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Every attempt has been made to provide current, accurate, and consistent data in this database. There may be some differences due to sources, methodologies, or timing of data-assembly.

Kansas possesses a built-in advantage over other states when it comes to meeting your energy needs. With one of the largest natural gas fields in the world, Kansas is a national natural gas exporter. Our statewide power costs are typically competitive with the national average. Contact Dawn Wright at 785.234.2644.

Electric

Gas

Telecommunications

Water, Wastewater and Stormwater Utilities

Competitive and Uninterrupted Electric Power

Kansas' competitive electricity rates are partially attributable to our close proximity to the low-sulfur coal fields of Wyoming, resulting in low transportation costs. The majority of electric power generated in Kansas comes from such coal.

A modern generation and distribution network also keeps Kansas' electric rates competitive. Within the state, three investor-owned companies produce just over one-half of the electric power. The remainder is supplied by three out-of-state investor-owned companies, two in-state investor-owned cooperatives, and 64 municipal systems. Sixty of the 64 municipal systems interconnect with investor-owned systems. A support network of 30 cooperatives and 119 municipalities enhances generating capacity and distribution.

This system connects with a multi-state power distribution grid, including most of the electric systems east of the Rocky Mountains. Kansas has not experienced a major power shortage in the past 15 years. However, should one occur, the reserve power capacity of the three major investor-owned companies alone far exceeds the national generating capacity standard.

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World-Class Supplier of Natural Gas

Kansas benefits from one of the world's largest deposits of natural gas, a resource that translates into easy access and excellent prices for natural gas consumers. The Hugoton Gas Field in southwest Kansas covers over 4,800 square miles, supplies over 90 percent of all natural gas produced in the state, and contributes to Kansas' ranking as the seventh-largest natural gas producer with 456,132 billion cubic feet of natural gas production marketed in 2002. Kansas' proven natural gas reserves, 5,682 trillion cubic feet, are also among the nation's highest.

During 2003, Kansas natural gas companies and municipal gas systems supplied the state's 95,935 industrial and commercial users with over 130 billion cubic feet of product. Two major pipelines, operated by Southern Star Natural Gas Company and Northern Natural Gas Company, transport over 50 percent of that consumption and connect with a wide distribution network. In the areas not served by distributors, direct hook-ups from transmission lines can accommodate most businesses. In addition, municipal distribution lines may be able to use existing taps and transport gas to larger customers at a lower cost.

Kansas Deregulation

A national movement is afoot for deregulation of the retail electric and gas utility industry. In an effort to lower utility prices, many states across the country now offer their citizens "retail choice," or the opportunity to select an energy supply company. Although the retail electricity market remains regulated, Kansas has enacted incentives to encourage the construction of "merchant power plants" -- facilities that generate electricity for sale to retail providers.

Other options, such as the development of renewable energy, are supported by Kansas leaders interested in maintaining a healthy and competitive energy market.

Kansas Telecommunications

SONET-based fiber optic service, as well as Frame Relay, ISDN, ATM, ADSL, Ethernet, MPLS, VOIP, IP-based services and VPN.  High-speed Internet, Broadband and wireless Broadband access are common throughout the greater Topeka area. Digital, wireless and long-distance services are provided by a number of major and regional carriers. Kansas enjoys one of the most sophisticated and reasonably priced telecommunications systems in the nation, thanks to our state-of-the-art technology and the competitive advantage of our central location. In order to maintain this leading-edge position, well over $200 million is being invested annually in new technologies and related infrastructure development.

Connectivity Advantage

Topeka has the infrastructure today for the business of tomorrow. Look around Topeka and you'll notice our central geographic location, availability of land, excellent highway, rail and air systems, and the accessibility and reliability of power. Look under Topeka and find more fiber optics per square mile than New York or San Francisco.

Topeka is wired for business and enjoys one of the most sophisticated and reasonably priced telecommunications systems in the nation. We are an access point host for four leading carriers and three regional long line carriers. SONET-based fiber optic service, as well as Frame Relay, ISDN, ATM, ADSL, Ethernet, MPLS, VOIP, IP-based services and VPN.  High-speed Internet, Broadband and wireless Broadband access are common throughout the greater Topeka area. Digital, wireless and long-distance services are provided by a number of major and regional carriers.

Service Providers:

The following members of the Greater Topeka Chamber of Commerce provide telecommunication services:

Water, Wastewater and Stormwater

The following services are supplied by the City of Topeka.

Water

The Public Works Water Division supplies water to over 57,000 retail and wholesale accounts in and around Topeka, as well as several rural water districts in Northeast Kansas. Over 165,000 people are served water daily from the Topeka Water Treatment Plant. Water is supplied from the Kansas River and highly drought tolerant through purchased water storage in surrounding lakes. Water from the Kansas River is processed in one of three treatment systems with a combined pumping capacity of 63 mgd. The average daily use is 25 mgd with a peak demand to date of 45 mgd.

Wastewater/Stormwater

The Water Pollution Control Division operates and maintains three city owned waste treatment plants: The Oakland Wastewater Treatment Plant, the North Topeka Wastewater Treatment Plant and the Sherwood Wastewater Treatment PLant. The wastewater treatment plants have the combined capacity to treat, on the average, 17 million gallons of wastewater daily (average dry weather flow). Associated with the wastewater treatment plants are over 78 pump stations, 13,000 manholes and 880 miles of sewers.

