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Connecting to Wichita Sewer Lines
| There's a sewer line being built along my property. Will I have to hook up? |
You or your neighborhood has petitioned the City to build a sewer line. Unlike a water line, you are required to hook up to a sewer line and pay the connection fee. You will also be assessed for your share of the construction of the sewer line. For more information on the petition process, call the Engineering division of Public Works at (316) 268-4501.
After construction is complete and the Contractor has cleared the job site, the City Engineer's Office will release the new sewer line for public use. You may begin connecting at this time.
| How do I start the connection process? |
To start the connection process, the plumbing in your house must be inspected to see if it meets City code. To arrange an inspection time, call the plumbing section of the Office of Central Inspection at (316) 268-4471. The best time to call is between 7:30 and 8:30 AM.
| Is there a connection fee? |
To connect to the new sewer main, you will need to pay a Sewer Plant Equity Fee. The Sewer Plant Equity Fee is based on the size of water service to the property. Typically, this fee is $1350 for a residential property. This fee is used to fund future projects required by the new demand placed on the sewer system by adding customers.
You may pay cash or check in person or by mail. Credit cards are currently accepted in person only. Call Customer Service at (316) 265-1300 for mailing information or answers to questions about paying the connection fee.
| Can I spread out the cost of the connection fee? |
The Sewer Plant Equity Fee is due at the time of connection, and cannot be spread over 15 years. It can be deferred, however, if you qualify. Deferral is discussed in the last section of this pamphlet.
| Who installs the private service line? |
You will need to hire a sewer contractor to install the private service line from your house to the City sewer. A list of contractors may be found under "Sewer Contractors" in the yellow pages. It is suggested that you obtain three or four bids before hiring a contractor.
| What permits are required? |
Your sewer contractor will obtain a permit from the Office of Central Inspection after you have had your plumbing inspected and paid the Sewer Plant Equity Fee. Your contractor must also have his/her work inspected before the private line is covered up. Your contractor should make these arrangements.
| What do I do with my septic tank? |
Your septic tank must be properly abandoned. This may be done by either your sewer contractor as part of his/her bid, or you may do it yourself, in which case, you will need to notify the City-County Health Department at (316) 268-8351 for verification.
| How much will sewer service cost? |
The residential sewer charge is directly related to your average winter City water usage. The cost per thousand gallons of water usage is set annually and listed in the Municipal Code 16.14.040. Higher usage rates will result in higher monthly charges. Properties outside the city limits pay an additional 59% for sewer service. If you are not connected to City water, a flat rate sewer fee applies.
| Can I set up an automatic payment plan? |
You may set up an automatic monthly draft from your checking or savings account. Call Customer Service at (316) 265-1300 for more information or visit E-Z Pay Plan for more information and to download the online application.
| Does this mean that City water is coming too? |
Water main projects are not associated with sewer projects. Water projects are started by petition, similar to sewer projects. To find out if a water petition is being circulated, or to request a water petition, you may contact the Engineering division of Public Works at (316) 268-4501.
| How do I pay for the assessment? |
When the project is complete and the final cost is calculated, statements will be mailed to each property owner. At that time, you may either pay cash for the assessment or let it automatically be in the City's next bond sale, spread over 15 years at a relatively low interest rate.
The following November, the first assessment will be on your tax statement listed as a special tax and will be due along with your property tax. You may come in at any time during the 15 years to pay off the assessment and save the remaining interest.
| What if I can't afford the assessment? |
The City has a deferral program for property owners who fall within certain income guidelines. If you qualify, the assessment will be deferred and you will not have to pay the specials. The assessment will stay with the property, however, and will have to be paid by the next owner. Application for deferral is not made until the project is constructed and statements are mailed out. For an application for deferral, call the Debt Management division of Finance at (316) 268-4526.
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