A steam-electric plant, constructed in 1905, provided energy for Topeka's water facilities and streetlights.

The history of the City of Topeka Water Division dates back to 1855 when a publicly funded well was excavated on the corner of Third Street and Kansas Avenue. This municipal well served Topeka for 25 years. In 1881, a privately managed water system, Topeka Water Supply Co., was contracted to install Topeka’s original municipal water system, which consisted of a pumping station, a large well, 150 fire hydrants and 15 miles of wooden water mains.

Topeka’s first pumping station was built in 1881.

Ownership of Topeka’s first water system changed three times over the next several years until 1905 when the treatment facilities and distribution system were purchased by the city of Topeka for $620,000.

As the city of Topeka grew, the water system also grew in miles of connecting mains, pumping stations, hydrants and services. More important were improvements made to the treatment process, the filtration plant and the reservoir storage to reduce water-borne disease and to improve dependability of water service.

Currently,the City of Topeka Water Division has property and equipment valued at more than $142,000,000, and has nearly 155,000 customers in Shawnee County and the surrounding area.

In 1905, Topeka’s first intake was constructed on the Kansas River. Photo shows workers laying the river intake main.

For a complete overview of Topeka's water history, read the History of Water on the Development of Topeka.