Due to recent weather conditions creating countless potholes on city streets, Public Works Director Braxton Copley has declared a temporary emergency for pothole patching. All City of Topeka Street Department crews will focus their time and efforts on pothole repairs beginning January 30, 2024.
“We understand that drivers are frustrated and we are going to do our best to get potholes temporarily patched as quickly as possible,” Copley said.
All Street Department staff, including members of the night crew, will be working overtime to patch potholes throughout the city this week. Staff will re-evaluate the situation Friday and continue working overtime hours at full staff next week, if necessary.
Crews will begin patching emergency, arterial, and collector routes first, as those roadways see the most traffic. Once those routes are complete, patching units will move into residential areas. SeeClickFix ticket submissions will also be used to help identify which residential areas crews may respond to first.
During the winter months, crews use a cold mix asphalt to fill potholes. Patches made with cold mix material are expected to be temporary, designed as a stop-gap measure to keep our streets serviceable. When the weather warms, city crews are able to use a hot mix asphalt to make longer-lasting repairs.
The City of Topeka is proud to announce that its Department of Administrative and Financial Service has received the Certificate of Achievement for the 2022 Annual Comprehensive Financial Report (ACFR) from the Government Finance Officers Association (GFOA).
An ACFR is a set of financial statements for a state, municipality or other governmental organization that comply with the accounting requirements. This set of documents communicates the full scope of the city’s audited financial results of the 2022 fiscal year.
Finance staff completes a 6-month long process that involves hundreds of staff hours to deliver this report to our constituents and the Topeka City Council. The city’s Finance team has received the ACFR award for the last 9 years.
Acting Chief Financial Officer Rachelle Matthews had this to say about the achievement, “I am extremely proud of the finance and accounting staff across the city for their hard work and dedication to this process. This is truly a team effort and without their diligence, we could not provide this level of detail and transparency for our citizens.”
Learn more about the Government Finance Officers Association here: https://www.gfoa.org/about.
The City of Topeka is preparing to kick off the 2024 project season as part of the city’s continued efforts to improve our infrastructure.
Construction season typically starts in March or April, and runs through November, depending on weather. The city’s Public Works and Utilities departments work collaboratively on these projects, when applicable.
Many of the scheduled projects for 2024 are mill and overlay, with some full-depth patching as needed. Exceptions include SW Huntoon St. and those slated for Ultrathin Bonded Asphalt Surface (UBAS). UBAS is thicker and more robust than microsurfacing and is a better choice for arterial roads.
The following highlighted Public Works projects are slated for 2024:
- NE River Road – Mill and overlay with full-depth patching as needed
- SW Topeka Blvd. from SW 21st St. to SW 29th St. -– Mill and overlay with full-depth patching as needed
- Hi-Crest Neighborhood (Phase II) – Mill and overlay with full-depth patching as needed
- SW Roosevelt from SW 6th Ave. to SW 8th Ave. – Mill and overlay with full-depth patching as needed
- SW Huntoon St. from SW Gage Blvd. to SW Van Buren St. – Preliminary design concept only
- UBAS – SW 6th Ave. from SW MacVicar Ave. to SE Monroe St.
- SE Monroe St. from SE 6th Ave. to SE 10th Ave.
- SE Madison St. from SE 6th Ave. to SE 10th Ave.
Funding for the city’s Public Works projects are primarily supported through the citywide half-cent sales tax.
For more information about these projects, please visit https://www.topeka.org/publicworks/.
As of January 18, 2024, at 11:30 a.m., the Kansas Department of Health and Environment (KDHE) has lifted the Boil Water Advisory for all City of Topeka water customers, as stated here: https://www.kdhe.ks.gov/CivicAlerts.aspx?AID=971.
