Do I need a Sanitary Permit before I start to Build?
YES. Wisconsin Administrative Code, Comm 83, states that a county, city, village or town may not issue a building permit for construction of a structure which requires the installation of a private sewage system unless a sanitary permit for the installation of the private sewage system or a reconnect permit for connection to an existing system has been obtained. Some private sewage systems require up to a month for all the approvals and permits. Since the building permit cannot be issued until the Sanitary Permit has been obtained, it is important to begin this process as early as possible.

What kind of septic system do I have to install?
Many years ago, it was acceptable to install drainfields and drywells almost anywhere. Since that time we have discovered that just because something is in the ground and covered up doesn't mean that we don't have to worry about groundwater contamination.

The type of septic system that can be installed on a property depends on both soil and site conditions. A Certified Soil Tester will do a soil evaluation and determine what kind of system can be installed. State code requires 3 feet of "good" soil between the bottom of a soil absorption system and any high groundwater, seasonally saturated soil, bedrock or other limiting factor.