Jade Dundas,
Superintendent of Sewage Treatment
Wichita Water Utilities Sewage Treatment operates and maintains three (3) Wastewater Treatment Facilities and fifty-seven (57) Sanitary Sewer Lift stations. These facilities provide primary, secondary and advanced wastewater treatment, including disinfection prior to discharge. These facilities operate under permits to discharge treated wastewater, which are issued by the Kansas Department of Health and Environment that sets forth specific discharge criteria that is protective of Public Health and the Environment. The Lower Arkansas River Facility is designed to treat 54 MGD of wastewater, daily. After completion of treatment, flow from facility (effluent) is discharged into the Arkansas River.
The Four Mile Creek Wastewater Treatment Facility is designed to treat 3 MGD of wastewater, daily and discharges into Four Mile Creek, which is a tributary of the Walnut River. The facility is performing biological nutrient removal creating an effluent that is low in phosphorus and nitrates. The Four Mile Creek Wastewater Treatment Facility and collection system along with the West Sedgwick County Sewer District were acquired by the City of Wichita from Sedgwick County in April of 2001.
The Cowskin Creek Water Quality Reclamation Facility has been operational since March of 2003. It is the City of Wichita's newest wastewater treatment facility. The discharge from this facility is received by two ponds that are available for recreational fishing to the public. The treated water is then discharged into Cowskin Creek. The process incorporates some of the most advanced treatment technology available, including biological nutrient removal, tertiary filtration, and ultraviolet disinfection. The facility administers the Industrial Pretreatment Program, Grease Interceptor Program, Stormwater Sampling and Inspection Program and the Biosolids Agricultural Land Application Program. There are sixty-nine (69) employees who represent management, clerical, sciences, trades, plant operations and common labor. Operations staff is on duty twenty-four hours, seven days a week.