CARPC approved an update to fees for water quality plan conformance reviews on June 9, 2026. The updated fees are effective for any new submittals received on or after September 1, 2026.
OVERVIEW & REGULATORY CONTEXT
To protect public health and maintain the integrity of the waters of the state, the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (WDNR) and Department of Safety and Professional Services (DSPS) require sewerage systems under their authority to be in conformance with and/or designed in accordance with the approved areawide water quality management plans*, pursuant to NR 110.08(4), SPS 382.30(12)(b), and SPS 382.20(11)(f).
On behalf of the WDNR, the Capital Area Regional Planning Commission (CARPC) administers the Dane County Water Quality Plan (DCWQP, or Plan), the areawide water quality management plan for the designated area of Dane County. As part of this role, CARPC review plans for development served for conformance with the DCWQP.
Common projects required to conform to the DCWQP include the extension, improvement, or modification of public sanitary sewers, interceptor sewers, force mains, and pumping/lift stations, as well as private interceptor sewers and building sewers. Replacement of existing public sanitary sewers that do not change the alignment, slope, or size are considered “maintenance” projects and are generally not reviewable by DNR and do not require review by CARPC. Projects solely involving extension of laterals serving one- or two-family dwellings or public buildings with fewer than six (6) plumbing fixtures do not require review by CARPC.
*As of the date of this publication, NR 110 refers to the “areawide waste treatment management plan”. A proposed rule change (NRB Order No. WY-09-24) will update nomenclature to “areawide water quality management plan” for consistency with NR 121.
PROCEDURES & REQUIREMENTS
View Procedures and Submittal Requirements for Water Quality Plan Conformance Reviews.
Submit Applications to Reviews@CapitalAreaRPC.org
REVIEW FEES
All sewer extensions projects and facility plans requiring conformance with the Dane County Water Quality Plan will be reviewed by CARPC staff and subject to the fees described in the following sections.
Upon completion of the review (generally at the time of issuance of water quality management conformance review letter, or ‘208’ letter), the Applicant will be invoiced according to the fee schedules listed below for Sewer Extension Reviews or Facility Plan Reviews.
Please see Resolution CARPC No. 2026-11 for additional information about review fees. (Note: new fees will go into effect January 1st of each calendar year.)
Sewer Extension Review Fee Schedule
Effective Sept 1, 2026 – Dec 31, 2026
| Type of Review | Cost |
|---|---|
| Base Review | $450 |
| Base + Environmental Features Review | $800 |
| Base + Stormwater Plan Review | $1,300 |
| Base + Stormwater Plan + Environmental Features Review | $1,800 |
Facility Plan Review Fee Schedule
Effective Sept 1, 2026 – Dec 31, 2026
| Type of Review | Cost |
|---|---|
| Base Review | $350 |
Questions can be directed to Reviews@CapitalAreaRPC.org or to the following CARPC staff:
Nick Bower, PE, ENV SP
Water Quality Program Director
Phone: (608) 474-6019
NickB@CapitalAreaRPC.org
Prachi Mehendale
Environmental Engineer
Phone: (608) 474-6016
PrachiM@CapitalAreaRPC.org
