WICHITA, Kan. (KWCH) - The Wichita City Council received a presentation on Tuesday on potential water rate increases, with both options under consideration exceeding projections made last year.

The Department of Public Works recommended Option One, which would increase rates by 6.23% in 2026. The rate increase is projected to jump above 7% in 2027 when Wichita loses two large wholesale customers: Derby and Valley Center. The two communities are building their own water treatment plants.

Option Two presents a larger increase next year to help offset a higher increase in 2027.

Impact on customer bills

For the 90 percent of Wichita water customers in the low-volume category, the average monthly bill this year has been about $62.

Under Option One, bills would increase by around $3.67 next

See Full Page