Water main break sparks concern about Wichita’s aging pipes

WICHITA, Kan. (AP) — The major water line break that forced residents of Kansas’ largest city to boil their water before using it for several days highlights concerns about Wichita’s aging infrastructure. The water main break that forced the boil order last week happened after the city’s water plant lost part of its power supply, so the pumps sending water throughout the system automatically shut down before restarting abruptly when power was restored.  The Wichita Eagle reports that a 2017 assessment found 99% of Wichita’s water treatment plant was in poor condition and the entire raw water pipe system was in very poor condition.