City of Bentley entering Stage 1 of water conservation plan

WICHITA, Kan. (KSNW) — The City of Bentley is entering Stage 1 of its water conservation plan.

Bentley City Administrator Tim Bryan said the town is one of the few communities to purchase raw water from the City of Wichita.

Wichita is planning for Stage 2 status and has been in Stage 1 since January 2023. Gary Janzen, the director of Wichita Public Works and Utilities, said Tuesday that projections indicate Wichita will reach Stage 2 criteria by Aug. 1. If the Wichita city manager issues a public declaration of Stage 2, residents will only be allowed to water lawns one day a week.

The City of Bentley said Stage 1 is a voluntary effort and focuses on education and water-saving tips.

“We want to be responsible partners with Wichita, and good stewards of this finite resource,” Bryan said in a news release.

Bentley is asking homeowners to repair plumbing leaks to reduce water loss and prevent higher water bills. They’re also asking to make efficient use of indoor water, like washing full loads of laundry, taking shorter showers and not letting faucets run.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KSN-TV.