Wichita approves $4.4m water and sewer contract, advances critical stormwater pump upgrades

Wichita approves $4.4m water and sewer contract, advances critical stormwater pump upgradesThe city has cleared a multimillion-dollar infrastructure contract for the Yellowstone Addition and allocated $300,000 for flood control improvements, as officials highlight ongoing efforts to implement a 'toilet to tap' water reuse program.

NOAC Construction Company secured a $4.43 million contract for water distribution, sanitary sewer, and stormwater drain improvements serving the Yellowstone Addition.

The council approved $300,000 to replace the backup power generator and electrical equipment at Stormwater Pump Station Number 7 to prevent flooding on Kellogg Drive.

Public works officials confirmed the pump station upgrades will be funded through the Capital Improvement Program without impacting existing stormwater utility rates.

Council members committed to drafting a resolution addressing historical water contamination in District 1 and highlighted ongoing work on a municipal water reuse program.

The Wichita City Council advanced several key water, wastewater, and stormwater infrastructure projects during its July 21, 2026, meeting, approving over $4.7 million in utility contracts and capital improvements. The largest approval was a $4.43 million contract awarded to NOAC Construction Company Incorporated. The contract covers the installation of a water distribution system, sanitary sewer improvements, and stormwater drains (numbers 537 through 539) to serve Phases 1, 2, and the Commercial Addition of the Yellowstone development. The council also approved a $114,750 change order for soda ash from DuBois Chemicals Incorporated and a $139,010 change order for water works supplies from Mountainland Supply Company LLC, alongside authorizing new water distribution improvements for the Copper Fox Estates commercial project. In a separate action item, the council unanimously approved a $300,000 budget for critical infrastructure upgrades at Stormwater Pump Station Number 7. According to Don Henry of the Public Works and Utilities department, the station—located at 420 South Ridgecrest—is essential for preventing floodwaters from inundating Kellogg Drive and the Edgemoor area near Cypress Park. The approved project will replace the facility's aging backup power generator and associated electrical equipment. Henry noted that the city operates 15 pump stations, eight of which serve the stormwater utility directly. Funding for the Pump Station 7 upgrades will be drawn from the Capital Improvement Program, evenly split at $100,000 annually across 2025, 2026, and 2027. Henry confirmed to the council that the project has already been factored into the utility's pro forma and will not impact current stormwater utility rates. Alongside capital project approvals, water equity and resource planning emerged as key policy topics. Following public comments raising concerns about historical TCE contamination in the city's 67214 zip code and the potential water demands of future AI data centers, Council Member Shepherd committed to drafting a resolution to formally address local water contamination as a public health issue. Shepherd also highlighted the city's ongoing efforts to secure its long-term water supply through advanced treatment. She noted that Council Member Becky Tuttle and staff member Gary Jansen are actively working on a municipal water reuse program, characterizing the initiative as a transition from "toilet to treatment to tap."