Wastewater
Responsibilities
The City of Phillipsburg Public Works Department is responsible for providing wastewater collections and treatment for city water customers and industries.
Wastewater Rates
Wastewater rates are based on usage type (commercial, residential, etc.) and the average water usage during the winter months of December, January, and February. Please see Resolution #308 for rates which are effective March 1, 2022.
Wastewater Treatment Plant
About the Plant
The City of Phillipsburg Public Works Department is responsible for the operation of the Wastewater Treatment Plant. The plant is an Aero-Mod activated sludge and clarification system that is operated in 4 stages:
o Preliminary treatment to remove grit and large debris
o Secondary treatment uses biological process to treat wastewater and remove pollutants
o The biological process includes using beneficial bacteria that 'eat' pollutants (microorganisms, compounds, dissolved solids, and other 'bugs')
o Solids removal where digested sludge is removed from the process, dewatered, and dried for disposal
o Solids removal where digested sludge is removed from the process, dewatered, and dried for disposal
o Final treatment where clarified water is treated with UV lighting to disinfect the effluent before being discharge to Deer Creek
Permit
The Phillipsburg Wastewater Treatment Plant operates under Kansas Water Pollution Control Permit No. M-SO31-OO02, issued by the Kansas Department of Health and Environment, and is authorized under National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) to discharge treated wastewater effluent to Deer Creek.
Plant Statistics
Plant Capacity = 0.5 Million Gallons Per Day (MGD)
Daily Average Flow = 342,395 gallons
Backflow Prevention
Overview
The Public Works Department strives to maintain a wastewater collection system that allows private sewer services to convey wastes away from the home without any issues. Unfortunately, there are occasions when blockages occur in the collection system, wither by tree roots, waste, debris, overloading due to storm water inflow, or pipe failure, and the results are a back-up of sewage into a private sewer service and potentially the home.
Tips for Preventing Backflow
Water customers can follow some simple steps to reduce the likelihood of a back-up occurring:
Do not pour cooking grease and oil down your drains.
Do not flush paper products such as paper towels, moist towelettes, handy wipes, disposable towels, diapers, napkins, or feminine products. Products advertised as flushable can still cause sewage back-ups.
Do not assume a garbage disposal can shred kitchen solids (rinds, potato peels, orange peels, eggshells, and bones) to a size that allows for easy conveyance through household plumbing.
All plumbing drains should be fitted with baskets, p-traps, or strainers to catch any type of debris. Inspect them often and clear them regularly.
If a Backflow Occurs
If a backflow occurs during normal business hours (Monday through Friday from 8:00 am to 5:00 pm), call the City Office at (785) 543-5234.
During non-business hours, call the Phillipsburg Water Plant at (785) 543-5023 or (785) 543-1941. If nobody can be reached, please call the Phillips County Sheriff's non-emergency line at (785) 543-6885.
Collection System
Overview
The City of Phillipsburg Public Works Department is responsible for the routine maintenance and repair of over 21 linear miles of gravity-fed sanitary sewer lines and force mains, with 365 manholes, and 4 lift stations. Phillipsburg's wastewater collection is separated from the storm sewer collection system.
The Public Works Department is responsible for cleaning out any blockages within the public collection system in the event of a back-up within the city's wastewater mains. We also perform routine preventative maintenance by cleaning of the wastewater mains.
Illegal Connections
It is illegal to connect sump pumps and gutter downspouts to the wastewater collection system because it may overflow the system causing sewer backups into neighboring homes and add to the cost of sewage treatment.
Household Hazardous Waste
Dispose of household hazardous wastes properly. It is illegal to ever flush household hazardous wastes down drains, toilets, or storm sewers. Treatment plant workers can be injured and wastewater systems can be damaged as a result of improper disposal of hazardous materials.