38 AUGUST 2025 WorldWide Drilling Resource® Wichita Approves Study for Wastewater Recycling Compiled by Sophia Henline, Editorial Assistant, WorldWide Drilling Resource® Last year, the collaborative team of Alberici and Burns & McDonnell celebrated the completion of a new water treatment facility with a ribbon-cutting ceremony attended by officials from local, state, and federal levels. This new facility, now known as the Wichita Water Works, represents a significant milestone for the city of Wichita, Kansas, as it is the largest infrastructure endeavor in the city’s history, with a total investment of $500 million, and the involvement of countless individuals, local contractors, as well as small businesses. The Wichita Water Works is an integral component of the City’s Local Water Supply Plan, a strategic initiative developed nearly three decades ago aimed at ensuring a sustainable water supply for the future. This comprehensive plan includes measures for conservation, adjustments to the water utility rate structure, optimization of resource allocation during drought conditions, and innovative expansions of the city’s water supply. The state-of-the-art treatment plant is designed to provide a dependable and high-quality water supply for Wichita and neighboring communities, marking a vital advancement in safeguarding the region’s water future. With the capacity to process up to 120 million gallons per day, this modern facility replaces an outdated 80-year-old plant, ensuring delivery of safe and clean drinking water. The facility has been engineered to incorporate the capacity for 24 hours of water storage, along with a high-service pump station ensuring efficient water delivery to both the current and future water distribution networks. Additionally, the site is equipped with underground electrical power systems and backup generators, guaranteeing a reliable power supply even during power outages or adverse weather conditions. Recently, the Wichita City Council authorized a nearly $1.2 million study aimed at exploring the feasibility of recycling wastewater. This study will assess how the city could implement strategies to recycle and repurpose water from its wastewater treatment facilities. If the initiative proves successful, Wichita could emerge as one of the pioneering cities in Kansas to recycle and reuse wastewater for drinking and other applications. With drought restrictions in effect since 2023, many residents are concerned that water scarcity issues may persist for the foreseeable future. The upcoming study will evaluate potential applications for the recycled water, distinguishing between nonpotable and potable uses. Nonpotable water would be allocated for industrial purposes, while potable water could be reintroduced into the drinking water supply. Wichita has already been operating a smaller scale wastewater recycling program since 2015, Spirit AeroSystems Inc. has been utilizing nearly one million gallons of recycled nonpotable water daily from the treatment plant. The new threemile pipeline enables Spirit to acquire up to 500 million gallons of recycled water annually from the city for the production of areospace components. The infrastructure necessary for this recycled water initiative was financed by Spirit, showcasing their commitment to sustainable practices in their operations. WTR Photo courtesy of Burns & McDonnell.
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