An article appearing in the 11/1/2023 print edition of the Manhattan Mercury contained incorrect information about the Keats Sewer Project. The article claimed the total cost of the project increased to $16,000 and that “the plan is to connect Keats’ sewage to Manhattan’s system.” That information is not accurate.
While connecting Keats to the City of Manhattan Sewer system was previously discussed as one option, it would be much more costly than a non-discharging lagoon and has not been pursued as a feasible solution.
Also, the $16,000 referenced in the article does not represent project or building cost, but rather refers to engineering fees with BG Consultants to perform site visits and analysis.
Additional Information:
- The additional $7,500 in engineering funds allowed BG Consultants to perform site visits, update the preliminary engineering report and opinion of probable costs, and prepare basic renderings of the lagoon layout.
- The original BG Consultants engineering agreement was approved in 2020 for $8,500. All of those funds were expended.
- The amended agreement with BG Consultants was approved in 2023 for an additional $7,500.
- So far, a total of $16,000 has been spent on engineering services.
- Building a non-discharging lagoon will provide the best service and most affordable cost for homeowners in Keats.
- At this time, potential project costs for a non-discharging lagoon are estimated to be $4,146,330.
- The November 16, 2023 public hearing is required because the estimated costs increased 10% or more since the last public hearing held on November 12, 2020.
- So far, no property owners in the area have been willing to sell land to Riley County so the lagoon can be built. Staff and elected officials continue to search for available land.
Staff at The Manhattan Mercury have been notified of their mistake.