“Title Transfer Inspections” are inspections of water wells and onsite wastewater systems for property title transfers. Title Transfer Inspections consist of a water quality program records review, and an on-site inspection of any water well(s) and any on-site wastewater system.

All wells are inspected to ensure compliance with city and state regulations. Water from wells serving homes or businesses for personal use is required to be tested to ensure that it is safe. Any well found to be out of compliance must be corrected according to regulations as instructed by the inspector. Well water may require treatment to ensure safety.

On-site sewage systems are evaluated to ensure compliance with local and state requirements. Any onsite system found to be out of compliance, or causing a nuisance or health risk, must be repaired or replaced according to requirements.

Written reports are provided to the requesting party for Title Transfer Inspections. In some cases, reports will be provided to all parties involved in the transfer of ownership transaction, or any person with a legal interest in the property. The final cost for a Title Transfer Inspection will vary depending upon the number of water samples and follow up inspections provided. There may be more than one billing for the same property where additional samples and/or follow up inspections are provided. All payments for services are due upon receipt of invoices. Inspections are considered valid for a period of 90 days.

In the City of Wichita, anyone having a legal interest in the property is required to contact the Department of Environmental Services for inspection at such time the property is listed for sale.

Title Transfer Inspections in other towns in Sedgwick County will be provided by the City of Wichita upon request.  Title Transfer Inspections in unincorporated areas of Sedgwick County are required to be inspected by Sedgwick County Code Enforcement (316-660-1840).

The Environmental Services Department inspects:

1. To make sure that all wells are located the required minimum distances from on-site waste disposal systems (50 feet from septic tank-lateral fields and 100 feet from waste stabilization ponds), buried sewer lines (10 feet), property lines (25 feet), soils or foundations treated with a subsurface pressurized application of a termiticide (25 feet), or any other sources of pollution (50 feet).

2. To make sure that all wells are not located in a pit or below ground surface (excluding basements). New well construction is not allowed in a basement, but an existing well may remain in a basement if the structure does not require application of a termiticide and the well meets other location standards.

3. To make sure that all wells appear to meet current construction (well head completion) standards.

4. To make sure that all cased wells have an approved well seal properly installed. There must be no openings with wires or ropes coming through them; all wires must go through a sealed conduit. The only opening allowed is the screened air vent.

5. To see that all well heads extend at least twelve inches above ground surface; basement wells must have the entire well seal above the floor surface and the well cannot be in a hole, depressed area, or have cracks in the floor around it.

6. To see that any abandoned wells appear to have been properly plugged, by inspection and/or reviewing the plugging report.

1. Only personal use water wells which meet current location and construction/completion standards will be sampled (wells with waivers or wells which may continue to exist in basements can also be sampled.)

2. If a bacteriologically safe water sample is not obtained from a personal use well, the well must be chlorinated and sampled until a safe water sample is obtained. The water will be checked for chlorine residual prior to sampling. If chlorine is detected the well must be flushed; a sample cannot be taken for 72 hours after flushing.

3. In the county, if a bacteriologically safe or uncontaminated sample cannot be obtained from either an existing or newly constructed personal use well, the property owner must take whatever action is deemed necessary by the Environmental Services Department to provide potable water for personal use to the property.

4. In the City of Wichita, if public water is within 150 feet of the property and a bacteriologically safe or uncontaminated sample cannot be obtained from either an existing or newly constructed personal use water well, the premises must be connected to public water.

5. If warranted, a screening test may be required by the Environmental Services Department to determine if organic or inorganic chemical analysis will be required.

The homeowner may add to the casing, replace a seal or vent, or work on a pump. A plumber may work on a pump, but may not alter the casing or well seal. A state-licensed water well contractor may work on, add to, or extend the casing, or replace a seal or add a vent. Some repairs or additions may constitute the reconstruction of a well and would require filing a WWC-5 form with the Kansas Department of Health and Environment. Although anyone may plug a well, it is recommended that only state-licensed water well contractors plug wells.

A property owner is required to obtain a Sewage Facility Application/Permit from the Envrionmental Services Department for any replacements or additions to an on-site waste disposal system.

Air conditioner and sump pump drains, that do not contain wastewater of any kind, do not have to be connected to an on-site waste disposal system.

1. Septic Tank-Lateral Field System
   The septic tank must be pumped out within two (2) years prior to the inspection. A copy of the receipt for pumping is required for verification. The septic tank location is to be provided to the inspector at the time of the inspection.

   The Environmental Services Department inspects:

   The septic tank-lateral field are for signs of surfacing sewage.

   To see that sewer lines appear to drain properly.

   The premises for pipes or hoses which are not connected to an approved on-site waste disposal system. If there is a washing machine hook-up, verify that it appears to be connected to the septic tank and not into the yard, a field, or a ditch.

   Where possible, to see that the septic tank and lateral field are a minimum of 50 feet from any water wells.

2. Waste Stabilization Pond (Lagoon)
   The Environmental Services Department inspects:

   To see that sewer lines appear to drain properly.

   The dikes to insure that they are in good condition and that the pond is not overflowing the dikes.

   To see that the lagoon is weed and tree free, and that separation requirements are met; a minimum of 50 feet from trees, buildings or other obstructions more than 10 feet tall, a minimum of 100 feet from all water wells, 100 feet from all property lines, and 50 feet from any surface water.

   For required fencing: the fence must be on top of the dike or just outside the dike, be a minimum of 4 feet high welded or woven wire with openings no larger than 4 inches by 6 inches, with a minimum three foot wide gate that is kept locked, and fence posts a maximum of 18 feet apart.

After all the necessary inspection, corrections, sampling, connections, or other work has been completed, a letter of compliance or non-compliance will be mailed to the person requesting the loan evaluation (in Sedgwick County, excluding the City of Wichita) or to the property owner (in the City of Wichita) and a copy will be sent to the property owner, buyer and the mortgage company as indicated on the request.

The fee for a title transfer inspection is $125.00.  Water testing and multiple rechecks will incur additional charges.  Inspection reports may be provided within five (5) business days of request for an additional fee of $100.00.  These charges will be billed to the seller (if property is in the City of Wichita), or the person requesting the title transfer inspection (if in other towns in Sedgwick County).

Environmental Services Department
1900 E. 9th St. N.
Wichita, Kansas 67214
(316) 268-8351

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