Kansas Municipal Utilities - KMU

10/29/2026

Congratulations to Mason Vigil of Garden City on completing his apprenticeship and earning journeyman lineman status. Mason completed KMU’s Lineworker Apprenticeship Academy, a four-year, nationally registered program that pairs 750 hours of coursework with 8,000 hours of supervised work in the field. KMU is proud to have been part of his training and wishes him continued success with Garden City.

Congratulations to Mason Vigil, who officially completed our Apprentice Lineman program and has stepped up as a Journeyman Lineman! This achievement represents four years and 8,000 hours of dedication. Mason trained alongside our certified linemen performing high-voltage energized work on overhead and underground systems, troubleshooting and making repairs, climbing poles where trucks can’t reach, and working through all kinds of hazardous weather. On top of his time in the field, he attended weekly classroom sessions for testing, labs, and discussions, along with training both in state and out of state.

Mason’s hard work and commitment to keeping the lights on for our community have not gone unnoticed, and we wish him continued success in his career!

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¡Felicitaciones a Mason Vigil, quien completó oficialmente nuestro programa de aprendiz de liniero y se ha convertido en liniero oficial! Este logro representa cuatro años y 8000 horas de dedicación. Mason se capacitó junto a nuestros linieros certificados, realizando trabajos con alta tensión en sistemas aéreos y subterráneos, diagnosticando y reparando fallas, escalando postes donde los camiones no pueden llegar y trabajando en todo tipo de condiciones climáticas adversas. Además de su tiempo en el campo, asistió a sesiones semanales en el aula para realizar exámenes, prácticas y debates, así como a capacitaciones dentro y fuera del estado.

El arduo trabajo y el compromiso de Mason para mantener el suministro eléctrico en nuestra comunidad no han pasado desapercibidos, ¡y le deseamos mucho éxito en su carrera!

10/29/2026

Three awards in one year for the City of Gardner’s Kill Creek Water Resource Recovery Facility. Congratulations to the team on the recognition for safety and plant performance. Well-earned, Gardner!

🏆 Three awards. One outstanding team!

The City of Gardner’s Kill Creek Water Resource Recovery Facility has earned three wastewater treatment plant awards in 2026, recognizing its commitment to operational excellence, environmental stewardship and workplace safety.

The awards include the Kansas Water Environment Association’s Safety Award and Best Plant in Class 4 Award, along with the George W. Burke Facility Safety Award from the Water Environment Federation. Learn more about these awards at gardnerkansas.gov/WWTPAwards.

Congratulations to our Kill Creek team for their dedication and hard work in protecting our community and the environment. You make Gardner proud! 👏💧

10/19/2026

Kansas Municipal Utilities (KMU) is joining the Center for Energy Workforce Development (CEWD) in recognizing Careers in Energy Week, taking place October 19-23, 2026. This national initiative spotlights the essential contributions of energy professionals while drawing attention to the growing need to recruit and train the next generation of workers who will keep Kansas communities powered.

Across Kansas, community-owned utilities face a common challenge: a wave of retirements and an increasing demand for skilled employees in fields ranging from power generation and linework to engineering, IT, and operations. Careers in Energy Week offers utilities a chance to showcase these meaningful careers and inspire students, job seekers, and career changers to consider joining the public power workforce.

Find ready-to-use materials to promote Careers in Energy Week by visiting the CEWD website at https://cewd.org/ciew/

10/16/2026

The Kansas Safety Summit is a must-attend! Mark your calendar so you don't miss it!

Save the date for the Kansas Safety Summit, a FREE annual event for all excavators, contractors, utility/facility owners and operators, locators, and safety specialists that is focused on every aspect of safety, excavation safety, and damage prevention, happening April 7, 2027!

This summit is a valuable opportunity to expand your knowledge, learn about the latest industry updates, and connect with other professionals from across the state.

Learn more at: www.ksdpc.com

10/15/2026

The City of Iola has the best tasting tap water in Kansas, according to judges at the 17th Annual KWEA/KsAWWA Joint Conference held September 9-11, 2026, in Wichita.

The contest is part of the joint conference of the Kansas Water Environment Association - KWEA and the Kansas Section American Water Works Association (KsAWWA). Water systems from across the state are judged by a panel of experts on the clarity, smell, and taste of their water. To enter, a utility must have no state or federal drinking water violations in the previous year to qualify.

Iola is no stranger to the top spot. The city also won the Kansas contest in 2015 and 2017, making 2026 its third statewide title. The win reflects year-round work by Iola’s water treatment staff, and KMU congratulates the team on the well-earned title.

City of Iola, KS - Local Government

10/15/2026

Congratulations, Durward, on this well deserved award!

10/15/2026

KMU is registered with the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration to provide Entry-Level Driver Training (ELDT), the required driver education for CDL holders.

The ELDT training program requirement consists of three distinct phases of instruction, including:
1. Theory
2. Behind the Wheel Range
3. Behind the Wheel Public Road

KMU is holding a 1-day CDL Theory class on October 27, 2026, at the KMU Training Facility. During this class, participants will receive the required theory curriculum and take the KMU theory written test.

KMU is providing a CDL BTW Instructor Credential Course on October 28, 2026, to KMU Members. Participants who complete this course will receive KMU BTW instructor credentials that will authorize them to train and qualify their employees in the two hands-on Behind the Wheel training phases while on the job.

CDL Theory – October 27, 2026: https://tr.ee/YQF1WK

CDL Behind the Wheel Instructor Course – October 28, 2026: https://tr.ee/mbN1yw

Learn more about the CDL Program on the KMU website at https://tr.ee/ZHoH00

10/12/2026

Kansas Municipal Utilities (KMU) is pleased to welcome Blake Swenson as the organization’s new attorney. In this role, Swenson will serve as a legal advisor to KMU staff, leadership, and member utilities, providing guidance on legal, legislative, and regulatory matters affecting Kansas municipal utilities.

After successfully passing the July 2026 Bar exam, Blake Swenson was sworn in to the Kansas Bar. He previously earned his Juris Doctor from Washburn University, where he graduated with Dean's Honors. During law school, he served as a research assistant, completed a 15-month internship with the Center for Climate Integrity, participated in the law school's clinic program as a Rule 715 student attorney, and worked as an intern with KMU’s Legislative Liaison, Gencur-Svaty Public Affairs, during the 2026 legislative session.

Prior to attending law school, Swenson spent nine years in education, including six years as a social studies teacher at Lawrence Free State High School. He also served as department chair, participated in a district budget and program evaluation committee, and held leadership positions with local and state education associations.

A sixth-generation Kansan, Swenson has a long history of public service involvement. His community engagement includes service on the Lawrence Citizen Advisory Committee for Community Development Block Grant Funding and participation in student government activities while attending the University of Kansas.

As legal and regulatory challenges facing municipal utilities continue to evolve, Swenson will play an important role in supporting KMU's mission and serving its members. KMU is excited to welcome him to the team and looks forward to his contributions.

10/09/2026

The Common Ground Alliance (CGA) conducted a study and found that damage to underground infrastructure costs Kansans over $500 million a year. CGA found that the damage causes service outages, property damage, and even injuries and death.

The two most common causes of damage include failure to properly mark underground lines and excavation crews not exercising reasonable care despite the markings.

Damage to "buried" utility lines — which transfer critical substances like power, natural gas, and water — costs Kansans over $500 million every year, about $1.4 million per day.

10/09/2026

New career opportunities in Kansas utilities. Are you ready to elevate your career while serving local communities? Visit KMU's Career Center today and explore your next career move. www.kmunet.org/page/CareerCenter