Wichita targets September handover for new water treatment plant amid clarifier repairs

Wichita targets September handover for new water treatment plant amid clarifier repairsRepairs to the solid contact clarifiers at the new Wichita Water Works facility are progressing, with the city aiming to take possession of the plant by early fall and bring it online by spring 2027.

Structural repairs on three of the plant's six clarifiers are complete, though wet weather has delayed the application of protective coatings by approximately 30 days.

The city is working with contractor Wichita Water Partners to modify the original contract's performance testing requirements to expedite the handover.

Once the city takes possession of the facility—targeted for September 2026—staff will operate the plant for six months before connecting it to the municipal distribution system.

The city council also approved a $3.5 million change order with Rintac Southwest Incorporated for bulk liquid chlorine delivery.

The City of Wichita expects to take possession of its new Wichita Water Works treatment plant in September 2026, as contractors advance structural repairs on the facility's six solid contact clarifiers. During an April 28 workshop, Ron Coker of Burns & McDonnell provided an update on the remediation efforts at the facility, which is currently under the control of the contractor, Wichita Water Partners. Repairs on clarifiers 1, 3, and 4 are structurally complete, and crews are currently applying top coatings. However, Coker noted that the coating process—which requires seven to 10 days to cure—has been delayed by approximately 30 days due to wet spring weather. Repairs on clarifier 6 are currently underway, while materials for clarifier 2 are expected to arrive this week. Clarifier 5, which was modified to simulate the repairs and is currently handling interim operations, will be the final unit to undergo full remediation. The core of the repair involves replacing the clarifiers' upper draft tubes. The newly installed draft tubes are comprised of 16 connected sections rather than the original four. While this change was initially driven by logistical constraints—surrounding equipment prevented crews from dropping in larger, four-piece sections—Coker noted that the 16-piece design increases the overall stiffness of the structure, resolving the issues seen in the previous design. As physical repairs progress, the city is also adjusting its administrative approach to the project's completion. Director of Public Works and Utilities Gary Jansen told the council that the city is looking at modifying the performance testing requirements from the original contract to facilitate a smoother transition of operations. If the current pace holds and testing protocols are finalized, the city plans to take over the plant in September. Jansen noted that city operators will need to run the facility for approximately six months before going live to the municipal distribution system. This schedule would bring the plant fully online in early spring 2027, deliberately avoiding a startup during peak summer water demand. The facility will still require a final permit to operate from the Kansas Department of Health and Environment (KDHE). In separate utility business during the meeting, the council approved a $3.5 million change order with Rintac Southwest Incorporated for bulk liquid chlorine delivery. The council also approved multiple petitions for water, sanitary sewer, and stormwater drainage improvements to serve new residential developments, including the Cranor and Northgate Fifth additions.