The City of Topeka Utilities Department is joining communities across North America in celebrating Drinking Water Week, May 4-10, 2025. This annual observance led by the American Water Works Association (AWWA) serves to highlight the importance of healthy drinking water and recognize the tireless efforts of water professionals who keep it flowing around the clock in our communities.
“Drinking Water Week is a reminder of how essential safe, reliable water is to every part of our lives – from the moment we wake up to the time we turn in for the night. I’m proud of the dedicated professionals in our Utilities Department who work around the clock to ensure our customers have access to clean water every single day,” said Utilities Director Sylvia Davis.
During Drinking Water Week, the City of Topeka will share a behind-the-scenes look at the treatment process, water conservation tips, and messages from water staff and Director Davis on its social media platforms. The City also shared activities and information with local elementary schools to encourage water education for young residents.
“Drinking Water Week is a time to celebrate the incredible journey of our water, from source water to treatments to our taps,” said AWWA CEO David LaFrance. “This year, we invite communities to explore the science and recognize the dedicated professionals behind our water who ensure every drop meets the highest standards of quality and safety.”
The City of Topeka Utilities Department is marking Drinking Water Week by engaging the community in understanding the vital role of clean, safe water in daily life, including its importance for public health and environmental protection.
About Drinking Water Week
For several decades, AWWA and its members have celebrated Drinking Water Week, a unique opportunity for both water professionals and the communities they serve to join together in recognizing the vital role water plays in daily lives. Free materials for download and additional information about Drinking Water Week are available on the Drinking Water Week webpage.
The City of Topeka invites residents to join City Manager Dr. Robert Perez on a bike ride in honor of National Bike Month. “Bike Ride with Your City Manager” will take place on Friday, May 16 at 12:00 p.m. starting at City Hall, 215 SE 7th St. Community members of all ages and skill levels are encouraged to participate in the casual group ride, which aims to promote healthy living, bike-friendly transportation, and civic engagement.
“Bicycling is a great way to connect with our community and enjoy all that Topeka has to offer,” said Dr. Perez. “I’m excited to ride alongside residents and highlight the importance of safe, accessible transportation options for everyone.”
Participants are encouraged to bring their own bikes and helmets. Limited bikes will be available for use by contacting andy@cycleproject.org. City staff and representatives from local biking organizations will be on hand to provide support and information.
National Bike Month, celebrated each May, promotes the many benefits of bicycling and encourages more people to give biking a try. The City of Topeka is proud to support this initiative through events like “Bike with Your City Manager” and continued investment in bike infrastructure and accessibility.
The city supports the Topeka Bikeways Master Plan, which is dedicated to making Topeka a place that encourages its citizens to use this healthy, low impact, and fun form of transportation as a great part of their routine lives. You can learn more about the Topeka Bikeways Master Plan at:
In recognition of Arbor Day, staff from the City of Topeka’s Forestry Division, will plant a tree at the statehouse grounds on Friday, April 25. Arbor Day is an annual holiday dedicated to the planting, care, and preservation of trees, observed on the last Friday of April each year.
“Planting this tree at the Statehouse not only honors the spirit of Arbor Day but also represents our continued commitment to growing a healthier, greener Topeka,” said Travis Tenbrink, Forester at the City of Topeka. “With each Arbor Day planting, we hope to inspire the next generation to care for our environment and beautifying our community.”
On Friday at around 10:00 a.m., staff from the city’s Forestry Department will plant a tree on the south side of the Capitol grounds, weather permitting. Following the tree planting, Governor Laura Kelly will sign a proclamation designating Friday, April 25, 2025, as Kansas Arbor Day. The Governor will be joined by City of Topeka staff, members of the Kansas Arborist Association board, representatives from the Kansas Forest Service, and the winner of the Kansas Arbor Day Poster Contest.
In addition to Arbor Day festivities, the City of Topeka is celebrating its 39th year as a proud member of Tree City USA. This membership underscores the city’s dedication to urban forestry and recognizes the significant role trees play in enhancing our community.
