Frequently Asked Questions

• All Types of General Building
• Demolition
• Fencing
• Roofing
• Swimming Pools

Permits are required to construct, enlarge, alter, repair, move, demolish, or change the occupancy of a building or structure, or to erect, install, enlarge, alter, repair, remove, convert, or replace any electrical, gas, or plumbing system, mechanical work, fence or sign. Call 316-321-9100 if you have questions if a permit is required.

Permits are issued from the Building Department. Permit applications may be obtained at the Building Department or online, and may be returned by fax to 316-322-4450, scanned and emailed to Brandon Taylor, Building Official, or through the mail to:

Building Department

226 N. Vine St.

El Dorado, KS 67042

Permit issuance periods vary. Permits that do not require the submittal of any drawings or documentation can be issued over the phone to contractors who are registered with the city. Some permits may be issued over the counter, provided all required submittals are included with permit application. Other projects, new buildings for instance, require that plans be left for additional review. For most residential structures, this review should be completed within a few days. Plan review for commercial buildings could take up to 2 weeks to complete.

Although El Dorado’s source water is of very high quality, extensive treatment is still needed to meet strict quality standards for drinking water. The El Dorado Water Treatment Plant is a traditional treatment facility, meaning the raw water undergoes disinfection, flocculation, sedimentation, and lastly filtration. Using a host of time tested mechanisms, we have been delivering a quality award winning product for over 80 years.

El Dorado Reservoir is an 8,400-acre lake with a storage capacity of over 50 billion gallons. This amount of storage should allow the city to draw 22 million gallons per day even in what is classified as a 50-year drought. Water from the lake is transported through large mains to the water treatment plant.

Algae taste and odor are usually not a problem in El Dorado for two reasons. First, we have very clean, good quality source water in El Dorado Lake with low nutrient levels. Excessive nutrients lead to algae blooms. Second, to combat any possible unpleasant tastes and odors associated with algal blooms we have multiple barriers in place to absorb and remove these unwelcome qualities continuously to produce the best tasting water possible.

The superior quality of El Dorado Water Treatment Facility’s drinking water is the result of a combination of the proper operation of a multistage treatment facility and a laboratory that performs 2,500 monthly tests on samples taken during the treatment process and throughout the 129 miles of distribution system piping. El Dorado currently has 5 personnel that hold a Class IV Water Operator’s license, the state’s highest certification level. Water quality is monitored 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. Chemical dosages are scrutinized daily and sophisticated instrumentation keeps a close watch on water quality. Click here El Dorado Consumer Confidence Report  to see the most recent CCR or request a hard copy by calling the Water Department at 316-321-9100.

The Kansas Department of Health and Environment recommends all cities switch from chloramines to free chlorine for a short period each year to thoroughly disinfect the distribution system. The type of chlorine normally in the water, chloramines, has no chlorine taste or odor, which most people prefer, but it is not as powerful a disinfectant as free chlorine. Most people will notice the change in the taste while we perform this recommended switch for a short period each year.

Yes. Most water sources have naturally occurring Fluoride, including El Dorado lake, which has about 0.20 ppm of Fluoride. The Kansas Department of Health and Environment recommends a dosage of no more than 0.7 ppm, so we add another 0.30 ppm to the 0.20 naturally occurring for a total concentration of 0.50 ppm. El Dorado has been fluoridating water since the 1950's.

In accordance with regulations set forth by the Environmental Protection Agency and the Kansas Department of Health and Environment, the Public Utilities Department implemented a Cross-Connection Backflow Prevention Program many years ago to help safeguard the citizens of El Dorado against backflow and back siphonage. This program requires backflow assemblies on any connection to city water where there is a potential for contamination. These potential hazards include but are not limited too irrigation systems, fire suppression systems, boilers, medical equipment, chemical mixing vessels and many more, if you have a question as to weather or not your application needs an assembly please call (316)-322-4443 or a plumbing professional . You can help protect our water by making sure your outside faucets are protected with an atmospheric vacuum breaker as well. In most homes built after 1990, the outside faucets have built-in atmospheric vacuum breakers. But for those without, we have a limited supply of atmospheric vacuum breakers available free of charge at the water treatment plant. Please contact us for more information at (316)-322-4443.

We operate 24/7, with personnel on-duty or on-call. To report a water leak at your house, please call City Hall at 316-321-9100 from 7:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday-Thursday and 7:30 a.m. to noon Fridays. To report a water main leak or sewer backup, please call the Utilities Department at 316-322-4448 from 7 a.m. to 3 p.m. Monday-Friday. To report any water or sewer issues after hours, call our on-call personnel at 316-323-4987 or 316-323-4997. We will check the city sewer first, at no expense to the customer, to assist in the elimination of the problem.

