Urban Best Management Practices

Urban + Home and Farmstead Best Management Practices

The Home/Farmstead can be a source of pollutants that can contaminate the environment. Homeowners should be aware of their responsibility to protect the environment from contamination by home/farmstead pollution sources that can impair surface and ground water quality. Two of the home/farmstead practices are highlighted below.
Abandoned Water Well Plugging
The plugging of an abandoned water well involves the sealing and permanent closure of a water well no longer in use. Kansas law requires that all abandoned wells and test holes be properly plugged.
Proper plugging accomplishes five goals:

Restores protective barrier to minimize groundwater contamination
Removes physical hazards by removing tempting openings for curious children and animals
Restores stability to the land surface (load carrying capacity)
Eliminates or reduces liability exposure
Protects and improves property values

Best Management Practices for Urban Communities:
Preventing Urban Water Pollution
As more people live in cities and suburbs, urban areas now contain thousands of acres of hard, impervious surfaces. In natural environments—such as forests and grasslands—rainwater slowly infiltrates the soil. In contrast, roofs, streets, sidewalks, parking lots, and even manicured lawns prevent water from soaking into the ground.
When rain cannot infiltrate, it rapidly accumulates and flows into storm sewers and nearby waterways.
Many people mistakenly believe that stormwater entering storm drains is sent to a wastewater treatment plant. In reality, storm drains carry water directly to local creeks, ponds, lakes, and rivers--without treatment. This misunderstanding leads to the improper disposal of pollutants into storm drains, causing significant environmental harm.
Common pollutants entering stormwater systems include:

Litter
Fertilizers, pesticides, and herbicides
Motor oil and antifreeze
Paint and household chemicals
Pet waste and yard debris

On-Site Wastewater System
An on-site wastewater system is a system composed of a septic tank/treatment field, a wastewater lagoon, or an alternative treatment system to treat wastewater. A failing on-site wastewater system may be eligible for financial assistance to bring it up to current county health code through this program. An updated system prevents the entry of untreated sewage into the water supply.

Homeowners are required to obtain all necessary permits from the county health department and must have approved cost share contract in place before upgrading a failing on-site septic system.
The county sanitarian will determine the type and size of system required for the site. Statewide payment limit on on-site wastewater systems is $2,500.

Windbreaks
Windbreak and shelterbelt establishment is used to deflect winds away from livestock or structures designed to provide livestock shelter. The purpose of the windbreak/shelter belt is to protect soil resources, control snow deposition, moisture conservation, protect crops and provide shelter for livestock. An additional conservation benefit to establishing a shelterbelt is the habitat improvements for wildlife.

Urban Conservation
Urban conservation will be discussed more frequently in the months ahead, as communities work to adapt traditional rural conservation practices for use in cities and suburban neighborhoods.
At its core, urban conservation recognizes that people want to care for the places where they live. Whether they have a small yard, patio, or community green space, they want affordable, low‑maintenance options—and they want to do things right the first time.
Many of the principles used to manage soil, water, and vegetation in rural areas can also be applied in urban settings, though often in different ways. For example:

In rural areas, soil erosion is controlled with good grass cover in pastures, terraces, waterways, and reduced/no‑till farming.
In urban areas, erosion control often relies on silt fences, sediment basins, and surface mulches to keep soil contained during construction.

In both cases, the success of these practices depends on thoughtful placement and proper management.

Urban areas also benefit greatly from adopting Integrated Nutrient and Pest Management, similar to rural operations. Rather than relying heavily on fertilizers and insecticides, urban residents can use layered, preventative strategies that reduce chemical use and protect local water quality.

Urban Conservation Practices (Small-Scale Applications)
Even on small lots, homeowners and community groups can apply effective conservation practices, including:

Mulching in gardens, landscapes, or when establishing new lawn areas
Planting trees for shade, fruit production, or wildlife habitat
Integrated Nutrient and Pest Management using a mixed, low‑impact approach
Composting to improve soil structure and supply natural nutrients
Creating native planting areas with diverse, perennial, and reseeding flowering plants

As urban conservation efforts expand, there is tremendous opportunity to educate the public about natural resource stewardship—and even about where their food comes from. Implementing conservation practices is important, but ongoing maintenance is essential for long‑term success in any landscape, rural or urban.

High Tunnel Greenhouse

Extends growing season
Improves plant and soil health
Balances soil nutrients through good management
Reduces energy use while providing consumers with a local produce

Rather than reinventing the wheel so to speak, instead below is a short list of videos on High Tunnels (some call them a greenhouse with different distinctions between the two) that discuss what they are, setup, what to grow, operation and maintenance tips.
This is just a starter list of videos.

📞 Call: (785) 266-9053 ext. 3 Visit: 3231 SW VanBuren Street Ste: 2 Topeka, Kansas 66611 📧 Email: [email protected]

Urban/Farm Best Practices