Local Context
Septic and Holding Tanks in the Village of Harrison
Whether a Harrison home is on sewer depends on where it sits. The village lists three sewer providers, Harrison Utilities, Darboy Sanitary and Fox Crossing Utilities, serving its urban, lakeshore and some rural areas, and says other rural areas have private wells and septic systems (Village of Harrison, Water & Sewer). The Darboy Joint Sanitary District No. 1 covers the urbanized parts of Harrison and the neighbouring Town of Buchanan, within a boundary running from County CE south to Manitowoc Road (Darboy Sanitary District). Outside those service areas, the wastewater stays on your own lot.
Some of those private systems are holding tanks. A holding tank doesn't treat or release anything. It stores every gallon your household uses until a pumper removes it, which is why it fills far faster than a septic tank.
The ground is often the reason. The Niagara Escarpment forms the cliffs at High Cliff State Park above Lake Winnebago's eastern shore (Wikipedia: High Cliff State Park), and Calumet County maps the areas where only shallow soil covers bedrock (Calumet County, Karst Area Resources). The USDA's Kolberg soil series, whose type location is in Calumet County, has dolomite bedrock 20 to 40 inches down (USDA NRCS, Kolberg series). State code requires the soil receiving effluent to sit at least 24 inches above bedrock and groundwater (SPS 383.44), so a lot that can't meet it may need a mound or a holding tank.
How It Works
How Scheduled Pumping Works
Harrison holding tank pumping runs on a calendar, not on alarms:
- Size the schedule. We look at tank capacity, household size and water use (or your water meter, if one is required) to set an interval.
- Pump on the calendar. The aim is to empty the tank before it reaches the alarm level, so you aren't left rationing water.
- Check the alarm and components. Float, alarm, lid and riser condition every visit.
- Report it. Each pump-out is reported to the county as part of its tracking program.
- Adjust. If the tank fills faster than expected, we look for leaks, running toilets or groundwater getting in.
A holding tank fills at a fairly steady rate, so a fixed interval lets you plan the year's pump-outs ahead.
Local Rules
The Rules for Holding Tanks
Holding tanks have the strictest rules of any Wisconsin system, and they shape how Harrison holding tank pumping is scheduled:
- Pump when full. In state code, "full" means the wastewater has risen to one foot below the inlet, and that's when the tank has to be pumped, whatever the calendar says (SPS 383.54).
- Servicing contract. Counties require a holding tank agreement and a servicing contract with a licensed pumper. Wisconsin's standard holding tank management plan sets out the owner's responsibilities (Wisconsin DSPS holding tank management checklist).
- Reporting. The county has to receive a report within 30 days of each pump-out (SPS 383.55), in whatever format it asks for.
Which county are you in?
Most of Harrison is in Calumet County, whose Chapter 74 sanitation ordinance governs septic systems countywide. Calumet keeps pumping and maintenance records in Ascent Permit Management, which you can search to see your service history (Calumet County Sanitation). If your tax bill shows a different county, we report there instead; either way, we file with the right county for Harrison holding tank pumping.
Neighbours
Nearby Areas
We run holding tank and septic routes through neighbouring Menasha, the Town of Buchanan, and the east side of Appleton. For a full explanation of holding tank service, see holding tank pumping.
FAQ
Harrison Holding Tank Pumping FAQ
My holding tank alarm is going off. What now?
Stop all non-essential water use: no laundry, dishes or showers. The alarm usually sounds with some reserve capacity left, but not much. Call (920) 241-6573; our emergency service page explains what happens next.
How often will my tank need pumping?
Tank size and water use decide it, and for most holding tanks that adds up to several pump-outs a year. After the first few, we'll have a good read on your interval.
How can I stretch the time between pump-outs?
Fix running toilets and dripping taps, run full laundry and dish loads, choose low-flow fixtures, and keep sump pumps and roof drains out of the tank.
Can I switch from a holding tank to a septic system?
Sometimes. It depends on whether your soil can support a drain field or mound. A soil evaluation answers that. Our Buchanan installation page walks through the soil test and the steps after it.
Is my Harrison home on sewer or a holding tank?
If you pay Harrison Utilities, Darboy or Fox Crossing Utilities for sewer, you're connected. If not, you have a private system; look your parcel up in Calumet County's online Ascent records to see its maintenance history, or ask us to check the permit file.
Do I need to be home for scheduled pumping?
No, as long as we can reach the tank and lift its lid.