Water

Drinking Water

More than 90 percent of Sedgwick County residents live in areas where public water supplies are available. In Sedgwick County, public water supplies are cities, rural water districts, and one utility. A limited number of county residents obtain their water from private wells.

The city of Wichita obtains more than 60 percent of its supply from Cheney Reservoir and the remaining amount from the Equus Beds. Wichita has the capacity to provide water to all incorporated areas in the county through 2050.

Sedgwick County residents who obtain drinking water from private wells are encouraged to test their water to determine its suitability for human consumption. Water testing is available through Metropolitan Area Building & Construction Department (MABCD) or through private companies.

Sedgwick County and cities have water well codes that regulate construction standards and inspection requirements. If you are wanting a private water well, contact MABCD or your local city for information on regulations.

Watersheds

We all live in a watershed. A watershed is an area of land whose surface water drains into a river, lake, or stream. Ridges and hills form the boundaries of the watersheds in Sedgwick County. Mountains form the boundaries of large watersheds. Watersheds come in all shapes and sizes, ranging from a few acres to several million acres. Many smaller watersheds are inside a larger watershed.

Across the nation, watersheds have been negatively impacted. Previous generations failed to consider the effects of discharging industrial chemicals and raw sewage directly to our rivers and streams. That all changed with the passage of the Clean Water Act Water in 1972. The Clean Water Act created the National Pollution Discharge Elimination System (NPDES). NPDES is a program that regulates the sources of surface water pollution. Pollutants can enter water from a variety of pathways. Pollutants come from agricultural, domestic, and industrial sources. These sources are categorized as point sources or non-point sources. Point sources are easily identified. They discharge wastewater from the end of a pipe or a ditch. Municipal wastewater systems and industrial operations are point sources that require a NPDES permit.

The Kansas Department of Health & Environment (KDHE) issues NPDES permits. These permits specify what treatment may be needed and the acceptable levels of pollutants that can be discharged into surface waters. Point sources test their wastewater and report the results to KDHE. Communities with populations greater than 100,000 are required to have a storm water permit. Wichita, and because of their proximity to Wichita, Derby, Maize, Mulvane, Park City, Sedgwick County, and Valley Center have storm water permits. These communities regularly test their storm water. They also gather samples during storm events.

Non-point source pollution is found in the water that runs off large areas of land. Commonly called storm water runoff, this water picks up pollutants and soil from agricultural land, construction sites, streets and highways, recreational areas, and residential lawns. Non-point source water is untreated and flows directly to our rivers, lakes and streams.

Water Testing

Many organizations test surface water in our area. The City of Wichita, Sedgwick County, the Kansas Department of Health and Environment, The Kansas Department of Wildlife and Parks, and The United States Geological Society gather samples at various sites throughout Sedgwick County.

Water samples are tested for bacteria, nutrients, metals, and chemicals. Temperature, pH, dissolved oxygen, and turbidity are also recorded. Fish, insects and mussels are studied. Their presence, or absence, is an excellent indicator of water quality. When testing reveals that water quality has deteriorated, the site is then declared impaired by KDHE and plans to improve water quality are implemented.

Water tests show that several lakes in Sedgwick County are impaired. These include: Cheney Reservoir, Lake Afton, Cadillac Lake (Pracht Wetland), Watson Park Lake, and Horseshoe Lake and Kid’s Lake in Sedgwick County Park. Segments along the Arkansas River, the Little Arkansas River, and Cowskin Creek are also impaired. Programs to improve water quality are ongoing in many watersheds throughout Sedgwick County.

Special effort has been directed to landowners in the Cheney Lake Watershed and Lake Afton Watershed. Animal waste systems, waterways and terraces, grassland retention, cover crops, filter strips and conservation tillage are improving water quality. Surface water monitoring continues in both watersheds to evaluate these efforts and identify future needs.

The Cheney Lake Watershed is of special importance to the City of Wichita. The majority of Wichita’s water supply comes from Cheney Lake.

