Main content of the website

  1. Home
  2. Services
  3. Licensing & Permits
  4. Sanitary Systems

Sanitary Systems

Process to Obtain a New or Replacement Septic System

  1. Contact a Certified Soil Tester, of your choice, to perform a soil test. The soil tester will contact the County Zoning Department to set up an appointment.
  2. Depending on what type of system is determined, state approval may be required.
  3. Upon final design or approval from the State, plans may be taken to the plumber, of your choice, for estimates.
  4. A notarized Maintenance Agreement form must be filed on the deed at the Register of Deeds office. This form may be obtained from the plumber or the Zoning Department.
  5. The plumber will submit the Sanitary Permit Application and plans to the Zoning Department for approval.
  6. Upon approval from the Zoning Department, installation of septic may proceed.

This whole process generally takes anywhere from 2 to 6 weeks.


Regular Maintenance Requirements On Septic Systems

Richland County is required by state law (WI Adm. Code, SPS 383.54) to have proof from the property owner that the septic system has been checked and/or pumped every three years. As the current owner, it is your responsibility to have the septic tank inspected and/or pumped by a licensed plumber/pumper.

Proper maintenance of your system will help to extend its service to you. Pumping out the accumulated sludge and scum, and inspecting the baffles, will help keep unwanted materials from flowing into and prematurely clogging the seepage area.

You will be receiving a notice from the Richland County Zoning Department, every three years reminding you that your tank should be either inspected and/or pumped. A licensed plumber/pumper will need to sign the notice along with the owner and return it within ninety (90) days of receipt to the:

Richland County Zoning Department
Richland County Courthouse
181 W. Seminary Street, Room 309
Richland Center, WI 53581


A Homeowner’s Guide to Septic Systems

This Septic Homeowner Pamphlet describes how a septic system works and what a homeowner can do to help the system treat their wastewater efficiently. This also includes the Homeowner Septic System Checklist to keep track of the design specifications of the septic system and scheduled maintenance.


Non-Plumbing Sanitation Systems

See Private On-Site Wastewater Treatment System Ordinance beginning on page 12 – Section 15 of Richland County Sanitation Ordinance

Vault Privies – Tank must be a minimum of 200 gallon capacity. The tank can be made out of any material but must be water tight.

Pit Privies – A complete soil test must be performed by a Certified Soil Tester.

Portable toilets are not approved systems.

Composting systems must be National Sanitation Foundation (NSF) approved and should not require a drain. A drain is required for non-electric systems. Non-electric systems are unacceptable.

If a system is found on the NSF website (http://www.nsf.org/Certified/Wastewater/), and does not require a drain, the specifications can be submitted to Richland County Zoning for approval.

Non-plumbing sanitation system permit applications shall be submitted with the forms stated in Section 15 (D) p. 13 of the Private On-Site Wastewater Treatment System Ordinance.