KC Water

The public meeting was held to discuss the 31st and Broadway Sewer Separation Project undertaken by KC Water. The project aims to inform the public and answer questions regarding the sewer separation, which involves installing a second set of pipes to separate the combined system into wastewater and stormwater lines. This separation is intended to reduce water flows from the 31st and Broadway neighborhood to Penn Valley Park, addressing issues like sewer overflows, aging systems, and capacity constraints. The project also includes replacing water mains, rehabbing sewers, and adding permeable pavers to improve stormwater collection and water quality in local streams and Penn Valley Lake.

The meeting includes a presentation by Matt O'Malley, the chief sustainability officer for Vicinity Energy, about electrifying and decarbonizing their system. The discussion covers the evolution of district energy systems, the benefits of CHP (Combined Heat and Power), and the company's commitment to Net Zero carbon emissions by 2050. They also discuss the implementation of electric boilers, heat pump technology, and thermal storage to achieve these goals.

The budget hearing included a presentation of the fiscal year 2021 budget proposal, which totals approximately $1.7 billion. Key aspects of the budget include public safety, zero fare transit, street sweeping, street maintenance, and water/sewer rate increases. The budget also includes funding for a new animal shelter, recycling services, and the Convention Center Hotel. Capital improvements will address neighborhood programs and street resurfacing. Public safety initiatives involve increased funding for the police and fire departments. The City Council will review the budget, with opportunities for public input through community meetings and online platforms like the open budget platform and Balancing Act.

The Kansas City Council declared May 7-13, 2017 as Drinking Water Week, recognizing the importance of providing safe, healthy, and reliable water to the city and the greater metropolitan area. The council discussed the quality of the city's water, the extensive testing it undergoes, and its affordability. There was also discussion of the challenges some residents face in affording water bills, and the council's efforts to address this issue through negotiations with the EPA. The council also addressed concerns about raw sewage entering the Missouri River from upstream, emphasizing that the city's water department ensures the water is safe and of high quality.

The 2014 Strategic Business Plan for Kansas City Water Services outlines a comprehensive approach to ensure the availability and quality of water, wastewater, and stormwater services for the region. The plan prioritizes developing and maintaining the workforce, managing and investing in infrastructure, improving customer service and confidence, enhancing operational excellence, assuring financial stability, prioritizing safety, and increasing efficiency. The overarching vision is to transform into a professional, data-driven, customer-focused utility, providing high-quality services for current and future generations.