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Water & Sewer

      
   
Does the PSC regulate sewer utilities?

The PSC regulates both the investor and municipally-owned water utilities in the state. While all Wisconsin water utilities are regulated, sewer utility regulation is primarily a voluntary decision on the part of the municipality. Investor-owned sewer utilities would be regulated, but none currently exist.

picture of sewer drain

There are in excess of 600 sewer operations in Wisconsin. Of these systems, the PSC currently regulates only 12 of them. These systems have elected to combine their water and sewer operations into a single public utility. For these systems, the PSC regulates rates and rules, practices and procedures, plant additions, and service quality, to name a few of the more significant areas. The operation of the remaining unregulated sewer systems is the responsibility of the local governing body. This responsibility includes establishing sewer rates.

Although the PSC does not regulate sewer systems in Wisconsin, it has limited authority over municipal sanitary sewer issues. Pursuant to Wis. Stat. § 66.0821(5)(a), any user of a sewer system may file a complaint with the Commission concerning the rates, rules, or practices of the municipality.

Upon complaint, the PSC would review the reasonableness of the municipality's rates, rules, and practices. As these operations are not public utilities fully regulated by the PSC, it is the responsibility of the complainant to develop the basis for complaint. Generally, individual, informal complaints are reviewed by PSC staff whereas more formal or legal questions are set for hearing with parties developing a record in support of their individual positions. The Commission decides the issues based on the merits of the hearing record.

For sewer related issues, please contact Stephen Kemna. He can be reached at (608)266-3768. You can also e-mail him at Stephen.Kemna@wisconsin.gov.