Please call the Public Works Department at 322-4481

You are required to purchase Orange bags; there is no limit to how many you can set out. Bags are available at City Hall.

Property owners are responsible for tree care along streets and alleys.

If your view is blocked at an intersection, please call Public Works at 316-322-4481 to report the problem.

Please report any broken sidewalks or curbs to Public Works at 316-322-4481.

Please report any streetlights that are out directly to Evergy. Their contact information can be found at www.evergy.com. You will need the pole number to report the issue.

You can report these concerns by calling Public Works at 316-322-4481.

The park rental fee is $30.00. Parks available for reservation are East Park, Forest Park (Pool Park), and North Main Park (Girl Scout Park).

We start accepting applications for summer employment at the beginning of January. Please apply online at https://ks-eldorado.civicplushrms.com/careers/ 

In addition to having an interest in the job, please review the job posting to determine if you meet the minimum qualifications for the job.

Visit ELDO KS JOBS to view open positions and apply.

Job postings are updated every Monday by noon.

Some job advertisements will indicate a specific closing date. Others will not have a closing date listed, meaning that the position may close at any time, depending on where the hiring supervisor is in the process.

On average, it takes two to four weeks for the departments to review and schedule interviews for selected applicants.  In some cases, the process may take longer.

Hiring for final applicants will be contingent upon the completion of a successful pre-employment screening. Also, please be aware that if you are made a job offer and accept, you are required to provide acceptable documentation to establish your identity and your eligibility to work (per the Immigration Reform and Control Act).
Click link for a list of acceptable documents.

Applicants may request an accommodation, if needed, to complete the employment application process. Requests should be communicated to the Human Resources Department at 316-321-9100 or by writing to:
City of El Dorado, Attn: Human Resources Department
220 E. 1st Ave
El Dorado, KS 67042.

The City of El Dorado is an Equal Opportunity Employer (EOE) committed to an alcohol / drug-free workplace and to providing equal opportunities regardless of age, race, color, gender, religion, national origin, marital status, veteran status, disability or any other legally protected status.

Upon receiving your application, CivicHR will send you a confirmation email letting you know we are processing your application.  Applications are reviewed and those selected for the next step will be contacted by phone.

Permits are required to construct, enlarge, alter, repair, move, demolish, or change the occupancy of a building or structure, or to erect, install, enlarge, alter, repair, remove, convert, or replace any electrical, gas, or plumbing system.

The individual or the contractor doing the work should always obtain their own permit. A homeowner can obtain their own permit only if they are going to do the work. If a contractor or anyone other than the homeowner is going to do the work, they should get the permit. Homeowners are always responsible for what takes place on their property, therefore if a homeowner has someone do work for them that requires a permit, both parties are responsible.

To rent an athletic facility, please call Parks and Recreation at 316-321-9100 ext. 130

To rent the Train Depot or Civic Center, please call Community Marketing at 316-321-9100 ext. 126

City of El Dorado Newsletter

Please call the Public Works Department at 322-4481

El Dorado Reservoir is an 8,400-acre lake with a storage capacity of over 50 billion gallons. This amount of storage should allow the city to draw 22 million gallons per day even in what is classified as a 50-year drought. Water from the lake is transported through large mains to the water treatment plant.

There is no cost for spectators to attend any of the events. There is no cost to participate in the city-sponsored pickleball or disc golf tournaments. There is a fee to enter the El Dorado Chamber's car show and cornhole tournament. More information can be found on this from the El Dorado Chamber of Commerce. 

Please email information on your event, including the date, time(s), location and any other important details to Julie Clements at jclements@eldoks.com. Events will be added to the calendar and a flyer will be created for you. 

An online entry form can be found on the 150th Celebration page on our website. A paper copy of the form can be picked up at City Hall, 220 East First. Entries are due by September 1.

Merchandise will be available at many of the events on September 11. Items also will be available at City Hall in the near future. Check the website for updates or contact City Hall for more information at 316-321-9100.

A vehicle permit is required to enter the lake. Find information on park fees at the El Dorado State Park Website. You can also purchase a State Parks Passport with your vehicle registration each year at a discounted rate. The Parks Passport can be used at any of Kansas' state parks.

To make a reservation, visit the El Dorado State Park Website

El Dorado Lake offers several camping areas around the lake. Learn more at https://ksoutdoors.com/State-Parks/Locations/El-Dorado

No, you do not need a business license.