For Immediate Release:

 McPherson Board of Public Utilities Breaks Ground on their new Water Treatment Plant

August 27th, 2024

Contact: Kasi Morales, BPU Key Accounts/Marketing Manager, 620-245-2521

On August 27th 2024 The McPherson Board of Public Utilities marked the completion of their collection of projects known as the South Well Field Project (SWF) with a ribbon cutting ceremony at the new water treatment facility. Over seventy people attended the event, including Kansas Senator Rick Wilborn and a representative from US Senator Marshall’s office.

Addressing the attendees were Josh Bedel, BPU General Manager, BPU Project Manager, Chris Unruh, McPherson Mayor Tom Brown, Daniel Clement, Senior Hydrogeologist at Burns & McDonnell, Senator Rick Wilborn, and Tom Saffel, President of Prairie Land Works. Their comments spoke to the tremendous talent from all parties involved in the project, specifically the BPU employees who dedicated countless hours to the completion of this project.  Comments also reiterated the impact this project will make not only to the residents of McPherson but to all those outside of McPherson who rely on the Equus Beds Aquifer for their water supply and subsequently the profound economic impact the project will have on McPherson’s continued ability to recruit residents, businesses, and industry.

“This is a momentous day as we celebrate the completion of a project that will have long lasting impact on sustainability in McPherson and its surrounding areas. Although the project physically began a little over a year ago, the vision started back in 2011 when BPU secured the land to start perfecting the water rights. Many years were dedicated to making sure this project was done the correct way” stated BPU General Manager Josh Bedel before passing the microphone to other presenters.

Mayor Tom Brown congratulated McPherson Board of Public Utilities, “ I would like to congratulate the McPherson Board of Public Utilities and all its employees for their time and dedication to a project that will continue to benefit McPherson for many years.  These expressions of commendation also extend to the previous General Manager, Tim Maier, for having the vision to pursue this project”

“McPherson has been fortunate to have experienced tremendous growth over the years. The McPherson Board of Public Utilities has been a significant factor in that success. They did this by not only thinking about what is good for McPherson today but also what McPherson will need tomorrow. This project is another example of their forward-thinking approach and will undoubtedly have more projects of this impact in the future as the city continues to flourish” stated Senator Rick Wilborn.

Project Manager, Chris Unruh acknowledged the many people and organizations that made the  timely completion of the project possible including BPU’s own dedicated craftsman.  “The unique nature of BPU’s ability to self-perform a number of different crafts, provides unparalleled ownership in every step of this utility’s growth, and has been a longstanding staple in our approach to providing the citizens of McPherson a vested interest in the value of our service. BPU team members consistently bring a commitment to excellence and an attention to detail that ensures a model of sustainability in every project we do”

 

Before ceremony concluded Bedel revealed a plaque dedicated to the former General Manager, Tim Maier, which will be displayed in the new facility with the dedication written, “For his leadership and ability to translate a vision into a reality by providing the community of Mcpherson with a sustainable water source for future generations.”

With the commissioning of the water treatment plant, water from the South Well Field will begin to flow into the BPU distribution system. 

 

SWF Project Background

McPherson’s Challenge:

Due to its industrial growth over the years McPherson has been and continues to be a driver in employment in the region and State thanks to the fifty-plus manufacturers that call McPherson home. Although the growth has been a blessing, it also presents a challenge to the Equus Beds region of the High Plains Aquifer, McPherson’s water source, which has been on the decline for many decades, so much so that the State of Kansas though the Division of Water Resources established the Intensive Groundwater Use Control Area (IGUCA) in 1980 to restrict additional water right development due to the declining aquifer levels. The IGUCA affects a 56-square-mile area around McPherson and includes BPU’s existing wellfield. A Kansas Geological Survey determined the safe yield of the IGUCA to be 10,000 AFY, with actual current demand averaging 12,000 AFY.

Solution:

Water, being essential for human and animal consumption, agriculture, industry, and recreation, is a critical driver of sustained human occupancy and economic growth. Faced with the reality of a declining water supply McPherson Stakeholders acted. Knowing that water scarcity would squelch future economic growth, leadership at the McPherson BPU vetted out several water sources to determine which would provide the best long-term solution. Ultimately, water rights were secured in an area south of McPherson. That area is now referred to as the South Well Field (SWF) and is in a sustainable portion of the Equus Beds region of the High Plains Aquifer, approximately 18 miles south of McPherson. After securing the water rights, the Utility spent years working with engineers and consultants to develop a design and plan to apply those rights for beneficial use. The SWF Project is a collection of projects which involves developing three new public water supply wells, installing approximately 20 miles of a new 20” water transmission piping, and a new water treatment facility.

 

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