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.
 City council members, along with Wastewater Treatment Plant employees, take a tour of the plant's new expansion Wednesday afternoon. The plant increased its capacity by 50 percent by adding a third oxidation ditch and secondary clarifier. (Joel Blocker / Daily Press) Advertisement |
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.
• Be respectful of others, the writer and the subjects in the story.
• Be relevant. Keep your comments on point.
• See the guidelines for TalkAbout. Perhaps your comment is best for that community forum, available from the home page, instead of commenting on a particular story.
Comment posters are responsible for the opinions they express and the accuracy of the information they provide. We urge comment writers to treat this as a public forum where manners matter. We encourage a collegial, non-insulting tone. All readers comments must be approved by our staff before posting to the Web site. Be aware, in accordance with the Communications Decency Act and provisions upheld in judicial appeal, that you are responsible for comments posted on this Web site. Montrose Press is not liable for messages from third parties.
DO NOT POST:
* Potentially libelous statements or damaging innuendo.
* Obscene, explicit, or racist language.
* Personal attacks, insults or threats.
* The use of another person's real name to disguise your identity.
* Comments unrelated to the story.
Opinions, advice and all other information expressed in montrosepress.com's reader comments represent the individual's own views and not necessarily those of the Montrose Press. Montrose Press does not endorse and is not responsible for statements, advice or opinions offered by anyone other than authorized Montrose Press spokespersons.
Thank you for your comments!