Northeast Kansas Environmental Services reports rise in wastewater permits, warns about abandoned vehicles and nuisance complaints

A representative of Northeast Kansas Environmental Services briefed the Brown County Commission on the coalition'wide environmental activity for 2024, reporting a notable increase in wastewater permit applications and summarizing enforcement and public-health work across the county.

The presenter said the agency received 10 new wastewater permit applications in 2024, up from three the prior year, and issued seven final use permits. The work included resale evaluations tied to housing transactions, one new well inspection, and consultations about wastewater system siting. The agency licenses wastewater installers and haulers, maintains a website with guidance on wells and septic systems, and uses social media to share public-health information.

The report described several nuisance investigations. Two sites involved multiple abandoned vehicles and trailers; staff sent letters to property owners and are working with one owner dealing with insurance claims after a fire. Another site near Robinson along the highway involved an owner who claimed to have a junker's license but did not produce documentation; that case is ongoing and may require additional legal follow-up.

Agency staff also reported investigating reports of raw wastewater flowing near a McDonald's (inside Hiawatha city limits), which the county representative said the city addressed after the agency contacted municipal officials; and a separate report of so-called blackwater reaching Fairview City Park, which agency staff likewise left to the city to address and offered assistance if needed.

The presenter described coordination with state officials on a complaint about livestock waste being incorporated close to rural water district wells; the landowner adjusted operations after agency contact and the agency issued a courtesy letter requesting safer placement.

Coalition funding was highlighted: each of the five counties in the Northeast Kansas Environmental Services coalition contributes $10,000 annually. The presenter said the coalition has not raised that fee since the early 2000s and that the board is discussing a possible increase; the agency said it will notify counties before any formal change.

Why it matters: the uptick in wastewater permitting and the ongoing nuisance complaints show increased demand for permitting, inspections and enforcement; the agency urged residents to use the appeal process for code questions and to contact the agency for nuisance or wastewater complaints.

What's next: the agency asked the commission to continue coalition funding for 2026 at the prior contribution level for now, and to authorize staff to receive the coalition invoice for the current contribution cycle.

Direct quotes from the meeting are included in the transcript; the agency representative repeatedly offered to copy commissioners on enforcement letters so the commission remains informed of ongoing cases.