The City of Topeka invites the public to a special ceremony on Monday, May 5 at 5:00 p.m. at the Cyrus K. Holliday parking lot, where members of the USS Topeka namesake committee will present the city with memorabilia from the recently decommissioned USS Topeka submarine. These
historic items will be displayed at City Hall.
The event will include a celebration featuring performances and recognitions:
• The Topeka West High School Band will perform Armed Forces on Parade.
• The Topeka West Color Guard will present the colors, accompanied by a performance from the
Drill Team.
• Mayor Mike Padilla will read a Proclamation recognizing Military Appreciation Month
acknowledging the multiple branches of Armed Forces.
• The mayor will also present certificates of appreciation to high school students who are planning
on entering the military. The Topeka West drill team will also be receiving a certificate of
achievement and a special recognition.
“These events are a powerful reminder of Topeka’s deep respect for those who serve and have served,” said Mayor Mike Padilla. “Whether through honoring the legacy of the USS Topeka or recognizing local students entering the military, our community continues to show its gratitude and commitment.”
Following the City Hall ceremony, community members are encouraged to attend a free concert by the U.S. Air Force Band at 7:30 p.m. at the Topeka Performing Arts Center (TPAC).
The City of Topeka, in partnership with Shawnee County and local organizations, is inviting businesses and organizations to host community input sessions for Empower: Her, a new free violence prevention program for women launching this summer.
Empower:Her focuses on areas with high rates of sexual assault and rape, aiming to empower women, reduce victimization, and enhance safety. To ensure the program meets community needs, we are seeking businesses to host a free one-hour lunch session where representatives from the City of Topeka, Topeka Police Department and Shawnee County Sheriff’s Office Office will present program ideas and gather community feedback. Businesses and organizations interested in hosting an input session can fill out this
form: https://forms.gle/13Nb5mNy9zS2fc69AThe Empower:Her program is being announced as part of Sexual Assault Awareness Month. Sessions will be held throughout May during the lunch hour, with limited spots available. Organizations will be selected based on availability. Applications will close on Friday, April 25. Empower: Her is a collaboration between the City of Topeka’s Office of Inclusive Communities, Topeka Police Department, and Shawnee County Sheriff’s Office.
For questions or to sign up, please reach out to the Director of the Office of Inclusive Communities
Monique Glaudeˊ at 785-368-4470 or mglaude@topeka.org.
Over the coming weeks, City of Topeka staff will present the proposed 2026-2035 Capital Improvement Plan (CIP) to the Governing Body for consideration. Once the Governing Body has considered and ultimately adopted the final CIP book of projects, the CIP will be formalized through a resolution and ordinance.
Public Works Programs and Projects
• 2026 Pavement Management Program: $14M annually for street maintenance
• NW Menninger Rd & N Topeka Blvd: Intersection re-alignment and widening with Shawnee County sharing 35% of the cost
• SW 45th Street (SW Gage Blvd. to SW Cambridge Ave.): Road widening,resurfacing, and shared-use path construction, with different phases over the next few years
Utilities Programs and Projects
• 2026-2030 Water Main Replacement Program: Focuses on upgrading aging water mains
• Menoken Road Tie Back: Flood mitigation project for levee certification, funded by reallocating prior levee repair funds
• SE California Ave. & SE 4th St.: Stormwater improvements to reduce flooding, especially near a local elementary school
| Project Type | 5-Year-Totals |
| Public Works: Non-Street Projects | $ 92,269,763 |
| Public Works: Street Projects | $ 209,390,758 |
| Water Projects | $ 117,684,800 |
| Stormwater Projects | $ 64,171,120 |
| Wastewater Projects | $ 71,930,557 |
| Public Safety Expenditures | $ 29,960,596 |
| Information Technology Expenditures | $ 2,124,000 |
| Totals | $ 587,531,594 |
What is the CIP?
