ECO SERVICE PRO

A Message from WLWCA President Lance Petrasek

Dear WLWCA Membership,

On the heels of our country’s 250^th birthday, I hope this letter finds you enjoying all the opportunities this great country affords you.  I believe this industry has some of the hardest-working people there are.  When I meet members from legacy companies or young, hungry startups, one thing is always the same, hard work and opportunity equal goals achieved.  I love my country and all it has to offer.

The board has had a few meetings to go over some issues that are front and center to our members.  I do not have anything concrete to offer, as things are still not completely set and I do not want to get the cart ahead of the horse, but I will give you what I do know.  The DNR has done a press release on PFAS (included in this newsletter and addressed in George's legislative update). Coupled with some meetings the board had with the DNR, the initial indication is that haulers who just haul septage to treatment plants or land apply will have protection, provided they are licensed and operating under DNR code.  Treatment plants and those that take biosolids may be affected a little more.  Legislation is still pending and under final legal review, stay tuned.  Maintainer license has cleared a major hurdle, and I would expect that soon we will get a second shot at cleaning up the license.  I know this is important to many of you, and it is to us as well.  It may seem that it is not quick enough, but I assure you, government moves a lot slower than our industry.   

I am sad to report that Beth Lee, our association manager, has taken a new job.  Beth did a great job and we wish her well.  Core has filled the position, but I have not met that person yet, so I will hold off on introducing them.  

If you have not been to our website, you may be surprised when you log on, it has been redone.  The site looks really good, and we hope it will be a better experience for users.  

I have had some requests for classes at the winter conference, but if you see a need, please reach out to the board.  

Thanks, Lance

Legislative Update from WLWCA Lobbyist George Klaetsch

WLWCA Legislative Update – 2025 Wisconsin Act 201 Affords Pumpers Liability Exemptions From Biosolid PFAS Contamination

Earlier this year, a major bipartisan policy breakthrough occurred when Governor Evers signed 2025 Wisconsin Act 201.  While much of the biosolid PFAS legislation focuses on monitoring and permitting, another major part of the law addresses historical and present liability exemptions for PFAS contamination emitters. 

Throughout the legislative process, lawmakers recognized that many people and organizations handled or received materials containing PFAS years before these chemicals were regulated or were included in the permitting process. As a result, 2025 WI Act 201 creates several exemptions from Wisconsin's environmental remediation law for entities who followed the rules that existed at the time.

Among those eligible for these protections are farmers, landowners whose property received PFAS-contaminated biosolids under valid permits, contractors and pumpers who spread those materials in compliance with existing licenses and permits, and owners of commercial property where permitted spreading occurred before PFAS requirements were added. Fire departments, municipalities, public airports that used firefighting foam in accordance with federal requirements, and certain solid waste facilities may also qualify for protection. The legislation also establishes an innocent landowner grant program to help eligible property owners address PFAS contamination.

The liability exemptions do not eliminate PFAS cleanup efforts, but they are intended to protect people who did not knowingly create the contamination. In many cases, eligible landowners and other parties are exempt from certain cleanup responsibilities under Wisconsin's remediation law if they allow the DNR to conduct remediation at the state's expense. Supporters say these provisions prevent individuals who acted legally under past permits from bearing the full cost of contamination that was not understood or regulated at the time, while allowing the state to continue addressing PFAS contamination and protecting public health.

In addition to the exemption-related language, the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources has begun implementing new requirements to monitor PFAS, often called "forever chemicals," in “sewage sludge”, also known as biosolids. The addition changes also stem from WI 2025 Act 201, which became law in April 2026. The law directs the DNR to issue a statewide general permit requiring wastewater treatment facilities that spread (or contract to spread) biosolids to regularly test for PFAS and report the results. The goal is to better understand where PFAS contamination exists and to reduce the amount of these chemicals entering farmland and the environment.

The new general permit applies to wastewater treatment facilities that already have valid permits to spread biosolids but do not yet have PFAS-related conditions in those permits. Under the law, wastewater facilities must monitor PFAS levels while the DNR gradually updates individual permits with permanent PFAS requirements. If testing shows that combined levels of two of the most common PFAS chemicals, PFOA and PFOS, exceed the state's threshold, the DNR must add PFAS-specific conditions to the facility's individual permit. The agency may also require groundwater monitoring when appropriate.

Wisconsin DNR Issues New PFAS Monitoring General Permit for Biosolids

The Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (DNR) has issued a new statewide general permit requiring facilities that land-apply biosolids (sewage sludge) to monitor and report PFAS concentrations. The permit was developed to meet state statutory requirements and is intended to provide consistent PFAS monitoring data across Wisconsin. Facilities subject to the permit will be required to conduct sampling and submit results to the DNR.

The new permit has important implications for wastewater treatment facilities, biosolids generators, and others involved in land application activities.

Click the button below to read the full DNR announcement and learn more about the new requirements.

Request for Member Input:
Septic Inspection Case Studies

Fellow WLWCA Members,

I have been asked to do a presentation at the County Code Administrators conference this October. They would like me to educate them on the 3-year inspections and how we go about them. 

I would like to address summer homes/recreational properties/cabins. The big issue is that they are getting comments from the owners that we don't use it that much, so why do we need to inspect it every 3 years? 

I would like any comments, and especially any pictures, of what you may have come across as issues: poor tank condition, build up on inlet baffles, tree roots, leaking risers, broken covers, plugged or missing filters, broken electrical boxes from systems with pumps, etc. 

Also, please include the county where the system is located so we can represent that this is a statewide need for the 3-year inspections even for these types of properties.

Please include any pictures from problems found at full-time residences so I can cover all the bases. Once again, include the county where the septic is located in.

Lastly, give a brief step-by-step procedure for what your firm does for an inspection.

You can email me the information at garrison@wctc.net, and put "septic inspection" in the subject line.

Thank you,

Matt Alft
Garrison Septic

Last Chance! Join Us Next Week for the
DNR Septic Operator Exam Prep Class!

Time is quickly running out to join WLWCA on Tuesday, July 14, 2026, for a focused training session designed to help operators prepare for the Wisconsin DNR Septic Operator Test. Whether you're planning to take the exam soon or simply want to strengthen your knowledge, this class is a valuable opportunity to sharpen your skills and learn from industry professionals. With the class date quickly approaching, you're encouraged to register now before it's too late!

Event Details:

Date: Tuesday, July 14, 2026

Time: 9:00 AM – 12:00 PM

Location: Watertown Public Library
100 S. Water Street, Watertown, WI 53094

Cost: Members $90 | Non-Members $110

Topics will focus on key areas covered by the DNR exam, helping participants identify strengths, address knowledge gaps, and gain confidence before testing.

With this class being just a week away, if you haven't signed up yet, you are encouraged to do so before it's too late. Whether you're a new operator or looking for a refresher, this session can help you prepare for success!

We look forward to seeing you in Watertown on July 14th!

Submit Your Proposal to Present at the
2027 WLWCA Winter Conference!

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Wisconsin Liquid Waste Carriers Association
1818 Milton Ave, Ste 100, #1060 Janesville, WI, 53545