By BECKY KISER
Hays Post

The 17-month, $28.4 million project to rebuild and upgrade the Hays wastewater treatment plant is complete.

Hays city commissioners will hear a final report during their meeting Thursday. Earlier in the day they’ll tour the reconstructed facility at 755 General Custer along with Kansas Department of Health and Environment representatives.

Work on the plant, formally known as Chetolah Creek Water Reclamation and Reuse Facility, began in May 2017 in order to meet future effluent requirements mandated by KDHE and the EPA.

Throughout the project, representatives of HDR Engineers, the city’s owner’s representative, has presented regular progress updates to the commission.

In other business, Jesse Rohr, public works director, will discuss the Ellis County floodplain remapping project.

The Kansas Division of Water Resources (DWR) and FEMA began the project in February, 2018, to update the 1986 maps currently in use.

According to Rohr the new Flood Insurance Rate Maps (FIRMs) are expected to be at least 10 times more accurate and will utilize digital tools when evaluating properties for flooding risk.

Draft maps will be available for public feedback during an open house  2 p.m. to 7 p.m. Nov. 6 at Sternberg Museum.

After approval, the final floodplain maps are scheduled to become effective by the summer of 2021.

The complete Oct. 10 agenda is available here. The meeting starts at 6:30 p.m. in Hays City Hall, 1507 Main.