A research copy — for the controlling text, always check the official state or federal source. Not legal advice.

(2)Definitions. In this section:

(b)“Grease interceptor” means a receptacle designed to intercept and retain grease or fatty substances.

(bm)“Private on-site wastewater treatment system” has the meaning given in s. 145.01

(12).

(c)“Privy” means an enclosed nonportable toilet into which human wastes not carried by water are deposited to a subsurface storage chamber that may or may not be watertight.

(d)“Septage” means the scum, liquid, sludge or other waste in a septic tank, soil absorption field, holding tank, grease interceptor, privy, or other component of a private on-site wastewater treatment system.

(e)“Septic tank” means any watertight enclosure used for storage and anaerobic decomposition of human excrement or domestic or industrial wastewater.

(f)“Servicing” means removing septage from a septic tank, soil absorption field, holding tank, grease interceptor, privy, or other component of a private on-site wastewater treatment system and disposing of the septage.

(g)“Soil absorption field” means an area or cavity in the ground which receives the liquid discharge of a septic tank or similar component of a private on-site wastewater treatment system.

(2m)Powers of the department. The department has general supervision and control of servicing septic tanks, soil absorption fields, holding tanks, grease interceptors, privies, and other components of private on-site wastewater treatment systems.

(3)License; certification.

(a)License; application. Every person before engaging in servicing in this state shall submit an application for a license on forms prepared by the department. Except as provided in ss. 299.07 and 299.08 , if the department, after investigation, is satisfied that the applicant has the qualifications, experience, understanding of proper servicing practices, as demonstrated by the successful completion of an examination given by the department, and equipment to perform the servicing in a manner not detrimental to public health it shall issue the license. The license fee shall accompany all applications.

(b)Expiration date of license. All licenses issued under this section for a period beginning before July 1, 1997, are for one year. All licenses issued under this section for a period beginning after June 30, 1997, are for 2 years. All licenses issued under this section expire on June 30. Application for renewal shall be filed on or before June 1 and if filed after that date a penalty shall be charged. The department shall promulgate a rule setting the amount of the penalty for late filing.

(c)Wisconsin sanitary licensee. Any person licensed under this section shall paint on the side of any vehicle that is used for servicing, the words “Wisconsin Sanitary Licensee” and immediately under these words “License No. ....” with the number of the license in the space so provided with letters and numbers at least 2 inches high; and all lettering and numbering shall be in distinct color contrast to its background.

(d)License exception. A farmer who disposes of septage on land is exempt from the licensing requirement under par.

(a)if all of the conditions in sub.

(b)apply.

(e)Operator certification. No person, except for a farmer exempted from licensing under par.

(d), may service a private on-site wastewater treatment system or operate a septage servicing vehicle unless the person is certified as an operator of a septage servicing vehicle under s. 281.17

(3).

(4g)Rules on servicing. The department shall promulgate rules relating to servicing septic tanks, soil absorption fields, holding tanks, grease interceptors, privies, and other components of private on-site wastewater treatment systems in order to protect the public health against unsanitary and unhealthful practices and conditions, and to protect the surface waters and groundwaters of the state from contamination by septage. The rules shall comply with ch. 160 . The rules shall apply to all septage disposal, whether undertaken pursuant to a license or a license exemption under sub.

(3). The rules shall require each person with a license under sub.

(3)to maintain records of the location of private on-site wastewater treatment systems serviced and the volume of septage disposed of and location of that disposal.

(4m)Site approvals.

(a)The department may require a soil test and shall require a site approval for any location where septage is disposed of on land.

(b)Notwithstanding par.

(a), the department may not require a site approval for a location where septage is disposed of on land if the person who disposes of the septage is a farmer who owns or leases that location and if:

1. The septage is removed from a septic tank which is located on the same parcel where the septage is disposed of; and

3. The person complies with all applicable statutes and rules in removing and disposing of the septage.

(c)If a location is exempt from site approval under par.

(b), the department may require the person who services the septic tank to provide the department with information to show that sufficient land area is available for disposal.