TOPEKA, Kan. (KCTV) – Nearly $9 million is earmarked for projects in the Sunflower State intended to alleviate the impact of a statewide drought.

Laura Kelly, Governor of Kansas announced that the Sunflower State will receive $9 million from the federal government Inflation Reduction Act. The funds will be used for two projects aimed at mitigating the impact of drought in the state.

“Decades of overappropriation and more frequent droughts have put Kansas communities in crisis,” said Governor Kelly. “These projects will be instrumental in our work to increase the quality and quantity of our state’s water.”

State officials noted that the Kansas Equus Beds Aquifer Recharge, Storage and Recovery Project near Wichita is expected to receive $7 million. This is crucial for more than 20% of municipal, industrial, and irrigation water use in Kansas.

Meanwhile, Kelly said the Kansas Voluntary Agreements Program was chosen to receive $2 million for the Kansas Water Transition Assistance Program in the Prairie Dog Creek or Rattlesnake Basin Creek. This will conserve approximately 10,000 acre-feet through rotation of land into temporary fallow or permanent withdrawal of water rights.

When the Equus Project is fully implemented, the governor said it will recharge the aquifer and deliver water to Wichita at a rate of up to 100 million gallons per day. The project will inject and infiltrate Little Arkansas River diversions into the aquifer.

Kelly noted that she has advocated for federal water funds to be extended to Kansas to help family farms and ranches, small towns and wildlife avoid the impacts of drought. Congresswoman Sharice Davids also voted in favor of the Inflation Reduction Act and supported additional federal funds for the projects.

“I’m glad to see Inflation Reduction Act resources returning to Kansas,” said Rep. Davids (D-KS). “The ongoing effects of drought pose a persistent threat across our state. This investment is a critical step in protecting the livelihoods of Kansans, supporting the work our farmers do to feed the world, and protecting the economic security of Kansas cities.

Kelly said the announcement builds on previous investments of nearly $33 million for aging infrastructure, water recycling and WaterSMART projects in Kansas.

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