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Wichita advances plan to convert main water treatment plant to emergency use; council approves design funding
Summary
Council approved moving the Main Water Treatment Plant conversion design to 60% and awarded design-build and owner's-rep contracts to advance emergency-use conversion; staff said Wichita Water Partners remains responsible for repairs to the new plant until acceptance and that the conversion aims to establish a 24–48 hour restart capability.
Public Works briefed the council on a multi-phase project to convert the city's aging main water treatment plant (constructed 1939) for emergency use after the new Wichita Water Works facility is fully online. Gary Janssen said the objective is to have a backup facility that could be brought online within 24–48 hours and to minimize the capital and start-up time required if the primary plant becomes unavailable.
Council approved an additional $386,000 to push phase-1 deliverables to 60% design and authorized contracts with the selected design-build team (Wildcat with subcontractors PEC, Stantec and Donlinger Construction) and the owner's representative (Garver). Janssen emphasized the decision was tied to long lead times for major equipment and the city's interest in ordering parts early.
Janssen also updated the council on the city's dealings with Wichita Water Partners regarding the new plant's clarifiers and performance testing, saying independent vendor analysis is underway and that costs associated with repairing the new plant remain the responsibility of Wichita Water Partners until transfer of ownership. Council approved the recommended design budget increase and contract awards unanimously (7-0).
What to watch: staff will continue coordinated workshops with Wichita Water Partners and outside consultants; construction on conversion begins only after the new plant is accepted and the Main plant can be taken offline.
