Water and Wastewater

The City of Wamego provides water to about 2,000 customers in the City, and about forty homes located outside the City.  The City pumps groundwater at five well locations.  Four tap into the Kansas River aquifer, and a fifth taps into a source located outside the valley.  Well depths range from 54 to 82 feet, and pumping capacity ranges from 400 to 500 gallons per minute.  Chlorine is introduced at each wellhead. The City also adds a polyphosphate sequestering agent to control lead, copper, iron and manganese levels in the lines.  Fluoride is also added at each wellhead to help protect residents against tooth decay. 

The City’s elevated storage tower at Sunset and Country Club Drive has a capacity of 500,000 gallons.  A second tower is now under construction on Highway 24, just west of the USD 320 Sports Complex.  This tower will soon add another 500,000 gallons to the City’s storage capacity. 

33.3 miles of distribution lines convey water to customers.  This network of pipes range in size from 2” to 12” in diameter.  Some 176 fire hydrants tap the larger pipe sizes, and help the City achieve its favorable ISO fire insurance rating of 4.

The City is responsible for maintaining water mains and service lines up to and including the water meter pit, usually located near the curb.  The property owner is responsible for maintaining the line from the meter pit to the building.

Annual pumping averages around 200 million gallons.  About 2% is provided free of charge for park irrigation, public buildings and other public uses.  The remainder is billed to residential, commercial, institutional and industrial customers.

Wastewater is collected by a 26.4 mile series of pipes, ranging in size from 6” to 15” diameter, ultimately conveying wastewater to the Wastewater Treatment Plant, located at 18200 Valley Rd., near the Kansas River.  The Plant was completed in 1997 to meet EPA standard.  It has a 750,000 gallon per day capacity, and employs an “activated sludge” mechanical system.  Present daily flows range from 400,000 gallons to 520,000 gallons.  Treated wastewater is discharged to the Kansas River.

The City is responsible for maintaining sewer mains, however the property owner is responsible for maintaining the sewer lateral running from the building to the main, even where this passes under a street.

Both the water and wastewater systems are under the authority of the Wamego Governing Body, and are managed by the Wamego City Manager, supervised by the Director of Operations, and operated/maintained by the Water and Wastewater Department.  This single department is responsible for insuring that the City meets Kansas Dept. of Health and Environment drinking water quality and wastewater effluent standards.  Each spring, the City publishes a Water Quality Report, which includes detailed information about our water, provided by KDHE.

Contact:

• Shanda Jahnke, Utility Billing Clerk
  utilitybilling@wamego.org
  785-456-9119
• David Schleif, Water and Wastewater Supervisor
  785-456-7522
  Wastewater Treatment Plant

Emergencies:

• During business hours (8-5, Mon. thru Fri.) 
  contact the Wamego City Office:
  785-456-9119
• After business hours contact the Wamego Police Department administrative number:  785-456-9553.