Per KDHE guidance, additional flushing of water lines is recommended to ensure fresh water to every customer. This flushing includes everyday water use activities like doing laundry or dishes, as well as taking a shower or flushing toilets, equating to 10-15 minutes of water usage. If you have not been using water as normal, you may also flush lines by running indoor water faucets for 10-15 minutes. We advise all city water customers to visit https://www.kdhe.ks.gov/waterdisruption for more information on flushing interior plumbing. Once you have flushed your water lines, you do not need to continue flushing and may continue regular water use and consumption.
We understand the inconvenience this Advisory has been to residents and businesses, and very much appreciate your patience as city staff have been working diligently to resolve this matter. We have received a lot of feedback from the community, and are always working to improve our service to the citizens of Topeka. Your safety is always our priority.
Additionally, we want to recognize the hard work of city personnel, especially in the Utilities Department. Because of the work of Utilities staff and the partnership between the city and KDHE, the sampling process was completed ahead of schedule, resulting in the Advisory lift today instead of our anticipated date of Friday, January 19.
The City of Topeka is preparing to host the annual Point in Time Homeless Count. The count will take place on Thursday, January 25, 2024 from 6 a.m. to 7 p.m. Approximately 35 employees and volunteers will work that day to count those who are experiencing homelessness in Topeka.
To receive funding for programs, the United States Department of Housing and Urban Development (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 for homelessness.
“The Point in Time Homeless Count pulls together resources from across the community to ensure we have the data and information needed to best serve those who are homeless in Topeka,” said Carrie Higgins, Division Director of Housing Services for the City of Topeka. “While this annual count is separate from the city’s ongoing Homeless Initiative, the information gathered in the count will be invaluable to the group’s work. We look forward to and appreciate everyone’s participation on January 25 to ensure we get everyone counted.”
The information gathered will help Topeka to understand the face of homelessness within the community, make sure services are meeting the needs of homeless population, raise public awareness about the issues surrounding homelessness, and measure community progress towards preventing and ending homelessness.
In order to ensure everyone is counted, the city asks anyone who is homeless – or knows someone who is – to call 785-368-0168 between 6 a.m. and 7 p.m. on January 25. Interviewers will also be available that day at the city’s Holliday Building, which is located at 620 SE Madison St.
In addition to the count, city staff and partners will be offering resources to individuals, including assistance available through the Equity.Access.Shelter. (E.A.S.) program.
TOPEKA, Kan. — While the City of Topeka remains under a Boil Water Advisory, Utilities staff are asking all water customers, who are able, to start flushing water through their water supply systems in an effort to help ensure that the fresh water makes its way to every customer.
Flushing a system varies based on the size of a building. Generally, customers should turn on all indoor faucets in their home or business for 10-15 minutes to flush approximately 40 gallons of water through their system. Due to outdoor weather conditions, consider using only indoor faucets like sinks, tubs, toilets and other washing appliances. Regular water use habits, like taking a shower or doing laundry are also effective methods of flushing. For homes or businesses with larger water heaters, flush for an additional 10-15 minutes.
Additional guidance on flushing procedures are laid out by the Kansas Department of Health and Environment (KDHE) here: https://www.kdhe.ks.gov/…/Flushing-Interior-Plumbing…
Due to the amount of time the sampling process takes, we are still anticipating that Friday, January 19 is the earliest that KDHE could consider lifting the advisory.
What can I do/not do during a Boil Water Advisory?
The KDHE and CDC both have guidance regarding a boil water advisory. Some questions you can find answers to in the below links include:
• What if I have a water filtration system?
• How do I safely wash my hands or brush my teeth during the advisory?
• Can I wash dishes or do laundry?
KDHE: https://www.kdhe.ks.gov/DocumentCenter/View/2599/Boil-WaterAdvisory-Consumer-Information-PDF
If you still have additional questions, please contact KDHE at 785-296-5514.
I am a Rural Water District (RWD) customer, how do I know if I’m affected?
