Drinking Water System Improvement Plan Launched

The City of Arkansas City is excited to embark on a transformative journey to modernize its water infrastructure with the launch of the Drinking Water System Improvement Master Plan. This critical initiative addresses aging infrastructure enhances operational efficiency and introduces a cost-of-service rate model, ensuring that water costs are distributed fairly across all users.

In recent years, Arkansas City has made significant strides to improve its water system, including opening a state-of-the-art Water Treatment Facility in 2018. However, additional improvements are necessary to upgrade the city’s distribution network and well fields.

“We are excited to take this next step toward modernizing our water system,” said City Manager Randy Frazer. “While the new treatment facility was a tremendous achievement, we recognize the need to continue investing in our infrastructure to ensure reliable water service for our residents and businesses. This master plan represents a long-term commitment to sustaining our water system and distributing costs equitably.”

The master plan, developed in collaboration with Professional Engineering Consultants (PEC), prioritizes infrastructure upgrades over the next 20 years and supports the transition to a cost-of-service rate model. This new rate structure, approved by the City Commission on August 20, 2024, ensures large industrial consumers like Creekstone Farms contribute appropriately to the system’s operational and capital expenses.

Key elements of the Drinking Water System Improvement Master Plan include:
• East Pressure Zone Upgrades: To enhance system reliability, a new elevated water storage tank will be constructed, and two water mains will be installed under the Walnut River.
• Water Main Replacement Program: Staff and equipment will be added to replace aging water mains, focusing on moving lines out of streets to minimize disruptions.
• Well Field Improvements: Drilling new wells to replace outdated ones, boosting water supply capacity.
• Ongoing Maintenance: Regular upkeep of the water treatment plant and storage tanks to ensure long-term reliability.

“We’re committed to more than just maintaining our water system—we’re focused on building a sustainable future for Arkansas City,” Frazer said. “This master plan allows us to address immediate infrastructure needs while laying the groundwork for long-term reliability and fairness. By investing in these improvements now, we’re ensuring that our community has a dependable, high-quality water supply for generations to come.”