Water and Wells

(see also ‘irrigation wells’ under Agriculture)

Moving to the country involves several different types of water planning. If planning to build a home, you must identify your water sources for indoor and outdoor uses. Existing ponds and wells may need evaluation and management. Consulting the relevant experts is advised when establishing a new pond or well to provide water for wildlife, livestock, and gardening or to provide water containment to improve land use.

Harmful Algal Blooms (HAB)

Kansas Department of Health & Environment- Watershed Management Section

K-State Extension – Douglas County

If you think you have harmful blue-green algae in your pond, contact the Extension Office. Extension can sample your pond for HAB. Water samples are sent to the Kansas State Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory

Livestock Watering

(see under Agriculture)

Ponds

(see under Ponds)

Rural Water Districts

Rural Water District Map

There are six rural water districts wholly located in Douglas County. Rural water districts of neighboring
Franklin, Osage, and Jefferson counties service some areas of Douglas County. The cities of Wellsville and Edgerton have municipal water supplies. Appendix G shows a map of the rural water districts and contact
information.

Appendix G

Water Resource Protection

It is important to understand how your property relates to the overall watershed of the area. Contact the KDHE watershed planning, monitoring, and assessment section to learn more about water quality pollution from and to our land.

Douglas County Conservation District

  • Phone: 785-843-4260 ext. 6500
  • Address: 4920 Bob Billings Parkway, Suite A, Lawrence, KS 66049
  • Website: www.douglasccd.com

The Douglas County Conservation District provides financial assistance for conservation practices, including erosion and sediment control, riparian area protection, and wetland development and restoration. You can find the District’s comprehensive tool designed to help small acreage landowners evaluate the condition of their property and identify methods for managing and enhancing the land at http://www.douglasccd.com/steps-for-small-acreage.html

Kansas Forest Service

The KS Forest Service can offer technical assistance to establish or enhance streamside buffers and streambank protection strategies

Upper Wakarusa WRAPS - Watershed Restoration and Protection Strategies

KAWS works to conserve and restore wetlands, streams, and riparian areas in Kansas. They provide technical assistance, grant opportunities, and educational resources to landowners interested in enhancing water resources and wildlife habitat. Upper Wakarusa WRAPS offers financial and technical consultations on clean water for landowners, farmers, and ranchers. This includes funding for livestock watering systems, livestock feeding pads, rotational grazing infrastructure, exclusion fencing, permanent vegetation establishment, cover crop plantings, buffer plantings, and other agricultural projects related to watershed health.

Watershed Districts

(See under County Operations)

Wells - Drinking Water

Private well owners are responsible for regularly testing the water they use for household purposes such as drinking, cooking, bathing, and laundry to ensure it is safe.

Douglas County Environmental Health Department

Douglas County Environmental Health Department works to ensure Lawrence and Douglas County residents live in a safe and healthy environment. Environmental health staff enforce health and safety regulations in Douglas County to protect environmental quality for all residents. Environmental Health staff assist rural residents with permitting and testing of private well water and permitting and inspecting of onsite sewage management systems.

Douglas County Sanitarian

  • Phone: 785-856-5370
  • Address: 200 Maine, Suite B, Lawrence, KS 66044

Kansas Department of Health and Environment (KDHE)

KDHE Geology & Well Technology

Technical assistance regarding well construction, maintenance, and protection. Education for well owners is provided, including information on disinfection and water quality.

K-State Extension – Douglas County

Test kit for private lab analysis available.

Wells - Irrigation

(see under Agriculture)

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