History

In 1954 the citizens of Johnson County were burdened with a local water company that failed to provide an adequate supply of treated water. They formed a customer citizen group and began the process of buying the Kansas City Suburban Water Co., Inc. The group completed that process in 1957 when the private utility was purchased for $19 million and a public utility, Water District No. 1 of Johnson County, was formed. The new water district began a planned program to update and expand its facilities. Fresh, pure water has been flowing without interruption to its customers ever since.

With steady, planned expansion WaterOne has kept pace with its rapidly growing population. In the mid-1960’s a new intake on the Kansas River was built. By 1972, the District’s total capacity had increased to 55 mgd.

As the Johnson County area has continued to grow, so has WaterOne’s treatment and distribution capacity. A master plan for expansion, adopted in 1976, has insured an abundance of pure water for all WaterOne’s customers.

In 1984 an intake on the Missouri River increased production to 80 mgd. The addition of 25 mgd capacity in 1990 increased WaterOne’s total system capacity to 105 mgd. By that time, WaterOne had acquired three rural water systems and the former Kansas Water Company. With the completion of Phase III of the Master Plan in 1992 and additional improvements that optimized the production facilities, the District reached a capacity of 149 mgd. Completion of Phase IV-A in 1998 increased capacity to 165 mgd and future expansion will increase WaterOne’s total system capacity to 180 mgd.

This mission embodies a commitment to provide employees with opportunities for challenge, personal growth, and other elements of job satisfaction.