Wastewater Treatment Division

Update - November 2011

The Phase 2 Expansion of the Wastewater Treatment Facility (WWTF) has been successfully completed ahead of schedule and under budget. The Facility is now a 12-Million-Gallon-per-Day (MGD) treatment facility with biological nutrient removal designed to meet current wastewater treatment standards. The expansion/upgrade project broke ground in January 2007 with a projected completion date of September 2011. The project was completed several months ahead of schedule in January 2011.

The new state-of-the-art facility is just one of the many examples why Broomfield is recognized as one of the best places to live in the United States.

Thank you to Broomfield citizens and all who helped make us a leader in the wastewater treatment industry and remember, "Every day, do something that will inch you closer to a better tomorrow." (Douglas Firebaugh)

History

The Broomfield Wastewater Treatment Facility is located at 2985 West 124^th Avenue. It was originally constructed in 1954. Four plant expansions took place in 1962, 1974, 1988 and 2001. Odor control improvements were constructed in 1996, 1998 and 2001.

Because improperly or untreated wastewater can cause extreme pollution to natural streams, wastewater treatment facilities are highly regulated. Federal and State regulations and the Denver Regional Council of Governments’ 2020 Clean Water Plan require that wastewater system master plans be prepared by communities with wastewater treatment plants. This is required to assure adequate planning occurs for wastewater treatment plant expansions. Timing for the expansions is “triggered” when plant flows and the wastewater strength itself reaches predetermined levels under the regulations.

Public Involvement

In 1996, planning began for Broomfield’s wastewater needs through the year 2020. An important aspect and approach toward watershed protection and this planning effort was to have significant public participation from our community.  Public participation is an integral part of water quality management and as a result, the City of Broomfield formed a Citizens Advisory Committee made up of neighbors, local business leaders, City Council members and city staff. The Citizens Advisory Committee met regularly throughout the four-year planning process. Opportunities for additional public input were provided through informational meetings and at the March 28, 2000 Council Meeting.

This effort resulted in the development of Broomfield’s Wastewater Utility Plan. The Wastewater Utility Plan determined that an ultimate plant capacity of 12-16 MGD is needed to serve future customers connecting to the system.

Wastewater utility plans are critical in determining how wastewater service is provided and meets multiple wastewater management documentation needs as required by the:

• Federal Clean Water Act;
• Colorado Department of Public Health’s Water Quality Control Division Regulations;
• Denver Regional Council of Governments’ (DRCOG) Metro Vision 2020 Clean Water Plan;
• The Clean Water Plan, which identifies and maps two types of wastewater service areas that are termed Wastewater Utility Service Area (WUSA) and CWP Planning Area.

At the March 28, 2000 city council meeting, a two-phased approach to expand the wastewater treatment plant from the its 5.4 MGD capacity to the 12.0 MGD capacity was proposed.

Phase 1 was completed in May 2005, which increased the plant capacity to 8.0 MGD. Phase 1 construction also included water reuse system infrastructure needed at the wastewater facility and plant odor control measures.

PHASE 2 UPGRADE AND EXPANSION

Wastewater flows continued to increase as areas around FlatIron Crossing, the Broadlands, Arista, Anthem and other developments planned in the northeast sector of Broomfield, such as Children's Hospital, have developed. In addition, regulatory requirements have continued to become more restrictive. The Phase 2 expansion was needed to provide additional capacity to service developing areas of Broomfield and to meet water quality requirements.

The Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment (CDPHE) required Broomfield to begin construction of the Phase 2 upgrade and expansion in 2007. Revenues to fund the expansion were collected through the sewer license fees paid by new development.

The Phase 2 expansion was constructed through two separate contracts.

Broomfield City Council approved Contract 1 in December 2006, which included:

• an additional odor control cover for the south sludge transfer tank and a new connection to the bio-filter (odor) treatment system, and
• repairs to a failed seal on Digester No. 2.

Construction Contract 2 was approved by City Council in October 2007 and specified three substantial completion milestones before the final project completion date.

The work associated with Contract 2 included the expansion of the WWTF's capacity to 12 MGD plus additional odor control features. Construction Contract 2 included:

• New Screening Building, including new screens with compactors, odor control, electrical and instrumentation
• Influent Pumping Station modifications to increase pumping capacity and monitoring equipment
• On-site piping for the new Screening Building
• Extension of odor control piping to the new Screening Building
• Increased capacity of the Odor Control Bio-filter
• New Grit Removal Building, including new grit removal equipment, odor control, electrical instrumentation and all building appurtenances
• New yard piping for the new Grit Removal Building, Influent Pumping Station and the Primary Clarifier Influent Diversion Structure
• Odor control containment structure at the existing Headworks Building
• Flow diversion structure modifications at existing Anoxic Basin Complex
• New Anoxic Basin Complex for increased capacity
• New Aeration Basin Complex including suspended media system, blowers, and pumps for increased capacity
• New secondary clarifiers including all pumping systems for increased capacity
• New secondary clarifier launder covers for additional odor reduction
• UV Disinfection Facility modifications for increased capacity
• Sludge holding basin modifications to include odor control cover, piping, and connection to odor control treatment system
• Digester improvements and upgrade
• Yard piping and cathodic protection systems
• Electrical power distribution systems
• Final grading and landscaping
• Concrete and paving
• Project record drawings

PROJECT INFORMATION

For more information regarding the project, contact Ken Rutt, Wastewater Treatment Division Superintendent for the City and County of Broomfield at 303.438.6339.