Kechi residents frustrated, outspoken after sudden spike in water rates

WICHITA, Kan. (KWCH) — People in Kechi have reached out to 12 News with concerns about a sudden jump in their water bills.

Kechi city administrator Matt Jensby said that about 20 residents have contacted him over their water bills this week.

A local artist and business manager, Karen Karg, wasn’t one of them. But she was similarly upset when she saw her bill on Wednesday afternoon.

“I’m a little confused about why (rates) are up so high, and especially in a building that uses virtually no water,” she said.

The bills for Karg’s home and art gallery were higher than normal for July, even though she said she didn’t use more water than normal.

Jensby recommended that residents look for leaks or broken toilets.

“I double checked that to make sure it’s working properly,” he said.

Jensby said the city hasn’t found any issues on its end.

“We took those complaints, went out, we investigated it,” Jensby said. “Checked the meters. And in each one of the approximate complaints or people that we had question their water bill, 100 percent of those were solely due to usage on the mater.

“Which means there wasn’t a problem on the city side.”

Karg said now that she’s seen her bill, she’ll join those sharing concerns with the city.

“We would like some answers,” she said. “Please.”