By Quinn O’Hara
On April 16, the City of Wakefield was announced as a recipient of a $2,521,440 grant from Kansas Governor Laura Kelly and the Kansas Water Office.
The grant is one of several given to 34 rural communities across the state aimed at funding water related infrastructure updates, repairs, and projects. In a press release, Governor Kelly said, “This investment is vital to the water resources and livelihoods of Kansans in these rural communities.” She further stated that, “by working together, we are making progress on our water crisis while ensuring communities have access to the resources they need to address their pressing water issues.”
In addition to the $2.5 million grant from the KWO, the city also received $476,760 in Water and Sewer CDBG funding for constructing additional wastewater lagoons.
The funds come on the heels of an estimated $2,988,200 wastewater treatment facilities project undertaken by the City of Wakefield due to recent changes to the Kansas Department of Health and Environment’s regulatory requirements.
In a press release on May 8, Wakefield Mayor Leza Chryssovergis said the “grant represents a vital opportunity for the City of Wakefield to enhance its water infrastructure, protect water sources, and provide cleaner, safer water to its residents.” The release further states that, “These initiatives aim to ensure sustainable water services for current residents while minimizing financial burdens for future generations.”
