<%option explicit%> Bayfield County Planning and Zoning: WI Fund Grant Program

WI Fund Grant Program

The program provides grant monies to help owners with a County verified failing private onsite wastewater treatment system replace the failing system with a new code compliant system.

You may be eligible for a grant under this program, if ALL of the following requirements are met:

  • You reside in a county or government unit that is participating in the program.
  • You have received a written enforcement order/determination of failure to correct the violation from an approved County or local government unit representative before replacement begins.
  • Your principal residence or small commercial establishment is not located in an area served by municipal sewer.
  • The private onsite wastewater treatment system was constructed prior to July 1, 1978.
  • The family income of ALL owners of the principal residence is less than $45, 000 or the gross revenue of the small commercial establishment is less than $362,000. (Grant awards for principal residences are reduced by $ .30 for each $1.00 earned over $32,000).
  • Your principal residence or small commercial establishment is served by a Category 1 or 2 FAILING system.
  • Your principal residence or small commercial establishment is occupied 51% of the year by the owner.
  • The small commercial establishment is operated by the owner and has a daily wastewater flow rate less than 5,000 gallons per day.
  • Your application is submitted within three years from the date of the verification of failure.

How Much Money Can You Receive?

The maximum grant is limited to the amounts listed in tables published in Comm 87, WI Administrative Code, or $7,000.(The Bayfield County Planning and Zoning Office has copies of these funding tables and can explain how they are used.) Amounts may vary based on the extent of the work needed to bring your system into compliance with the state plumbing code. Experimental systems are not included in the $7,000 maximum.

If My Application Is Approved, When Do I Get The Money?

Grant funds are allocated on an annual cycle. The County submits an application to Commerce in January for all eligible individuals within their jurisdiction. Commerce makes grant awards for these applications in the following fiscal year or in the fall of each year.

If I'm Not Qualified For A Grant Or My Application Is Denied, Do I Still Need To Correct My Failing System?

Yes. Remember a failing private onsite wastewater treatment system is a violation of your local ordinance and state statutes and can result in water pollution and health hazards. You will be ordered to correct a violation even if your County is not participating in the program or if you are not eligible to receive financial assistance.

Wisconsin Fund Grant Money Is Not Guaranteed?

If approved applications exceed available funding, Commerce is required to prioritize funds based on potential environmental harm associated with different types of private onsite wastewater treatment system failures.

Category 1 grants are paid in full before Category 2 grants are eligible for any funding. If there are insufficient funds to provide payments for all Category 1 grants, these grants are prorated, and no funds are provided for Category 2 systems. If funds are adequate to fully fund Category 1 grants, then remaining funds are used for Category 2 grants. If these Category 2 grants cannot be fully funded from remaining funds, these grants are also prorated.

Of the funds available each year, a maximum of 10 percent are allowed for small commercial establishments and a maximum of 10 percent for experimental systems.

Who To Contact

Questions concerning the program may be addressed to the Bayfield County Planning and Zoning Department at (715) 373-6138.