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Great Bend Today
By the People, for the People
Great Bend Wastewater Plant Faces $20M in Upgrades
Aging infrastructure and new environmental regulations require major renovations to the city's treatment facility.
Apr. 8, 2026 at 2:09pm
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A new study by engineering firm JEO Consulting Group has found that Great Bend's Wastewater Treatment Plant requires over $20 million in upgrades and renovations to address aging equipment, meet modern environmental standards, and serve the city's projected needs through 2045. The plant, which was built in 1954 and last underwent major upgrades in the 1980s and 1990s, is struggling to keep up with evolving wastewater treatment requirements.
Why it matters
The proposed upgrades are necessary to ensure the plant can continue operating safely and in compliance with environmental regulations. However, the high price tag will likely lead to significant increases in sewer bills for Great Bend residents if the city cannot secure grants or low-interest loans to offset the costs.
The details
The JEO study identified $20.3 million in Priority 1 improvements, including replacing the plant's headworks at a cost of $9.24 million. Other Priority 1 projects include upgrading the aeration system, clarifiers, and sludge handling equipment. If all recommended Priority 1, 2, and 3 improvements are adopted, the total probable capital cost would be $26.7 million. Financing these upgrades over 30 years without additional funding sources would result in a monthly sewer bill increase of $19.96 per customer.
- The Great Bend Wastewater Treatment Plant was built in 1954.
- The plant underwent major upgrades in 1981 and 1997.
- The JEO study was completed in 2025 to assess the plant's infrastructure and future needs.
The players
JEO Consulting Group Inc.
An engineering firm that conducted the 2025 study on Great Bend's Wastewater Treatment Plant and provided recommendations for $20 million in upgrades.
Roger Protzman, PE
An engineer with JEO Consulting Group who presented the study's findings to the Great Bend City Council.
Michael Schultes, PE
An engineer with JEO Consulting Group who also attended the City Council presentation on the wastewater plant study.
City of Great Bend
The owner and operator of the Wastewater Treatment Plant that must now determine how to fund the necessary $20 million in upgrades.
What they’re saying
“The debate begins on how much money should we put into something that's old versus starting over.”
— Roger Protzman, Engineer, JEO Consulting Group
What’s next
The Great Bend City Council will need to decide how to finance the wastewater plant upgrades, which could include pursuing grants, low-interest loans, or a potential sales tax increase to offset the projected $20 million price tag and avoid significant hikes in sewer bills for residents.
The takeaway
Great Bend's aging wastewater treatment infrastructure has reached a critical juncture, requiring major investments to modernize the facility and meet evolving environmental regulations. The high cost of these upgrades will be a significant challenge for the city, underscoring the broader issue of aging water systems nationwide that many municipalities are grappling with.
