Broomfield Wastewater Reclamation Facility

Project Overview

Contract No. 2 for the Phase 2 Upgrade and Expansion of the Wastewater plant will include:

1.   Addition of necessary treatment processes to meet water quality requirements as well as to treat an additional four million gallons per day (MGD) of wastewater. This will take the plant capacity from the current 8 MGD to 12 MGD;

a.Installation of air-scrubbing equipment in the headworks building. This equipment removes odors before the air is released into the atmosphere.

b.Covering the sludge lagoon, and;

c.Installing covers over the secondary clarifier channel where the treated wastewater leaves that basin.

History

The Broomfield Wastewater Treatment Facility (WWTF) is located at 2985 West 124^th Avenue. It was originally constructed in 1954. Four plant expansions have taken 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, 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 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 then 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 have continued to increase as areas around the Flatirons Mall, Broadlands, Arista, Anthem, Northlands, and other developments planned in the northeast sector of Broomfield, such as Children's Hospital, are developed. In addition, regulatory requirements have continued to become more restrictive. The Phase 2 expansion is now 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 are collected through the sewer license fees paid by new development.

Phase 2 Construction Approach

The Phase 2 upgrade and expansion was planned to have two construction contracts and has been approved by the State. Contract No. 1 was approved by council at the December 19, 2006 meeting and addressed:

1. Additional Odor Control - specifically, covering the south sludge storage tank, which was open to the atmosphere;

2. Repairing the No. 2 Digesters - The repair was necessary due to the failure of a seal that was installed in 1985-1986 during the expansion of that digester.

Contract No. 2 for the Phase 2 Upgrade and Expansion of the plant will include:

1. Necessary treatment processes to meet Water Quality requirements as well as to treat an additional four million gallons per day of wastewater. This will take the plant capacity from the current 8 MGD to 12 MGD;

2. Additional important odor control facilities:

a. Installation of air-scrubbing equipment in the headworks building. This equipment removes odors before the air is released into the atmosphere.

b. Covering the sludge lagoon and;

c. Installing covers over the secondary clarifier channel where the treated wastewater leaves that basin.

All of these items continue the City’s efforts of reducing odors emitting into the atmosphere.

Construction Activities

In order to minimize the impact on nearby residents, the City and County of Broomfield has worked with the contractor on the following issues:

1.  Noise control - Construction will take place between the hours of 7 a.m. and 4:30 pm, Monday through Friday. Occasionally, the time may change due to special connection requirements.

2.  Dust Control - Appropriate measures will be taken to minimize the effects of any dust that may be caused by the construction activities.

3. Visual - Forty additional 10-12 feet tall Austrian Pine trees will be planted on the berm next to the existing trees to provide a visual barrier.

PROJECT INFORMATION

For more information regarding the project, contact Ken Rutt, Wastewater Division Superintendent for the City and County of Broomfield at 303-438-6339.