Wichita outlines drought plan as Cheney Reservoir nears record low; new treatment plant and reuse projects highlighted

Gary Janice, director of public works and utilities for the City of Wichita, told the Valley Center City Council on May 6 that the region is coping with a historically severe drought centered on low storage at Cheney Reservoir and that new infrastructure and reuse programs are intended to reduce the risk of more severe water restrictions.

Janice said Cheney Reservoir was “almost 8 feet below normal pool” and that November rains had temporarily prevented an even lower record. He described a four-stage drought response plan adopted by the Wichita City Council after the 2013 drought and said the region moved into stage 2 watering restrictions last August, limiting outdoor watering to one day per week by contract for Wichita’s wholesale customers, including Valley Center.

The nut of Janice’s presentation was that investments already made and projects coming online will increase flexibility in the short and medium term and could help avoid harsher restrictions. Janice…