Sand Pit Water Quality

Wichita has many areas of sandy soils with high water tables. In the recent past, this sand has been mined for commercial purposes, resulting in a sand pit that fills with groundwater. Residential and commercial development quickly occurs around the resulting lake. Storm water drains from the residential lawns, parking lots, driveways and roads, where it is directed into the lake.

The Big Slough Creek runs through and connects some of these sand pits. Because of the diversity of development in this watershed and also because of the permeable soils and high water table, there is concern about the effect of storm water runoff on surface and groundwater in the area. Storm water may carry with it pollutants such as petroleum products, fertilizers, fecal coliform, and other contaminants from unknown sources.

Six sand pits have been studied within this area. Three monitoring wells for each sand pit were drilled according to specifications of the United States Geological Survey. Testing of these wells has been undertaken in order to determine which pollutants (if any) are present and whether they are filtered out through the sand prior to reaching the groundwater. Once the type of contaminant is determined, the appropriate best management practice (BMP) can be implemented.

The goal is to determine whether pollutants carried by storm water runoff into sand pits affects the quality of the groundwater underlying and surrounding these pits.

Protecting Our Surface Water

• Use phosphorous-free fertilizer for lawns. The middle nutrient number on a phosphorous free fertilizer bag will be zero.
• Apply fertilizers and pesticides at recommended rates. Avoid application when rain is likely in the next 24 hours.
• Never discard trash or yard waste down storm drains or in streets.
• Properly dispose of pet waste.
• Plant a rain garden to catch and hold storm water in your yard and at your business.
• Avoid washing your car on a driveway or in the street.
• Encourage local developers to use porous pavement.
• Take used oil and all unwanted chemicals to the Household Hazardous Waste Facility.

Wastewater

Permits and Treatment Plants

The Kansas Department of Health and Environment (KDHE) issues permits to businesses and cities that release wastewater to any surface water. All wastewater discharge permits are specific to each site. These permits detail the rate at which water can be released, the monitoring that must be performed, and the reports that must be submitted to KDHE.

Municipal wastewater treatment plants and municipal wastewater lagoons are located throughout Sedgwick County. Properly treated water from all wastewater facilities is discharged to nearby creeks or rivers. Wichita is adding new technology to address odor issues and is planning to build an additional wastewater treatment plant near the airport.

The Cowskin Creek Water Quality Reclamation Facility is Wichita's newest wastewater treatment plant. Biological nutrient removal, tertiary filtration, and ultraviolet disinfection are used to treat the water. Discharge is stored in two ponds that are open to the public for recreational fishing before being released to Cowskin Creek.

Lagoons

MAINTAINING A LAGOON

• Mow the top and water side of embankment should be mowed so the grass is shorter than 6 inches

• Water depth of at least three feet keeps rooted plants from growing. The lagoon should be free of rooted and floating plants. Keep at least 18 inches of water above the sludge for best lagoon performance.

• Remove trees from within 50 feet of lagoon to keep leaf debris out, to avoid shading the lagoon surface, and to help control tree roots. It also allows better air circulation across the lagoon surface.

• A fence should surround the lagoon. Keep the fence in good repair so animals and children cannot get through.

Septic Systems

If you have a lagoon or septic system on your property, it is important to monitor it to be sure it is operating properly.

MAINTAINING A SEPTIC SYSTEM

Conserve Water - This is the best thing someone can do to maintain a septic system.

• Repair leaks - dripping faucets and leaky valves
• Spread out water usage over the day
• Install water conservation fixtures
• Try to spread laundry out over the week

Do not put these items down the drain:

• Fats/oils/greases
• Egg shells/coffee grounds
• Tissues
• Kitty litter
• Tampons/condoms
• Sand
• Oil
• Glass/metal
• Bone
• Solvents/degreasers
• Waste chemicals/paints
• Pesticides/poisons

Landscaping Tips

• Divert downspouts and rainwater from drain field
• Do not park vehicles on drain field

Pump Septic Tank

• Use a pump based on size of tank and number of people in household. Pumping every three years MAY help.
• When tank is pumped, replace baffles with sanitary tees if needed.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION