Frequently Asked Questions

Your bill is based on something called a Winter Monthly Average (WMA). The WMA is a standard for wastewater billing that is based on your water usage during the winter, and it is updated every year.

The reason why your bill is based on water usage during the winter is simple. Many households use more water in the spring, summer, and fall than they do during the winter. And that makes sense. During the warmer months, water is often used outside of the house on things like grass, gardens, or filling pools for kids to play in on hot days.

Water that is used outside of the house does not enter the sewer system, so you shouldn’t be charged for it.

Welcome to KCK! We’re glad to have you here! Because you’re new here, you don’t yet have a Winter Monthly Average (WMA). The WMA is a standard for wastewater billing that is based on your water usage during the winter, and it is updated every year.

Because you do not have a WMA yet, you are assigned a default rate based on an industry standard that assumes one person will use between 100 and 200 gallons of water per day. City Code sets the default daily use at 125 gallons per day, roughly 3,740 gallons per month for a residential account.

As a new resident, you are encouraged to contact Water Pollution Control after receiving at least four months of bills to evaluate your WMA. If you use less water than the default, a customer service specialist can adjust your WMA accordingly. To contact us, dial 3-1-1 and ask to speak with Water Pollution Control about your WMA.

In Kansas City, Kansas, water use is measured in centum cubic feet or CCF. 1 CCF is equal to 748 gallons. If your household uses 3,740 gallons in a month, your wastewater bill will show a use of 5 CCF.

Your wastewater bill has two important parts. The first is a fixed service amount, and the second is an amount based on your water consumption during winter.

The fixed service amount is $22.39 per account. The water consumption amount is $5.06 per centum cubic feet or CCF. 1 CCF is 748 gallons of water.

If you use 3,740 gallons of water in April, your wastewater bill would be $47.69. Here’s an example of how this amount is calculated:

• 3,740 / 748 = 5 CCF
• 5 CCF * $5.06 = $25.30
• $25.30 $22.39 = $47.69

Your sewer bill is based on your water usage amount. Using less water in your home will reduce your bill. Some examples of how to save water include:

• Take shorter showers
• Turn off the water while brushing your teeth
• Fix running toilets and leaking faucets

You can also capture rainwater and use it to water your yard or garden. Learn more about rain barrels and participate in Public Works' Stormwater Quality cost-share program.

To speak to someone about your wastewater or stormwater charge, call 913-573-5311.

For all other inquiries about your utility bill, contact the Kansas City Board of Public Utilities by dialing 913-573-9190.

There are only three things that should ever be flushed down your toilet: pee, poop, and toilet paper. Flushing anything besides the three P’s can clog pipes and jam pumps resulting in costly repairs. Never put any of these items down your toilet or drain:

• Unused drugs/medications
• Disposable diapers
• Fats, grease, oils
• Condoms
• Tampons and sanitary napkins
• “Flushable” wipes
• Paper towels
• Car fluids/chemicals
• Coffee grounds
• Eggshells
• Paint

When in doubt, do not flush, use the trash can. To learn more about how you can properly dispose of some hazardous items including paint and other chemicals, visit the Solid Waste Management webpage.

Sewer backups occur when sewer lines become blocked, or when subsurface water comes up through the drainage system in your home.

There are multiple things you can do to help prevent sewer backups. Most importantly, remember that there are only three things that should be flushed down the toilet: pee, poop, and toilet paper. Flushing anything besides the three P’s can clog pipes and jam pumps resulting in costly repairs.

When in doubt, do not flush, use the trash can. To learn more about how you can properly dispose of some hazardous items including paint and other chemicals, visit the Solid Waste Management webpage.

Inspect Your Property
Sometimes, the sewer pipes between your home and the city's main sewer line become damaged. This can be caused by old or worn pipes inside the house, or by tree roots growing through pipes on your property. Inspect the pipes on your property for damage on a regular basis to help prevent surprise sewer backups. Avoid planting treets and bushes near the sewer pipes on your property.

