The Land Resources Division provides local leadership, education and technical expertise to improve the quality of life in Washington County by working closely with farmers, landowners, government officials, teachers, youth group leaders, community businesses, civic organizations and concerned residents to improve and conserve our soil and water resources.

If you get your drinking water from a private well it is recommended that you test your well water at least once a year, and any time you notice a change in how the water looks, tastes or smells. Even if your water looks, tastes and smells good, it can contain harmful bacteria and viruses. Washington County has partnered with UW-Stevens Point's WEAL (Water & Environmental Analysis Lab) to offer an affordable well water sampling package for homeowners.

The Homeowner Package gives a bigger picture of the composition of drinking water beyond the typical Coliform Bacteria, Nitrate, Nitrite, and pH; it also includes:
• Corrosion, which could cause lead and copper to leach from plumbing
• Hardness, which indicates the amount of beneficial minerals in the water
• Chloride, which gives an excellent indication of human impacted water

The additional data is very useful in diagnosing or predicting other potential problems and sources of problems. The best time to test your well is when groundwater flow is moving the most, this occurs during snowmelt in the spring or again in the fall depending on the frequency of precipitation.

Visit the Washington County Planning and Parks Department office to pick up a test bottle today! There is no cost to pick up a bottle, however lab fee is required when you submit your water sample to the UW-Stevens Point-Water & Environmental Analysis Lab.

Well Water Test Kit Brochure (01/01/2026 pdf)

Interpreting Drinking Water Quality Results (pdf)

Determine The Location Of Your Well (pdf)

An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of a cure!

Please contact us before doing any work on your Private Onsite Wastewater Treatment System (POWTS) other than the routine service maintenance of your septic tank as required under County Ordinance. This includes the placement of covers, risers, pipes, vents, etc. County and State laws require that some repairs, alterations, extensions or additions require permits at the County level, and the State requires that the person performing the work be properly licensed.

Visit the following website to find your property of interest, septic system maintenance reports, past or current maintenance providers, original sanitary permits, designs and site plans or layouts of the system! 

POWTS Search & Reporting Application - provides information regarding the thousands of POWTS installed in Washington County and a method for licensed plumbers to file pumping/inspection reports electronically. If you are a state licensed septic service provider, please log into the website to report the sanitary service maintenance performed.

Urban runoff pollution is a leading cause that makes many lakes and streams not meeting water quality standards or water use objectives. As development occurs, surface waters and groundwater may be heavily impacted by the increase in impervious areas if improvements in treating storm water aren’t addressed. In 2002 the State of Wisconsin created the nonagricultural performance standards for construction, post-construction, and developed urban area runoff are. Subchapter III of NR 151 of the Wisconsin Administrative Code also contains the nonagricultural performance standards to transportation facility runoff, which include all roads and associated structures, as they apply to state, local, and private facility owners. The nonagricultural or urban performance standards encompass two major types of land management. The first type includes performance standards developed for areas of new development and redevelopment. This is further subdivided to include the construction phase and the post-construction (stormwater management) phase. The second type includes performance standards for developed urban areas.

A general summary of the non-agricultural performance standards, as of 2012 are:
• Control 80% of sediment from construction sites

• Control 80% of post-construction total suspended solids (TSS) from new developments and 40% from redevelopments

• Maintain pre-development peak discharge rates for the 1-year and 2-year, 24 hour design storm for new developments

• Infiltrate 90%, 75% or 60% of pre-development runoff volumes for new development with low, moderate or high imperviousness respectively

• Maintain protective areas (10-75 feet) between new impervious surfaces and lakes, streams, and wetlands

• Control petroleum runoff (visible sheen) from fueling and vehicle maintenance areas.

The complex nature of the multiple regulations and the involvement of regulatory bodies at the town, city, county, state and federal level makes comprehensive stormwater planning and treatment program a challenging task.

We all must do our part improve the quality and reduce the quantity of stormwater runoff from our downstream neighbors.

Department of Natural Resources rule NR 151 sets performance standards and prohibitions for farms. It also sets urban performance standards to control construction site erosion, manage runoff from streets and roads, and manage fertilizer use on large turf areas.

Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection rule ATCP 50 identifies conservation practices that individuals must follow to meet performance standards.

The Hazardous Waste Collection takes place at Veolia Environmental Services - W124N9451 Boundary Road, Menomonee Falls, WI 53051 during the months of February - November.

