City Clarifies Water Quality Relief Policy, Initial Test Will Not Count Toward Eligibility
The City of Salina has updated its water quality relief policy to clarify how many tests residents must undergo before they can qualify for assistance.
The city acknowledged the previous version of the policy left ambiguity over whether the required testing meant samples from three different locations at a property or testing conducted on three separate occasions.
Under the clarification, a resident’s initial scheduled water-quality test will not count as one of the tests used to determine eligibility for relief.
Instead, the initial test is intended to establish a baseline for the property’s water quality and collect data that can help the city identify areas most in need of water-main repair or replacement.
Residents who have already completed that initial test are being asked to contact the city at 785-309-5735 while they are actively experiencing water-quality problems. City employees can then collect samples while discoloration or other issues are occurring.
It is those subsequent field tests that will be used to determine whether a resident qualifies for relief. The revised policy also leaves open the possibility that additional testing beyond three tests could be required.
How the Program Works
Salina created the temporary relief program following complaints from residents about discolored water, sediment and staining.
The program can provide qualifying residents with up to $750 toward an in-home water filtration system while the city works on longer-term infrastructure improvements.
The city previously said qualifying properties must demonstrate water-quality problems through field testing and that the problem must be attributable to the public water system rather than primarily to plumbing within the home.
State testing has not identified violations of federal health-based drinking-water standards, although residents have continued to report discoloration and other aesthetic water-quality problems.
Water Mains Remain Part of Larger Discussion
The clarification comes as Salina considers significantly increasing the pace of water-main replacement.
During a City Commission study session scheduled for Monday, staff will present several long-term replacement options. The staff-preferred option calls for a 15% water-rate increase in 2027, followed by proposed increases of 10% in 2028, 9% in 2029, 9% in 2030 and 8% in 2031.
Salina311 previously reported that approximately 13.06 miles of water main have been replaced since 2021, while replacement costs have increased substantially.
For residents currently experiencing water discoloration, the important change is that simply completing the city’s initial scheduled test does not begin satisfying the testing requirement for relief. Residents must contact the city when the problem is actively occurring so subsequent field tests can be conducted.
