Kansas Small Flows Association

Your Resource for Onsite Wastewater in Kansas

About Us

KSFA knows that the onsite contractor industry is becoming a profession. We believe there are specific criteria that define any profession.  While important individually, all are interconnected.  The criteria are:

 

· A defined body of knowledge

· Standards for admission

· Standards of practice

· Standards for retention

· Criteria for expulsion

 

In the short span of 50 years our industry has seen onsite systems increase in cost from $1,000 for a simple system to our modern day systems costing from $10,000 to $25,000.  In the early days anyone could and would install the onsite system.  It was simple and very little training was needed beyond knowing how to operate a backhoe and shovel.  Today more and more homes are being built beyond city sewers on smaller and smaller lots forcing the need for advanced systems.  In an article from the “Journal of Environmental Health” dated October 1, 2003 it states “Septic systems serve approximately 25 percent of U.S. households, and one in three (33%) of new homes built today use these systems.” 

 

The average cost of the electrical for a newly constructed 3 bedroom home in the Midwest is around $6,000.00 to $8,000.00 using a qualified and licensed electrician.  The average cost of the plumbing for the same home is about the same using a qualified and licensed plumber.  But the average cost for the onsite system will range from $5,000.00 to $25,000.00.  If we are being pushed to use more complex and expensive systems shouldn’t they be installed by qualified contractors just like the electrical and plumbing industry?  And doesn’t it make sense that if only qualified and possibly registered contractors can do the work it will eliminate those that do poor work and cost the homeowner more money in the end?  EPA, the people who one time wanted to sewer the nation, are now supporting onsite.  Ten years ago in EPA’s response to Congress on the Use of Decentralized Wastewater Systems, the need for training and continuing education was identified.  The response specifically listed lack of knowledge as a barrier to the use of advanced onsite technology.  There was and is a critical need for standardized education and training.  You know what?….KSFA is doing that.