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Buena Vista staff report progress on new surface water treatment plant, warn of ongoing operational demands
Summary
Public works staff briefed trustees on steps to move from groundwater to surface water treatment, ongoing punch‑list work, gallery well development, increased reporting and possible personnel additions. Staff said the plant is producing treated water and the town’s 2024 consumer confidence report showed no violations.
Public works staff gave a detailed operations update on the town’s water treatment plant and distribution system during the May 13 meeting.
Staff said the town has transitioned from primarily groundwater treatment to a surface water treatment plant that brings water through new infiltration galleries and compliance filtration units. Staff described continuing punch‑list work on construction contracts (Rice Lakes, JHL) and a short extension of contracts into July to ensure final items are completed.
Operations staff reported that the new galleries are still developing and that occasional flushing will continue through the summer to reduce turbidity and debris as the galleries settle. One staff member said, “we’re drinking the water that’s coming through the water treatment plant right now,” noting that the plant is producing treated water but that filters and galleries will need monitoring and further flushing.
Staff and CDPHE representatives warned trustees that the operational staffing and reporting burden for a surface water plant is greater than for the prior groundwater plant. A CDPHE representative noted the regulatory reporting and operational demands are “an order of magnitude more” for this type of plant. Trustees and staff discussed personnel needs and said they were evaluating an additional operator position given the plant’s increased monitoring and SCADA requirements.
Staff also summarized the annual Consumer Confidence Report (CCR): the town had no violations and natural fluoride in the raw water averaged about 0.3 mg/L (the federal MCL for fluoride is 4 mg/L; the commonly referenced recommended level for fluoridation is ~0.7 mg/L). Staff said adding a fluoride treatment facility would require substantial capital and chemical handling infrastructure and that the town would weigh public health, cost and regulatory considerations before taking any step toward fluoridation.
Other updates included near‑term sidewalk, rodeo grounds and parks work; staff also offered to schedule a field trip to the plant once final housekeeping and punch‑list items are completed.
Ending: Staff will continue operational adjustments and gallery flushing through the summer, evaluate staffing needs and present any recommended personnel or budget changes during the town’s forthcoming budget cycle.
