Land Resources

Waukesha County offers local municipalities the opportunity to meet certain MS4 Permit requirements in a cost-effective manner by sharing resources.  This is accomplished by executing an IGA between the County and the municipality. There are two types of stormwater related IGAs currently executed with 26 communities (see Map 1 to see which communities):

1. Stormwater Education. The IGA commits the community to pay an annual fee to the County, based on their population, to partially offset County staff and support costs to implement the mandated MS4 stormwater education program.  One County position is dedicated to this program.

2. Stormwater Ordinance Implementation. This type of IGA provides County services to implement the mandated stormwater ordinance within the community, at no cost to the community.  This type of IGA is supported solely by permit fees.  

This Stormwater IGA fact sheet provides a more detailed description of the above noted IGAs, which is designed to be used for newly elected local officials.

Each year, Waukesha County hosts a community meeting. The goal is to update municipal partners about any changes that have been implemented or will be implemented the following year. Following the meeting, the presentation updates are available as a resource.

Each year, the Land Resources Division puts on a workshop focused on Stormwater. These annual presentations are available as a resource after the workshop.

Stormwater BMP Maintenance Agreements

How to find a stormwater BMP maintenance agreement recorded at the Waukesha County Register of Deeds in their online database.

BMP Inspection Forms and Fact Sheets

When preparing for an inspection, the forms and fact sheets below provide important information.

• Technical Design Inspection Form
• Bioretention Basins Fact Sheet
• Infiltration Basins Fact Sheet
• Stormwater Ponds Fact Sheet

Waukesha County Land Conservation Ordinances

• Stormwater Ordinance
• Nonmetallic Mine Reclamation Ordinance

Wisconsin DNR

The Wisconsin DNR offers many resources that compliment the Waukesha County programs.

• Stormwater Technical Standards
• MS4 Permit Information and General Permit

Authorized Local Program

In 2011, Waukesha County was authorized by the WI Department of Natural Resources (DNR) to provide state (NR 216) coverage for all County-issued stormwater permits. This means those who apply for a County stormwater permit are not required to submit a separate Notice of Intent to the DNR when proposing to disturb greater than one acre of land.  Applying for a Storm Water Permit from Waukesha County Land Resources Division will satisfy this state mandate.

The DNR calls this an “Authorized Local Program (ALP)” under Chapter NR 216. As part of the ALP process, county staff also screens each site to determine if state wetland, endangered species or historical preservation regulations apply.  If so, the applicant is directed to the appropriate authorities.  If not, the site will usually be cleared within 10 business days of the application.  

Waukesha County was the first community in the state to offer this one-stop-shop service to the development community.  We believe it simplifies the stormwater permitting process and improves the quality of service to our customers.  The documents below describe how the program is administered in more detail.

• DNR Approval Memo
• PLU/DPW Agreement
• County-owned Land

Manure Related Complaints

People may call to complain about manure spreading, especially regarding the odors that may be associated with it.  Here are a few things to keep in mind if you find yourself fielding a complaint call.  Remember, farmers do have a right to apply manure for their crops fertilizer needs.  State standards require that all farmers annually develop and follow a Nutrient Management Plan (NMP). The plan is designed to keep nutrients and sediment from entering lakes, streams, wetlands and groundwater.  The County has records of NMP’s for landowners that participate in the Farmland Preservation Program.  Also see Wisconsin Runoff Rules: What Farmers Need to Know.  If the manure is entering a waterbody, please call the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (DNR) 24-hour Spill Hotline at 1- 800- 943-0003. 

If there is a concern about well contamination, it is recommended that all homeowners with a private well test their well water annually for the presence of bacteria and nitrates.  For information about testing your water click here.  This is the responsibility of the homeowner and ensures the safety of their drinking water supply. 

Nutrient Management Planning for Stables

The state standards and prohibitions that apply to all Wisconsin farms, including horse operations, are explained in the Wisconsin’s Runoff Rules brochure.  If a commercial horse stable or private horse operation requires a Nutrient Management Plan, follow the Nutrient Management Process Plan.   

• Restriction Map Sample
• Manure Removal Agreement
• Restriction Map for Horse Operations

Well Abandonment

Unused and improperly abandoned wells are a significant threat to groundwater quality. If not properly filled with impermeable material, wells can directly channel contaminated surface or near-surface water into groundwater. Water that gets into wells bypasses the purifying action that normally takes place in the upper layers of the soil. Because groundwater flows in soil and bedrock formations (aquifers), contamination that enters old wells can move to nearby drinking water wells.

As of June 1, 2008, only licensed well drillers or licensed pump installers can abandon wells. These contractors are familiar with correct abandonment materials and procedures, are knowledgeable about wells, and have access to the necessary equipment.

Waukesha County may have cost-sharing grants available for proper well abandonment. Contact the Land Resources Division at 262-896-8300 for more information.

Land and Water Resource Management Plan

The Waukesha County Land and Water Resource Management Plan is a long-range planning document intended to guide the activities of the Land Resources Division in its efforts to protect and improve local land and water resources for the next 10 years.  This plan is mandatory for all counties under section 92.10 Wisconsin Statutes, with more specific planning requirements contained in Chapter ATCP 50 Wisconsin Administrative Code.  In general terms, this plan must describe how Waukesha County will help meet federal and state clean water goals while addressing other local natural resource issues.

The latest version of the Waukesha County LWRM plan (2022 Update) is available here. The next update to this plan is scheduled for 2032. 

Annual Construction Site Inspection and Enforcement Reports

The 2023 reports (listed below) are a summary of construction site inspections completed and enforcement actions taken in each participating  municipality.

Archived Newsletters

• 2024 Dec-2025 Jan Municipal Updates
• 2024 Oct-Nov Municipal Updates
• 2024 Aug-Sept Municipal Updates
• 2024 June-July Municipal Updates
• 2024 April - May Municipal Updates
• 2024 February - March Municipal Updates

Request an older copy of a newsletter here

MS4 Education and Outreach Report

Part 1: Municipal Contact Information

1. Select: Yes

• Public Education and Outreach: Waukesha County
• Public Involvement and Participation: Waukesha County for parts

2. Select: No

Part II: Storm Water Program Evaluation

Each municipality must report Public Education and Outreach on your annual MS4 report.
When reporting #1:

MS4 Public Participation Volunteer Activities Report

2a:  We presented in front of the Parks and Land Use Committee of the Waukesha County board. If you presented to your elected officials, please edit this to add in your activity.

Topics Covered: select Storm Water Management Program 

Target Audience:  select Public Officials 

Estimated people reached: 10 

Regional Effort: select Yes 

For 2b:  

Topcis Covered: select Volunteer Opportunity

Target Audience: select General Public & Residents

Number Reached: 304 

Regional effort: select Yes 

2c:    

Adopt-A-Drain has grown to 253 volunteers who have reported nearly 3,500 pounds of material removed from local storm drains. In addition, there were over 50 people who participated in Citizen Stream Monitoring at 29 sites around the County. 

(see attachment from 1e)