Wisconsin septic rules
Septic pumping rules in Wisconsin.
Wisconsin requires a state license or permit to pump or haul septage. Below: who regulates, what pumpers have to keep, and where to find the official forms. Checked against official sources on October 8, 2026.
The rules
What a pumper in Wisconsin should know.
A guide, not legal advice. Counties and local health departments can add their own rules on top of the state's, so check with the county where the system is.
- Who regulates septic systemsState and local
Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (septage servicing, NR 113/NR 114) and Department of Safety and Professional Services (POWTS, SPS 383). DNR licenses septage businesses and certifies septage operators statewide, DSPS sets the POWTS code and reviews plans (with delegated counties), and counties or municipalities issue POWTS permits and receive maintenance and servicing reports.
The state program- Pumper and hauler licensingState license
All businesses that service or dispose of septage must be licensed under NR 113, and each vehicle must be inspected and registered under NR 113.06 (form 3400-019 vehicle inspection report). Every business must designate a master operator as operator-in-charge, and everyone servicing septage must be certified under NR 114 (operator-in-training, certified septage operator or master operator), with an exemption for portable restroom servicing assistants. Certifications expire 3 years from issuance and require continuing education to renew.
Licensing details- Where septage can go
Businesses must follow the septage disposal requirements of NR 113.07. Common methods are land application on department-approved fields and disposal to WPDES-permitted facilities or Wisconsin-licensed businesses approved to receive, mix or treat septage. NR 113 includes most federal 40 CFR 503 requirements such as pathogen control, vector attraction reduction and nitrogen limits.
Disposal rules- Records and reports
Under NR 113.11(3), businesses that land apply must submit the Annual Land Application Report (form 3400-055) and businesses using other disposal methods must submit the Other Method of Disposal or Distribution Report (form 3400-052), electronically through DNR Switchboard by January 31 for the prior calendar year. Separately, SPS 383.55 requires POWTS inspection, maintenance and servicing reports to be submitted to the county or designated agent within 30 calendar days, by the owner or the owner's agent.
Reporting rules- Inspections
Not confirmed from an official source. Ask the state program linked above, or your county health department.
- The rule book
Wis. Admin. Code NR 113 (septage servicing), NR 114 (septage operator certification), SPS 383 (Private Onsite Wastewater Treatment Systems)
Official forms
Get the forms from the source.
We link to the state's own pages instead of keeping copies, because forms change. Your county may use its own forms as well, and those are the ones an inspector will expect.
In PortaPro
Upload your county's form once. Fill it from every job.
- Your form, filled from the job
Upload the current PDF from your county or the state, place the fields on it, and bind them to job data. Each pump-out fills it with the customer, site, tank, gallons pumped and technician, and you download a finished PDF.
How Regulatory Forms works- Service reports on the driver's phone
Every account comes with a septic inspection checklist and a pumping service report with gallons pumped and a disposal manifest. Drivers fill them on site and they are filed with the job.
PortaPro for septic companies- Prefer paper for now
Print our free septic pumping service report. It has the fields most programs ask for.
Free septic service report
Questions
Do I need a license to pump septic tanks in Wisconsin?
Wisconsin requires a state license or permit to pump or haul septage. All businesses that service or dispose of septage must be licensed under NR 113, and each vehicle must be inspected and registered under NR 113.06 (form 3400-019 vehicle inspection report). Every business must designate a master operator as operator-in-charge, and everyone servicing septage must be certified under NR 114 (operator-in-training, certified septage operator or master operator), with an exemption for portable restroom servicing assistants. Certifications expire 3 years from issuance and require continuing education to renew.
Where do I get Wisconsin septic forms?
From the state's own pages, linked on this page. Many counties and local health departments use their own forms on top of the state's, so check with the county where the system is too.
Does PortaPro come with Wisconsin forms built in?
No. Forms change, and counties use their own, so PortaPro doesn't ship copies. You upload the current PDF from your county or state once, place the fields on it, and PortaPro fills it from each job: customer, site, tank, gallons pumped and technician. When the agency updates its form, you upload the new one.
How current is this page?
We read the official sources listed at the bottom on October 8, 2026. Rules and forms change, so treat this as a starting point and confirm with the agency before you rely on it. This is not legal advice.
Sources
Official pages we read on .
- https://dnr.wisconsin.gov/topic/opcert/septageBusiness.html
- https://dnr.wisconsin.gov/topic/opcert/septage.html
- https://dnr.wisconsin.gov/topic/Wastewater/eReporting.html
- https://apps.dnr.wi.gov/doclink/forms/3400-019.pdf
- https://dsps.wi.gov/a-z-programs-list/powts/
- https://dsps.wi.gov/a-z-programs-list/powts/forms/
- https://docs.legis.wisconsin.gov/code/admin_code/sps/safety_and_buildings_and_environment/380_387/383/V/55
Other states
- Alabama
- Alaska
- Arizona
- Arkansas
- California
- Colorado
- Connecticut
- Delaware
- Florida
- Georgia
- Hawaii
- Idaho
- Illinois
- Indiana
- Iowa
- Kansas
- Kentucky
- Louisiana
- Maine
- Maryland
- Massachusetts
- Michigan
- Minnesota
- Mississippi
- Missouri
- Montana
- Nebraska
- Nevada
- New Hampshire
- New Jersey
- New Mexico
- New York
- North Carolina
- North Dakota
- Ohio
- Oklahoma
- Oregon
- Pennsylvania
- Rhode Island
- South Carolina
- South Dakota
- Tennessee
- Texas
- Utah
- Vermont
- Virginia
- Washington
- West Virginia
- Wyoming
Keep the county's paperwork with the job.
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