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 Reclaimed Water

What is Reclaimed or Recycled Water?
Reclaimed water is wastewater effluent that has been further treated and disinfected to provide a non-potable supply that is safe and suitable for uses such as landscape irrigation and some industrial processes. It is widely used and accepted throughout the arid and semi-arid portions of the United States as an environmentally responsible way to conserve scarce and expensive water supplies. It has been successfully used in other Colorado communities including Arapahoe County, Colorado Springs, Aurora, and Inverness Business Park. It also is used in other parts of the country including Arizona, Florida, Hawaii, and California.

What is the level of treatment and is it safe?
Reclaimed water contains valuable nitrogen, phosphorous, and other nutrients, which promote good plant growth. At the same time, the water meets stringent disinfection standards. Experience has shown that contact with reclaimed water does not promote waterborne disease transmission. In fact, reclaimed water quality standards are more stringent than those for surface streams, rivers, and irrigation channels. To market reclaimed water for public use, the City built a plant that will provide a high level of treatment and disinfection . Finished water must meet stringent requirements set by the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment. Reclaimed water will be delivered through pipelines that are completely separate from the City's potable (drinking) water system.
 
What are the main benefits for the City to use recycled water?
Use of reclaimed water will benefit everyone in Westminster. It will maintain a constant water supply for City parks and golf courses. Some additional advantages of this facility include:
  • Reduced demand on drinking water and scarce raw water supplies.
  • Efficient use of existing facilities and city employees.
  • City growth can be maintained in a responsible manner.

Reclaimed Water Locations

When wastewater leaves homes and businesses in Westminster, it travels through environmentally sound wastewater treatment and reclamation pathways.

Westminster's water reclamation program has been acclaimed by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and the State of Colorado for environmental stewardship. The city is able to complement its raw-water supply by reclaiming wastewater for use as an irrigation source to irrigate golf courses and parks, and business and school grounds, while preserving drinking water for human consumption.

Raw Water Sites
Heritage at Westmoor Golf Course 
Westview Recreation Center 
Legacy Ridge Golf Course 
Westminster City Park 
The Ranch Country Club & Golf Course 
Ranch HOAs No. 1, 3, & 4 
 
Non-potable Water Sites  
Big Dry Creek Wastewater Treatment Facility 
Westminster Reclaimed Water Treatment Facility 
Avaya Communication 
Front Range Community College 
The Village at Legacy Ridge Apartments 
The Heritage Townhomes at Legacy Ridge 
Cotton Creek Park 
Ryan Elementary School & Park  
Sherwood Park 
Northwest Business Park 
Westminster Boulevard Linear Park (by the Promenade) 
Hyland Hills Golf Course

Plant Process

Wastewater is treated at the Big Dry Creek Water Reclamation Facility where over 90 % of the organic mater and other pollutants are removed. Residual chlorine is used to kill any bacteria that remain. The chlorine is then removed (dechlorination) prior to discharge into Big Dry Creek. Plant performance and compliance with discharge quality is closely monitored by city personnel and regulated by the Colorado Department of Public Health & Environment and the Environmental Protection Agency. Final effluent released into Big Dry Creek meets all standards and is typically as clean or cleaner then water already in the creek.

The Reclaimed Water Treatment Facility (RWTF) takes water that would otherwise be released into Big Dry Creek. Chemicals (coagulants) are added to remove solids suspended (dissolved) in the water. A self cleaning sand filter is then used to filter the water and remove these solids. Once the water has been filtered it is disinfected again with chlorine and stored in a covered underground reservoir until needed. Virtually all of the remaining solids, phosphorus and pathogenic organisms are removed at the RWTF. Powerful distribution pumps then deliver the water through separate pipelines to golf courses, parks, and other large greenbelt sites for landscape irrigation.
Reclaimed Water Distribution System process chart

 

Reclaimed Water Distribution System


Reclaimed Water Distribution System map