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Wellington staff present distribution master plan, recommend phased upgrades and storage options tied to growth and VITA
Summary
Deputy Public Works Director Nathan Ewerick briefed trustees on the distribution system master plan, model updates and recommended near-term capital projects (AC pipe replacement, PRV fix in Sage Meadows) plus a longer-term pump station and a 1 million-gallon ground storage tank if VITA is integrated. The plan will be finalized and returned for adoption; no immediate vote occurred.
Nathan Ewerick, deputy director of public works and project manager for the distribution master plan, told the board the plan updates the 2020 model, recalibrates using hydrant flow testing and new diurnal curves, and applies 2030 and 2045 growth scenarios to identify capacity and operational deficiencies.
Ewerick said the existing system performs well overall; the primary concern is older asbestos cement (AC) pipe in Old Town and a couple of minor issues: the Buffalo Creek booster pump station (manual operation with no SCADA) and a pressure relationship in Sage Meadows that requires an additional PRV to restore proper zone boundaries. The master plan recommends budgeting for phased AC replacement, a near-term PRV project for Sage Meadows and planning-level projects to loop lines under the rail corridor to support future development.
With and without VITA: Ewerick stressed the plan was developed to work whether Wellington accepts a new off-take from VITA or not. If VITA proceeds, the recommended 2045 scenario includes two new pressure zones requiring a pump station at the treatment plant and a 1 million-gallon ground storage tank at roughly 5,550 feet elevation to serve northern growth and avoid pumping from lower tanks. He noted that the existing 1-million-gallon tank had interior structural issues identified in a 2023 inspection and that long-term planning should budget for replacement.
Emergency response and operations: trustees asked how the town responds to main breaks. Ewerick said crews isolate breaks by valve operation, emphasize keeping tanks full to avoid pressures dropping below 20 PSI, and have procedures to provide bottled water to any affected customers until repairs are complete.
Next steps: the plan will be finalized after the Boards feedback and brought back for formal adoption; staff will coordinate the CIP and rate analysis with the VITA consideration and the 2027 budget process.
