Haysville decided not to buy water from Wichita, but the discussions gave birth to many of the ideas which would serve as the basis for action by the Water Department in the future. Over the years, Haysville continued to investigate buying Wichita water. The most important considerations were the financial requirement, and the protection of the small town's autonomy.

A similar situation occurred in the summer of 1967, when Goddard, facing a severe water shortage, approached Wichita about the possibility of hooking into the Cheney transmission line. No action was taken for two years.

On June 4, 1969, Hess met with Goddard officials and explained the departmental policy, "We feel one metropolitan water system is best for the area." He also cautioned, "We are only exploring the feasibility and possibility of taking water to Goddard. It involves long-range planning and approval of the Wichita City Commission." (Eagle, 6/6/69). Before any decisions were made, Goddard found additional water supplies six miles east of its city limits, negating the need temporarily. On August 13, 1969, the Goddard City Council decided the city should own and operate its own system, using new wells, instead of going to Wichita. Goddard Mayor Wilbur Floyd said, "We are not shutting the door on the Wichita water system. We have decided to proceed on our own. So me day we may want to buy water from Wichita." (Eagle, 8/14/69). The Goddard connection was not made, but it helped to further explore the possibility of Wichita providing water to surrounding communities.

As a result of Wichita being approached about its water, Planning Director Lakin was asked in 1971 by City Manager Wulz to prepare a report on extending water services to other communities. Lakin analyzed the general demands faced by Wichita, including the agreement to furnish water to Rural Water District 1; the discussion with Goddard; overtures from rural water districts; and inquiries from Augusta, Benton, and Andover. Lakin concluded in his report dated March 4,1971, that a large regional distribution of water would be most effective. "Unless developed on a unified basis," he wrote, "one usually finds local communities and taxing districts competing with each other for rights to the water resources, or duplicating facilities at the same supply source." Explaining that Wichita was the only major user of Cheney Reservoir water in the area, Lakin claimed, "The treatment facilities and the major pipe lines required to carry the water from its source to the users can best be accommodated at a large scale rather than by many independent and separate lines." He added, "For these reasons alone, it would seem apparent that the city of Wichita should consider providing water service to other communities, providing, however, that overall community and regional goals can be met and maintained." (Water Department Files).

The report explained how the formation of the independent water and sewer districts in the 1950's created problems for Wichita when annexation was considered. Wichita had maintained a "One Wichita" annexation policy since that time, annexing areas which developed to urban scale, were in close proximity to Wichita, used basic city services, or lay in the path of services to other areas. "This policy has been followed," according to Lakin, "and in my view, will generally result in the city of Wichita annexing those areas which are provided with standard municipal type services, if water and sewer are extended in growth areas beyond existing corporate boundaries." Some 12 communities around Wichita, with a current total population of 35,000, could seek city water in the future, according to the report. (Water Department Files).

The MAPC approved Lakin's report, recommending an interim policy be established by the city of Wichita until a water plan for the area could be adopted. The policy called for providing water services to communities requesting it, with three requirements: 1) rate structure which would provide for no subsidy by the city of Wichita and provide for periodic review of the rate structures to eliminate any inequities; 2) a clause restricting water service to anyone not within city limits, unless concurred by the city of Wichita (on advice of MAPC); 3) a provision for intent to consolidate in the event corporate boundaries adjoin each other." (City Commission Communication).

The recommendations were considered at the May 11, 1971, City Commission meeting, at the same time representatives from Augusta and Andover were present to discuss purchasing Wichita water. The Wichita Water Department received a letter from Eugene Miller, mayor of Andover, on October 28, 1970, which stated, "Pursuant to our recent discussion of the matter, please accept this letter as confirmation of our desire to obtain water from the city of Wichita."

The Water Department studied the situation, and engineering reviews by Black and Veatch in 1968 and by the Shelley-Wilson Company in 1970 showed that, if water was supplied to Andover, a hardship would not be created on the Wichita water system. The study was submitted to the city manager on December 30, 1970, providing three alternatives: 1) that the city assume ownership of the Andover water system; 2) that the city sell wholesale water to Andover, or; 3) deny the request for water service. A private company operated Andover's water system and the city of Andover began negotiations for its purchase. Action on the matter was delayed by Wichita until the negotiations could be pursued.

In the fall of 1971, Augusta representatives approached the Water Department about purchasing city water. MAPC reviewed the request, and it was placed on the City Commission agenda on May 11, along with Andover's and the MAPC's interim policy recommendation. At the meeting, the City Commission avoided approving the interim policy. Instead, the staff was authorized to negotiate with the two cities, and also to investigate the overall benefits and problems of providing water to other communities. The negotiations, which would also involve possible purchase of the private water company in Andover, were to include wastewater disposal plans for the area.

For the rest of the year the Water Department continued to investigate the matter. The city of Augusta hired a consulting firm, Reiss and Goodness, to study the situation in Augusta in regards to water needs, and Wichita waited for the results before proceeding. On October 19, 1971, the Water Department sent a requested letter to the firm outlining the