HAYS, Kan. (AP) A small slice of southern and southwest Ellis County could get running water for the first time.
The Kansas Department of Commerce on Wednesday approved a project to bring water to 10 applicants through the Ellis County Water District 1-C.
The water district next will hire an engineer for a 10-mile water main. It hopes to fund the project through a program that requires residents to donate labor to construct the project. The Commerce Department would provide the cost of materials, engineering and grant administration.
The Hays Daily News reports of the 10 properties proposed for new service, four are homesteads more than 100 years old, two use distillers for safe drinking water, three have hauled water for drinking and cooking for decades and five will build new homes.
