Wichita outlines water and wastewater upgrades in 2027-2036 capital plan

Wichita outlines water and wastewater upgrades in 2027-2036 capital planThe city council has reviewed a proposed $800 million operating budget and a 10-year capital improvement program that includes programmed water utility revenue increases to support incoming wastewater and stormwater infrastructure projects.

The 2027 operating budget includes 13 new positions to support a bio-nutrient removal upgrade.

The 10-year Capital Improvement Program (CIP) is partially financed by programmed increases in water utility revenues.

Future conceptual projects include improvements to Wastewater Plant No. 3 and four neighborhood drainage projects.

The Wichita City Council received the proposed 2027 annual operating budget and the 2027-2036 Capital Improvement Program (CIP) on July 14, setting the stage for future investments in the city's water, wastewater, and stormwater infrastructure. Director of Finance Mark Manning noted that portions of the CIP will be financed utilizing water utility revenues. Manning confirmed that these revenues include programmed increases provided by the public works department to ensure the financial viability of the 10-year plan. The city's broader financial strategy aims to fund 50 percent of its CIP projects with cash and 50 percent with debt. On the operational side, the City Manager outlined that the 2027 budget will accommodate staffing needs for recently expanded facilities. The proposed budget includes 13 new positions dedicated to supporting a bio-nutrient removal upgrade. Additionally, the conceptual out-years of the CIP identify upcoming capital improvements to Wastewater Plant Number 3. The CIP also earmarks funding for stormwater utility improvements. Manning highlighted that the city plans to tackle four smaller neighborhood drainage projects in the coming years, which will follow the completion of a major ongoing drainage project on Blackley. The city council voted to set a maximum expenditure authority and scheduled a formal public hearing for the final adoption of the budget and CIP on August 25.