Overview: Infrastructure

Location

McPherson is located near the geographic center of Kansas and of the contiguous United States. Interstate 135 intersects U.S. Highway 56 at McPherson; and Interstate 70 is just 35 miles north via I-135.

Geography
Latitude: 38 degrees, 20 minutes
Longitude: 97 degrees, 40 minutes
Elevation: 1,495 feet above sea level

Maps

Transportation

McPherson is accessible to key major markets. It is roughly 60 miles from Wichita (1 hour driving time), 200 miles from both Kansas City and Oklahoma City (3 and 1/2 hours driving time) and less than 500 miles from Denver - all on interstate Highways.

Distance to Major Cities
Chicago: 700 miles
Dallas: 430 miles
Denver: 450 miles
Kansas City: 183 miles
Los Angeles: 1,500 miles
Minneapolis: 670 miles
New York: 1,500 miles

Highways
I-135: North/South
U.S. 81: North/South
U.S. 56: East/West
I-70: East/West (30 mi. N. via I-135)
U.S. 50: East/West (30 mi. S. via I-135)

Railroads
K & O Railroad (short line)
Union Pacific (main line)

McPherson Airport
Runway: Concrete
Length: 5,500 ft.
Width: 100 ft.

Nearest Commercial Airports
Wichita: 55 mi. South via I-135
Salina: 30 mi. North via I-135

UTILITIES

The municipally owned McPherson Board of Public Utilities is both the electric and water supplier for the city. The McPherson BPU provides the lowest cost electric power in the State of Kansas, and has virtually unlimited capacity. Through an interconnect agreement with Western Resources, BPU’s customers have the benefit of stable, competitive rates. Recent renewal of the contract extends this advantage through the year 2027.

Electric

Electric Source
Supplier: McPherson Board of Public Utilities
Peak Demand (KW): 128
Generation Capacity (MW): 235.5
Customers Served (system): 8,446

Electric Rates (2006)
Revenue per Kilowatt Hour
Residential: .048
Commercial: .050
Industrial: .034

Water

Water Supply
Source: Equus Beds Aquifer
Temperature Range: 50-72 Degrees F.
Hardness (PPM): 24 grains
Treated: No
Plant Capacity: 17,280,000 gal./day
Storage Capacity: 2,000,000 gal.
Average Consumption: 3,818,416 gal./day
Peak Demand: 9,965,000 gal./day

Water Rates (2005)
Water rates were increased 4/2007. Accurate statistics since that time are not yet available. A detailed schedule of current water rates are available by email request: marvinp@mcpbpu.com

Revenue per 1,000 gallons
                  2007
Residential: na
Commercial: na

Sanitation System
Type: Biological Sewage Treatment Plant

Capacity Present Load
Gallons Per Day: 3,500,000 (present load 1,500,000)
Population Equivalent: 35,000 (present load 15,000)

Natural Gas

Gas Supply
Provider: Kansas Gas Service
Customers Served (State): 642,400
Customers Served (system): 2,000,000

Gas Rates
Residential : $8.95 Service Chg. Plus $12.2332 per mcf*
General Sales (Small commercial): $17.00 Service Chg. Plus $12.1030 per mcf*
Large Commercial: Varies (subject to usage/curtailment acceptance)
*Includes cost of gas, delivery charge, and taxes. The rate is subject to change monthly due to changes in the cost of natural gas.