Water that has been used for residential or industrial purposes and goes down a drain enters the city’s gravity-fed wastewater collection system, which contains 200 miles of sewer main pipes, over 700 manholes for access, and 6 lift stations.
Lift stations, which are spread throughout the city, pump wastewater from a lower elevation to a higher elevation, so it can flow with gravity toward the Wastewater Treatment Plant out on Orange Street.
The Kansas Department of Health and Environment (KDHE) regulates the operation of the WWTP and ensures it operates safely and effectively.
The City of Baldwin City operates and maintains it’s own wastewater treatment plant. The wastewater treatment plant reduces or eliminates trash, ammonia and harmful pathogens from entering the environment. Once the wastewater is treated, it is discharged as clear water.
If you have a sewer backup, smell sewer outside of a building/home, or want to speak with someone about wastewater treatment, please call the Public Utilities Building at 785-594-6907. You may also email Steve Gorden at sgorden@baldwincity.gov.
To help keep Baldwin City’s wastewater system from clogging up, causing time-sucking maintenance, don’t allow the following items to be flushed or go down drains:
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