What is the Clear Spring Regional Water Reclamation Facility?
The facility, to be located south of Colorado Springs near the Ray Nixon Power Plant, will treat wastewater serving customers primarily on the east side of Colorado Springs. The facility will have the initial capacity to treat 8 million gallons per day (mgd) and will be expanded to treat approximately 30 mgd.
Why is it being built?
The facility is planned to effectively serve customers in the eastern portion of the City, including an area generally referred to as the Banning Lewis Ranch. In 1988, Colorado Springs City Council voted to annex the Banning Lewis Ranch into the city limits. At the time, Colorado Springs Utilities knew that our wastewater system would not have the capacity to serve this area. As a result, in the Annexation Agreement, the City agreed to construct a new water reclamation facility and the developers agreed to finance it. All land developed within the same wastewater drainage basin will be subject to the same arrangement.
Where will the facility be built?
The facility will be built within Colorado Springs Utilities’ Clear Spring Ranch on the east side of I-25 between Exits 123 and 125.
Why is this the best location?
First, it is safer and less expensive to use gravity to carry flows from the Banning Lewis Ranch area south – and downhill – to the new water reclamation facility. This is consistent with the 2000 Wastewater Infrastructure Strategic Plan and its related public participation efforts.
Second, our solids handling and disposal facility, an important step in our treatment process, is located on Clear Spring Ranch. This makes treatment easier and more cost effective. Third, Clear Spring Ranch is already owned by Colorado Springs Utilities and currently has industrial land uses that will support the facility.
What is the status of the facility?
Colorado Springs Utilities has completed six planning studies over the past ten years and is currently in the design and permitting phase of the facility. The Pikes Peak Area Council of Governments (PPACG) recently voted to recommend approval to the State of Colorado and Utilities is currently in the process of submitting the site application for formal state approval.
Next steps include:
- Finalize design in mid-2008
- Ongoing permitting
- Begin construction: summer 2008
- Project completion: January 2012
Who will pay for the project?
The Annexors of the 1988 Banning Lewis Ranch Annexation will fund the capital portion and Colorado Springs Utilities will fund operations & maintenance.
How does development impact the proposed plant completion?
Colorado Springs Utilities is currently on schedule to meet a January-2012 completion date. This date is based on proposed development throughout the service territory and will be re-evaluated by Colorado Springs Utilities in mid-2008.
Will the public continue to be involved?
Yes, the public was included in the site selection and based on their feedback, Springs Utilities made changes to the preliminary design. Some of these changes include odor control facilities, aesthetic improvements, reduction to creek impacts and location. Additionally, we will provide regular project updates and additional opportunities for public involvement throughout the duration of the project. The next opportunity requiring public input will be the color selection for the plant. This part of the process will be completed before the end of 2007.
If I have more questions, who should I contact?
Feel free to call Gwen Happ at (719) 668-7395 or contact her via email at ghapp@csu.org.
