Mission Statement 

Provide an environmentally sound wastewater collection and treatment system in compliance with state and federal regulations.

Wastewater Collection

Wastewater collection employees maintain more than 100 miles of wastewater lines and seven lift stations.

Wastewater Collection Duties

• Repair and replace broken sewer mains
• High-pressure jet clean the entire collection system annually
• Televise sewer lines annually
• Plan for solutions to inflow/infiltration problems
• Check and maintain seven lift stations weekly
• Respond to backup reports
• Repair manholes
• Tap clay tile lines when necessary
• Have two employees on call for 24-hour service
• Perform utility locates

Collection Training and Certifications

Nine employees at the Service Center are certified operators, with some of them holding multiple classifications.  Certified operator requirements include 10 hours of training by a KDHE certified school every two years. All of the employees in wastewater collection are certified in confined space as well as trenching and shoring and participate in regular safety training.

Wastewater Treatment

Staff are responsible for cleaning wastewater, brought to the plant by the collection systems to meet Kansas Department of Health and Environment requirements. The cleaned water is then released into a receiving stream, Slate Creek, which enters into Sand Creek. Some of the treated water is used to irrigate Sand Creek Golf Course.

Wastewater Treatment Plant Duties

• Collect samples daily to analyze the process
• Operate plant and make adjustments using lab information
• Maintain facility grounds
• Maintain pumps and motors through monthly preventative maintenance program
• Monitor plant 24 hours a day through SCADA system
• Maintain and clean facility buildings
• Haul and spread sludge on City-owned farmland
• Submit monthly monitoring report to state

Treatment Training and Certifications

The Wastewater Treatment Plant has four employees that are certified State of Kansas operators. Certified operator requirements include 10 hours of training by a KDHE certified school every two years. All the wastewater treatment employees are also certified in confined space and participate in regular safety training.