FAQs • KDHE, KS • CivicEngage

Do we have to use a professional engineer licensed to practice in Kansas?: Subject to limited exceptions, the Kansas State Board of Technical Professions (KSBTP) requires the use of licensed professional engineers for services or work constituting the practice of engineering. Work products produced by a licensed professional engineer must be prepared and sealed according to the requirements of the KSBTP. Avoiding the use of a licensed professional engineer may compromise the technical requirements of a water supply design and may result in less than adequate facilities.

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Plan Review & Permitting

1. What must be submitted to KDHE?: In general, plans, specifications and a public water supply permit application must be submitted to KDHE for review and approval prior to the start of construction. Depending on the scope of work to be completed, other information may also need to be provided to KDHE in order to complete the plan review.

2. What must be submitted to KDHE on behalf of a water supply system before it proceeds with developing new sources water or making modifications to existing sources of water?: In addition to plans, specifications and a public water supply permit application information pertaining to water quality, water rights, ownership or perpetual easement must also be provided for review prior to the start of construction. Depending on the scope of work to be completed, other information may also need to be provided to KDHE in order to complete the plan review.

3. What size paper are project plan sets to be printed on?: Project plan sets are to be printed on 11 by 17-inch paper.

4. Do we have to use a professional engineer licensed to practice in Kansas?: Subject to limited exceptions, the Kansas State Board of Technical Professions (KSBTP) requires the use of licensed professional engineers for services or work constituting the practice of engineering. Work products produced by a licensed professional engineer must be prepared and sealed according to the requirements of the KSBTP. Avoiding the use of a licensed professional engineer may compromise the technical requirements of a water supply design and may result in less than adequate facilities.

5. When does KDHE issue a public water supply permit?: Public water supply permits are issued by the Engineering and Permits upon receipt of a favorable post-construction final inspection report from the KDHE District Office in your area. The exception would be when the completion date and construction cost has been provided for a project that requires a permit but not a final inspection.

6. Are the ANSI/NSF 60 and 61 certifications really that important to water supply systems?: Yes. The certifications pertain to the safety of chemicals added to and the surfaces that come into contact with water in the production, storage, and delivery of potable water.

7. Does the Engineering and Permits Unit review and approve private/domestic wells?: No, only public water supply wells.

8. Is it okay to connect to another public water supply system without the connection first being approved by KDHE?: No. Connecting to another water supply systems constitutes the development of a new source of water which requires submittal of a plan review for approval.

9. Is a public water supply permit application always required for a waterline project?: No. The submittal of a permit application to KDHE for review is only required if the total length of all waterline to be constructed, including service line, is equal to or greater than 1 mile in length. However, plans and specifications are always required to be submitted to KDHE for review and approval regardless of the total length to be constructed.

10. What is the protective buffer distance for a public water supply well?: The minimum protective buffer distance is 100 feet. Greater distances may be required depending on how susceptible the well could be to neighboring activities.

11. What are the horizontal and vertical separation distances for waterlines and sanitary sewers?: Horizontal separation distance must be at least 10 feet as measured from edge to edge of the pipes. Vertical separation must be at least 2 feet (clear space) between the waterline and the sanitary sewer. Where a waterline crosses a pressure sewer line (sewer force main), there must be at least 2 feet vertical separation (clear space) at the crossing with the waterline always crossing above the pressure sewer line (sewer force main). The stated separation distances also apply to parallel runs and crossings, respectively, for water and sewer service lines.

12. Are horizontal and vertical separation distances for water service lines and sanitary sewers services lines the same for waterlines and sanitary sewers?: Yes.

13. What is the separation distance between a waterline and a sanitary sewer manhole?: Separation distance for a waterline (or water service line) is the same, 10 feet as measured from the outside of the pipe to the outside of the manhole.

14. Who can help with determining the proper disposal of wastewater from a water treatment facility?: Email the Chief of the Engineering and Permits Unit for assistance with completing the KDHE waste stream summary review and disposal method consensus process.

15. Do I need a final inspection for changes made in infrastructure before placing them into operation?: Yes. Final inspections need to be coordinated with the reviewing engineer in the Engineering and Permits Unit and the KDHE District Office in your area.

16. Where can I get a copy of the minimum design standards for public water supply systems in Kansas?: View the minimum design standards (PDF) and download as a single document or as a series of documents. The single document is large so it is important to verify that your system can download and store/print large documents.

17. What is the contact information for the KDHE District Office in my area?: Visit the Environmental District Offices page to find out more.