Your neighborhood has petitioned the City to build a water line. You are not required to hook up to this line or pay the connection fees, but you will be assessed for your share of the construction of the water line, even if you choose to keep your well. For more information on the petition process, call the Engineering division of Public Works at (316) 268-4501.

Can I hook up to City water and still keep my well for watering my lawn?

You are permitted (and encouraged) to keep your well for irrigation, but there must be no cross connections between the two systems. Your plumber must provide written certification, or, if you do the plumbing work yourself, you must schedule an inspection with the City's backflow prevention specialist at (316) 219-8918.

When can I hook up?

Towards the end of construction, you may notice large amounts of water flowing from the new fire hydrants. The Contractor is flushing the new line and collecting water samples. Once the samples pass water quality tests, connections will be allowed. You may begin connecting right away, or at any time in the future.

How do I start the connection process?

To start the connection process, contact Customer Service at (316) 265-1300 to pay the connection fees. You may also need to hire a plumber to install a private service line (a line from your house to your meter location) and to make any modifications to the lines inside your home.

Can I do the plumbing work myself?

To install the private service line yourself, you must file the required permits with the Office of Central Inspection at (316) 268-4471 (or (316)383-7951 if you are in the County). You must also call Kansas One Call (1-800-DIG-SAFE) to flag underground utilities.

For information on approved materials call the Office of Central Inspection at (316) 268-4471.

What are the connection fees?

If you decide to connect to the new water main, you will need to pay a Tap Fee and a Water Plant Equity Fee. The Tap Fee, currently $850, covers the cost for the Wichita Water Utilities to tap into the new main and set a new water meter in public right-of-way on your side of the street, regardless of which side the water line is on. The Water Plant Equity Fee is currently $1520 and is used to fund future projects required by the new demand placed on the water system.

How do I pay the fees?

You may pay cash or check in person or by mail. Credit cards are currently accepted in person only. Call Customer Service at (316) 265-1300 with questions.

Can I spread out the cost of the connection fees?

The Tap Fee and Water Plant Equity Fee are due at the time water service is requested, and cannot be spread over 15 years. The Water Plant Equity Fee can be deferred, however, if you qualify. Deferral is discussed in the last section of this pamphlet.

When will my meter be installed?

Once the City tap and the private service line are complete, one of the following must be done:

• If you are going to stop using your well, an inspection by the City-County Health Department at (316) 268-8351, is required to certify that your well has been plugged.

• If a plumber has separated your well system from the public water supply, you need signed documentation from your plumber stating that there is no cross connection between the two systems.

• If you have separated your well from the public water supply yourself, you must schedule an inspection with the City's backflow prevention specialist at (316) 219-8918.

Meter installation schedules vary. An approximate day should be available when you apply for service.

When will my lawn be cleaned up?

During construction, the Contractor may have stockpiled material in various locations. The Contractor is responsible for cleaning up at the end of construction. Your lawn should be restored to its original condition. If you are not satisfied after construction is complete, contact the City inspector for the project, or call the Engineering Field Office at (316) 268-4027.

Can I set up an automatic payment plan?

You may set up an automatic monthly draft from your checking or savings account. Call Customer Service at (316) 265-1300 for more information or visit E-Z Pay Plan for more information and download an application.

Does this mean that sewer is coming too?

Sanitary sewer projects are not associated with water projects. Sewer projects are started by petition, similar to water projects. To find out if a sewer petition is being circulated, or to request a sewer petition, you may contact the Engineering division of Public Works at (316) 268-4501.

How do I pay for the assessment?

When the project is complete and the final cost is calculated, statements will be mailed to each property owner. At that time, you may either pay cash for the assessment or let it automatically be in the City's next bond sale, spread over 15 years at a relatively low interest rate. The following November, the first assessment will be on your tax statement listed as a special tax and will be due along with your property tax. You may come in at any time during the 15 years to pay off the assessment and save the remaining interest.

What if I can't afford the assessment?

The City has a deferral program for property owners who fall within certain income guidelines. If you qualify, the assessment will be deferred and you will not have to pay the specials. The assessment will stay with the property, however, and will have to be paid by the next owner. Application for deferral is not made until the project is constructed and statements are mailed out. For an application for deferral, call the Debt Management division of Finance at (316) 268-4526.

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