The decision moves the city into a new phase that includes a small-scale “potable reuse” pilot—designed to test whether advanced purification of treated wastewater could work as a potential future drinking-water source.

What Council approved on July 7

In its July 7 meeting recap, the City lists “Contract Amendment and Funding for Water Reuse Alternatives Study” as an item approved 7/0.

Plain-English: what “potable reuse” means in Wichita’s plan

Wichita’s Water Reuse Master Plan distinguishes non-potable reuse from potable reuse, describing potable reuse as using advanced treatment to create a new, safe and reliable drinking-water supply after purification and routine testing for drinking-water standards.

The plan also lays out the difference between direct vs. indirect potable reuse—terms that describe how purified water would be used in relation to the drinking-water plant and environmental systems.

The pilot’s purpose: test and monitor advanced purification

Wichita’s Water Reuse Fact Sheet says the first step of the pilot includes constructing a small-scale pilot facility and then testing and monitoring the purified water to ensure federal and state drinking-water standards are met.

Critically for residents: the fact sheet states the purified water produced for the pilot facility will not be introduced into the public drinking-water supply while it is being tested and monitored against standards.

Money basics: consultant contract, pilot costs, and CIP funding

Local reporting tied to the July 7 action reported the following planning figures:

• $1,188,095 original contract amount
• $742,253 contract amendment
• $1,930,348 total contract
• $7 million estimated cost to construct and operate the small-scale pilot plant
• $8,930,348 total estimated project cost
• $8 million proposed to be initiated in 2026–2035 capital improvement program funds
• $9.2 million revised project budget (with additional funds beyond the consultant’s scope for city project management and public engagement)

In other words: this is still a planning and funding-structure step for a pilot and next design work, not an immediate change to what Wichita households receive.

What happens next

Reporting around the vote points to follow-on work that would be needed before any broader move toward potable reuse implementation—such as:

• Coordination with the Kansas Department of Health and Environment (KDHE) on pilot plan approval
• Applying for potential Bureau of Reclamation Title XVI grant support
• Continuing downstream water-rights confirmation work with Kansas agencies
• Ongoing public engagement and stakeholder structures tied to the pilot site

Bottom line for residents

Now: Wichita is commissioning a pilot focused on testing and monitoring advanced purification performance.

Not now: the City fact sheet says the pilot-produced purified water is not introduced into the public drinking-water supply during testing while standards are verified.

If the pilot supports the next stage of planning, Wichita’s longer-term work would evaluate how direct or indirect potable reuse options could be pursued under applicable regulatory requirements.

Sources

• City of Wichita News Flash: July 7 City Council Meeting Recap (includes “Contract Amendment and Funding for Water Reuse Alternatives Study” approved 7/0)
• KWCH (local TV): Wichita City Council approves next phase of Water Reuse Master Plan
• CDC: Recycled Water for Drinking — An Overview

The pilot is designed to test advanced purification of treated wastewater as a potential future direct and/or indirect potable reuse</strong option. City leaders say the goal is to build drought-resilient water supply options over the long run.

What Council approved

According to KWCH and city materials, the council action approves Contract Amendment No. 1 with CDM Smith and moves forward with initiation of the pilot project. KWCH reports an original contract amount of $1,188,095, with the amendment adding $742,253 for a total contract of $1,930,348.

KWCH also reports the city estimates the cost to construct and operate the small-scale pilot plant at $7 million, for a total estimated project cost of $8,930,348. City documents say the pilot could be funded through future revenue bonds or water utility cash reserves.

What the pilot is meant to test (and what it isn’t)

The city’s water reuse fact sheet describes the first step as building a small-scale pilot facility intended to mimic full-scale infrastructure and generate monitoring/performance data.

Here’s the key limitation for residents: the fact sheet says the pilot-produced, purified water will be continuously tested and monitored and will meet federal and state drinking-water standards during testing—but it will not be introduced into the public drinking-water supply while the pilot is underway.

Why Wichita is pursuing potable reuse planning

Wichita’s Water Reuse Master Plan frames the work as part of creating new, reliable water supplies to provide resilience during drought conditions. City materials also point to drought impacts in 2024 that lowered water levels at Cheney Reservoir and the Equus aquifer bed.

Next steps and the late-2027 expectation

KWCH reports city staff outlined next steps that include working with the Kansas Department of Health and Environment (KDHE) on pilot plan approval, applying for potential U.S. Bureau of Reclamation Title XVI grant funding, and continuing coordination with the Kansas Division of Water Resources on downstream water rights—along with ongoing public engagement.

City staff also told KWCH the small-scale potable water reuse plant should be up and running by late 2027. But even after that, a pilot is not the same thing as a finalized decision to change how drinking water is produced—additional regulatory reviews and permitting would come before any reuse beyond the test phase.

What residents should watch next

Look for updates as the city moves from this council action into the next stage: KDHE pilot plan approval, any draft permits/requirements tied to the pilot, grant/funding announcements, and opportunities for public input before any future potable reuse decisions are made.

Sources

• Wichita City Council final agenda (July 7, 2026) — Water Reuse Alternatives Study contract amendment item
• KWCH — Wichita City Council approves next phase of Water Reuse Master Plan