Wichita City Council members have given unanimous approval to a contract with a consulting firm to get ready for the opening of the city’s new water treatment plant next spring. The plant near 21st and Hoover Road will begin operations in April, 2025.
The Council approved a $4 million contract with the Los Angeles-based firm of Operational Technical Services (OTS), and it will provide for an onsite project team that will advise the city on the startup and commissioning of the plant along with operations. The team will also develop and implement plans for operations and training, safety, risk management, maintenance and repairs.
When the design-build contract was approved in 2019 for the $494 million project, funding was not included for plant operations. Public works director Gary Janzen said adding the technical support at that time would have added another $4 million to the cost. Janzen said waiting until now will provide better information on the true scope of operations and costs of the plant. He said technical support will be needed to develop operational plans and procedures and get staff trained to provide a seamless transition to the new plant. Janzen said this contract for startup and commissioning support will not affect water rates, because the city’s water rate structure will account for this.
