Homeowners who ignore periodic pumping rules in Walworth County, Wis., are subject to fines of $663 and a court order to comply with state rules. That’s according to a story in the Janesville Gazette newspaper.
County residents are required to have their septic tanks pumped and/or inspected every three years by a licensed maintenance provider. The county sends notices to homeowners who ignore the rules, and then calls the homeowners into municipal court to answer to citations. Only three of 56 homeowners who didn’t get their systems certified showed up for court last week, and the citations were issued. If they fail to respond to another notification, the county will add another $150 processing fee to the citation.
Rick Dorgay, the county’s enforcement officer, said compliance can cost a small fraction of a single citation.
“If the system has been maintained and in good condition, it could cost as little as $75 to have a service provider sign off on the compliance card after an inspection," he said. "Many landowners combine the inspection with pumping out the tank for an additional $100 to $150.”
If homeowners ignore the citations and orders, the costs can mount and can be added to the property tax bills, according to the story.
Read more at: http://gazettextra.com/news/2012/aug/17/walworth-county-septic-court-ghost-town/
What are the pumping and system maintenance rules in your service territory? Do local governments fine homeowners for ignoring the rules? Respond right here or send me an email at editor@pumper.com.
