Bigger not always better: Commission informed about lagoon issues
Staff reporter
Oversized lagoons and county sanitation codes were main topics of discussion Monday during Marion County Commission.
Bobbi Strait, county sanitarian, questioned a wastewater lagoon system that was installed two years ago one-half mile east of Goessel, and was larger than needed. She contacted Kansas State University Research and Development who agreed with her concerns.
Lagoon systems need to be the appropriate size to fit the household so a three-foot water level can be maintained to turn over and process the waste.
Strait said the research and information was sought because she had a request from a resident to share a lagoon system with a new house that will be built on the property.
An elderly landowner wants his son to build on the 40-acre property. The property meets the requirements for a second house. The two-year-old lagoon is far larger than needed for the man who lives by himself. Strait said it made more sense to let the second household share the lagoon.
"This is probably the best remedy to keep the lagoon from failing," Strait said.
She said the application would not go before the planning commission because there were three other permits issued for the same situation of more than one house on a parcel.
Strait also reported the landowner is willing to sign a covenant that states the older house would be removed when no longer needed by the father or will be owned by one person. Strait compared the situation to another residence in rural Hillsboro where there is not adequate space for a lot split.
Previous permits were administrative decisions.
Planning commission chairman Eileen Sieger said she was concerned about lagoon maintenance and knows of systems in the county that have not been properly maintained.
Commissioner Randy Dallke said he had concerns about future ownership of the property and wants the current owner to consider options.
Dallke also suggested a covenant be drawn that would require separate waste water systems if the property is split. Sieger was in agreement.
Strait said she would discuss options with the landowner.
"We're just renting space on this earth," Dallke said, "and we need to take care of it."
The commission reviewed sanitary and building codes from other counties. Strait commented that even though Marion County did not have building codes, most contractors built structures to code for their insurance purposes.
"(With implementation of building codes and inspections)
