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Council approves early work packages and design agreements for Water Recovery Facility expansion
Summary
Council voted unanimously to authorize early procurement and construction management agreements to start long‑lead purchases and early construction work for the water recovery (wastewater) facility expansion, and approved engineering design contracts needed to reach 30% design for Phase 1B.
City council approved three related resolutions authorizing early work and engineering agreements for the City’s Water Recovery Facility expansion, following staff presentations about capacity, regulatory timing and the need to procure long‑lead equipment.
Staff said the existing water recovery (wastewater) facility dates to the 1950s and has undergone multiple expansions; the utility currently operates under capacity thresholds measured in both hydraulic flow (12 million gallons per day) and organic loading. The council packet and staff presentation described a wastewater master plan (adopted October 2023) that identified multiple phases of work driven by regulatory requirements, asset renewal, biosolids handling, capacity and reuse needs. Phase 1 design was submitted to the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment (CDPHE) for a site application required to begin construction.
Council approved a guaranteed maximum price (GMP) early work amendment with Molt Construction (early procurement and pre‑construction services) to allow long‑lead orders and initial mobilization pending bond financing. Council also approved construction‑phase engineering services and a 30% design agreement for Phase 1B with Corollo Engineering (staff presented these as early and late work split because of available 2025 budget funds). Staff said many critical items have long lead times (pumps, generators, variable frequency drives) and that early procurement is necessary to meet the CDPHE timing requirements: the utility must be under design at 80% of permitted capacity and under construction by 95% to remain in compliance with permitting rules.
Key elements described in Phase 1 included a covered flow equalization basin and pump station (to even out daily flow peaks and improve energy efficiency and reuse pumping); a fourth primary clarifier; enhanced odor control systems (to treat hydrogen sulfide and other odorous air streams); blower and energy optimization; and reuse pumping upgrades. Staff said the current open equalization basin is a significant odor source that will be covered and vented to treatment.
Council discussion focused on schedule and compliance risk if milestones are missed, the design and permit timeline, how new air‑quality or discharge rules would be handled in phased construction, and neighborhood outreach. Staff said Phase 1 construction is expected to take about three years and that neighborhood meetings and a site tour had been offered to nearby residents. Council approved the three resolutions on unanimous votes (9–0).
