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Local Environmental Protection Program
The Local Environmental Protection Program (LEPP), established in 1990, provided funding to enable local authorities to develop water protection plans that complemented other water quality efforts being waged by state and federal agencies. At the core of each plan was the adoption and enforcement of county environmental codes with an emphasis on onsite wastewater systems (OWWS) and private water wells (PWW).
These plans were also designed to identify broader responsibilities including the management of:
- county-wide water and wastewater.
- subdivision water and wastewater.
- monpoint source pollution.
- sanitary landfill planning.
- public water supply protection.
Between 1990 and 2012, 103 counties adopted environmental codes that meet the standards outlined in Bulletin 4-2, Minimum Standards for Design and Construction of Onsite Wastewater Systems.
In 2012, funding was discontinued for this program.
The Watershed Management Section continues to support the LEPP by providing technical assistance to counties. The LEPPs are the primary point of contact for a wide range of services governed by county sanitary codes, state regulations and federal regulations. Examples of these activities are:
- Conducting inspections of OWWSs and PWWs when required for a real estate transaction.
- Conducting inspections of OWWSs and PWWs that serve foster care homes and daycare facilities as required by current KDHE regulations.
- Ensuring PWWs are properly sited prior to installation.
- Licensing of OWWS installers and septage pumpers.
- Maintaining databases of OWWS permits and inspections for present and future reference.
- OWWS permitting and preliminary and final inspections to verify minimum county sanitary codes and state standards are met.
- Providing education and technical assistance to elected officials and county residents.
- Providing the technical oversight to assist County Conservation District offices with the cost-share program for failing OWWSs.
- Responding to environmental complaints and conducting follow-up investigations for failing OWWSs, PWWs, and illegal dumpsites that may include collaboration with KDHE.
Resources
- Bulletins and Environmental Health Handbook
- Waste Water Treatment Facilities Accepting Domestic Waste
- Wastewater Options for Small Communities in Kansas Manual
- Kansas EPA 503 Land Application of Septage - Updated (PDF)
- EPA Onsite Wastewater Treatment (PDF)
- Floor Drain TGD (PDF)
- Suspect Class V UIC Well Flowchart (PDF)
- Inventory Report for Class V Well(s) (PDF)
- Public Land Survey Section/Township/Range (STR) Finder
- Kennel Wastewater Permitting Technical Guidance Document (PDF)
- Graywater Systems Specifications (PDF)
- KS Lagoon Sizing Calculator (XLSX)
- KDHE Table of Certified Septic Tank Manufacturers (March 2021) (PDF)
- Note: Effective July 1, 2002 all septic tanks installed in Kansas need to comply with Bulletin 4-2, Minimum Standards for Design and Construction of Onsite Wastewater Systems.