In Wichita, you will find low-cost, high-reliability utilities

Electricity Provider: Westar Energy

Generation Mix: Coal 41%, Natural Gas-Fuel Oil 7%, Nuclear 22%, Renewables (Wind-etc) 30%
Available Generation Capacity: About 7,000 Megawatts
Reserves: Approximately 24% of Capacity
Reliability: 99.974% – Outages generally occur in residential (non-business) areas

Large commercial-industrial rates are generally in the 6 to 8 cent per kWh range. It is not necessary to qualify for economic development incentives to obtain such a rate. Providing more specific rate estimates requires information such as total kWh consumption, load factor (8 vs. 24 hour per day operation for example) and determination of equipment ownership (rate often lower if customer owns transformers, etc.)

Natural Gas

Large volume natural gas customers purchasing open market commodity gas can obtain transportation (delivery) rates in the range of $0.06 to $0.08 per Therm ($0.59 to $0.78 per MCF or MM BTU.) According to the U.S. Energy Information Administration, Kansas had the 6th lowest industrial natural gas total delivered cost among the 50 states in 2017 at $4.16 per MCF (MM BTU.) The range of costs among the states was $3.15 to $19.62, with a national average of $4.10 -- so Kansas is very competitive.

Two providers service the Wichita metro area:

Provider Rates: Kansas Gas Service
Provider Rates: Black Hills Energy

Water

Provider: Wichita Water & Sewer 
Principal Sources: Cheney Reservoir and Equus Beds Aquifer 
Reserves: Aquifer Storage and Recovery (ASR) Program is expected to extend reserves to 2050.

 Water Plant

 

Maximum Capacity

160 mgd 

Average Consumption

54.6 mgd 

Peak Demand 

118 mgd 

Storage Capacity 

50 mg

Detailed Water Rates-2019

Detailed Sewer Rates-2019

Consumer Confidence Report-2018

ASR Artificial Recharge Process

Sewer Plant

 

Preliminary/Primary/Secondary (trickling filter and activated sludge / UV disinfection)

Capacity

59.4 mgd*

Average daily flow

36.9 mgd*

(*mgd - million gallons per day)

Water Rate Summary

Retail Volume Charge (per 1,000 gallons.) AWC – Average Winter Consumption

Inside City Limits

 

Through to 110% AWC

$2.31

111% through 310% AWC / Fire

$8.05

Above 310% AWC

$11.78

Outside City Limits

 

Through to 110% AWC

$3.70

111% through 310% AWC

$12.89

Above 310% AWC

$18.86

Note: Using well water and/or impounded runoff water for grounds maintenance could help maintain fairly level demand and lower rates. However using runoff water in this manner has no bearing on the Storm Water Utility fee (see below – applies inside Wichita city limits only.)

Monthly Meter Charge - Varies by line diameter

 

12" Water Line (Inside City)

$193.03

12" Water Line (Outside City)

$309.02

Sewer Rate Summary

Assumption – No extra-strength (pollutant) charges

Volume Charge (per 1,000 gallons of metered water consumption)

Inside City Limits

$3.86

Outside City Limits

$6.18

Monthly Meter Charge - Varies by water meter size

12" Sewer Line (Inside City)

$528.83

12" Sewer Line (Outside City)

$846.12

 

Fire Protection

Wichita’s fire water system is separate and isolated from the domestic water system. Charges are based on availability (not usage.) Charge varies by line diameter.

Fire Protection -- Flat Monthly Charges

 

12” Fire Line (Inside City)

$71.05 / month

12” Fire Line (Outside City)

$113.69 / month

ISO Fire Protection Class

 

Inside Wichita City Limit

1

Other Sedgwick County Cities

Varies (2,3,4,6)

Rural Sedgwick CountyVaries (5,10)