Survey Work and Utility Marking Begins in Keats

(Riley County, KS - August 7, 2024) Residents in the Keats area will begin seeing workers marking utilities and taking topographical survey information this month as part of the Keats Sanitary Sewer Improvements Project. No digging or construction work is scheduled to begin.

Workers may need to access private property, including back yards, during this process. Expect any utility workers for water, power, gas, cable, and fiber companies to be wearing branded clothing and driving company vehicles.

BG Consultants, Inc. of Manhattan will be designing the new sanitary sewer collection system, lift station and wastewater treatment facility. In late August and early September, BG employees will begin surveying clean outs and septic tanks to identify preliminary service line alignment after the utilities are marked. Any employees of BG Consultants, Inc. will be wearing brightly colored, high-visibility branded shirts. If BG Consultant employees need access to areas where pets are kept, they will knock and speak with the resident before proceeding.

"After we get the preliminary alignment figured for the sewer main, manholes, and service lines, we will get coordinated with residents on any concerns," said Samuel Johnson, P.E. Project Engineer with BG Consultants, Inc.

The Keats Community Lagoon project includes a three cell, non-discharging, HDPE lined, wastewater lagoon treatment facility. Existing septic tanks will be pumped and demolished, and all manholes, sewer mains, and service piping will be installed. The lagoon will be a state regulated and permitted project that will be maintained by Riley County.

"Unfortunately, many existing, private wastewater systems in Keats are failing or in danger of failing. After many years of exploring possible solutions, we are excited to see this project begin to take shape. Funding awards from KDHE, the Kansas Water Office, and ARPA are making a solution possible for these residents," explained Amanda Webb, Director of Riley County Planning and Development/Environmental Health.

The Kansas Water Office recently awarded Keats a Technical Assistance Grant to evaluate sites for the new facility. KDHE is investing $2,537,790 to assist Riley County in implementing this project.

Technical assistance for the Keats Sanitary Sewer Improvements Project is funded in whole by the State of Kansas Water Plan Fund. Construction for this project is funded by the Kansas Department of Health and Environment Small Town Water and Sewer Infrastructure Assistance Program and American Rescue Plan Act funds. Any remaining project costs will be added to an annual special property tax assessment for each user in the Keats Sewer Benefit District.

More information about the Keats Sanitary Sewer Improvements Project is available on the Riley County website at: https://www.rileycountyks.gov/2062/Keats-Sanitary-Sewer-Improvements-Projec

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