FAQ Sanitary Maintenance Report
What type of system is subject to being pumped once a year by the county?
A holding tank needs to emptied each year. In cases where the resident lives at the site year around the tank is pumped monthly.
What Does POWTS stand for?
Private Onsite Wastewater Treatment System
Why should I pump my septic tank every 3 years?
If your tank is not pumped out every few years there can be a build up of sludge on the bottom of the tank then your drainage field can get plugged up and won’t work properly. Also, by pumping the tank the pumper, inspector, or home-owner, is able to see if there are any visible cracks in the tank. This could eventually lead to ground water contamination by bacteria and coliforms.
How do I know if it's my tanks time to be pumped?
The county will mail out a notice to remind Langlade residence every 3 years.
What if I lost my notice from the county?
Call the Langlade County Land Regulation Dept and ask for pumping notice.
Who is responsible for turning in the notice?
The landowner is responsible. So, it best to get a receipt from the pumper, just in- case records or a mistake is made, that way you have proof that your tank was pumped out last year or a few month ago. Then no fine would be issued.
Can I get an extension on my pumping notice?
The Land Records Dept. can issue an extension if you explain the situation. Then the fine won’t be issued typically.
Can I get taken to court for not pumping my tank out?
Yes, the county can take you to court for ignoring and not responding to any of the notices that they have sent out to you.
I got my maintenance report this year but I had my septic pumped last year. What do I do?
Give your report to the pumper and he will fill in the date he pumped and return filled out report to us. Your next maintenance report date will be 3 years from the year he reported pumping.
I only am at my property for a few weeks out of the summer, it’s recreational property. Do I have to have it pumped?
The State of Wisconsin mandates pumping or inspection of all conventional and mound systems every 3 years. If it’s less than 1/3 full of sludge, pumping maybe deferred.
I just purchased the property, and I received the pumping report. Do I have to have it pumped?
Check with our office to see if a Real Estate Evaluation was completed for your property. If it was filed with our office, then that will suffice as a maintenance pumping report if it was done within the 3-year cycle.
I can’t find the lid to have my system pumped. What do I do?
If your system was installed after 1968 there is a good chance we have a site plan for the system. Check with our office. If it was installed prior to 1968, we have no records and you may have to hire a plumber to help you locate your. Probing with a rod is a typical way to locate the lid.