WICHITA, Kan. (KSNW) — The Biden-Harris Administration has announced $9 million in funding for the Equus Beds Aquifer Storage and Recovery (ASR) Project and the Kansas Water Transition Assistance Program.
The Equus Beds Aquifer Storage and Recovery Project diverts water from the Little Arkansas River when levels are high, removes particulates, salt and other chlorides, organic material, and sediment, and pumps the water into the Equus Beds Aquifer that is deep underneath Sedgwick, Reno, Harvey, and McPherson counties. The project has been active since the early 2000s, but there has been a significant drop in water levels over the past few years.
In addition, the Kansas Voluntary Agreements Program will receive $2 million for the state’s Kansas Water Transition Assistance Program in either the Prairie Dog Creek or Rattlesnake Creek Basins. Under the program, landowners can voluntarily sign over their water rights in exchange for compensation from the state.
The funding for both programs comes from the Inflation Reduction Act, through the Department of the Interior.
“This investment from President Biden’s Investing in America agenda will help Kansas address immediate needs due to drought,” says Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary Michael Brain. “As the state works to slow declining surface and groundwater supplies, these resources will advance efforts to safeguard local water supplies, equipping families and communities for the future.”
The Department of Interior says once fully implimented, the funding will allow up to 100 million gallons of water per day for the city of Wichita. The Kansas Water Right Transition Assistance Program is expected to conserve approximately 10,000 acre-feet of water.
The Inflation Reduction Act is providing $550 million for domestic water supply projects and $4 billion for water conservation and management efforts across the United States.