City of Topeka Official Website > Utilities > Culvert Replacement Program

Culvert Replacement Program


The City of Topeka accepts applications to replace old/failing driveway culverts. To be eligible for replacement, the property must be classified as residential and be owner occupied. After an on-site inspection and discussion with a representative from the Water Pollution Control Division, a property owner must purchase the replacement culvert pipe and end sections prior to WPC staff installation, unless homeowner qualifies for financial assistance. The property owner must not have outstanding permit or code violations and no outstanding indebtedness to the City.
Homeowners may qualify to have the City purchase the culvert under the following guidelines:
  • Applicant first must meet all qualifications of the culvert replacement program.
  • Applicant household income must not exceed 80% of the current annual median household income as determined by the US Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) for Topeka.
  • The cost of the culvert would be a deferred mortgage loan recorded against the property to secure the City’s interest in the property.
  • If the property is sold, traded, transferred or refinanced within 5 years, the loan is due in full to the City of Topeka. After 5 years, the City will remove/forgive the lien upon notification by the property owner. • If the cost of the culvert is under $1,000, the work will be done as a grant that does not need to be repaid by a qualified individual.
As of June 1, 2022, the Culvert Replacement Program has been updated to allow funding assistance to income-qualified households. Homeowners may qualify to have the City purchase the culvert pipe and end sections under the following guidelines:
  • Must meet the General Qualifying Criteria as outlined above.
  • In addition, the following criteria must also be met to receive funding assistance:
    •  The residential property must be owner occupied.
    • Applicant household income must not exceed 80% of the current annual median household income as determined by the US Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) for Topeka.
The following shows the maximum household income limits based on family size:
  • 1 Person - $46,350
  • 2 People - $52,950
  • 3 People - $59,550
  • 4 People - $66,150
  • 5 People - $71,450
  • 6 People - $76,750
  • 7 People - $82,050
  • 8+ People - $87,350
If you believe you might qualify based on the standards listed above and/or you would like more information, check the box on the application form and someone will contact you through one of your designated contact methods you have provided on the form.
Funding is limited and is available on a first come, first serve basis. The total number of residential culvert replacements per year will be limited to twenty (20).

To view the Driveway Culvert Policy click here.

Questions? Call 785-368-4337 or email culverts@topeka.org
Application Submission Options
  • Electronic Form
  • Print and deliver a physical copy of the application. You can download the application here.
Post-application Follow-up
All applications will be reviewed and the applicant will be notified. If approved, an inspector will be dispatched to the site to determine the scope of work and estimated costs.