The Reiss and Goodness report was received on November 16, 1971, and it concluded that Augusta should negotiate with Wichita for water. At the December 14 meeting, the City Commission discussed the subject of water service to Augusta and Andover. By that time the metropolitan area sewer plan had been completed and was under consideration by MAPC.

"The city of Wichita," wrote Wulz, "has followed a policy of extending water service outside the city limits provided that the extensions were financed in accordance with the code of the city of Wichita and the applicants agreed to annexation by the city at such time as was practical for the city to do so." Through the policy, 8,162 people who lived outside the city were receiving service by that time. The areas served included Eastborough, Sunview Improvement District, Sunswept Highlands Improvement District, Crestview Country Club golf course and residential complex, Park East, Springdale Estates, Sloan's Addition, Seltzer School District, McConnell Air Force Base, and various residential areas. Boeing, Beech, and Cessna also received water service. Except for McConnell and Boeing, all extensions outside the city were constructed according to city specifications and Wichita maintained ownership. Wulz went on to say, "The city has negotiated a contract with the districts and acquired full ownership of the system. The result has been that the entire distribution system has remained under the complete control of the city of Wichita." (City Commission Minutes).

Previous engineering reports had estimated that, by 1980, communities which might be part of the system by then--Andover, Haysville, Kechi, Park City, and the eastern suburbs--would place no hardship on the Wichita water system, even assuming the additional demand, provided that the necessary capital improvements were made. The pros and cons of supplying outside communities were analyzed and the manager concluded that Wichita's "present policy of acquiring and operating all water systems immediately outside the city limits that are served with city water appears to be the most favorable approach to outside service. This position allows the city to control the growth of the area through its main extension policy in conjunction with the zoning laws of MAPC and with final review and approval vested in the Board of City Commissioners." (City Commission Minutes).

The report further concluded that: a) all communities within the immediate vicinity of Wichita should be given consideration for water service, assuming that Wichita could become the sole owner of the water distribution system; and b) those communities which could not be dealt with in that manner, because of geographical location, should be considered for delivery of water wholesale, through a master meter. Based on these conclusions, the commission authorized full negotiations with both cities.

Opposition surfaced within the cities from those who wanted to remain independent from Wichita. The arrangements were finally completed the next year. On November 14, 1972, the city manager recommended that Wichita purchase the Andover Water Company for an initial cash payment of $69,000, plus $500 for each new customer connecting over the next 20 years (up to $150,000 total). The sale would be contingent upon Augusta receiving an Economic Development Administration (EDA) grant to finance extending the Wichita waterline.

Since Augusta was much farther from Wichita and in the same general direction as Andover, it would initially finance construction of all water lines, with the federal grant paying 60 percent. After completion, title to the lines, valued at $280,000, would transfer to Wichita, which would repay to Augusta 25 percent of the gross yearly revenues from the sale of water to the two cities for 15 years, or until Augusta's net investment was repaid. Andover residents would be assessed a 20 percent surcharge above the water rate to cover their portion of the costs.

The commission approved the recommendations by a 3 to 2 vote, with Jack Greene and James Donnell voting no. Greene objected to the fact that the cities did not guarantee annexation or consolidation in the future upon Wichita's request. City Attorney Dekker told the commissioners a vote of the citizens would be necessary to approve the action. Greene also was opposed because he felt a precedent was being set for other cities to ask for water, since, according to federal law, once service was begun, it could not be stopped.

Hess defended the plan, telling the commissioners that the larger Wichita system would increase revenues, leading to a greater capacity to develop new water supplies. He said that at that time Wichita had enough water to supply the other cities until 1990 or 2000 and, therefore, supported the general "good neighbor" policy in which Wichita, when necessary, would help area cities.

However, in January, 1973, the EDA denied the application. As a result the entire project was deferred until financing could be arranged. Augusta withdrew from participation, concerned over autonomy and financial considerations.

In September, 1974, the EDA informed Andover of the availability of financial assistance under Public Law 89-136. Andover soon made application for funds. Approval was obtained and the contracts were considered by the City Commission on March 11, 1975. The first of two general agreements called for a contract for water service from Wichita to Andover, which had already been accepted. It included the following provisions: 1) Andover would assume responsibility for the cost of the water line to connect to the Wichita system and retain title to the line, but Wichita would operate and maintain it; 2) Wichita had the right to connect to and extend from the transmission line, and Andover could connect to any part of the distribution system inside Andover; 3) Andover customers would pay the standard out-of-city water rates; 4) the Wichita Water Department would perform all necessary utility operations in Andover; 5) Andover would not annex land located in Sedgwick County between 29th Street North and Pawnee Avenue, and Wichita would not annex between the same streets in Butler County; 6) the Water Department reserved the right to refuse service to any user which could reduce service to other area customers; and 7) the contract would last 40 years.

The second agreement was the purchase of the Andover Water Company. The sale was necessary according to Wichita policy and also to meet the federal requirements for Andover's grant. The purchase agreement contained two provisions: 1) the Andover Water Company would transfer all of its property to Wichita except wells, well sites, and related items; and 2) Wichita would give the company an initial payment of $73,090, and would pay $500 for each new service connection made during the next 20 years to the existing Andover distribution system, up to a total of $160,000.

To pay for the five-mile, 12-inch line, Andover obtained a $267,000 grant from EDA and an Ozark Regional Commission supplemental grant of $89,300. The remaining $89,200 was paid by Andover through the issuance of general obligation bonds.

The City Commission approved the contracts by a 4 to 1 vote. Donnell voted no out of what he said was a "selfish" attitude, which was looking out for Wichita. A few days later Donnell explained, "It's nice to help your neighbor unless that help might be, in the long run, a liability to you." (Eagle, 3/14/75). Nevertheless, the system was soon in operation, making Andover the first city outside of Sedgwick County to receive Wichita water. It had the distinction of being the first city with which Wichita had made special arrangements. Small towns in Sedgwick County, such as Eastborough, had been treated as normal extensions by the Wichita Water Company.

After Andover, other cities also sought water. During the 1979 discussions with Haysville, Dekker emphasized a potential problem that if Wichita provided water to an industry outside the city, the industry would have to agree to annexation when the city saw it necessary, and a city which bought water from Wichita would have to agree not to sell it to industries outside its city limits without approval by Wichita.

Benton became the first city to buy water wholesale from Wichita. An attorney for Benton met with Wynkoop on March 24, 1975, over the possibility of purchasing Wichita water. Benton is located about two and a half miles east of Sedgwick County in Butler County between 53rd Street and Kechi Road. It owned its own distribution system, and a very hard supply from two wells. Wichita was the only source of good quality water.