KANSAS DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH & ENVIRONMENT BILL GRAVES, GOVERNOR Gary R. Mitchell, Secretary

December 15, 1997

Contact: Deb Baker

785-296-4195

State Issues Onsite Wastewater Standards Booklet

The Kansas Department of Health and Environment has published a new booklet to help homeowners design and construct residential wastewater systems. The booklet is entitled, Bulletin 4-2, Minimum Standards for Design and Construction of Onsite Wastewater Systems.

"The booklet contains standards that will apply to individuals building private wastewater systems in the state where there is no local sanitary code in effect," said Gary R. Mitchell, KDHE Secretary. "These long awaited standards will give homeowners ways to handle their wastewater in an environmentally sound manner.

Homeowners in counties with a sanitary code will need to meet the local code's requirements. The standards do not apply to individuals who are connected to public wastewater treatment facility.

The booklet's revision is the first since 1985. It addresses new technology in onsite wastewater systems as well as conventional systems such as septic tanks, gravel trenches, or wastewater ponds.

"By following the bulletin's requirements homeowners actively contribute to protecting the environment and quality of life for their family and their neighbors," said Deb Baker of the KDHE Nonpoint Source Section.

Baker expects realtors, developers, and builders to be interested in the bulletin. A properly constructed onsite wastewater system enhances the value of a property.

Prospective home buyers who will be installing and operating an onsite wastewater systems on their property should consult their local health department or local environmental protection program before buying the property to determine the suitability of a site for an onsite system and to determine what standards the system will need to meet.

Major topics covered in the bulletin include: wastewater flows, site and soil evaluation, septic tank design/construction/placement specifications, absorption field area/field material and construction specifications, maintenance of onsite wastewater systems, waste stabilization ponds, alternative systems guidelines, and procedures for conducting a percolation test.

Persons who want to obtain a copy may contact any local health department, county extension agent, or write to the KDHE Nonpoint Source Section, Bureau of Water, Forbes Field Building 283, Topeka, Kansas, 66620 or call 785-296-4195. The entire document may be downloaded from the KDHE Website, http://www.kdheks.gov/nps/.