Sen. Titus briefs committee on Kansas water task force, flags groundwater decline and reservoir sedimentation

Sen. Titus updated the Agriculture and Natural Resources Budget Committee on the work of a 13‑member water task force established by HB 2172, saying the group’s preliminary work has identified declining Western Kansas groundwater and reservoir sedimentation in Eastern Kansas as the two most serious near‑term risks to the state’s water supply.

The task force, led by legislators with a mix of appropriators and nonlegislative stakeholders, has three principal charges: evaluate major risks to water quality and quantity (and the related economic impacts); identify steps needed to define and secure future supply; and review current funding to judge whether it will meet future needs. Titus said the group has formed a five‑member technical working group of engineers, geologists, environmental scientists and attorneys to “get into the weeds” on the Water Planning Act and to draft potential statutory changes.

“The Water Planning Act creates the water authority and authorizes a state water plan,” Titus said. “If we’re going to pour a lot of money into water, we need to make sure we’re prioritizing the right things, with transparency and accountability.” She said a preliminary report will be released during the current legislative session and a final report is due next legislative session.

Titus described recent technical efforts including an "injection dredging" test at Tuttle Creek Reservoir intended to free storage capacity by moving sediment. She said the first test “was deemed successful,” reporting the test created a channel, moved sediment and showed no immediate adverse downstream wildlife impacts; additional seasons of testing with the Army Corps of Engineers are planned before drawing firm conclusions.

The senator highlighted municipal infrastructure and water quality concerns, noting aging pipes, lead pipe risks and contaminants such as nitrates and uranium. She gave a case example of a town of about 850 people that drilled a new well which later tested high for nitrates; the community’s interim solution required a roughly $5.5 million project to tie into a regional water district, she said.

Committee members pressed the task force on practical questions. Rep. Alcala asked whether communities are trucking water into Western Kansas; Titus said trucking has occurred historically in short‑term emergencies but is more common in Southeast Kansas. Rep. White asked about PFOS and other “forever chemicals”; Titus said the task force has reviewed heat maps showing concentrations near some military installations and that the EPA’s evolving standards could create compliance and fiscal challenges if lower levels are adopted.

On funding, Titus said the task force will examine both funding sources and amounts, starting from the increased baseline funding in 2023’s package (referred to in the hearing as the 23‑02 increase, roughly $35 million) and considering options such as dedicated taxes, fees or cost‑share models. She said the working group will seek to produce a viable legislative package — likely a range or soft recommendation rather than a single fixed dollar figure — and emphasized models that require local sponsors and matching shares can stretch state dollars.

Titus named the working‑group members as Tom Stiles (former director of water at KDHE), Stephanie Kramer (chief counsel, Kansas Department of Agriculture), Matthew Buller (private attorney), Susan Metzger (director, Kansas Water Institute, K‑State) and Chris Badel (program manager, water management, DWR). She said Kramer has prepared a comprehensive markup the group is reviewing and that the task force may request additional meeting days before the end of the fiscal year.

Connie Olin, director of the Kansas Water Office, told the committee that while many agencies’ work touches water, three state bodies are central to state water management: Kansas Department of Health and Environment (KDHE) handles water quality permitting, regulation and enforcement; the Kansas Department of Agriculture Division of Water Resources handles water rights and quantity; and the Kansas Water Office serves as the state’s policy, planning and coordination arm (it does not permit or regulate). Olin said most substantive water work requires partnerships among state agencies, federal entities, local governments and nonprofits.

The committee asked Legislative Research to compile how many entities work on water issues and to estimate state and federal funding totals that support water‑related work in Kansas. Sen. Titus and members emphasized the goal of producing a living, actionable plan that gives the legislature clearer project lists and funding priorities rather than a static report.

The committee adjourned at 2:25 p.m.; members were reminded of the next meeting Monday at 2:00 p.m.