Fox Lake Inland Lake Protectn

- W10543 Co Rd F, Fox Lake, WI 53933

For residents, property owners, and visitors of the Fox Lake area in Wisconsin, the health of the lake and the reliability of essential utilities are intertwined necessities. Operating under Chapter 33 of the Wisconsin Statutes, the Fox Lake Inland Lake Protection and Rehabilitation District (FLILPARD) serves as a special-purpose unit of local government. While the term "plumber" is used to categorize the service, the scope of FLILPARD's work is much broader than typical residential plumbing. It functions as the crucial entity responsible for managing the region's essential wastewater infrastructure, which is a fundamental component of public plumbing and sanitation, and coordinating efforts to improve the overall quality of Fox Lake and its watershed.

The District’s mission is explicitly dual-focused: to protect and rehabilitate Fox Lake through in-lake and watershed practices, and to maintain and operate the public wastewater system. This means their activities directly impact the environmental health of the lake, preventing pollution and managing water quality, while also ensuring the proper functioning of the Wastewater Collection System and the jointly owned Wastewater Treatment Plant that serves the community. This essential maintenance and repair of the wastewater infrastructure is the critical 'plumbing' function they provide, serving approximately 1,500 residents through 750 water and sewer connections within their service area.

FLILPARD works collaboratively with various local and state partners, including the Fox Lake Preservation Organization (FLPO), the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (DNR), and the Dodge County Land and Water Conservation Department. This cooperative structure allows them to leverage expertise and resources for comprehensive environmental projects, such as implementing soil health incentive programs with local agricultural producers to reduce nutrient loss into the Fox Lake watershed. Their work highlights the connection between upstream land use and the water quality enjoyed by lake residents.

As a governmental body, the District is led by an elected or appointed Board of Commissioners and operates on an annual budget, often funded through tax levies or special assessments on the properties that benefit from their services. For local property owners, this entity ensures that essential municipal-scale 'plumbing' and environmental safeguards are professionally managed, protecting both property values and the natural recreational resource that is Fox Lake.

The Fox Lake Inland Lake Protection and Rehabilitation District is centrally located within the community it serves. The administrative office is situated in the Town of Fox Lake, which geographically surrounds the City of Fox Lake and includes the entirety of Fox Lake itself, as well as Lake Emily. This strategic location ensures the District remains highly accessible to the residents and property owners whose interests they represent and whose utilities they manage.

The office and primary service address is:

W10543 Co Rd F, Fox Lake, WI 53933, USA

This location is often the same site as the Town of Fox Lake offices, serving as a central hub for official business. While the District’s physical assets, such as the Wastewater Collection System and Treatment Plant, are spread throughout the service area, this main address is where the Executive Director and administrative staff, like Tracy Zemlo, can be contacted for official business, inquiries regarding the wastewater system, environmental initiatives, and district governance. Their maintenance teams are dispatched from various points to service the extensive network of sewer mains, lift stations, and the jointly owned treatment facility.

The services provided by the Fox Lake Inland Lake Protection and Rehabilitation District are broad, encompassing essential public utility management, environmental protection, and lake rehabilitation efforts. While their classification as "Plumber" is based on their utility management role, their services extend to vital public infrastructure and environmental work. The general offering of the District is categorized as repair services, specifically focusing on the public wastewater system.

• Wastewater Utility Management:
  • Maintenance and repair of the District's Wastewater Collection System.
  • Operation and maintenance of the jointly owned Wastewater Treatment Plant (part of the Fox Lake Wastewater Control Commission).
  • Management of the public sewer mains and lift stations that transport wastewater from approximately 750 connections.
  • Repair services related to the public sewer infrastructure and related utility connections within the district.
• Lake Protection and Rehabilitation:
  • Implementation of in-lake and watershed practices to protect and rehabilitate Fox Lake water quality.
  • Execution of environmental feasibility studies, such as the evaluation of an Alum Treatment to promote aquatic vegetation growth.
  • Development and administration of cost-share and financial incentive programs for local producers (e.g., the Fox Lake Soil Health Incentive Program) to reduce nutrient runoff.
  • Monitoring and management of the Fox Lake watershed, which spans areas of Dodge, Fond du Lac, Green Lake, and Columbia Counties.
  • Partnership and collaboration with the DNR and Dodge County Land and Water Conservation on environmental projects.
• Governance and Public Service:
  • Establishing and enforcing lake ordinances (e.g., the Wake Enhancement Ordinance).
  • Holding public meetings and providing notices on budgets, projects, and lake management plans.
  • Providing education, information, and technical assistance to watershed residents regarding water quality and conservation practices.

