The purpose of this report is to determine the
status of quantities of water supply and wastewater disposal mechanisms
for the cities and unincorporated areas within Sedgwick County. This
assessment is intended to be used as a planning tool by various local
governments, planners, and developers to help select appropriate water
supplies and wastewater treatment/disposal technologies, thereby
minimizing risks to human health, water resources, and the economy of
Sedgwick County.
There are 20 incorporated cities in Sedgwick
County. The City of Wichita obtains its water from Cheney Reservoir and
from water wells located north of the city in the Equus Beds. Seven
other cities contract with the City of Wichita to obtain all or part of
their water supply. The remaining cities obtain their water through
their own water wells or contract with other cities.
Fourteen incorporated cities report that they have
adequate water supplies for at least 11-50 years into the future. Six
of the incorporated cities know that their current water supply may not
be adequate within the near future (next 5-10 years).
Wichita has developed an integrated water supply
plan. Assuming that this plan is implemented in its entirety, they will
have sufficient water supply until the year 2050 for all of the
incorporated cities within Sedgwick County. Although the City of
Wichita is developing a plan that would have adequate water supply for
all of the cities in Sedgwick County, this does not imply that the other
cities in the County would wish to contract for this water supply. Each
city would have to consider its own water supply situation vs. the
additional costs of running distribution lines from Wichita’s water
source as well as the additional surcharges incurred through contracts
with the City of Wichita. Should second and third class cities develop
their own water supplies and not contract with the City of Wichita, they
should extend the predicted water supply for Wichita beyond the year
2050. If Wichita is not able to implement its integrated water supply
plan, then the City of Wichita only has an adequate water supply until
the year 2015.
Residents, businesses, and industries located in
the unincorporated portions of Sedgwick County have several options for
obtaining their water supplies. They have the ability to obtain water
through private water wells. There are some areas within Sedgwick
County where the underlying rock, however, is impermeable and the
quantity of water is not sufficient to fulfill the intended use.
Depending upon location, the customer may be able to obtain water
through a rural water district. Additionally, those located near a city
may be able to hook up to a city’s water supply. The customer’s choice
of water supply may depend upon their location.
Concerning wastewater management, 12 of the 20
cities have wastewater treatment plants. The remaining 8 cities either
have discharging or non-discharging lagoons. Fifteen cities have an
adequate wastewater management system in place for at least 11-50 years
into the future. Five of the incorporated cities know that their
current wastewater management system may not be adequate within the near
future (5-10 years).
Residents, businesses, and industries located in
the unincorporated portions of Sedgwick County also have several options
for managing their wastewater. Soils must be tested for percolation
rates to determine if a sewage lagoon, septic system, or alternative
sewage system is appropriate. Those located near a city may have the
option to hook up to a city’s sewage system.
Whether one is addressing water supply or
wastewater management, there currently appears to be a lack of
coordination between incorporated cities and a lack of planning to
address the effect of development in sensitive groundwater areas. The
intensity of development also needs to be considered in how it affects
the water supply and wastewater management in an area.
Opportunities for cooperation between all levels of
local government exist so that not only adequate water supply and
wastewater management capacity is available for the next 50 years but
also future development will not adversely impact the water quality for
the citizens of Sedgwick County.
2004 Sedgwick County
Water Supply and Wastewater Management Assessment (6.07 MB)
2004 Sedgwick County
Water Supply and Wastewater Management Assessment (5.34 MB)
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last update:
07/29/04
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