By ELLE HUTCHINSON
Great Bend Post
During this week’s meeting, the Barton County Commission reviewed and approved a septic system agreement and consent related to a rural property south of Great Bend.
Judy Goreham, environmental manager for Barton County, explained that the county’s Environmental and Sanitary Code requires septic systems and water wells to be located at least 25 feet from a property line. This standard is in place to protect water quality and ensure safe separation between wells and septic systems over time.
In this case, property owner Richard Rugan of Rugan 3 Farms requested approval to place a septic system within 25 feet of the north property line of his land. The adjoining property happens to be Southeast 50 Road, which is owned and maintained by Barton County. Because the county is the neighboring landowner, Commission approval was required to allow the variance.
Goreham emphasized that the proposed septic system will be located entirely on Rugan’s property and will not encroach onto county land, road right-of-way, or drainage areas. She also noted that the installation will have no impact on the usability, safety, or maintenance of Southeast 50 Road.
Situations like this are common in Barton County, particularly as landowners work within existing property boundaries. The only difference in this instance is that the county is the adjoining landowner, requiring formal Commission consent before the permit can be issued.
By approving the agreement, the Commission allowed the Environmental Office to move forward with issuing the septic permit while maintaining full compliance with county code and protecting public infrastructure.