Private Onsite Waste Treatment Systems or “POWTS” are used to treat wastewater from households and businesses not served by public sewerage systems.

POWTS that are not properly designed, installed, and maintained have the potential to contaminate ground and surface water, cause sewage to pond on the ground surface and back up into structures.

The Rock County Public Health Department reviews plans and issues permits and inspects the installations of new and replacement POWTS.

Through our Septic Maintenance Program, the Rock County Health Department ensures all POWTS are properly installed, repaired, and maintained. This program requires your septic system to be inspected by a certified pumper every three (3) years. Every three (3) years, you will receive a notice via mail notifying you that your POWTS system is due for inspection.