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City updates council on drought, Cheney reservoir and new water treatment plant; staff plans reuse study and water capture
Summary
City staff told the council the Cheney Reservoir inflow is at historic lows and that stage 2 watering restrictions will likely remain for 2025. Wichita Water Works test operations for a new treatment plant are nearing completion; staff outlined plans to capture test water, speed plant acceptance and pursue direct potable reuse planning.
City staff told the Wichita City Council March 25 that Cheney Reservoir remained well below normal pool and that the city’s drought restrictions would likely remain in force through 2025 while the new water treatment plant completes testing and regulatory steps.
Gary Janssen, Public Works and Utilities director, said Cheney’s pool was about 7.5 feet below normal as of the prior week and that the 12‑month inflow into the reservoir “is the lowest it's been in almost 60 years,” a condition that has kept the city in stage 2 watering restrictions since Aug. 5 of last year. “Our goal right now is to hold off stage 3 as long as we can,” Janssen said, noting that stage 3 would eliminate outdoor watering and have broader business impacts.
Staff updated the council on the…
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