LEAWOOD, Kan. -- Johnson County isn't wasting any more time on a project that's been in the works for more than a decade.
On Thursday, the county's wastewater department broke ground on a project to expand the Tomahawk Creek Treatment Facility located at 10701 Lee Boulevard in Leawood.
The facility currently sends 60 percent of the water to Kansas City to be treated. That costs the county and customers $16 million every year.
With the expansion of the facility, the county will be able to treat all of the wastewater and possibly lower rates.
"Saving this money will help us continue to optimize what the rates are for our customers," said Susan Pekarek, General Manager of Johnson County Wastewater.
The $335 million expansion project is expected to be complete by the end of 2021.
Johnson County Wastewater hired consultants to study alternatives for the treatment facility over the next 25 years. The consultant’s findings indicated that a new treatment facility to treat all flows provides the most cost-effective, long-term solution for ratepayers. Upgrades will improve water quality using the latest, proven technologies and preserve the high quality of life enjoyed by county residents.
More information, including road and trail closures, is available here.
