Plant expansion completed

MONTROSE  — The city of Montrose recognized the completion of its Wastewater Treatment Plant’s large expansion Wednesday with a presentation and tour of the facility.

In 2007, Montrose City Council approved a contract with Garney Construction out of Littleton, Colo. to expand the plant and increase capacity by 50 percent. The contract was for $3.5 million and included a third oxidation ditch and secondary clarifier.

Later, council approved an additional $290,000 for a second pump house that would accommodate growth and allow for a fourth oxidation ditch and clarifier.

The total project cost around $3.8 million, said David Spear, the city’s public information officer. A 2002 grant from the Environmental Protection Agency paid for $1.9 million of that cost.

The rest of the project was paid through capacity, tap and residential fees.

“We had a reserve (in the sewer fund) because we knew the project would become a reality,” Spear said.

EPA regulations determine the size and capacity of treatment plants. Expansion is recommended when capacity is at 80 percent.

Before the project, the plant had two oxidation ditches and clarifiers. Each ditch has a capacity of 1.44 million gallons per day. The new ditch also has a capacity of 1.44 MGD.

All three ditches were being used by the first of October, said Allen Coriell, plant manager. The expansion allows the facility to drain one of the ditches and conduct necessary maintenance.

“It gives us more breathing room,” Coriell said.

The plant was built in 1984, Spear said. It has not been expanded since that time because it was built with growth in mind. Montrose’s population was about 8,700 people in 1980 and is now around 17,000, he said.

“It had excellent capacity when it was built,” Spear said. “Now we are set for many years to come.”

The addition of the pump house allows for later expansion. According to study numbers, that could be around 2017, said Jason Ullmann, city engineer.

Currently, the city is constructing a master plan for the sanitary sewer collection system through consultants. The plan will look at the models in place and possible capital improvement projects, along with looking at a rate study done in 2003, Ullmann said. He expects the plan to be presented to city council during a December work session.