If you are a Rural Water District customer, please contact your district directly to find out if you are under the advisory. If you’re unsure which RWD you are in, please visit: https://krwa.net/ONLINE-RESOURCES/RWD-Maps/Shawnee
What should I do if I think I consumed possibly contaminated water?
If you believe you consumed possibly contaminated water, please contact your primary care physician for guidance.
When will the Boil Water Advisory be lifted?
The Boil Water Advisory is anticipated to be in effect until at least Friday, January 19, 2024.
Why will it take so long to lift the advisory?
We need to allow time for the fresh water to flush the system before we begin the sampling process. We have several data stations around the city, and we are monitoring those to verify that the fresh water is making its way through the distribution system. Once we are confident that has happened, we will begin our sampling regimen. With more than 60 million gallons of water flowing throughout our system, it will take time to flush that out.
What caused this issue?
Low water in the river causes strain on the system for a variety of reasons, such as an increase in turbidity. When combined with extremely low temperatures, it puts even more strain on the system, the pipes and equipment. After going through the entire system, staff discovered a broken PVC gas pipe on our chlorine gas system. We expect it cracked due to the extreme cold temperatures.
Does the Boil Water Advisory apply to pets?
The same precautions should be taken for pets as they are humans. Boil water or use bottled water for pets.
Will the city be providing any bottled water assistance?
Currently, we are not planning for any bottled water assistance. We want to clarify that we do not have a shortage of water in our distribution system. We are simply asking consumers to boil water as a precaution prior to drinking or food preparation.
I own a restaurant or food establishment; how does this impact me?
Restaurants and other food establishments that have questions about the impact of the boil water advisory on their business can contact the Kansas Department of Agriculture’s food safety & lodging program at kda.fsl@ks.gov or call 785- 5646767.
¿Qué puedo hacer o que no puedo hacer durante un aviso de hervir el agua?
Tanto KDHE como la CDC cuentan con orientación sobre un aviso de agua hervir el agua. Algunas preguntas a las que puede encontrar respuestas en los siguientes enlaces incluyen:
• ¿Qué sucede si tengo un sistema de filtración de agua?
• ¿Cómo me lavo las manos o me cepillo los dientes de forma segura durante el aviso?
• ¿Puedo lavar los platos o lavar la ropa?
KDHE: https://www.kdhe.ks.gov/DocumentCenter/View/2599/Boil-WaterAdvisory-Consumer-Information-PDF
CDC: https://www.cdc.gov/healthywater/emergency/drinking/drinking-wateradvisories/boil-water-advisory.html
Si aún tiene preguntas adicionales, comuníquese con KDHE al 785-296-5514.
Soy cliente del distrito de agua rural (RWD), ¿cómo sé si estoy afectado?
Si usted es cliente del distrito de agua rural, comuníquese directamente con su distrito para averiguar si está bajo el aviso. Si no está seguro de en qué distrito de agua rural se encuentra, visite: https://krwa.net/ONLINE-RESOURCES/RWDMaps/Shawnee
¿Qué debo hacer si creo que consumí agua posiblemente contaminada?
Si cree que consumió agua posiblemente contaminada, póngase en contacto con su médico de atención primaria para obtener orientación.
¿Cuándo se levantará el aviso de hervir el agua?
Se anticipa que el aviso de hervir el agua esté en efecto hasta al menos el viernes 19 de enero de 2024.
¿Por qué tardará tanto en levantar el aviso?
Tenemos que dejar tiempo para que el agua fresca lave el sistema antes de comenzar el proceso de muestreo. Tenemos varias estaciones de datos alrededor de la ciudad y las estamos monitoreando para verificar que el agua esté fluyendo a través del sistema de distribución. Una vez que estemos seguros de que haya sucedido, comenzaremos nuestro régimen de muestreo. Con más de 60 millones de galones de agua fluyendo por todo nuestro sistema, se necesitará tiempo para eliminarlo.
¿Qué causó este problema?
