Waste Water

Wastewater Treatment Plant
Colby's New Waste Water Treatment Plant

Wastewater flow to Colby's new Waste Water plant started on September 16, 2008. This new plant is designed to process 2 million gallons per day with two clarifiers. We do have the option to add a third clarifier should the population increase and the need arises. Check out the Steps in the Treatment Process

Currently our average daily flow is 650,000 gallons per day. The plant is maintained by two employees. These employees maintain all the equipment at the new plant and perform the day to day operations 365 days per year. They perform all lab work and make operating decisions designed to efficiently keep the plant operating within Kansas Department of Health and Environment  specifications. In addition to working at the Plant, these same employees clean sewer mains, televise mains as needed, jet and flush sewer mains, make new sewer taps for new businesses or new homes, and raise manholes.

In the summer of 2009 the city started watering the ball diamonds with processed effluent water from the wastewater plant. This process saves approximately 600,000 gallons per month from the Ogallala Aquifer. With the use of the effluent water we are required to take samples weekly at the ball diamonds.

Employees are required by Kansas Department of Health and Environment  to obtain and maintain an operators certificate after one year of employment. There are four levels of classifications that are required to run a Wastewater plant in Kansas.

Wastewater Treatment Plant Digester
Plant Digester

Wastewater Treatment Plant Sludge Truck
Sludge Truck


Sewer Cleaning & Vacuum Truck


Sewer Camera

Sewer Rates

Inside or Outside City LimitsMinimum Charge
(Includes 2,000 gallons)		User Charge
(Over 2,000 gallons)
Inside City Limits$26.63$3.96 per MGAL
Outside City Limits$53.26$7.92 per MGAL

*Rates for residential users are based on the average winter water consumption for the months of December, January, and February. Commercial rates are based on the current period's water use.

The City of Colby Utility Billing Office (Customer Service) can be contacted at 585 North Franklin, (785) 460-4400 during regular business hours (8-5 Monday through Friday, except holidays). There are a variety of services offered at the Utility Billing Office, including:

  • Collection of utility bills
  • Sale of dog tags
  • Utility service connects and disconnects
  • Sale of garbage bags
  • Cereal Malt Beverage & Liquor Licenses
  • Purchase of 95 gallon tipper cans for household waste and grass clippings

The Wastewater Department has an individual on call twenty-four hours a day, seven days a week. Requests for sewer repairs and maintenance or concerns about strong sewer odors should be reported to the Public Works Department, 195 North Sterling, (785) 460-4420 during regular hours (8 to 5, Monday through Friday). Emergencies after regular hours should be reported to the Colby Police Department (785) 460-4460 for assignment to the on-call individual.