Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Water Security topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Candidates cite water-reuse project, aquifer recharge and storage as key to Garden City's long-term water security
Summary
At a Garden City forum, commissioners and candidates discussed the city's water-reuse project, federal grant activity, aquifer recharge and related infrastructure upgrades, and linked those projects to affordability concerns.
Garden City candidates and incumbents at the Sept. 25 forum described the city's water-reuse work, federal grant applications and infrastructure projects as central to long-term water security in the region.
"Water is one of our biggest concerns in Western Kansas," said Bryce Landgraf, a city commissioner, adding that Garden City is pursuing a water-reuse project to recharge the Ogallala Aquifer and supply irrigation and industrial uses. Landgraf said the city recently applied for a $700,000 grant connected to the reuse project.
Commissioners described complementary actions. Troy Unruh said the city and water department secured federal funding for reuse and are planning new water-storage infrastructure such as an on-ground water tower; he also said a wastewater main is needed from the northeast side of town to the municipal treatment plant. Deb Euler described previous federal advocacy and public-private partnerships that have enabled reuse and conservation measures, including rebate programs and replacement of irrigation controllers with WaterSense devices.
Why it matters: Candidates framed water projects as necessary for continued growth, agriculture and industry and for maintaining affordability. "We as a city need to really be responsible with our water use," Unruh said, noting that the city has cut per-capita consumption and that storage and infrastructure upgrades will be costly but necessary.
Discussion vs. action: Speakers described active grant applications, planning for storage capacity, and ongoing public-private reuse partnerships. Specific dollar amounts given in the forum were limited to the cited $700,000 grant application; other project cost figures were not provided.
Next steps: Candidates said the city should continue pursuing grants, public-private partnerships and infrastructure planning while balancing rates and affordability for residents.
