The $19 billion aqueduct to pump water uphill from northeastern Kansas to the water-short west has a bunch of negatives reports Tim Unruh for Kansas Agland.
Some of those discouraging issues are:
- Indian tribes and neighboring states have voiced concern
- The aqueduct would cost $1 billion a year to operate
- The transport price tag of water would be over $450 a acre foot. That’s hard to pencil out with current prices.
- Pumping water uphill in an open ditch would result in significant loss to evaporation
The Kansas legislature was given a report recently about the project.
Tracy Streeter is the director of the Kansas Water Office. He says it’s been determined that a pipeline would cost too much.
A bill allowing self-imposed “water conservation areas” is under consideration by lawmakers.
More about the aqueduct is available from Kansas Agland.