The CIP is a long-term plan that aligns the city’s annual operating and capital improvement budgets with strategic goals and infrastructure needs. It details the funding required for infrastructure projects over several years, including project locations and timelines. The CIP spans 10 years – separate from the annual operating budget – and is funded by sources like sales tax, city funds, and bonds. The first three years are the Capital Improvement Budget (CIB), with the first year focusing on immediate projects and the next two years on preparation. Projects eligible for the CIP must meet certain criteria, including real property acquisition or construction of new facilities costing $50,000 or more. More information can be found at www.topeka.org/finance/capital-improvement-projects/
Since July 2024, Topeka and Shawnee County’s homeless population has decreased by 12 individuals according to the City of Topeka’s January Point in Time Homeless Count released on March 18.
The count took place on January 22, 2025. The one-day event provides a snapshot of the individuals in the community who are experiencing homelessness, as defined by the United States Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD). More than 40 people helped with this January’s count.
According to the count, 534 people and 399 households are experiencing homelessness in Topeka and Shawnee County. Of the 534 individuals, 60% of those are male, 39% are female, .5% identify as transgender, and 151 are unsheltered, or not living in an emergency shelter or transitional housing.
“The point-in-time count provides a valuable opportunity to connect individuals experiencing homelessness with essential services and resources in the community,” said Carrie Higgins, Housing Services Division Director. “We are grateful to all the volunteers and partner agencies who contributed to the count and continue to support efforts to improve our community.”
Below is a chart that breaks down the numbers from the previous four counts. For a detailed look at the Jan. 2025
numbers, Click Here.
| 2020 | 2021 | 2022 | 2023 | Jan. 2024 |
July 2024 |
Jan. 2025 |
|
| People | 401 | 298 | 365 | 412 | 537 | 546 | 534 |
| Households | 306 | 254 | 297 | 322 | 442 | 433 | 399 |
| # of Veteran Households | 40 | 16 | 37 | 25 | 47 | 46 | 49 |
| # of Individuals in an Emergency Shelter |
254 | 155 | 163 | 194 | 276 | 255 | 289 |
| # of Individuals in Transitional Housing |
51 | 38 | 54 | 61 | 58 | 75 | 94 |
| # of Individuals Unsheltered |
68 | 105 | 148 | 157 | 203 | 216 | 151 |
To receive funding for programs, HUD requires communities complete a count each year. The count ensures the
city can obtain the appropriate level of funding to be able to provide needed services to those experiencing
homelessness and those at risk of homelessness.
The City of Topeka is now accepting applications for the 2025 Public Works and Utilities Citizens Academy.
The academy gives Topeka residents an opportunity to learn more about the departments that manage the city’s infrastructure, including water systems, street and building maintenance, and making Capital Improvement Plan (CIP) budget decisions.
“Understanding the complexity of what our Public Works and Utilities crews do – from maintaining safe drinking water to maintaining our streets – helps us appreciate the vital role they play in keeping our community running efficiently,” said Mayor Mike Padilla. “Giving citizens an opportunity to see and hear that firsthand is an important tool in the communication efforts between the city and the citizens that we serve.”
The upcoming citizens’ academy will take place over seven weeks, beginning March 31,
2025. The class is limited to 25 participants. All participants must be at least 18 years old. For more information and to register, visit City of Topeka Public Works and Utilities Citizens Academy.
About City of Topeka Public Works
The City of Topeka’s Public Works Department, nationally recognized through accreditation by the American Public Works Association, strives to meet our current and future needs. A well-run organization consisting of Engineering, Streets, Maintenance, Traffic Signs and Signals, Forestry, Parking, Fleet, and GIS Management ensures public funds are spent on projects and services approved by residents through their local City Council representative.
About City of Topeka Utilities
The Utilities Department is comprised of the Water and Water Pollution Control Utilities and the City of Topeka Customer Service Center. As the producer and distributor of drinking water and manager of all sanitary and stormwater waste in the community, the Utilities Department is integral in the safety of all Topeka citizens