STEVENS POINT, WI (WSAU-WAOW) A new program at the University of Wisconsin Stevens Points hopes to tackle contaminated soil in the Badger State.
Current regulations on septage tanks and waste disposal date back almost four decades. There are over 700,000 septic systems in Wisconsin. The last time they were studied in depth was in 1982.
The data, studying chemical and mineral contamination, will be collected by Professor Robert Michitsch of UWSP and students. They say the study is needed to make sure people aren’t getting sick and can stay in their homes.
“We believe it can allow people to stay in their homes longer because they can simply replace their tank with these resources.” Dawn Crim, Secretary of the Department of Safety and Professional Services, said, “We are excited to administer that fund and this data will give us a sense of what some of our needs are in the state.”
This date will help the state update EPA standards, and could even help farmers provide natural fertilizer for their crops.
The study will begin in the spring and conclude in fall of 2022.
