An empty recovery pond is a good thing.

Any wastewater system carries a risk for spills. The Fountain Creek Recovery Ponds are one way we're working to protect the environment and keep potential wastewater overflows from reaching downstream communities.

Here's how it works. 

Should untreated wastewater enter Fountain Creek, a former irrigation ditch (lined with concrete) in south Colorado Springs will divert the contaminated water from the creek to the recovery ponds. The collection ponds are lined and can hold up to 18.5 million gallons of liquid.

After the water is captured, it is transferred back to the Las Vegas Wastewater Treatment Plant for treatment.

To ensure that flows are maintained, a 20 million gallon capacity pond is located next to the recovery pond. This can store clean water for water rights exchanges.

The Fountain Creek Recovery Ponds can capture flows in Fountain Creek about 300 days out of the year (normal flows in Fountain Creek). This makes it possible to keep spills caused by vandalism, grease blockages and failed bypass operations from reaching downstream residents and communities.