Sedgwick County Commissioners have approved changes to county code regarding stormwater management.
In 2016, stormwater quality and downstream channel protection standards were removed from development requirements in unincorporated Sedgwick County outside of urban boundaries.
Commission Chair Ryan Baty says water concerns affect him and his constituents.
State officials confirm that surface water pollutants such as atrazine have been found in the groundwater associated with sand pit lakes in the county. Stormwater runoff into Lake Afton includes nutrients from fertilizers that feed blue-green algae blooms, which are toxic.
Commissioner Jim Howell was the lone no vote, saying he was not in favor of increasing water regulations above what the state and federal government have already established. He also said the changes would make it more expensive to construct homes in the county.