 Governor Walker Signature Provides Additional Options
for Homeowners
with Failing POWTS
As reported last month, a significant legislative proposal that provides financial options and alternatives to homeowners of failing POWTS was passed by the State Legislature in November and was received and signed into law by Governor Walker on November 27 creating 2017 Wisconsin Act 69. The Clean Water Access bill (Assembly Bill 226), that the WPCA supported upon introduction, increases the grant amount that may be awarded for rehabilitating or replacing contaminated wells. The bill also gives local governments the authority to provide low-interest or interest-free loans to the owners of failing POWTS/septic systems. This legislation is yet another tool for the WPCA membership to promote in partnership with your respective County Code Administrators. If you have a customer that may not meet the income threshold of the POWTS Grant Program, the WPCA strongly suggests learning and promoting the Clean Water Access Bill as an alternative. For more details on the bill, please go to - http://docs.legis.wisconsin.gov/2017/proposals/ab226 WPCA members may also inquire with their colleagues in the Wisconsin County Code Administrator (WCCA). Septic Trades/ Counties Collaborate to Address Religious Waiver Loophole 
In early 2017, the WPCA, WOWRA and WLWCA began a collaborative effort with the Wisconsin Counties Association (WCA) and the Wisconsin County Code Administrators Association (WCCA) to address our mutual concerns with the DSPS interpretation of a 2015-17 budget provision related to granting religious waivers for certain one and two-family residential dwelling building codes. The primary effort was to identify and work with select legislators to re-address the issue of Amish homeowners being able to avoid installing, rehabilitating or replacing a POWTS that was code compliant based on completing and submitting a religious waiver claim with the DSPS. While respecting all religious affiliations, the WPCA places a great deal of consideration and emphasis on ensuring public health and safety. Over the past 10 months, the septic trade associations have negotiated statutory draft language that is now working its way through the legislature. On December 13, the Senate Insurance & Housing Committee heard and voted out of committee our negotiated amendment language to prohibit religious exemptions for any/all outdoor plumbing (including POWTS). This is an important first step in addressing this issue during the 2017-18 legislative session. Our hope is for this legislation to pass into law by March of next year and we will continue to update our progress. Winter Conference Agenda Tuesday, Jan 16 1:00 PM Registration 1:30 PM Welcome Remarks 1:40 PM WI State Patrol Trucking Presentation 2:15 PM OSHA Silica Update 3:15 PM Workers Compensation Presenation 4:30 PM Personal Property Tax Exemption Update 4:30 - 6 PM Exhibits / Reception 6:15 PM Dinner
Wed., Jan 17 7:30 AM Breakfast / Exhibits 8:45 AM Crane Certification Retake Discussion 9:30 AM WPCA Member Business Meeting 11:00 AM Board Member Elections 11:30 AM Lunch
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