The Fox Lake Inland Lake Protection and Rehabilitation District possesses several key features that make it a uniquely important entity for the local community, distinguishing it from private service providers.

• Governmental Authority: Established under Wisconsin State Statute Chapter 33, FLILPARD is a public inland lake protection and rehabilitation district, granting it the authority to implement broad, long-term environmental and utility management plans funded by local property taxes.
• Integrated Water Management: The District is one of the few entities in the area that comprehensively manages both the quality of the lake water (through environmental practices) and the quality of the outgoing wastewater (through utility maintenance), providing a critical link in the local ecosystem.
• Infrastructure Ownership: FLILPARD is responsible for maintaining the District’s Wastewater Collection System and the jointly owned Wastewater Treatment Plant, ensuring the longevity and reliable operation of this essential public health infrastructure.
• Watershed Focus: Their work extends far beyond the shoreline, actively engaging with the 35,600-acre Fox Lake watershed, including agricultural land in multiple counties, to address the root causes of nutrient pollution.
• Collaborative Network: The District is a dedicated member and partner with significant organizations like the Fox Lake Wastewater Control Commission, the Fox Lake Preservation Organization, and the Dodge County Healthy Soil-Healthy Water Farmers Group, maximizing resources and project effectiveness.
• Local Accountability: As a special-purpose government, the District’s Commissioners are locally elected or appointed, making them directly accountable to the property owners and residents within the district boundaries.

For general inquiries, information regarding lake management, or questions about the wastewater collection system, the Fox Lake Inland Lake Protection and Rehabilitation District can be contacted using the following information:

Physical Address (Office):W10543 Co Rd F, Fox Lake, WI 53933, USA

Office Phone:(920) 928-2772

Mobile Phone:+1 920-928-2772

Executive Director:Tracy Zemlo

Separate contact numbers are typically available for specific maintenance personnel to address immediate concerns related to the collection system or treatment plant operations.

Choosing the Fox Lake Inland Lake Protection and Rehabilitation District is not a choice for a traditional private 'plumber,' but rather a commitment to the long-term environmental and infrastructural well-being of the Fox Lake community. For local residents and property owners in the district, FLILPARD is a mandatory and essential entity worth supporting because it is the designated, state-mandated organization entrusted with two missions critical to the local quality of life: public sanitation and environmental preservation.

First, FLILPARD ensures the core public 'plumbing' works efficiently. They are responsible for the continual maintenance, repair, and long-term planning of the Wastewater Collection System and the Wastewater Treatment Plant. This infrastructure is vital for public health and is the collective defense against raw sewage entering the cherished Fox Lake. Their dedicated maintenance staff and established procedures provide a level of reliability and consistency that a private residential plumber cannot offer for a shared public utility.

Second, the District is the primary force protecting the lake itself. Property values and recreational enjoyment in Fox Lake are directly tied to water quality. FLILPARD actively implements programs to fight pollution, such as the farmer incentive programs to reduce agricultural runoff, and undertakes engineering assessments to address major environmental challenges. By paying into the District, residents are investing in sustained environmental stewardship that ensures the lake remains a clean, vibrant asset for current and future generations. In short, FLILPARD is essential for securing the reliability of local sewer services and the environmental health of a major Wisconsin recreational lake.

Fox Lake Inland Lake Protectn

W10543 Co Rd F, Fox Lake, WI 53933, USA