Kansas Municipal Utilities - KMU

Kansas Municipal Utilities - KMU Statewide association representing Kansas cities and other agencies involved in the ownership and operation of municipal utilities.

Kansas Municipal Utilities is the statewide association representing Kansas cities and other public or not-for-profit agencies involved in the ownership and operation of municipal utilities. Formed in 1928, KMU provides assistance and information to members with regard to legislative and regulatory issues, training and educational programs, and numerous other services towards the advancement of municipal utilities and to achieve maximum benefits for the customer-owners served by our utilities.

The 2026 Kansas Utility Locate Rodeo hosted by Kansas Municipal Utilities (KMU) and Kansas 811 was a great success! Fift...
09/11/2026

The 2026 Kansas Utility Locate Rodeo hosted by Kansas Municipal Utilities (KMU) and Kansas 811 was a great success! Fifty competitors from across the state competed in four divisions: water, electric, gas, and telecommunications. The first-place winners from each division will represent Kansas and their organizations at the International Utility Locate Rodeo on December 7-8 in Springfield, Missouri. Please take a moment to congratulate this year's winners.

2026 Water Division Winners
1st Place: Brady Beckman, City of Hays, Kan.
2nd Place: Michael Wise, IdeaTek
3rd Place: Stephanie Ricketson, USIC Locating Services

2026 Electric Division Winners
1st Place: Jim Hill, USIC Locating Services
2nd Place: Timothy Southard, LineQuest
3rd Place: Sarah Beckman, Tallgrass Energy

2026 Gas Division Winners
1st Place: Tanner Wulf, Midwest Energy, Inc.
2nd Place: David Alex, Atmos Energy
3rd Place: Eric Morris, Tallgrass Energy

2026 Telecom Division Winners
1st Place: Patrick Rountree, Reliable Roots Locating
2nd Place: Kendal Donely, USIC Locating Services
3rd Place: Johnie Sparks, LineQuest

Tomorrow, September 10, marks the start of the 2026 Kansas Utility Locate Rodeo. Fifty locators will compete for their c...
09/09/2026

Tomorrow, September 10, marks the start of the 2026 Kansas Utility Locate Rodeo. Fifty locators will compete for their chance to be crowned the best locator in Kansas.

As staff prepares for tomorrow's event, Kansas Municipal Utilities (KMU) and Kansas 811 would like to thank all the sponsors of this year's rodeo. Their support makes this event possible.

Atmos Energy
Black Hills Energy
GH Holdings - LineQuest, LLC & GridHawk LLC
Grizzly Leads
Jayhawk Pipeline
Kansas Gas Service
Kansas Pipeline Association
Kansas Rural Water Association@
Midwest Energy, Inc.
Missouri 811
Missouri Common Ground Alliance
One Call Concepts, Inc.
ONEOK, Inc.
Reliable Roots Locating
Southern Star Central Gas Pipeline
Subsurface Solutions
Telcom Insurance Group
Utility Solutions Supply (USS)
USIC
Williams

In recognition of Labor Day, the KMU offices will be closed on Monday, September 7, and will reopen on Tuesday, Septembe...
09/04/2026

In recognition of Labor Day, the KMU offices will be closed on Monday, September 7, and will reopen on Tuesday, September 8. Wishing everyone a safe and enjoyable Labor Day.

Kansas Water Office wrapped up meetings in Garden City and Wichita last week, gathering feedback on regional water plann...
09/03/2026

Kansas Water Office wrapped up meetings in Garden City and Wichita last week, gathering feedback on regional water planning. Come share your input on water conservation, infrastructure funding, and regional planning.

The final local consultation meeting is in Shawnee on September 9.

Register here: https://bit.ly/4vN034d

KMU’s Overhead Mutual Aid Response Workshop for Lineworkers is only 2 weeks away. This workshop builds on KMU’s popular ...
09/03/2026

KMU’s Overhead Mutual Aid Response Workshop for Lineworkers is only 2 weeks away. This workshop builds on KMU’s popular Overhead Workshop and focuses on mutual aid response. The workshop will immerse participants in a realistic mutual aid event simulating damage to overhead electrical distribution systems. Teams will learn to assess storm damage, decide the most effective response, and coordinate through communication, strategic planning, and the hands-on rebuilding of overhead systems.

📅 September 16-18, 2026
📍 KMU Training Facility, McPherson, KS

Whether you are new to the industry or are a seasoned lineworker, this workshop provides essential knowledge and hands-on skills needed to respond effectively to mutual aid events and restore your community’s overhead electric distribution system.

Learn more at https://tr.ee/njEoPn

On August 11 during Coffeyville’s City Commission meeting, John Littleton, KMU Director of Energy Services, had the plea...
09/02/2026

On August 11 during Coffeyville’s City Commission meeting, John Littleton, KMU Director of Energy Services, had the pleasure of recognizing four Coffeyville employees who completed KMU’s Power Plant Operations Academy. Austin Coffey, Kenneth Wahl, Dustin Thurman, and Gloria Phillips (not pictured) were each presented with a Bronze Level Certificate of Completion in recognition of their achievement.

