Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Water Permitting topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Council approves change order for anti‑degradation study to support NPDES permitting
Summary
Council authorized a change order to advance an anti‑degradation study with Burns & McDonnell to evaluate whether reclaimed groundwater discharge can be permitted to local ditches and reduce reliance on disposal wells; staff said KDHE signaled the approach could be viable.
City utilities staff requested and the council approved a change order for Burns & McDonnell to advance an anti‑degradation study and prepare draft materials to pursue a modification of the city's NPDES permitting for groundwater reclamation discharges.
Anne Patterson, utilities project manager, said the work would include detailed analysis of sampling results, a draft report to KDHE, assistance preparing an application and possibly a fourth sample event, depending on KDHE feedback. The goal is to evaluate whether the city can discharge some reclaimed water to the GVI Ditch and the Ark instead of sending all flows to reverse‑osmosis treatment and deep disposal wells, reducing operating expenses and disposal‑well use.
KDHE staff had indicated the approach might be viable based on prior sampling, Patterson said, but the change order funds the next technical steps toward a formal submittal; it does not complete the full permitting process. Council moved and approved the change order and authorized the city manager to sign.
Next steps: Burns & McDonnell will work with city staff to complete the draft analysis and submit the report to KDHE for review; further KDHE comments and permitting steps will determine whether discharge changes are authorized.
