Water treatment plant gets significant upgrades

(COLORADO SPRINGS) — Colorado Springs Utilities (Springs Utilities) said a water treatment plant commissioned in 1942 has received major improvements and upgrades that will allow the plant to meet more stringent regulatory requirements in the future.

According to Springs Utilities, the Phillip H. Tollefson Water Treatment Plant on the Mesa produces drinking water for 25% of Springs Utilities’ customers. The plant was commissioned in 1942 as the Mesa Water Treatment Plant and renamed in 2018.

Springs Utilities said the plant’s aging infrastructure was no longer cost-effective to repair, and capital investment in the plant has improved its performance, provided better environmental controls, and positioned it to meet more stringent regulatory requirements in the future.

The plant features a new pretreatment building that gives it the ability to process more challenging raw water, such as from Fountain Creek. Stormwater and spring runoff can increase the levels of sand, silt, and organic matter in local sources, according to Springs Utilities.

Other improvements include:

• Reconfiguration of the plant’s solids drying beds;
• New raw water vault
• Indoor basins for better environmental control

Springs Utilities said the plant has steadily increased its use of local supplies since the upgrades were completed. The ability to use more local sources will help Springs Utilities provide more flexibility and manage risks.

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