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The three huge lagoons used by the former wastewater treatment plant serving Clifton no longer exist.
Instead the Clifton Sanitation District, 3217 D Road, has a new system which treats wastewater in a more controlled environment, using less space, less energy, and with fewer odors.
Clifton Sanitation Districts I and II consolidated to create a new wastewater treatment plant that complies with water quality standards mandated by the Environmental Protection Agency and the state of Colorado.
A federal mandate to protect four endangered fish species is what drove the project, said manager Brain Woods.
“You don't have to agree those fish should be safe, but we're required to” (improve the water quality) of effluent released into the Colorado River, Woods said.
The endangered fish include Colorado pikeminnow, razorback sucker, humpback chub and bonytail chub.
The state-of-the-art facility includes air ionization particles that neutralize odors, and an oxidation ditch where senior operator Doug Hill controls the number of microorganisms needed to consume the wastewater's organic compounds. There are also clarifier tanks for further treatment before the liquid passes through a pipe under ultraviolet rays that kills pathogenic organisms.
The final product flows from a creek at the back of the property into the Colorado River. The effluent also fills fire hydrants, and is used to water the lawn at the property.
“Our goal is to put the highest quality effluent back into the river,” Woods said.
Wastewater includes all household uses, including water from washing machines, dishwashers and toilets.
The old system could not remove ammonia, unlike the new wastewater treatment plant, Woods said.
The new treatment process is more efficient than that of the former plant. The new process takes about 24-48 hours versus 28-30 days at the former plant.
“It uses about 30-40 percent less energy than the previous three lagoons,” Woods said.
Even the sanitation district's administration building is energy efficient — the building is heated and cooled with geothermal technology, which moves heat energy to and from the earth.
The lagoons were decommissioned and remediated after the new wastewater treatment plant was completed and could treat lagoon water and sludge buildup.
Two of the former lagoons, at 33 and 32-1/2 roads will be turned into gravel mines. The other lagoon site will be turned into wildlife habitat and alfalfa fields.
Forty acres of the 65-acre site is being reclaimed. Four and a half acres will be turned into wetlands, and a pond area. Several acres will be reclaimed as wildlife habitat. Grapes will be planted on three-and-a half acres, and three fields will be planted in alfalfa.
Inmates from both the Rifle and Delta Correctional Centers assisted district staff members with landscaping, and will also help to install trellises for the grapes to be planted next spring.
The sanitation district has contracted with Talbott Farms to tend the crops. The idea is to turn the area from an industrial site into a self-sustaining, wildlife-friendly area, similar to the hay and fruit farm that existed there in 1968.
A portion of the riverfront trail still under construction, will pass through the back of the property. District staff members removed invasive tamarisk along the river and replanted several hundred native shrubs and trees.
“We're trying to build a community project through reclamation, decommissioning (lagoons), cooperating with the trail systems, providing educational opportunities,” Woods said. “We want the community to be proud of what we're accomplishing for them.”
The idea to plant grapes, alfalfa and wildlife habitat was Woods' and the Clifton Sanitation District board of directors.
It's “extremely unique,” and “innovative,” how the district has created on its property these beneficial uses to the community, Woods said.
Funding for the remediation and reclamation was provided by user fees; the Colorado Division of Wildlife; a Colorado Department of Local Affairs Energy Impact Grant; and the United States Department of Agriculture Natural Resources Conservation Service.
Construction of the $20.75 million treatment facility was paid for by energy impact funds, low interest loans from the Colorado Rural Water and Power Development Authority, and district reserve funds.
Another $1.6 million was spent on engineering design and construction oversight. The federally-mandated project, which is currently $300,000 under budget received no federal funding, Woods said.
Reach Sharon Sullivan at ssullivan@gjfreepress.com
Instead the Clifton Sanitation District, 3217 D Road, has a new system which treats wastewater in a more controlled environment, using less space, less energy, and with fewer odors.
Clifton Sanitation Districts I and II consolidated to create a new wastewater treatment plant that complies with water quality standards mandated by the Environmental Protection Agency and the state of Colorado.
A federal mandate to protect four endangered fish species is what drove the project, said manager Brain Woods.
“You don't have to agree those fish should be safe, but we're required to” (improve the water quality) of effluent released into the Colorado River, Woods said.
The endangered fish include Colorado pikeminnow, razorback sucker, humpback chub and bonytail chub.
The state-of-the-art facility includes air ionization particles that neutralize odors, and an oxidation ditch where senior operator Doug Hill controls the number of microorganisms needed to consume the wastewater's organic compounds. There are also clarifier tanks for further treatment before the liquid passes through a pipe under ultraviolet rays that kills pathogenic organisms.
The final product flows from a creek at the back of the property into the Colorado River. The effluent also fills fire hydrants, and is used to water the lawn at the property.
“Our goal is to put the highest quality effluent back into the river,” Woods said.
Wastewater includes all household uses, including water from washing machines, dishwashers and toilets.
The old system could not remove ammonia, unlike the new wastewater treatment plant, Woods said.
The new treatment process is more efficient than that of the former plant. The new process takes about 24-48 hours versus 28-30 days at the former plant.
“It uses about 30-40 percent less energy than the previous three lagoons,” Woods said.
Even the sanitation district's administration building is energy efficient — the building is heated and cooled with geothermal technology, which moves heat energy to and from the earth.
The lagoons were decommissioned and remediated after the new wastewater treatment plant was completed and could treat lagoon water and sludge buildup.
Two of the former lagoons, at 33 and 32-1/2 roads will be turned into gravel mines. The other lagoon site will be turned into wildlife habitat and alfalfa fields.
Forty acres of the 65-acre site is being reclaimed. Four and a half acres will be turned into wetlands, and a pond area. Several acres will be reclaimed as wildlife habitat. Grapes will be planted on three-and-a half acres, and three fields will be planted in alfalfa.
Inmates from both the Rifle and Delta Correctional Centers assisted district staff members with landscaping, and will also help to install trellises for the grapes to be planted next spring.
The sanitation district has contracted with Talbott Farms to tend the crops. The idea is to turn the area from an industrial site into a self-sustaining, wildlife-friendly area, similar to the hay and fruit farm that existed there in 1968.
A portion of the riverfront trail still under construction, will pass through the back of the property. District staff members removed invasive tamarisk along the river and replanted several hundred native shrubs and trees.
“We're trying to build a community project through reclamation, decommissioning (lagoons), cooperating with the trail systems, providing educational opportunities,” Woods said. “We want the community to be proud of what we're accomplishing for them.”
The idea to plant grapes, alfalfa and wildlife habitat was Woods' and the Clifton Sanitation District board of directors.
It's “extremely unique,” and “innovative,” how the district has created on its property these beneficial uses to the community, Woods said.
Funding for the remediation and reclamation was provided by user fees; the Colorado Division of Wildlife; a Colorado Department of Local Affairs Energy Impact Grant; and the United States Department of Agriculture Natural Resources Conservation Service.
Construction of the $20.75 million treatment facility was paid for by energy impact funds, low interest loans from the Colorado Rural Water and Power Development Authority, and district reserve funds.
Another $1.6 million was spent on engineering design and construction oversight. The federally-mandated project, which is currently $300,000 under budget received no federal funding, Woods said.
Reach Sharon Sullivan at ssullivan@gjfreepress.com
