Utilities staff review 2024 operations, projects and finances; major capital work to continue in 2025

Utilities department staff presented a year-in-review at the Water Resources Advisory Board meeting on Jan. 27, outlining 2024 operations, capital work and priorities for 2025.

The presentation, given by Andrew Walker, budget analyst for the utilities department, and moderated by board staff, said the city issued $96,700,000 in water and wastewater bonds in January to fund the main sewer interceptor project and seven other priority projects, and that the department will shift from ARPA-funded emergency bill assistance to developing an in-house customer assistance program in 2025. "In January, the city issued a total of $96,700,000 in water and wastewater bonds," Walker said.

The department summarized 2024 operations across water, wastewater and stormwater. Staff described generally average snowpack and reservoir levels, with a warm, dry spring–summer that increased demand and produced slightly above-average summer water use. Utilities maintenance completed more than 300 after-hours responses, installed system taps and testing stations, repaired or replaced more than 600 meters, and conducted roughly 357,000 manual meter reads. Wastewater crews inspected about 70 miles of pipe and cleaned roughly 146 miles of sewer lines in 2024.

On capital projects, staff highlighted the Barker Gravity Pipeline rehabilitation (about 7,000 feet lined; project ~75% complete), substantial completion of upgrades at the "60 third" water treatment plant after three years of construction, and work at the wharf (wastewater treatment facility) to meet forthcoming phosphorus limits. Walker said the wharf upgrades were roughly 70% complete at the end of 2024, with projected commissioning in July 2025.

Joe (board/staff member) and operations staff described several major flood- and stream‑related projects moving into design or construction in 2025: the South Boulder Creek flood mitigation project (permits submitted; planned ground‑breaking in 2025), the Upper Goose Creek and Two Mile Canyon Creek project (design in 2025), and Gregory Canyon Creek work (design and easement negotiations underway). Staff noted the flood projects are complex because they affect private property and open-space resources.

Staff also described the Safe and Managed Public Spaces (SAMP) program that coordinates unsanctioned camping cleanup. The team is nine people who work closely with police and other departments. Staff emphasized the volume of trash removed and its potential to affect creeks and drainage if not addressed.

Regulatory updates included a brief on water fluoridation and wastewater nutrient limits. Staff said a 2024 court ruling and related health studies on fluoride had generated community questions; the city’s 1969 ballot measure requires adding fluoride only at CDC‑recommended levels and (absent state or federal changes) would require a ballot measure to alter that requirement. On wastewater, staff said the treatment facility will need enhanced phosphorus removal to meet limits expected in the next permit renewal (identified in presentation as "Regulation 85"); start‑up of the new phosphorus removal system is slated for summer 2025.

Looking ahead to 2025, staff listed priorities: an adaptive Eurasian watermilfoil management program for Boulder Reservoir (including contracted herbicide application with Northern Water), forest‑fuel reduction between Koster Reservoir and the Boulder Canyon hydro facility in coordination with Fire, Parks & Rec and OSMP, a condition assessment of the Boulder Canyon Hydro penstock (built in 1911), continuation of wharf mechanical system modernization (beginning with HVAC), and steps to improve electrical reliability at the wharf in coordination with Xcel Energy.

Board members asked about wildfire risk to mountain infrastructure, staffing stability, the new cloud‑based billing system launched in November 2024, and the end of ARPA funding for customer bill assistance. Staff said the water conservation position in water resources drew a healthy applicant pool and that staffing has stabilized compared with immediate post‑pandemic hiring challenges. On ARPA, staff said about $400,000 had been set aside for bill assistance; approximately $250,000 was distributed and the remaining balance (about $150,000) was diverted to Housing & Human Services for a rental assistance program. The department will prioritize a sustainable customer assistance program in the 2025 budget.

The board conducted routine business at the start of the meeting: a motion to approve the November meeting minutes passed unanimously. No other formal board actions or votes were taken on policy items during the utilities presentation.

Board members and staff agreed to return to public comment before the next agenda items and to continue monitoring the major capital projects, flood mitigation timelines and the comprehensive plan update in which utilities will play a supporting role.