Northeast Kansas Environmental Services reports 2024 wastewater permits, nuisance cases and code updates

Northeast Kansas Environmental Services (NEKS) presented its annual report to the county commissioners, summarizing wastewater permitting and nuisance casework in Atchison County during 2024 and outlining planned code updates.

Martha, the new director of NEKS, told commissioners NEKS processed 18 new wastewater permit applications in the county in 2024 (an increase of three from 2023) and completed 21 final wastewater system permits during the year. She said the agency performed 10 property resale wastewater evaluations and three private well screens in 2024. The office also completed three consultations for prospective property owners on whether a wastewater system could be installed on a specific parcel.

Martha described several ongoing nuisance complaints and a currently overflowed lagoon that will need a second cell and a proper fence; NEKS is working with the owner and installer on corrective construction. She said one uncovered, overflowing septic tank complaint was remediated and permitted. Martha noted a property that had a permitted system in about 2006 now appears to lie inside a more recent floodplain, likely because of improved mapping (LIDAR); NEKS is reviewing the case with county staff and counsels and will follow state guidance on nonconforming structures.

NEKS staff reported they will use the Kansas Department of Health and Environment model code to help update Atchison County’s environmental and sanitation codes so the county stays aligned with state practice. NEKS also said it will continue work on nuisance lists that include properties the agency has monitored for several years.

Ending: NEKS requested commissioners’ continued support for the coalition fee (currently $10,000) and said the board will be notified if the NEKS board proposes increasing that fee in future county budgets.