Public Utilities

The City of Ellinwood provides Electric, Water, Trash, and Sewer.

Cash, Check, Money Order, ACH Bank Draft, and Credit/Debit cards (a $1.50 convenience fee for charges from $0 to $50.00 or a 2.95% convenience fee for charges from $50.01 and above will apply that will show up as a separate charge on your bank/card statement) are accepted payment forms.

Payment Locations:

Walk-in office hours are Monday through Friday, 7:00 am to 4:00 pm.  Drive-up facilities are available for your convenience during office hours on the east side of the building.  Payment may be deposited after hours in the night depository located to the right of the front entrance to the city office.

Due Dates

Payment for a utility service is due upon receipt and past due 16 days from the billing date. A 6% late penalty is charged for payments received after 4:00 pm on the 16th of the month.  Payment reminder/shutoff notices are mailed on the 17th or 18th stating the amount due and disconnect date. Payments are due by 10:00 a.m. on the disconnect date printed on the payment reminder/shutoff notice.

Once services are disconnected, the following reconnect schedule applies:
1st  Time Disconnect/Reconnect Charge    $45.00
2nd Time Disconnect/Reconnect Charge    $70.00
3rd  Time Disconnect/Reconnect Charge  $120.00

Reconnect schedule after hours is as follows:
1st Time Disconnect/Reconnect Charge     $75.00
2nd Time Disconnect/Reconnect Charge: $100.00
3rd Time Disconnect/Reconnect Charge:  $150.00

The Electric Department is divided into two divisions:  Distribution and Production.

Jon Perron is the Electric Distribution Superintendent.  The department consists of three full-time employees, including two journey linemen and one apprentice.  Their primary responsibilities include maintenance, installation, and repair of the electrical distribution system.

Jon Perron is the Power Plant Superintendent, along with one full-time and one part-time operator.  Their primary responsibilities include routine preventive maintenance, repairs to the plant, and ensuring the production of power during peak demand periods.

Brad Helfrich is the Solid Waste Superintendent.  The department consists of one full-time employee and one part-time employee.  Their primary responsibilities include trash collection for both residential and commercial customers and maintenance of the solid waste trucks.

Collection for residential customers is twice weekly.  The schedule is the east side of Main Street, Mondays and Thursdays and the west side of Main Street, Tuesdays and Fridays.

Recycling

A recycling trailer is available at 203 West 1st Street.  Please NOTE that all items must be sorted

Collection Rates

Residential Rates

The rates for bi-weekly curbside collection are $12.00 per month for both a 60 gallon and 90 gallon container.  If a 2nd container is requested it is an additional $3.00 per month.

Commercial Rates

The rates for commercial customers are $13.20 per month for each 90 gallon container.  Business customers have the option to rent a 3 or 4 yard dumpster from the City or purchase their own.  Rental rates are $16.50 and $19.75 per month, respectively.  Collection rates depend on size and frequency of pickup.

Other Information

An Ellinwood resident can rent a 3 or 4 yard dumpster for a limited amount of time.  The cost for the 3 yard dumpster is $35.00 per dump, and for the 4 yard dumpster is $50.00 per dump.

Acceptable Items

The following items can be recycled:

  • Plastic pop containers (rinse and remove lids)
  • Plastic milk containers (rinse and remove lids)
  • Aluminum beverage containers (rinse and empty)
  • Glass jars and bottles (rinse and remove lids), separate by color
  • Tin and steel food containers
  • Computer paper/White office paper
  • Hard back books
  • Newspapers, magazines, and phone books
  • Cardboard
Non Acceptable Items

The following items cannot be recycled:

  • Covered plastic bottles
  • Carton paper
  • Wax, plastic, foil coated papers
  • Aluminum foil or containers
  • Disposable plastic food containers
  • Stryofoam
  • Food wrapping, paper towels
  • Photographs
Where to Recycle Other Items
  • Acme Pipe & Steel, Inc. to recycle scrap metal, wire, copper, brass, miscellaneous metal, cast iron and radiators.
  • Becker Tire & Treading to recycle tires.
  • Barton County Landfill the third Saturday of every month to dispose of hazardous waste.
  • Thrift Stores such as DAV or Salvation Army or consignment stores.

The Ellinwood Water Department has 3 full time staff, a superintendent and 2 water operators.  Spencer Proffitt is the Superintendent for the Water Department.  This department is responsible for ensuring the safety and maintaining the city’s water distribution system.  The main water source for the city is supplied by six water wells.

The primary responsibilities of this department include maintenance, installation and repair of the water distribution system, as well as maintenance of the city’s wells and swimming pool.

About Our Water

The City of Ellinwood Water Department is in charge of developing and protecting the City’s water resources.  The City has two water towers, one with a 50,000 gallon capacity and the other with a 300,000 gallon capacity.  The City’s water system consists of 6 water wells.  The water wells are tested on an annual basis.  The public water supply is tested on a monthly basis.  Two random water samples are taken from any given point in the water system, and the samples are sent to the Kansas Department of Health and Environment to test for coliform bacteria. For more data on the quality of Ellinwood water you can read the annual water quality report.  The report is mailed to all Ellinwood residents during the spring of each year.
The City periodically flushes water hydrants and this may cause black particles to be present in your water.  If this happens, please let your water run until the black particles disappear.  This problem may also occur during a water main break or if there is water line work being done in your area.

Consumer Confidence Report

2021 Consumer Confidence Report – Covering Calendar Year 2020
2020 Consumer Confidence Report – Covering Calendar Year 2019
2019 Consumer Confidence Report – Covering Calendar Year 2018

Water Rates

Your bill combines water, sewer, and sanitation (trash, compost, and recycling) on one bill. This reduces operating expenses and helps keep rates lower.
Residential Rates

There is a monthly service charge of $12.00 which includes the first 1000 gallons.  All usage over the first 1000 gallons is calculated at $2.50 per 1000 gallons. There is a $25.00 water service connection fee.

New water service for a 3/4 inch meter is $300.00 plus tax.  Most residential locations usually have 3/4 inch meter.

New water service for a 1 inch meter is $400.00 plus tax, and for new water service larger than one inch, the fee is based upon time and materials.  Commercial locations tend to have one inch or larger water meters.

Sewer Rates

There is a monthly service charge of $3.75 plus $2.80 per 1000 gallons.  This is based on water use during December, January, and February.  All unmetered services will pay a flat rate.

A new service connection fee is $300.00.