Completed in January 2024, the Middle Blue River Area 13 Inflow and Infiltration (I/I) Reduction project is a $6.5 million investment to restore the aging separate sewer system infrastructure in the Waldo Area. KC Water was assisted by its program manager, Burns & McDonnell; its design professional, Jacobs Engineering Group; and its construction contractor, Infrastructure Solutions.

The project rehabilitated approximately 33,830 linear feet of sewer main and 304 manholes in the Waldo neighborhood to like-new conditions. The result is improved capacity of the wastewater collection system, and reduced volume of sewer overflows into local creeks, streams, and rivers.

The Middle Blue River Area 13 I/I Reduction project is one of more than 100 projects being implemented by the Smart Sewer program, as required by Kansas City’s Consent Decree with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. This project was completed on time and on budget and exemplifies successful inflow and infiltration reduction.

Restoring our Separate Sewer System

This area of Kansas City is served by a separate sewer system that captures rainwater and wastewater into separate pipes. One pipe carries wastewater to a treatment plant and the other pipe takes stormwater directly to waterways. Leaky pipe joints, broken pipes, broken manholes, and illicit pipe connections can lead to infiltration and inflow of rainwater into the wastewater system, overwhelming its capacity and causing sewer overflows and backups into homes and the environment. For this project, like many others throughout the city, the Smart Sewer program identified sources where stormwater was entering the wastewater system and took steps to repair, rehabilitate, and replace necessary infrastructure components.

Focused Public Engagement

In the years leading up to this project, the affected neighborhoods and office complexes had experienced never-ending utility and public works construction. Knowing these frustrations, the Smart Sewer public outreach team deployed a proactive approach to keep residents and stakeholders informed throughout the duration of the project.

Prior to the start of construction, stakeholders including schools, community groups, and businesses were notified about the project by phone and email. A public meeting was then held in October 2022 to share project details and plans, introduce the project team, and present the schedule. Attendees and stakeholders who opted to share their contact information received ongoing communications and detailed overviews of scheduled and completed work. This allowed community groups and concerned residents direct access to the project team so the team could address questions and concerns as they arose.

Celebrating a Successful Project Delivery

On October 24, 2024, the Middle Blue River Area 13 I/I Reduction project team received a Sustainability Award from the Kansas City Industrial Council and Bridging the Gap for their dedication to improving water quality. Each year, the Sustainability Awards recognizes businesses and local organizations for embracing sustainable thinking and helping to create a more resilient Kansas City. Learn more about the Sustainability Awards.