~ KC Water marked the 100th anniversary of the Briarcliff Water Treatment Plant on Monday, Oct. 26, celebrating a facility the utility says supplies drinking water to more than 1 million people across 90 communities.

The plant opened in 1926 and is Kansas City's only water treatment facility, according to KC Water. It serves residents, businesses and communities throughout the region.

"Through changes in demand, regulatory requirements, impacts from flooding, along with the challenges of keeping all its critical components operating, this facility has given us much to appreciate," KC Water Director Kenneth Morgan said. He said the utility plans to maintain the plant to extend its service.

The centennial event brought together KC Water employees, elected officials and community leaders. Speakers included Mayor Quinton Lucas, Assistant to the City Manager Jeff Martin and City Council members Nathan Willett and Darryl Curls. Attendees also toured the facility.

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Congressman Emanuel Cleaver II, who was unable to attend, provided remarks recognizing the plant's role in public health and regional growth. He also called for continued investment in infrastructure and thanked generations of workers who have operated the facility.

KC Water said the anniversary also highlights the need to strengthen the region's water system. Kansas City relies on a single treatment plant and lacks large, reliable connections to neighboring utilities, the utility said. It added that maintaining aging infrastructure requires costly, specialized work.

To address those concerns, KC Water is advancing plans for a South Resiliency Water Treatment Plant, which would add treatment capacity and improve system reliability. The utility and its project team are pursuing outside funding to help reduce costs for ratepayers.

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