Kiowa County, KS: the USDA septic-suitability picture

Very limited

USDA puts Kiowa County, KS at "Very limited" for septic absorption fields, the dominant reading across 76.5% of the county's soil. That reading means a conventional system is a poor bet here - 76.5% of Kiowa County lands in the strictest "very limited" bucket USDA uses. The county spans 722.64 square miles, home to 2,436 people.

What this number does and doesn't tell you

Nothing about Kiowa County, KS's SSURGO figure applies to a specific address - it's a county-wide average. Budget $750-$1,850 for a real perc test on any specific parcel - that's the only figure a permit application accepts.

Kiowa County: conventional vs. engineered cost

76.5% of Kiowa County carrying a "Very limited" reading changes the realistic budget here. Conventional systems run $3,000-$8,000 where they pass; where they don't, engineered alternatives (mound or aerobic treatment, whichever the health department requires) run $10,000-$40,000 - budget toward the higher figure until a perc test says otherwise.

Where this sits nationally

Among the 3,058 rated counties on this site, Kiowa County, KS ranks 2,206 most-constrained nationally, and 67 of 105 within Kansas.

Further reading

How this rating is built, and its real limits · Conventional vs. engineered septic systems