KC Water To Hold Ribbon Cutting Celebrating New Green Infrastructure Project

From Kansas City Water:

November 4, 2020

KC Water will hold a ribbon cutting Thursday, November 5, 2020 to celebrate two very exciting events: KC Water’s completion of the Central Industrial District (CID)/West Bottoms Green Infrastructure project and the ten year anniversary of KC Water’s Smart Sewer Program.

The CID/ West Bottoms Green Infrastructure Project is a beautiful addition to the West Bottoms area. It is one of the latest Smart Sewer projects designed to keep stormwater out of the combined sewer system. At the event, you will see the changes made to better our environment and improve the area with natural resources. This includes new drainage systems to control stormwater after heavy rains, a boardwalk with native plants and trees, and a permeable paved multi-event space.

WHEN: Thursday, November 5, 2020 at 10 a.m.

WHERE: Liberty Street Green Space location, W. 14th Street and Liberty Street, Kansas City, MO

WHO: Guest Speakers include: Terry Leeds, Director of KC Water, Mayor Quinton Lucas, Council Members Katheryn Shields and Eric Bunch, Members of the Historic West Bottoms Society

There will be booths in the vendor area to showcase the Smart Sewer program, other green infrastructure projects around the city, and the Historic West Bottoms Association.

Kansas City has over 2800 miles of sewer pipes running underneath the city. Some of the pipes that were designed years ago, collect waste water from homes and stormwater. Many of those combined systems cannot handle all of that water which has resulted in broken sewer pipes, water spewing out of manholes and multiple repairs.

In 2010, the City of Kansas City entered into a consent decree with the EPA. KC Water committed to capturing 88% of the combined sewer overflows and eliminating wet weather separate sewer overflows. Thus began the Smart Sewer program. To date, KC Water has completed 448 plus miles of rehabilitated sewer pipes and 45% of the sewer system has been digitally inspected. To see what we’ve done and to track what still to come, please go to www.kcsmartsewer.us/10 .

Due to COVID-19 restrictions, we are asking those who attend to adhere to public health and safety guidelines. The event will be held outside. We are asking people to stay six-feet or more apart and to wear a mask. Attached is a map for parking.

This press release was produced by Kansas City Water. The views expressed here are the author’s own.