Sanitary Permit/Septic FAQ's

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 building permits 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. Seasonally saturated soils contain “mottles”. Mottles indicate that the soil is saturated for a significant period of time during normal wet seasons. For example, a parcel may have sandy soils, however, below those soils may be contrasting soil horizons that do not allow water to pass through them very easily. This causes mottling in the sandy soil and would be considered an area of seasonal soil saturation. If the drainfield is located in an area of seasonal saturation, the effluent from the septic tank will not be properly treated before entering the groundwater. This condition may create a human health hazard. The 3 foot rule is the reason some people get conventional systems, while others require mounds, at-grades, or holding tanks. Holding tanks are required when there are no other options available. Holding tanks cannot be installed if conditions are suitable for any other type of system. The structure and texture of the soil also play an important role in the sizing and placement of private sewage systems, along with separation distances to wells and surface waters. In the end, it is usually the soil that determines what kind of septic system you can install. It is a good idea to have a soil test done on your property long before you start to make p