​Private Onsite Wastewater Treatment Systems (POWTS)

​The Division of Industry Services (DIS) Private Onsite Wastewater Treatment Systems (POWTS) Program protects public health and the waters of the state by regulating onsite wastewater treatment and recycling systems, and by promoting the use of the best available technology to provide onsite sewage treatment system solutions for property owners.

DIS coordinates with local certified municipalities and counties which provide plan review for certain types of installations. To become a ​delegated agent, please visit the Delegated Agents page.

Questions regarding the POWTS code can be sent to DSPSSBPowtsTech@Wisconsin.gov.​​


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POWTS Continuing Education

The POWTS program is offering a monthly POWTS Update via Zoom. Each update will provide one hour of continuing education credit for certain POWTS credentials. They will be free to attend but you must pre-register so you will receive a link to the meeting. The updates will be held the 2nd Tuesday of each month at 9 AM.

Register online here: https://bookwhen.com/wipowts

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​NOTICE: DSPS Suspends SPS 385.60(4), Hydrograph Procedure

Effective April 1, 2024, DSPS has suspended SPS 385.60(4) - Hydrograph Procedure. The suspension of the hydrographic procedure will remain in effect until such a time that groundwater levels normalize and suitable controls are in place to safely allow ​for the use of the method. This suspension affects areas in the Wisconsin Central Sands Region (parts of Adams, Juneau, Portage, Waushara, ​and Wood counties). See the Hydrograph Suspension Notice for further details. See the Hydrograph Update​ dated 5/14/2024 ​for additional information.


Wisconsin F​und

The Wisconsin Fund is a program that provides grants to homeowners and small commercial businesses to help offset a portion of the cost for the repair, rehabilitation, or replacement of existing Private Onsite Wastewater Treatment Systems (POWTS). Eligibility is based upon several criteria, including household income and age of the structure. 67 of Wisconsin's 72 counties, the City of Franklin, and the Oneida Tribe of Wisconsin participate in the program. County government officials assist interested individuals in determining eligibility and in preparation of grant applications. See the Wisconsin Fund page for more information.
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Start at the Plan Review page for information about the types of plan reviews required and how to submit electronically. Also check the Delegated Agent List to see if you can submit your plan review to the local municipality in lieu of DIS.

Plan Which Can Only Be Submitted to DIS

  • POWTS owned by the State; facilities owned by the State and served by POWTS.
  • POWTS that will not completely utilize a component manual or approved plumbing products; designs which do not utilize an approved component manual (called "Individual Site Designs"); and experiments.

Plans Which Can Be Submitted to DIS or a Designated Agent

  • POWTS that are completely designed according to a component manual or are approved plumbing products. Designs which do not utilize an approved component manual are called "Individual Site Designs."

Plans Which Should Be Submitted to the Local Government Unit

  • POWTS that serve a single one- or two-family dwelling utilizing an approved component manual and gravity distribution to an in-ground distribution cell.
  • Holding tanks that have a product approval and comply with a component manual.

Visit Public Lookup on eSLA to find approvals for plumbing products.

Counties have the primary responsibility to inspect POWTS, with the exception of state-owned projects.

FormDescription​
SBD-6153Sanitary Permit Submittal Summary​​
SBD-6499Sanitary Permit Cards can be ordered by emailing Char Vogt at ​​charlene.vogt@wisconsin.gov or by calling 608-267-2497​
SBD-6398
SBD-6398
Sanitary Permit Application (Submit to County) (PDF)
Sanitary Permit Application (Submit to County) (Word)
SBD-6412Soil Saturation Determination Report
SBD-6710POWTS Inspection Report
SBD-7987Soil Saturation Determination Report (Hydrograph Method)
SBD-8330
SBD-8330
Soil and Site Evaluation Report (PDF)
Soil and Site Evaluation Report (Word)
SBD-10577
SBD-10577
POWTS Application for Review (PDF)
POWTS Application for Review (fill-in)

Online Application for Review via eSLA
SBD-10842Application for Registration of Privies Serving State-Owned Facilities
SBD-9890XApplication for Review, Petition for Variance
SBD-6154Application for Plumbing Review

DocumentDescription
POWTS Brochure
Your Private Onsite Wastewater Treatment System Guidance Brochure
Maintenance BrochureMaintaining Your Septic System Brochure
Maintenance Program BrochureInformation on Wisconsin's POWTS Maintenance Program
COVID-19 and the Impacts on Septic SystemsCOVID-19 and Septic Systems
POWTS Components ManualsLink takes you to eSLA to search for Products - Plumbing - POWTS Component Manuals
POWTS Flooding Guidance August 2016What To Do After A Flood
Grass is GreenerIs the Grass Greener Over Your Septic System
POWTS Inspector HandbookEducational Handbook
Soil and Site Evaluation Handbook​Educational Handbook
POWTS License Renewal Information
POWTS License Renewal Information

In-Ground Gravity

In-Ground Pressure

At-Grade

Mound

VideoDescription
Septic Smart for HomeownersSeptic system basics and how to protect your investment - 1 hour
POWTS Update March 2022Excavating and Trenching Safety by OSHA - 1 hour
POWTS Update May 2022WI DNR on Large POWTS and Non-domestic Wastewater - 1 hour
POWTS Update October 2022Electrical for POWTS - 1 hour