With the new solution, the developer has the same financial obligations - to pay for the wastewater treatment needs of Banning Lewis Ranch. The developer will pay for all additions and upgrades needed to move wastewater to the Las Vegas Street facility and upgrades needed at the plant to process the increased volume. The new solution will be studied more closely, but at this point it appears to be a win-win solution. The solution would significantly lower costs for both the developer and Springs Utilties wastewater customers. Savings will be realized through lower capital costs and lower ongoing operation and maintenance costs. Why is Colorado Springs Utilities exploring new solutions now? - The design and engineering of a large project such as this is an ongoing process. It is our responsibility to adapt to changing conditions and find the most environmentally and financially responsible way to meet customer needs.
- BLR annexation agreement wa the basis for 20 years of planning for a regional treatment plant. In recent months it became clear that agreement could not be reached to build one consolidated plant.
- Public concern with building two treatment plants 1.5 miles apart was greater than expected. We heard those concerns and looked for other alternatives.
- Development in the Jimmy Camp Creek basin has begun to slow considerably. The new approach will allow us to more closely match treatment capacity with the growth rate of the city.
- We have done enough conceptual engineering to know that this is a viable alternative.
How would the new solution work? - The alternative plan would involve upgrades to our existing infrastructure over an extended period of time to treat Banning Lewis Ranch wastewater.
- As population grows on the east side of Colorado Springs, wastewater mains would be expanded to direct the flow to the Las Vegas Street Wastewater Treatment Plant.
- Gravity would carry wastewater from the northern portion of BLR to LVWTP. When BLR expands to the south, a new pump station and interceptor pipe would be built to send wastewater to the Sand Creek lift station which will then send it to LVWTP.
- The LVWTP would be upgraded, but will not need to be expanded, to handle the increased capacity.
What are the benefits of the new solution? The new solution would: - Have less environmental impact than building a new plant.
- Avoid increasing the amount of land needed for wastewater treatment
- Reduce the need for additional treatment plant staff.
- Help upgrade existing facilities with new technology to improve water quality in Fountain Creek.
- Allow LVWTP to be upgraded with new technology to reduce odor.
- Reduce long-term operations and maintenance costs which would mean monetary savings for all wastewater customers.
- Keep Colorado Springs Utilities and its customers more in control of decisions.
- Spread out smaller capital expenditures over decades instead of having to make a large investment in the next few years, reducing finance costs.
- Meet the developer’s needs for wastewater treatment service with no increase in cost.
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