Kenosha County

Private Onsite Wastewater Treatment Systems (POWTS) and Permitting

In the above photo you see a mound Private Onsite Wastewater Treatment System (POWTS) in the foreground and a picturesque body of water in the background. Siting of this particular mound system had been accomplished with relative ease. Not because of the existing visible water table elevation, but by what gets left behind in the soil when the soil begins to dry out.

In this particular photo there is approximately 10 feet of elevation change from water surface to the ground surface at the base of this POWTS. As it turns out, the seasonal water table occurs 8.5 feet above this lake surface. Determining where the range of that fluctuating water table exists is critical to accurately determine the type of POWTS to be installed on any given property.

POWTS separation to the seasonal or permanent water table is crucial to preserving our water resources and is therefore the primary purpose for following the statewide guidelines developed for the proper siting, installation and management of private onsite wastewater treatment systems.

The Kenosha County Department of Planning and Development is the designated agent for the State of Wisconsin for the POWTS program. As agent, the department has authority to manage all aspects of the POWTS program within Kenosha County.

Management of the program entails many responsibilities. Some of these responsibilities are: to regulate the proper siting, design, installation, alteration, use, permitting, enforcement of failed systems and maintenance tracking of all private sewage systems in Kenosha County.

The purpose for POWTS regulation is to try to ensure that all POWTS installed can meet the minimum required vertical separation distance from the seasonal/permanent groundwater table and other required setbacks stipulated in administrative code. The setback requirements can be verified by a soil and site evaluation in conjunction with the sanitary permit issuance and inspection process.

The Kenosha County Department of Planning and Development has administered the POWTS program since July 1, 1980. Any POWTS installed within Kenosha County that has been permitted by this department will be on file with this department. This department also maintains files of some pre-existing POWTS installed prior to above mentioned date. Having this information available for review is especially important for people who desire a zoning permit for pools, building additions, and other desired structures. They can use this information to help locate components of their existing POWTS so that the proposed project will comply with existing setback requirements.

Recently, the State of Wisconsin facilitated a plumbing POWTS code revision that provides greater flexibility in siting a POWTS on properties where public sanitary sewer is not available. In addition with this State POWTS code revision, the Kenosha County Department of Planning and Development also revised its Sanitary Ordinance (Chapter 15)  (pdf) to reflect the changes made to the State POWTS code. Along with this code change the Kenosha County Department of Planning and Development has also become a designated agent for holding tank plan review where the calculated daily wastewater flow is less than or equal to 3,000 gallons per day for public and private facilities.

As part of the POWTS program, the Kenosha County Department of Planning and Development also administers the Wisconsin Fund replacement and rehabilitation grant program. This program is a funding mechanism for individuals having to replace their existing failed POWTS. Kenosha County, as a participant of this grant program, also manages a POWTS maintenance and tracking program for all POWTS permitted and installed. The primary purpose of this maintenance program is to extend the duration for which a POWTS will perform and operate.

If you have any questions regarding any of the aforementioned statements, please feel free to visit further components of this website:

• Permits and Procedures
• Maintenance Programs
• Septic System Types
• Holding Tank Review
• WI Fund Program
• Septic Tank Effluent Filters