Sewer Permits are required for any new construction OR modification, including replacement, of a private sewer system. Sewer permit applications are available to print below, or in the Planning, Zoning and Environmental Department in the Harvey County Courthouse. The cost is $200. All fees for permits may be paid by cash, check or credit card. A processing fee of 2.5 percent or $5 will be assessed on all credit card payments.
Each sewer permit application is first evaluated by the environmental officer. If more information is needed, such as a site visit or soil profile test, this will be communicated to the applicant. Applications will be approved only after assuring that the proposed construction will satisfactorily meet the requirements of the Sanitary Code and that the system will not pollute the surface or groundwaters.
Sewer Permit Application - Click Here
Other Information & Forms
Separation Requirements in Harvey County
Property Line Separation Waiver Form (only needed if any part of the proposed sewer system is closer than 100 feet from the next property line)
New Construction
The following documents are K-State Research & Extension and EPA brochures that are both informational and help to outline state requirements for sewer system construction. Many requirements are similar to Harvey County codes. However, there may be some requirements that are more stringent in the county code. Please check with the environmental officer if you have questions.- Site and Soil Evaluation for Onsite Wastewater Systems
- Wastewater Pond Design and Construction
- Selecting an Onsite Wastewater or Septic System
- Get to Know Your Septic System
Failing Systems
Cost-share money is available in Harvey County for failing sewer systems that meet the criteria of the Harvey County Conservation District. If your system is determined to be failing and is located in the Equus Beds, near your drinking water well, close to a stream, or within 2 miles of a public water supply well, you may be eligible. Cost-share for failing sewer systems is set at 50 percent of the total cost of repair up to $1,500. For more information, contact the Harvey County environmental officer.
If you have a septic system, the drains in your home may run slowly or back up during a flood.
The septic tank generally is blamed, but a flooded or saturated drain field usually is the cause of these problems. Water can’t flow out of the septic tank into the drain field, so it backs up into the tank, and when the tank is full, the water backs up into the house.
Pumping out the tank is a temporary solution because it will provide relief for only four or five days. Pumping also could be a costly mistake because it could cause the tank to try to float out of the ground and damage the inlet and outlet pipes.
The best solution is to plug all the drains in the basement and drastically reduce water use in the house.
Here are some ways to cut water use:
• Check faucets, showerheads, toilets, sinks and other water-using devices for leaks and repair them as soon as possible.
• Don’t drain water from a basement sump pump into the septic system.
• Don’t let water from roof gutters run into the drain field area.
• Reduce the number of times you flush the toilet.
• Reduce the number of showers or baths you take. A good rule is one bath or shower per person every other day.
• Don’t use the dishwasher or garbage disposal.
• Don’t do laundry, or take your dirty clothes to a commercial laundry if possible.