Fountain Creek Recovery Project

The Fountain Creek Recovery Project is an effort to protect the environment and our customers, and to keep potential wastewater overflows from reaching downstream landowners and communities.

The project includes:

• The use of the existing Stubbs-Miller Ditch, a former irrigation ditch located in south Colorado Springs, to divert contaminated water from Fountain Creek to a recovery pond.
  • The ditch’s intake and intake channel are lined with concrete.
• An 18.5 million gallon capacity, lined spill pond.
  • During a spill, water in Fountain Creek is diverted to this pond.
  • Water is then transferred to Las Vegas Street Wastewater Treatment Plant for treatment.
• A 20 million gallon capacity pond for storing clean water for water rights exchanges.
• All components of the recovery project are located on Springs Utilities land.

Cost

The total cost for Fountain Creek Recovery Project, including the recovery ponds and design and engineering work, is approximately $10 million.

Purpose of project – what type of spills can it capture?

Any wastewater system carries a risk for spills. The Fountain Creek Recovery Project can capture flows in Fountain Creek approximately 300 days out of the year (normal flows in Fountain Creek) making it possible to keep spills caused by vandalism, grease blockages and failed bypass operations from reaching downstream residents and communities.

To reduce the risk for spills during severe storm events, we are rehabilitating wastewater pipes that cross local creeks. Additionally, City Council’s approval of a stormwater enterprise will further reduce the risk for storm-caused overflows.

Community involvement

We contacted more than 800 residents near the construction site to inform them of the project and to address concerns.

Environmental considerations and odor issues

• Five state and federal permits were obtained to construct the project.
• An ongoing maintenance program will pro-actively address any cracking to preserve the integrity of the system and to protect groundwater.
• The spill containing pond will be lined with asphalt.
• The duration that Fountain Creek water would reside in the spill containing pond will vary depending on the size of the spill event. It will be no longer than a total of 3 days time, after which the pond will be washed with clean water.

Spill prevention

Our focus is on preventing wastewater spills. The recovery project is a small part of our overall approach to wastewater overflows. Prevention is where a majority of funds are spent.

• Nearly $40 million from 2000-2005 on improving the collection system.
• $25 million in 2006 on evaluation and rehabilitation of collection pipes.
• $3.1 million since June 2005 on securing 20 at-risk locations where wastewater pipes cross local creeks, including Fountain Creek. All 20 locations were addressed as of June 2006.
• More than $250 million by 2025.
• The creation of a vandalism prevention program that offers up to $5,000 rewards for tips leading to the arrest of vandals.
• Secured nearly 2,100 manholes with new locking covers or locking bolts