Los bajos niveles de agua en el río causa tensión en el sistema por diversos motivos, como un aumento de la turbidez. Cuando se combina con temperaturas extremadamente bajas, pone aún más tensión en el sistema, las tuberías y el equipo. Después de pasar por todo el sistema, el personal descubrió una tubería de gas de PVC rota en nuestro sistema de gas de cloro. Creemos que se haya agrietado debido a las temperaturas extremadamente frías.
¿Se aplica el aviso de hervir el agua a las mascotas?
Se deben tomar las mismas precauciones para las mascotas que para los seres humanos. Hierva agua o use agua embotellada para mascotas.
¿Proporcionará la ciudad ayuda con el agua embotellada?
Actualmente, no estamos planificando ninguna asistencia con agua embotellada. Queremos aclarar que no tenemos escasez de agua en nuestro sistema de distribución. Simplemente pedimos a los consumidores que hiervan el agua como medida de precaución antes de beber o preparar alimentos.
Soy dueño de un restaurante o establecimiento de comida; ¿cómo me afecta esto?
Los restaurantes y otros establecimientos de alimentos que tengan preguntas sobre el impacto del aviso de hervir el agua en sus negocios pueden comunicarse con el programa de seguridad alimentaria y alojamiento del Departamento de Agricultura de Kansas en kda.fsl@ks.gov o llamar al 785- 564-6767.
TOPEKA, Kan. – City of Topeka Utilities staff have completed necessary repairs at the Water Treatment Plant and are working to begin distributing fresh water through the system. At this time, it seems the issue was most likely caused as a result of the recent extreme cold temperatures. Due to the large water volume that was impacted, it will take some time to ensure that we have safe drinking water throughout our distribution system. We will allow adequate time before we begin sampling procedures to ensure accurate test results for the Kansas Department of Health and Environment (KDHE). The boil advisory currently remains in effect and will be until KDHE verifies our water meets their standards. The city will alert customers once the advisory has been lifted by KDHE. The city will continue to update as we can and appreciates the community’s patience while we work to resolve this matter.
For more information on what to do during a boil advisory, please visit: https://www.kdhe.ks.gov/468/Consumer-Information-Regarding-a-Disrupt or call KDHE at 785-296-5514.
TOPEKA, Kan. – The City of Topeka has issued a precautionary Boil Water Advisory for customers in Topeka and Shawnee County. Customers should observe the following precautions until further notice:
• If your tap water appears dirty, flush the water lines by letting the water run until it clears.
• Boil water for one minute prior to drinking or food preparation or use bottled water.
• Dispose of ice cubes and do not use ice from a household automatic icemaker.
• Disinfect dishes and other food contact surfaces by immersion for at least one minute in clean tap water that contains one teaspoon of unscented household bleach per gallon of water.
• Water used for bathing does not generally need to be boiled. Supervision of children is necessary while bathing so that water is not ingested. Persons with cuts or severe rashes may wish to consult their physicians.
City of Topeka officials issued the advisory as a precaution after discovering chlorine residual levels at the water treatment plant did not meet the minimum standard required by regulation. Low water levels and extreme weather have stressed the City’s water system and out of range chemical doses may put the system at risk for bacterial contamination. City staff is currently working to resolve the issue. The advisory will remain in effect until further notice and residents will be notified once it is lifted. The City will provide further updates as they become available and will provide an update at 5 p.m. today. For consumer questions, please contact the City of Topeka at citycommunications@topeka.org, or KDHE at 785-296-5514. For consumer information please visit KDHE’s PWS Consumer Information webpage: https://www.kdhe.ks.gov/468/Consumer-Information-Regarding-a-Disrupt?utm_medium=email&utm_source=govdelivery
Restaurants and other food establishments that have questions about the impact of the boil water advisory on their business can contact the Kansas Department of Agriculture’s food safety & lodging program at kda.fsl@ks.gov or call 785-564-6767.