Completion of the program requires sustained commitment, technical study, and practical application. Participants complete a range of assignments connected to equipment and operations used in their local facilities, including coursework that requires independent research and additional effort beyond a typical online training format.

KMU congratulates Austin, Kenneth, Dustin, and Gloria on earning the Bronze Level Certificate of Completion through the Power Plant Operations Academy and commends their dedication to professional development in the utility industry.

For more information about KMU’s online Power Plant Operations Academy, visit https://tr.ee/1T2qL9

The 2026 Kansas Utility Locate Rodeo, hosted by Kansas Municipal Utilities (KMU) and Kansas 811, is only one week away. ...
09/02/2026

The 2026 Kansas Utility Locate Rodeo, hosted by Kansas Municipal Utilities (KMU) and Kansas 811, is only one week away. The Rodeo offers municipal utilities an excellent opportunity to recognize talented employees and strengthen their damage-prevention efforts. The Rodeo will be held on September 10, 2026, at the KMU Training Facility in McPherson, Kansas. Whether you have a seasoned locator or an emerging talent on your team, the Locate Rodeo provides a unique environment for crews to benchmark their abilities against other professionals and build relationships with fellow utility locators. These experiences often translate into increased confidence and improved performance back on the job.

Top competitors will have the chance to earn sponsorship to represent Kansas at the International Locate Rodeo in Springfield, Missouri, providing further recognition for both the locator and their utility. Competitors will participate in one of four divisions: Electric, Water, Gas, or Telecommunications, with each division limited to 20 contestants. Awards will be presented to the top three finishers in each division, with prizes of $200 for first place, $150 for second place, and $100 for third place.

The Kansas Utility Locate Rodeo offers an opportunity to support employee growth while showcasing your crew's expertise. Consider identifying a top performer from your organization and encouraging them to participate. For registration, visit the KMU website at https://tr.ee/PwX7XT

09/01/2026

On Tuesday, August 18, and into the early morning of Wednesday, August 19, a powerful line of severe thunderstorms moved through the Kansas City metropolitan area. High winds, heavy rain, hail, and falling trees caused widespread damage across Kansas City, Kansas.

As BPU crews worked to assess damage, isolate hazards, and prioritize repairs to restore service to the largest number of customers, BPU contacted KMU to request mutual aid assistance through the Kansas Mutual Aid Program (KSMAP). The request triggered a coordinated response from municipal utility partners across the state.

Utilities responding to the call included the cities of Pratt, Ottawa, Augusta, Winfield, and Coffeyville, as well as the McPherson Board of Public Utilities. Together, these crews provided additional personnel, equipment, and field experience needed to support BPU crews. Their willingness to leave their home systems and assist a neighboring utility exemplifies the “neighbor helping neighbor” spirit that defines public power.

Kansas Municipal Utilities (KMU) is excited to offer the KMU Water Treatment Academy – Novice. Operators will examine su...
09/01/2026

Kansas Municipal Utilities (KMU) is excited to offer the KMU Water Treatment Academy – Novice. Operators will examine surface water and groundwater, as well as treatment technologies. Throughout the five-session (over three months) course, students will review the water treatment framework and learn when and how to respond to water quality changes.

Attendees will enroll in the full five-session course, which includes water facility tours to see a variety of treatments in effect. Locations will rotate around South Central Kansas. Dates and locations include:

• September 29, 2026 - Wellington, KS
• October 13, 2026 - Hillsboro, KS
• November 3, 2026 - Augusta, KS
• November 17, 2026 - Hutchinson, KS
• December 1, 2026 - McPherson, KS

Each session is from 9:00 AM - 3:30 PM. Twenty hours of KDHE and KWEA/WPI water operator certification credit for those who complete the full academy track.

The academy instructor is KMU's Water Services Technical Specialist, Sara Miller, who holds Class IV Water and Wastewater Operator certifications, Class IV Distribution, and Class II Collections.

For complete information and registration, visit the KMU website at https://tr.ee/mgkGzC

Kansas Municipal Utilities (KMU) welcomes Danielle Rogers to the team as its newest Safety Services Coordinator.Danielle...
08/31/2026

Kansas Municipal Utilities (KMU) welcomes Danielle Rogers to the team as its newest Safety Services Coordinator.

Danielle is a dedicated professional with more than 20 years of experience in risk analysis across a variety of insurance disciplines. She has built her career on helping identify and manage risk while providing exceptional customer service and fostering strong, lasting relationships. She is known for her collaborative approach and attention to detail.

Danielle is committed to delivering practical solutions, supporting organizational goals, and creating positive experiences for members, clients, and colleagues. She takes pride in building trust, solving complex challenges, and helping others succeed through open communication, responsiveness, and a commitment to excellence.

KMU is proud to welcome Danielle to the team and looks forward to the positive impact she will make for our members.

Address

2090 East Avenue A
McPherson, KS
67460

Opening Hours

Monday 8am - 5pm
Tuesday 8am - 5pm
Wednesday 8am - 5pm
Thursday 8am - 5pm
Friday 8am - 5pm

Telephone

(620) 241-1423

Website

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