Home / Farmstead
The Home/Farmstead can be a source of pollutants that can contaminate the environment. Homeowners should be aware of their responsibility to protect the environment from contamination by home/farmstead pollution sources that can impair surface and ground water quality. Two of the home/farmstead practices are highlighted below.
Abandoned Water Well Plugging
The plugging of an abandoned water well involves the sealing and permanent closure of a water well no longer in use. Kansas law requires that all abandoned wells and test holes be properly plugged.
Proper plugging accomplishes five goals:
- Restores protective barrier to minimize groundwater contamination;
- Removes physical hazards by removing tempting openings for curious children and animals;
- Restores stability to the land surface, (load carrying capacity);
- Eliminates or reduces liability exposure; and
- Protects and improves property values.
An onsite wastewater system is a system composed of a septic tank/treatment field, a wastewater lagoon or an alternative treatment system to treat wastewater from a single family residence, church, school, business or government office on the site at which it is generated. A domestic wastewater system is installed in conformance with state regulations and county sanitary environmental codes to prevent surface and groundwater contamination by disease-causing organisms, organic matter and chemicals.
The purpose of an onsite wastewater system is to dispose of domestic wastewater onsite in a manner that provides adequate treatment and prevents entry of untreated sewage into surface or ground waters.
Homeowners are required to obtain a permit from the county health department before upgrading a failing onsite septic system. The county sanitarian will determine the type and size of system required for the site by evaluating the soils. The two normal types of systems are an Infiltration Chamber System, pictured on the left, and a Wastewater Pond, pictured on the right.
For more information on these practices or to apply for state financial assistance, please contact your county conservation district.
