The following questions and concerns were raised during multiple public meetings held to inform area residents and Springs Utilities customers about the Clear Spring Regional Water Reclamation facility. Our project experts have responded to each of the questions and concerns below. Why are we calling it a reclamation facility when it is a wastewater facility?
This facility will not only treat waste, but will produce recycled water. What will the new facility do to property values?
The facility should not affect property values.
What about odor?
The facility will meet or exceed all odor standards. Especially in this case where specific controls will be employed, odor from the facility will be minimal. Will it to look like a sewage plant? We don’t want it to.
The facility will be site appropriate and will blend in with the surrounding environment. We are concerned over the existing creek. Animals are getting sick. Where does liability come in?
The facility will not negatively affect the local wildlife, and we will work with state and local entities to ensure wildlife habitat are minimally disrupted. Isn’t this project the antithesis of the mission statement – i.e. quality of water, land use from heightened flow with reclaimed water? The volume of water cannot be mitigated due to heightened flow; make sure we get it off the creek.
This project considers quality of water and land use. It is unrelated to stormwater flow issues in the creek. We are aware of these concerns and will continue to work with Fountain Creek regional partners to further minimize any impacts. Isn’t Fountain Sanitation District building a treatment plant as well? That new facility will be off of Birdsall. Sure state would not approve another plant that close together.
As part of the Lower Fountain Metropolitan Sewage and Disposal District, Fountain Sanitation determined that signing the negotiated agreement with Colorado Springs Utilities would, “put the District customers at an unacceptable financial risk.” Are there problems with the site being so close to flood plain? The west site seems like a better place to put facility.
Neither site is in the 100-year flood plain. The facility will be built to meet all related regulatory requirements. Will there be an Environmental Impact Study?
At this point, an EIS is not required. Is the process water coming from the wastewater?
Yes. Has there been any talk of reusable water in the developments?
We are talking to the developers about low-water landscapes and other water-wise opportunities. Is there an advantage to building on the east site? What about the operations of the west site versus the east site? How is that factored in?
There may be. The engineers are evaluating both sites. The evaluation includes things like safety, construction cost, and operation cost issues. We will share the engineers’ evaluation with you as soon as possible and will be asking for your input given their information. What is the gold standard in facilities versus another standard? How do we (residents) know that you wouldn’t give us some other standard if built on the east site?
Our Northern Water Reclamation Facility is the gold standard for the commercial business community in which it is located. We invite you to tour the facility with us. Do we have a say in how the facility looks?
Your input is very important to us. We will continue to share information with you and get your thoughts especially as we begin the design of the plant. What about high water volume and sedimentation buildup?
It is generally stormwater that causes high water volume and sedimentation buildup in the creek. The facility will not cause high water volume or add sediment. Anything that would mitigate the effluent would be great; if we could use it for the plant, that would be good. How will facility placement/construction, and the actual interceptor pipeline/construction affect the residents’ groundwater since they are on shallow wells?
The construction activities should not impact the quality nor quantity of water in local residents’ groundwater wells. There may be small amounts of groundwater pumped to the creek as we dewater the plant site and interceptor alignment during construction. However, we have a construction dewatering permit for this activity, and it contains specific conditions that we must follow which are designed to protect State waters from potential pollution. What amount of effluent will end up in the creek? Will this project contribute to the erosion of the creek and what will we do to mitigate it? How much riprap will be required?
Once the facility is operational, there may be up to 8 million gallons per day of treated effluent that is discharged into the creek. We are evaluating our options for minimizing the potential for erosion. Those options may include drop structures, bank stabilization, and other natural or engineered modifications to the creek. Have we talked to Fountain-Fort Carson regarding our project?
These entities are more than five miles outside of the alignment corridor. Springs Utilities will be discussing this project and related activities with these entities to ensure their acceptance. When do we begin involving the public in the exterior design process?
The initial layout and architectural renderings will be ready for public input and review by late spring 2007. Springs Utilities will hold public workshops at that time. Can residents tap off the line once the facility is up and running?
Yes, this can be done with City Council approval and authorization by the service area provider. How can we be sure storm events will not affect the direction of the channel?
An analysis of potential flood impacts is required as part of our permitting work with the Regional Floodplain Administrator and FEMA. The construction of the facility will be outside of the 100-year floodplain – meaning a flood of a magnitude that has only occured about every 100 years would not impact the facility. Berms to be built around the facilities will help protect the site. What will happen to trails or recreation areas near the east site?
Springs Utilities is talking to the State for opportunities to enhance trails and recreation in this area. Have we looked at other sites such as available property in the area or Williams Creek property?
Yes, we have looked at other properties as a part of an update to the Wastewater Infrastructure Strategic Plan (WISP), siting study, and the concept design. This siting study specifically explored all possible land options – both owned and private property – in the Jimmy Camp Creek basin. From the siting study, options were narrowed to Clear Springs Ranch – property owned by Colorado Springs Utilities – and potential locations on the ranch were pursued. Additional issues and comments shared during the public process: - East site is fine as long as residents have a say in how it looks and smells.
- West site would be better than the east site.
- Further west is better than any of the existing sites; maybe over the mountain.
- Ratepayers are paying for property, erosion along Fountain Creek, development costs.
- Concerns as they relate to this project and the Fountain Creek Jewel Project:
- wastewater spills
- non-point pollution
- high water volume
- sedimentation build up
- high selenium content
- loss of wetlands
- flash floods
- Keep dark sky perspective in mind; make sure we don’t light up the sky. Power plant seems to have bright lights.
- Concerns with water quality.
- Concerns with wildlife; wetland area.
- Have design features selected by us.
- Would like to see trails, beautification.
- Would like to have things green around the facility.
- Industrial look is not acceptable.
- Concerns with health and environment.
- Health – levels of e coli, giardia.
- Environment – vegetation, new seeds.
- Now has a better understanding of exactly where facility would be if on east site.
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