In addition, the Division operates and maintains the storm-water system. The Division is responsible for the operation and maintenance of approximately 250 miles of storm sewer lines within the City of Topeka, 250 miles of storm sewers, 35 miles of channels, and 22 miles of river levees within the City of Topeka.

City of Topeka Rates and Application Process

The water, wastewater, stormwater, and refuse utilities are supported through user fees. Stormwater rates are based on the square feet of hard surface. For water, wastewater and refuse rates or service, call the City of Topeka Call Center at 785.368.3111 or go to Topeka Water Rates. For an application for new service go to Topeka Water Application for City of Topeka Utility Services. 

City of Topeka Water Rates- Commercial and Industrial

Inside city limits- First 1500 gallons is $15.00, each 1000 gallons after is $2.25

Outside city limits- First 1500 gallons is $26.00, each 1000 gallons after is $6.70

City of Topeka Sewer Rates-Commercial and Industrial

The volume shall be based on the lesser of water volumes determined in accordance with Topeka Municipal Code, or actual metered sewer discharges. Credit shall be given for those metered flows which do not enter the sewer collection system. Those customers who discharge wastewater with a biological oxygen demand in excess of 300 milligrams per liter and/or suspended solids in excess of 300 milligrams per liter will be assessed the excess strength charge in accordance with the schedule of rates and charges in this subsection.

Schedule of Rates and Charges

Inside city (per 1,000 gallons):
Domestic strength wastewater:  
First 1,500 gallons (minimum) $14.85
Over 1,500 gallons, per Mgal $3.86
Excess strength charges (a):  
BOD, per mg/l per Mgal $0.002161
Suspended solids, per mg/l per Mgal $0.001371
Outside city:
Domestic strength wastewater:  
First 1,500 gallons (minimum) $26.00
Over 1,500 gallons, per Mgal $6.75
Excess strength charges (a):  
BOD, per mg/l per Mgal $0.003782
Suspended solids, per mg/l per Mgal $0.002399

Standard Classification Charges

(a) For the purpose of calculating wastewater service charges, the minimum standard classification charge shall be based upon the average strength of domestic wastewater, and for this purpose the average strength of domestic wastewater is hereby defined as containing not more than the following:

  • Four hundred mg/l chemical oxygen demand (COD)
  • Three hundred mg/l biochemical oxygen demand (BOD)
  • Fifty mg/l oil and grease (O&G) (animal or vegetable origin)
  • Ten mg/l phosphorous (P)
  • Thirty mg/l Kjeldahl nitrogen
  • Seven hundred mg/l total solids (TS)
  • Additional elements of wastewater strength as may be deemed necessary by the director.

(b) Any person desiring to discharge wastewater to the city sewage collection system having a concentration greater than 300 mg/l suspended solids or 300 mg/l biochemical oxygen demand shall receive written permission from the director before allowing such discharge.

Treatment of liquid waste – Setting of rate.

The superintendent shall have the authority to accept liquid waste for treatment at the plant and to establish the rate for treatment of any class of liquid waste. The superintendent shall take certain factors into consideration in setting the rates for treatment of liquid waste including, but not limited to, surcharge rate, documented waste strength, special treatment requirements, special handling and administrative costs. Nothing contained herein shall limit the superintendent’s ability to refuse to accept any liquid waste for treatment.

Special treatment conditions.

Any stronger sewage or sewage objectionable because of interference with the normal biological treatment processes of the plant is subject to acceptance by the superintendent upon terms worked out between the city and the proposed customer seeking an outlet for strong sewage wastes.

Special metering conditions.

(a) Whenever, due to unusual conditions, the amount of water consumed and the amount of wastewater generated are significantly different, the owners of any property served by the wastewater collection system may make application to the water pollution control division to have their wastewater service charge calculated on the basis of wastewater generated in lieu of the volume of water consumed. This amount must be determined by one of the following methods:

  1. Actual measurement of the wastewater discharged to the city sewer.
  2. Measurement by a water meter of the water consumed that is discharged to the sanitary sewer.
  3. Measurement by water meter of the water consumed that is not ultimately discharged to the sanitary sewer. The wastewater service charge shall then be based on the difference between the total water consumed and the amount not discharged to the sanitary sewer.

(b) Water that is used in a single-pass air conditioning cooling tower (no recirculation of cooling water) may be discharged to the storm sewer system. All water used in this method and disposed of in the storm sewer may be deducted from the water consumed to obtain a volume on which to charge wastewater service charges.

(c) Water that is used in a recirculating type air conditioning cooling tower may be deducted from the water consumed; provided, that the amount of blow-down discharged to the sanitary sewer is measured or reasonably estimated and is not deducted from the water consumption, to determine the wastewater service charge.

(d) All costs associated with the installation and maintenance of metering facilities shall be the responsibility of the customer desiring the adjustment. Responsibility for obtaining and reporting monthly or bimonthly meter readings, on a form supplied by the water pollution control division, will be the responsibility of the customer. Failure to report meter readings will be justification for eliminating the credit for water consumed but not discharged to the sanitary sewer.

(e) The water pollution control division will make an annual inspection of each metering facility to determine its suitability and the correctness of the meter reading.
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