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Residents and staff flag septic compliance backlog, staffing and software problems in Kewaunee County
Summary
A resident and county staff described a backlog of septic-system inspections, a delinquent list of systems, staffing shortages, and delays implementing new TTEC software during a Land & Water meeting.
Sue Weiser, who identified herself as from the Town of Saguani, told the Kewaunee County Land & Water Conservation Committee that roughly 60% of the county's estimated 21,000 residents use private septic systems and private wells, and she urged enforcement of the county's three-year pumping inspection requirement under Ordinance 15.
"Ordinance 15 gives the [zoning administrator] the ability to issue citations, give a deadline, and then get those citations to corporate counsel," Weiser said, urging follow-through on delinquent systems.
Weiser and county staff described a backlog of inspections and data-entry problems. The meeting record shows 231 systems on a delinquent list with a notice date cited by speakers; Weiser said that list implies reminder or citation dates were not recorded for about 81% of those systems. County staff said only one county inspector currently holds the required credentials to perform soil/site verification for new septic installations, that multiple pumpers submit paper 'blue sheets' that must be entered by staff, and that a new TTEC software system meant to improve recordkeeping has been delayed and had not yet been deployed to the county office.
County staff said some failing systems have already been referred to corporate counsel and that testing of wells will occur again in October. Staff also reported they are mapping nearly 300 nutrient management plans and are working on shoreline zoning site determinations and potential variances later this year. The department said it has five rentals of a tree planter program currently in operation.
Why it matters: A large share of county residents rely on private septic systems and wells; gaps in inspections, staffing and recordkeeping can affect public health and water quality. Speakers urged hiring another sanitation technician and completing the TTEC implementation so that reminders and enforcement steps can be tracked more reliably.
Committee action and next steps: Staff described the current workload and training plans (including training for a staff member named Sam), and noted plans to work with NRCS and DNR staff on related issues. The committee did not record a formal vote on additional staffing or ordinance enforcement during the meeting.
