Hutchinson approves $1.3 million HDR contract for master water plan; work to guide 1–50 year utilities strategy

The Hutchinson City Council unanimously approved a not-to-exceed $1.3 million contract with HDR to complete a comprehensive master water and wastewater plan for the city.

Project manager Erin Patterson told council the master plan will provide a technical and financial roadmap for Hutchinson’s water and wastewater systems covering immediate facility needs and long-term planning horizons up to 50 years. "This allows us to develop the overall water plan for the city," Patterson said, describing the plan’s two-phase approach: a near-term phase to address immediate high-priority facility needs, and a second phase that models distribution and collection systems, evaluates water sources, examines reuse options and delivers multi-year capital improvement plans.

Patterson said the recommended contract is a time-and-materials agreement not to exceed $1,300,000; the original internal budget for the project had been about $1,700,000 and staff proposes a 10% contingency for unforeseen needs. Phase 1 will include facility inspections, arc-flash and structural assessments, and a one-year capital plan; Phase 2 will add network modeling, well-field and aquifer analysis, reuse feasibility, emergency readiness planning, a detailed rate study and four longer-term CIP horizons (5, 10, 25 and 50 years). Staff expects initial phase deliverables in June and a final plan in the third quarter of 2026.

Councilmembers asked about schedule flexibility, contingency uses and whether arc-flash studies would include well buildings; staff said arc-flash work will begin at the two main facilities immediately and the scope can expand for wells as part of Phase 2. Patterson emphasized the work will be iterative, with draft deliverables and stakeholder review throughout the process.

Council approved the contract on a voice vote. Patterson said staff planned a kickoff and site visits immediately after contract execution.