ARKANSAS CITY, Kan. (KSNW) — Arkansas City has launched its new Drinking Water System Improvement Master Plan.
The city says the initiative is critical to address aging infrastructure and improve efficiency.
“We are excited to take this next step toward modernizing our water system,” City Manager Randy Frazer said in a news release. “While the new treatment facility was a tremendous achievement, we recognize the need to continue investing in our infrastructure to ensure reliable water service for our residents and businesses. This master plan represents a long-term commitment to sustaining our water system and distributing costs equitably.”
While the city has recently improved the water system, including completing a new water treatment facility in 2018, Arkansas City officials say more work is needed to improve the distribution system and increase the city’s water supply.
Arkansas City officials worked with Professional Engineering Consultants in Wichita to develop the plan, which will be implemented over the next 20 years. Some portions of the plan include:
- East Pressure Zone Upgrades: To enhance system reliability, a new elevated water storage tank (water tower) will be constructed, and two water mains will be installed under the Walnut River.
- Water Main Replacement Program: Staff and equipment will be added to replace aging water mains, focusing on moving lines out (from underneath) of the streets to minimize disruptions.
- Well Field Improvements: Drilling new wells to replace outdated ones, boosting water supply capacity.
- Ongoing Maintenance: Regular upkeep of the water treatment plant and storage tanks to ensure long-term reliability.
“We’re committed to more than just maintaining our water system—we’re focused on building a sustainable future for Arkansas City,” Frazer said. “This master plan allows us to address immediate infrastructure needs while laying the groundwork for long-term reliability and fairness. By investing in these improvements now, we’re ensuring that our community has a dependable, high-quality water supply for generations to come.”
The upgrades will be paid for using a cost-of-service rate model. The city says the new model will ensure the costs are fairly distributed among its water customers.
