Business Details
Environmental Compliance Services in Northeast Kansas
Northeast Kansas Environmental Services (NEKES) represents a coalition of five county governments in northeast Kansas, dedicated to ensuring compliance with local, state, and federal environmental regulations. Our organization works closely with homeowners and licensed wastewater system installers to ensure optimal placement of wastewater systems and private wells, prioritizing groundwater protection and public health. Established through collaboration among Atchison, Brown, Doniphan, Jackson, and Nemaha counties, we operate under a board of directors comprising county representatives. Our team brings decades of specialized expertise in environmental compliance, including site evaluations, system permitting, and sanitation code enforcement. We maintain rigorous standards for wastewater system installations, requiring licensed professionals and comprehensive inspections to guarantee long-term safety and functionality.Our services extend to property resale evaluations, well water screening, new well permits, and soil profile assessments, addressing diverse environmental needs across our service area. With a commitment to transparency and community engagement, we provide consultations and educational resources to empower residents with environmental knowledge. Our operational history reflects a deep understanding of regional environmental challenges, informed by partnerships with local health departments and regulatory agencies. We demonstrate authoritativeness through our official role in enforcing environmental codes and maintaining public health standards across five counties. Our trustworthiness is evidenced by consistent compliance reporting to county commissions and adherence to ethical, science-based practices that protect both natural resources and community well-being.
Services
Wastewater System Permitting
Well Water Screening
Septic System Evaluation
Environmental Compliance
Soil Profile Assessment
Highlights and features
- We provide wastewater system permitting with licensed installer oversight since 1968
- Our team includes certified environmental health specialists with county-specific expertise
- We offer comprehensive site evaluations for optimal wastewater and well placement
- Our coalition structure ensures consistent compliance across five Kansas counties
- We maintain partnerships with local health departments for integrated environmental solutions
Services
Wastewater System Permitting
We provide comprehensive wastewater system permitting for residential properties across five Kansas counties. Our process includes site evaluations, application review, and final inspections to ensure compliance with environmental health codes. Licensed installers must complete all work, with mandatory fencing requirements for lagoons and documentation submission for septic systems.
Well Water Screening
Our environmental specialists conduct well water screening to assess water quality and safety. This service identifies potential contaminants and ensures proper well placement through site evaluations, supporting both new installations and existing system assessments across our service area.
Environmental Compliance
We ensure compliance with local, state, and federal environmental regulations through code enforcement and technical guidance. Our services include wastewater hauler certifications, childcare facility evaluations, and soil profile assessments to maintain public health standards.
Soil Profile Assessment
Our team conducts detailed soil profile assessments to determine optimal wastewater system placement. This critical evaluation considers soil composition and environmental factors to ensure long-term system functionality and groundwater protection for residential properties.
Property Resale Evaluation
We provide wastewater system evaluations for property resales, ensuring existing systems meet current environmental codes. This service includes comprehensive inspections and documentation to facilitate smooth property transactions while maintaining regulatory compliance.
People
Dennis Foster
Special Council / Sanitarian
Environmental health professional with over 50 years of experience in sanitation services, specializing in wastewater system evaluations and environmental code compliance across northeast Kansas counties.
Martha Smith
Environmental Health Specialist
Certified specialist managing environmental health programs, conducting site assessments, and ensuring regulatory compliance for wastewater systems and private wells in the coalition service area.
Cynthia Reeb
Office Manager
Administrative leader overseeing daily operations, client communications, and permitting processes for environmental services across five Kansas counties.
Amy Hallauer
Public Health Administrator
Health professional coordinating multi-county health department initiatives, focusing on environmental health programs and regulatory compliance for water and wastewater systems.
Chantal Wilburn
Administrator / Home Health Director
Healthcare administrator managing environmental health programs and home health services, ensuring compliance with sanitation codes and public health standards.
Questions
What services does NEKES provide for homeowners?
We offer wastewater system permitting, well water screening, septic system evaluations, and environmental compliance guidance for residential properties across five Kansas counties.
How do I apply for a wastewater system permit?
Complete our application form, submit site drawings, and pay the $275–$325 fee at our Troy office or designated county locations before scheduling a site evaluation.
Are licensed installers required for septic systems?
Yes, all wastewater system installations must be completed by NEKES-licensed professionals to ensure compliance with environmental health codes.
What are the lagoon fencing requirements?
All lagoons must be fenced according to specific county environmental health codes before final permits are issued in Atchison, Brown, Doniphan, Jackson, and Nemaha counties.
How long does the permitting process take?
After submitting complete documentation, our team typically schedules site evaluations within 5–7 business days, with final permits issued after system inspections.
Do you offer well water testing services?
Yes, we include well water screening as part of our environmental compliance services to ensure safe drinking water sources during system evaluations.