Washington County residents may take their hazardous waste to Veolia Mondays and Wednesdays from 11am-6pm and Saturdays 8am-2pm. Pre-registration and $10 fee is required per visit. Keep Washington County's surface and groundwater clean by participating in this collection. Transport your chemicals safely-learn more from the National Pesticide Information Center website.

Location Map
Site Drop Off Map (pdf)

What's Accepted (pdf)

-Residents must stay in their cars.
-Residents must show proof of residency.
-All items must be in the trunk. Place materials in a non-returnable box/container. (gas cans returned)

2026 HOUSEHOLD ONLINE REGISTRATION OPENS FEBRUARY 1, 2026 - THANK YOU!

Visit  washcoparks.com or submit the 2026 Pre-registration form (pdf) to the Land Resources Division.
Program Details
Disposal Alternatives for TVs, Appliances, Electronics, Computers & more (pdf)

SMALL BUSINESS PARTICIPATION-Very Small Quantity Generators (VSQGs) or FARM PRODUCERS
2026 Pre-registration form (pdf) Pre-registration, appointment and cost of disposal are required. Call Veolia at 262.875.7014 to set up an appointment to bring in hazardous waste.

LOOKING FOR A SAFE WAY TO DISPOSE OF YOUR MEDS?

Drop Box Locations

Sharps Disposal

• Household Hazardous Waste (HHW) collection is expensive, this option should always be the last resort.

• Purchase only what you need and use up all products. Ask family, friends or neighbors if they need anything.

• Facility operators reserve the right to refuse any substance that cannot be disposed.

• Participants will be required to show a drivers license ID and complete a quick survey.

• Participants will be checked against a registration database.

• Drop off your materials during the dates/hours listed only.

• No appliances, computers, electronics or tires accepted here.

• Do not bring latex paint.

Product Exchange Program
Veolia in Menomonee Falls (permanent site) allows residents to drop off/take usable materials (i.e. cleaning or automotive products, paints/stains, lawn & garden products) at no charge.

Types and quantities of usable material will vary. A Liability Waiver and Release Form must be signed on site before taking any products home.

Washington County hosted two in-person and one virtual informational session to talk to landowners about stormwater runoff and practices in their neighborhoods that capture stormwater runoff. Confused? Click on the recorded video below to watch the informational session!

Stormwater runoff is rainwater that does not infiltrate/soak into the ground. It is rainwater that flows over grass, bare ground, driveways, roads, roofs, through gutters before flowing into storm drains or the nearest waterway. Since stormwater runoff flows over multiple surfaces before it gets to a storm drain or waterway, it can pick up excess pollutants such as dirt, grease, and trash before entering a storm drain or waterway. Storm drains deliver large volumes of water to streams much faster than would occur naturally, resulting in flooding and bank erosion. Stream inhabitants such as fish, salamanders, or mussels are stressed, displaced, or killed by the warm, fast moving water and the sediment or pollutants it brings with it.

Stormwater practices such as stormwater retention ponds and infiltration basins collect stormwater runoff and capture sediment and other pollutants carried by stormwater runoff. These practices act as a filter, and cleaner water is then slowly discharged to a waterway. Stormwater practices are a key piece in keeping Washington Counties waterway’s clean and healthy as they intercept potentially harmful stormwater runoff from directly flowing into a nearby waterway.

If you have a stormwater practice in your neighborhood, click on the “Guidelines for Maintenance” link to see how you can help keep your stormwater practice functioning and doing its job to keep our waters clean! You can also contact Katie Wilson at 262-208-8076 or [email protected] for more information.

Native shorelines provide great ecological value to waterways and wetlands in the state of Wisconsin. These ecosystem services include reducing erosion and nutrient runoff into the water, promoting healthy and diverse wildlife habitat, preventing the establishment and spread of invasive species, and improving overall water quality, while also providing natural beauty to the area.

Washington County hosted a Native Shoreline Workshop in February of 2023 to provide riparian residents with resources on how to improve their shorelines. Speakers from UW Stevens Point, Johnson’s Nursery, and Washington County presented to over 20 County residents, both in-person and virtually, on the science and value of natural shorelines, shoreline plant selections, design considerations, and shoreline regulations & permitting. Attendees were provided with various shoreline resources for additional information as well as for implementation of any future shoreline projects they may undertake.

View the Native Shoreline Workshop recording here:

• For resources on how to improve your shoreline, including those mentioned in the above workshop presentation, visit: UW Stevens Point’s Water and Shoreland Resources or contact Lynn Markham, Shoreland Specialist, at [email protected]

• For information on available grant funding visit the Wisconsin Healthy Lakes & Rivers Program

• Johnsons Nursery Native Plant Guide