FAQs

What is blue-green algae and is it a problem in El Dorado Lake?: Algae taste and odor are usually not a problem in El Dorado for two reasons. First, we have very clean, good quality source water in El Dorado Lake with low nutrient levels. Excessive nutrients lead to algae blooms. Second, to combat any possible unpleasant tastes and odors associated with algal blooms we have multiple barriers in place to absorb and remove these unwelcome qualities continuously to produce the best tasting water possible.

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Public Utilities

1. How does the city treat our drinking water?: Although El Dorado’s source water is of very high quality, extensive treatment is still needed to meet strict quality standards for drinking water. The El Dorado Water Treatment Plant is a traditional treatment facility, meaning the raw water undergoes disinfection, flocculation, sedimentation, and lastly filtration. Using a host of time tested mechanisms, we have been delivering a quality award winning product for over 80 years.

2. Where does the city get its water?: El Dorado Reservoir is an 8,400-acre lake with a storage capacity of over 50 billion gallons. This amount of storage should allow the city to draw 22 million gallons per day even in what is classified as a 50-year drought. Water from the lake is transported through large mains to the water treatment plant.

3. What is blue-green algae and is it a problem in El Dorado Lake?: Algae taste and odor are usually not a problem in El Dorado for two reasons. First, we have very clean, good quality source water in El Dorado Lake with low nutrient levels. Excessive nutrients lead to algae blooms. Second, to combat any possible unpleasant tastes and odors associated with algal blooms we have multiple barriers in place to absorb and remove these unwelcome qualities continuously to produce the best tasting water possible.

4. What is the quality of our drinking water?: The superior quality of El Dorado Water Treatment Facility’s drinking water is the result of a combination of the proper operation of a multistage treatment facility and a laboratory that performs 2,500 monthly tests on samples taken during the treatment process and throughout the 129 miles of distribution system piping. El Dorado currently has 5 personnel that hold a Class IV Water Operator’s license, the state’s highest certification level. Water quality is monitored 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. Chemical dosages are scrutinized daily and sophisticated instrumentation keeps a close watch on water quality. Click here El Dorado Consumer Confidence Report to see the most recent CCR or request a hard copy by calling the Water Department at 316-321-9100.

5. How do I figure out my water, sewer, trash bill, how much water did I use?: /

6. How do I identify a city employee?: The City of El Dorado employees are issued city IDs. If you are unsure whether the person at your door is a City of El Dorado employee ask to see their city ID or ask for their full name and then the name of their supervisor. All city supervisors are listed on this website by department. We encourage you to call if your are unsure of the identity of someone claiming to be a city employee.

7. Why is there a chlorine smell in my water?: The Kansas Department of Health and Environment recommends all cities switch from chloramines to free chlorine for a short period each year to thoroughly disinfect the distribution system. The type of chlorine normally in the water, chloramines, has no chlorine taste or odor, which most people prefer, but it is not as powerful a disinfectant as free chlorine. Most people will notice the change in the taste while we perform this recommended switch for a short period each year.

8. Is my water fluoridated?: Yes. Most water sources have naturally occurring Fluoride, including El Dorado lake, which has about 0.20 ppm of Fluoride. The Kansas Department of Health and Environment recommends a dosage of no more than 0.7 ppm, so we add another 0.30 ppm to the 0.20 naturally occurring for a total concentration of 0.50 ppm. El Dorado has been fluoridating water since the 1950's.

9. Why did I receive a backflow prevention letter?: In accordance with regulations set forth by the Environmental Protection Agency and the Kansas Department of Health and Environment, the Public Utilities Department implemented a Cross-Connection Backflow Prevention Program many years ago to help safeguard the citizens of El Dorado against backflow and back siphonage. This program requires backflow assemblies on any connection to city water where there is a potential for contamination. These potential hazards include but are not limited too irrigation systems, fire suppression systems, boilers, medical equipment, chemical mixing vessels and many more, if you have a question as to weather or not your application needs an assembly please call (316)-322-4443 or a plumbing professional . You can help protect our water by making sure your outside faucets are protected with an atmospheric vacuum breaker as well. In most homes built after 1990, the outside faucets have built-in atmospheric vacuum breakers. But for those without, we have a limited supply of atmospheric vacuum breakers available free of charge at the water treatment plant. Please contact us for more information at (316)-322-4443.

10. How do I report a leak or sewer backup?: We operate 24/7, with personnel on-duty or on-call. To report a water leak at your house, please call City Hall at 316-321-9100 from 7:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday-Thursday and 7:30 a.m. to noon Fridays. To report a water main leak or sewer backup, please call the Utilities Department at 316-322-4448 from 7 a.m. to 3 p.m. Monday-Friday. To report any water or sewer issues after hours, call our on-call personnel at 316-323-4987 or 316-323-4997. We will check the city sewer first, at no expense to the customer, to assist in the elimination of the problem.