Those dealing with the nitrate problem in Yoder Water District 101 will get a solution, but it’s taking a while to get done.

“The City of Hutchinson and Reno County have agreed in principle that Reno County, for Yoder residents, will buy water from the City of Hutchinson,” said Reno County Administrator Randy Partington. “We will build a line from somewhere on Airport Road, connect with a meter there and we’ll then run it down Yoder Road to blend the water. The contract with the City of Hutchinson has not been completed yet.”

It’s really about being sure that the math works out for both sides.

“It’s really just coming to an agreement of what that rate is, what the commercial water rate is,” Partington said. “The City of Hutchinson charges in cubic feet, the county, for our water districts, charges in thousands of gallons, getting different conversions and the agreement that the city of Hutchinson has with the number of meters, versus us just having one meter. It’s really just the legal part.”

There are 7.48 gallons of water in one cubic foot of water.

“We’ve been working on the financing, grant applications, loan applications,” Partington said. “We just about two months ago, I believe, went to engineering, to full engineering. That takes about three to four months. Then, it has to get KDHE approvals, 90 to 120 days. It will be October or November before we put it out to bid. We’re moving as quick as we can, but with government, sometimes the red tape takes a long time.”

This means that the line probably won’t actually be run until at least next year.

As reported on Hutch Post.

The Kansas Senate Federal and State Affairs committee on Thursday killed a bill that would have created a pilot medical marijuana program.

The program, if enacted, would become one of the most restrictive in the country. It would tightly limit who could grow, process and distribute marijuana in a way that opponents said creates a monopoly for the company that requested the bill’s introduction, Kansas Natural Remedies.

“Designed to monopolize the medical cannabis industry and unnecessarily restrict patient access, SB 555 is illegal, unfair and fraught with contradictions. It hands over all of what should be available business opportunities to just four companies,” said Sarah Stephens, of the Kansas Cannabis Chamber of Commerce. “Those four companies are then legally allowed to monopolize medical cannabis by growing, processing and distributing.”

Smoking or vaping the marijuana would remain illegal, and the products would only be available to people with one of 14 qualified conditions. Unlike other states that use marijuana dispensaries, medical marijuana would be distributed at pharmacies.

The bill’s proponents included the Kansas Pharmacists Association, a handful of private citizens and Kansas Natural Remedies, which is the largest hemp producer in the state. They said that the bill addresses concerns about allowing smoking, establishing too low of barriers for patients and creating a gateway to full legalization.

The Kansas Department of Health and Environment (KDHE) and the Kansas Department of Wildlife and Parks (KDWP) are announcing the beginning of the Harmful Algal Bloom season.

The water recreation season in Kansas officially runs from April 1 to October 31, as do the harmful algae blooms (HAB) response program’s active operations. Kansans should remain extra vigilant while engaging in activities taking place in or on the water, such as swimming, boating, and fishing.

A harmful algal bloom (HAB) may look like foam, scum or paint floating on the water and be colored blue, bright green, brown or red. Blooms can develop rapidly; if the water appears suspicious or there is decaying algae on the shore, avoid contact and keep dogs away. These toxins can be absorbed by ingestion, inhalation of aerosols and even skin contact. Symptoms vary depending upon the type of exposure (e.g., direct contact, ingestion, inhalation) but can include rash, vomiting, diarrhea, fever, sore throat, and headache.

If you, or your pets, come into contact with algae rinse the area with clean, fresh water. Suspected HAB-related health incidents, whether human or animal, regardless of season, should be reported as soon as possible at kdhe.ks.gov/1163.

Kansas recognizes three advisory levels:

A Hazard status indicates that a HAB is present, and extreme conditions exist.

• Signage should be posted at all public access locations.
• It is recommended that either a portion of the lake or the entire lake or zone, be closed to the public.
• In some cases, the adjacent land should be closed as well. Actual setback distances will be determined on a site-specific basis, if necessary.
• When partial closures (i.e., beach or cove) are issued, the remaining lake or zone area will carry a warning status.

A Warning status indicates that conditions are unsafe for human and pet exposure.  Contact with the waterbody should be avoided.

When a warning is issued, KDHE recommends the following precautions be taken:

• Signage should be posted at all public access locations.
• Inhalation of spray or aerosols may be harmful.
• Lake water is not safe to drink for pets or livestock.
• Lake water, regardless of blue-green algae status, should never be consumed by humans.
• Water contact should be avoided.
• Fish may be eaten if they are rinsed with clean water and only the fillet portion is consumed, while all other parts are discarded.
• Do not allow pets to eat dried algae.
• If lake water contacts skin, wash with clean water as soon as possible.
• Avoid areas of visible algae accumulation.

A Watch status means that blue-green algae have been detected and a HAB is present or likely to develop. People are encouraged to avoid areas of algae accumulation and keep pets and livestock away from the water.

During the watch status, KDHE recommends the following precautions be taken:

• Signage should be posted at all public access locations.
• Water may be unsafe for humans/animals.
• Avoid areas of algae accumulation and do not let people/pets eat dried algae or drink contaminated water.
• Swimming, wading, skiing, and jet skiing are discouraged near visible blooms.
• Boating and fishing are safe. However, inhalation of the spray may affect some individuals. Avoid direct contact with water, and wash with clean water after any contact.
• Clean fish well with potable water and eat fillet portion only.

Advisories are Lifted when cell densities and toxin concentrations dissipate to levels below the Watch thresholds.

KDHE investigates publicly accessible bodies of water for blue-green algae when the agency receives reports of potential algae blooms in Kansas lakes. Based on credible field observation and sampling results, KDHE and KDWP report on potentially harmful conditions.

If you observe a scum or paint-like surface on the water, small floating blue-green clumps, or filaments in the water, or if the water is an opaque green, avoid contact and keep pets away. These are indications that a harmful bloom may be present. Pet owners should be aware that animals that swim in or drink water affected by a HAB or eat dried algae along the shore may become seriously ill or die.

For information on blue-green algae and reporting potential HAB’s, please visit kdhe.ks.gov/HAB and view our interactive story and informative video.