The team that will design and build a new water treatment plant for the city of Wichita has determined a final cost for the project. Wichita Water Partners said Monday that the cost will be $494.2 million, lower than the estimate of $508 million that was presented several weeks ago.
The group said the cost estimate was based on extensive input from city staff that led to some changes for the project. The team said in a press release that the changes will benefit the project and the ratepayers of Wichita with a savings of nearly $14 million.
Wichita Water Partners said the changes in the project will eliminate the city’s exposure to future construction cost inflation, and it will save millions in capital construction costs. The group said it also submitted an expectation of more than $6 million in savings in the cost of operating the new plant. The savings is a reduction of 26 percent from the baseline project that was originally defined by the city.
The city is working to secure a federal loan to help with the construction of the plant. The new facility would be constructed in northwest Wichita and it will replace an existing plant that is 80 years old. Construction is expected to begin in late 2020.
