The Local Environmental Protection Program, established in 1990, provided funding to enable local authorities to develop water protection plans that complemented other water quality efforts being waged by state and federal agencies. At the core of each plan was the adoption and enforcement of county sanitary codes with an emphasis on onsite wastewater systems (OWWS) and private water wells (PWW). Between 1990 and 2012, 103 counties adopted sanitary codes that meet the standards outlined in KDHE Bulletin 4-2, Minimum Standards for Design and Construction of Onsite Wastewater Systems.
In 2012, funding was discontinued for this program and in 2024 partial funding was restored. KDHE-Watershed Management Section continues to support the LEPP by providing technical assistance to counties. The Watershed Management Section has created several grants that counties with high levels of low-income homeowners can apply for. The county would receive funding to repair and/or replace failing on-site wastewater systems and conduct private water well testing. The LEPPs are the primary point of contact for a wide range of services governed by county sanitary codes, state regulations, and federal regulations. Examples of some of these activities are:
- OWWS permitting and preliminary and final inspections to verify minimum county sanitary codes and state standards are met.
- Administering grants to counties with high levels of low-income homeowners that need assistance with their failing on-site wastewater system or conduct testing on private water wells throughout the county.