Confluence of Arkansas and Little Arkansas Rivers in downtown Wichita – A beautiful river perceived as potentially dangerous.

In September of 2000, the City of Wichita organized an Arkansas River Symposium to bring together stakeholders for the purpose of hearing success stories from other communities and to provide an opportunity for the participants to provide their input through breakout session on Arkansas River water quality issues and how water quality improvements could be achieved. The main thrust of the symposium was to identify the sources of fecal coliform contamination that are currently of concern. Fecal coliform is a bacterial organism commonly used to determine water quality for recreational activities.

The Arkansas River and the Little Arkansas River occasionally are impacted by fecal coliform bacteria, most generally after rain. The run-off from these rain events have the potential to impact recreational use. These findings have led the public to perceive the river water quality as poor, or even dangerous.

Suitable water quality for recreational use is measured for regulatory purposes by the concentration of fecal coliform bacteria, which are used as indicators for the presence of potential human pathogens. The presence of fecal coliform bacteria, however, does not necessarily directly relate to actual human health risk. These organisms can originate from a whole variety of sources other than humans, such as pets, livestock, migratory waterfowl, and other wildlife. Not all such bacteria are harmful to humans, and the degree of actual human exposure is also a complicating variable. Fecal coliform levels above current regulatory standards usually result from precipitation-driven surface runoff events and may result in the issuance of water quality advisories, along with follow-up investigative actions.

The City of Wichita, KDHE, and the U.S. Geological Survey have been pro-active in investigative efforts by collecting water quality samples at key areas over a considerable period of time. During the past year the City of Wichita and KDHE have increased the monitoring frequency, sample numbers and locations to better assess river water quality. There are approximately 55 sampling sites along both the Big and Little Arkansas River. This strategy will provide greater predictability of water quality for recreational uses such as the River Festival, North High School Water Carnival and other events. This data and other criteria will be used to determine if river use advisories are necessary in relation to these recreational activities.

Arkansas River Update

The Wichita City Council has established the Arkansas River Advisory Committee and the Arkansas River Task Force. Both citizen groups are assisting in the development and implementation of environmental issues.

The Arkansas River Advisory Committee has a diverse representation of agricultural, environmental, urban, and academic interests. The mission of the Arkansas River Advisory Committee is to focus on educational and public awareness aspects of improving river water quality. The group is chaired by City Council Member Sharon Fearey.

The Arkansas River Task Force has a similar representation of individuals appointed by the City Manger with the approval of the City Council to examine technical and environmental investigation issues relating to the river. The activities of the two groups are coordinated by City staff who attend all meetings and share technical and educational/public awareness information.

Extensive water quality testing continues through the efforts of the City of Wichita, the Kansas Department of Health and Environment and the United States Geological Survey. This sampling provides data that further defines the sources of contamination detrimental to the river. The testing involves dry and wet weather sampling, but unfortunately wet weather sampling has been difficult due to this past winter’s dry conditions. The dry weather sampling is being done to determine how and where sewer and septic system leaks, cross connection to the storm sewers and other similar pollution sources are causing problems. Wet weather sampling helps to find pollution coming from surface run-off during rainy conditions. These sources can be animal feeding operations, storm sewer discharges and general urban and rural run-off.

Two river clean-ups are scheduled to raise public awareness in regard to the Arkansas River. One is set for May 3, 2008 before the River Festival and one in October in conjunction with World Water Monitoring Day. The City Manager’s Office, Environmental Services Department, Public Works and the Park Department, as well as other city offices, are providing coordination and assistance to the various environmental and civic organizations expressing interest in participating in these events.

Different colored flags will be used this year during River Festival to inform the public of river water quality that uses the previously established criteria of three levels:

1. Blue - water is suitable for recreational use; 
2. Green - suitable for use subject to a advisory conditions; and 
3. Orange - river use should be restricted subject to further conditions.

These levels of water quality information will be based on routine water testing information. The flags will be displayed at strategic locations near the Douglas and Lewis Street bridges.

The best news to date about the current status of the Arkansas River is that based on a review of data from past years coupled with more recent sampling, it appears that the river quality has remained steady and has not deteriorated. Citizens wishing to participate in river related activities should continue to do so being mindful of the water quality status reports that can be found on our web site, by calling the Environmental Services Department at (316) 268-8351, or by viewing the water quality status flags posted on the Douglas and Lewis Street bridges.

The Arkansas River is our Kansas river so and we all need to continue working together to keep it as a community resource. After all the Arkansas River is...

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