Frequently Asked Questions
about the City of Glenwood Springs Wastewater Treatment Plant and Sewer Lift
Station Construction Project
What's the "big
picture" on this project?
The City of Glenwood Springs is in the process of
constructing a new wastewater treatment facility, a multi-phase project that
began in 2008 and represents a capital investment of $33 million. The Salida,
Colorado-based Moltz Construction,
a firm that specializes exclusively in commercial and municipal water and
wastewater projects, is under contract with the city to do the construction.
The first step in the project was the construction of a new
road, which was built from the west end of Wulfsohn Road to the new treatment
plant site at Chatfield Ranch in West Glenwood, on the south side of the
Colorado River. The construction of the new treatment plant is well underway,
and is on schedule and within budget.. The plant will consist of three treatment
buildings and four concrete tanks when it is done, and will increase capacity of
the city's sewage system by about 70 percent, providing infrastructure that will
serve the community for many decades to come.
Concurrent to the road and treatment plant construction,
about two miles of pipe have been laid from the existing plant at 7th Street in
downtown Glenwood Springs, along Midland Avenue, to the new site in West
Glenwood. There are two pipes from 7th Street to the new plant, laid side by
side. Interestingly, one 16 inch pipe is more than adequate for transporting
wastewater to the new site, but the two pipes will provide for redundancy and
allow for future capacity. The final phase in the treatment plant and sewer
system relocation is now underway with the sewer lift station construction,
taking place in the parking lot just east of the railroad underpass off of 7th
Street in downtown Glenwood Springs.
What is the sewer
lift station, and when will it be finished?
The sewer lift station, which will consist of pumps, tanks,
and generators, is necessary to transfer sewage from the existing downtown site
to the new plant in West Glenwood Springs. The construction of the sewer lift
station began April 4, 2011 and will conclude by May, 2012.
What are the
impacts of the sewer lift station construction?
Although there are parking impacts and changes, and added
truck traffic around the construction area, the City of Glenwood Springs is
committed to minimizing inconveniences to commuters, citizens, visitors and
businesses during this major infrastructure project.
Only half of the 7th Street lot is currently available for
public parking. The entire lot will be closed beginning June 1, 2011 as
construction continues. A temporary lot with 90 spaces is available to provide
alternative free parking, and is located on the west side of School Street,
midway between 10th Street and 11th Street, adjacent to the City of Glenwood
Springs Recycling Center. Other alternative parking spots in the downtown are
available and indicated on this
map.
There will be additional truck traffic on 7th Street and
Midland Avenue during the construction period.
Motorists and commuters are encouraged to exercise patience and use
caution when traveling in this area.
What are the
benefits of this project to the City of Glenwood Springs?
Most citizens agree that the biggest and most immediate
benefit of the wastewater treatment plant project will be the removal of the
plant-- and its corresponding odors-- from the core of the city. Once all water
and wastewater operations are moved to West Glenwood, the existing treatment
plant at 7th Street will be demolished, and the important piece of land where it
currently sits will be available for other uses.
In the city's long-range plans for re-development of this area, known as
The
Confluence, the relocation of the wastewater treatment plant is an essential
component.
The project is being financed with a loan from the
Colorado Water Resources and Power Development Authority, at an interest
rate of just 2.5 percent. When the financing became available, the city seized
the opportunity to invest in its capital infrastructure and created a plan to
pay back the bonds with annual payments of about $1.91 million per year until
2032. With infrastructure projects and improvements put on hold in many other
municipalities due to the effects of the recession, the City of Glenwood Springs
is unquestionably fortunate to have had the ability and opportunity to make the
investment and to pursue the wastewater treatment plant project.
Have we answered
all your questions? We hope so!
But if not, please contact our project manager:
Steve Vanderleest, P.E.
City of Glenwood Springs Engineering Department
970-384-6435
steve.vanderleest_at_cogs.us
Thank you
for your time and interest.