Watch What You Put Down the Drain
A primary cause of sewer backups is items that shouldn't be flushed making their way into pipes. Never flush things like:

• Fats, oils, and grease
• Diapers, paper towels, and wet wipes
• Eggshells, coffee grounds, and fibrous vegetables
• Car fluids, chemicals, and other hazardous waste

Protect Your Property 
As a homeowner, you own and are responsible for the interior plumbing and exterior sewer/septic service line from your house to the public sewer main connection. These pipes will remain your responsibility for any necessary maintenance and repair. These repairs can be costly, so to help residents, the UG partners with HomeServe USA to offer home repair plans to protect you from the expense and inconvenience of sewer line emergencies. To learn more about this optional service, visit the HomeServe USA website.

Sounds coming from your plumbing system, including burping, hissing, and gurgling, happen because of the movement of air. The cause is usually a pressure imbalance caused by flowing water, which pushes air in front of it and leaves a vacuum behind.

Vents in your system are supposed to prevent this, so hearing these kinds of sounds could mean something needs to be fixed. It may also mean WPC is performing maintenance on the sewers near your house. If this is happening to you, seek professional assistance.

Sewer gas is a byproduct of natural human waste. When that waste begins to break down it releases gases that include hydrogen sulfide, ammonia, carbon dioxide, and methane. With this combination of chemicals, sewer gas has a very distinct odor. Typically, it gives off a sulfuric-type odor that smells similar to rotting food.

There are multiple reasons why you might detect these odors in your home; pipes could be leaking or cracked, a vent can become blocked, or drains clogged. Drains can also dry out. If you smell unusual odors in your home, first try running water down drains that are not frequently used.

If this does not resolve the odor issue, seek professional assistance.

The Unified Government also partners with HomeServe USA, a customer-focused company providing best-in-class emergency repair plans. With low-cost repair plans from HomeServe, you can get access to a 24/7 hotline where you can schedule a repair for your home’s plumbing system and all covered repairs are guaranteed for one year. For more information, visit the HomeServe USA website.

Call the UG’s Call Center. Available 24/7, the call center will connect you with the services you need and allow you to report the problem. Just dial 3-1-1 or call 913-573-5311.

Call the Unified Government’s Call Center. Available 24/7, the call center will connect you with the services you need and allow you to report the problem. Just dial 3-1-1 or call 913-573-5311. You can also submit a 311 report via the myWyco App.

Rain barrels capture water that drains from your roof and holds it for later use on lawns, gardens, or indoor plants. Collecting roof runoff in rain barrels diverts water away from your house and can cut down on your water consumption – saving you money!

Learn more about rain barrels, how to build your own, or to participate in the UG's water quality cost-share program, visit Public Works' Stormwater Management webpage.

A rain garden is a landscaped area, designed to collect rainwater in low lying areas. Arranging a garden of native plants help filter water and reduce the amount of water that ends up in our sewer system.

Learn more about creating your own rain garden or how to participate in Public Works' stormwater quality cost-share program, here.

The water cycle is the continuous movement of water within earth and the atmosphere.

The water cycle includes:

• Evaporation: The Sun heats up the water from oceans, lakes, rivers, and water changes into water vapor.
• Transpiration: Plants also lose water in the form of water vapor from their leaves into the air.
• Condensation: As the water vapor rises up into the air, it starts cooling down and forms tiny water droplets. These water droplets come together to form clouds.
• Precipitation: When the clouds start getting heavy and cannot hold the water droplets anymore, they fall back to the earth in the form of rain, hail or snow.
• Collection: Some of the water that falls on the earth seeps into the ground. This water is available to us in the form of groundwater. The remaining water falls back into oceans, lakes, rivers and seas.

More Water Cycle Resources for Kids:

• Science Kids
• Kid Friendly Map of Water Cycle
• The Water Cycle from National Geographic Kids Magazine

Check out this video to learn more about how wastewater is treated:

Yes, plant tours are available to groups. To schedule one, call 3-1-1 and ask to speak with Water Pollution Control.