Central Wastewater Treatment Plant
Project Summary
The Central Wastewater Treatment Plant project involves the design and construction of a new wastewater treatment facility. The Town’s current wastewater treatment process consists of a lagoon system built in the 1950s. This type of treatment no longer meets State compliance due to the amount of growth the Town has experienced nor is the treatment process the most efficient or effective to meet Town needs. The new wastewater treatment plant is intended to increase daily flows from the current .999 MGD to 2.5 MGD.
Project Timeline & Key Milestones
- Design 2021-2023
- Construction began Spring 2023
- Start-up and Commissioning tentatively 2026 (or TBD)
For more project information, contact:
Ellen Hilbig, Utilities Director
ehilbig@johnstownco.gov
(970) 578-4664
Project Updates & Impacts
Over the summer, crews have been working on grading, excavation, and foundation construction of the new MBR Building and process basins. Staff continues to work with the contractor and design engineer throughout construction on permitting and construction progress. The abnormally wet spring caused some delays, as much of the excavation space created for the foundation was filled with water. With the intense rain behind us, Plant Staff is managing the lagoon levels and the contractor is continuing the process to decommission Lagoon #3 (the southwest lagoon). The contractor continues construction in the area for other related structures.
Project Goals
- Construct a new wastewater facility in Town to keep pace with projected future growth in demand for service
- Improve quality and efficiency of Town wastewater treatment service
- Achieve compliance with State wastewater treatment regulations
Project Benefits
- Higher quality wastewater treatment service
- A new wastewater treatment plant that can help the Town scale service with future growth in demand
Project Cost & Funding
This project is financed by the Sewer Fund, one of Johnstown’s enterprise funds. The Sewer Fund is responsible for the collection and treatment of wastewater in Johnstown.
- Previous Project Updates
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February 2023 Update - The final GMP based on the 90% plans is expected to be brought to council in March 2023. Town Staff has obtained all adjacent easement for the construction of a new outfall pipe.
December 2022 Update - The Design Engineer has submitted 90% construction plans. Town Staff, the design engineer and the CMAR will work on value engineering as the design progresses and will look at developing the Final GMP (guaranteed max price) based on the 90% plans.
November 2022 Update - The Design Engineer continues working with CDPHE. Town Staff, the design engineer, and the CMAR will work on value engineering as the design progresses.
October 2022 Update - The Design Engineer is working with CDPHE on the Site Location and Chemical Modification approvals. Town Staff continues to review the design and provide direction to the Design Engineer. The Town received a proposal for the CMAR design services and has awarded the project to Moltz. This will be presented at the next Town Council Meeting.
September 2022 Update - The Design Engineer is working with CDPHE on the Site Location and Chemical Modification approvals. Town Staff published an RFP to select a CMAR firm to start reviewing the design plans and prepare a GMP. Town Staff anticipates awarding the CMAR design services in October.
August 2022 Update - The Design Engineer submitted the Site Location Application for the project to the State (CDPHE) as well as the Utility Plan update for the project to the North Front Range Water Quality Planning Association (NFRWQPA) which was discussed at the NFRWQPA meeting on July 28th.
July 2022 Update - The award for the RFP for the Grit System has been issued and all early equipment awards issued. Utilities continues to work with CDPHE and NRFWQP on design plans. Specifically, the project was presented to NWRF this month (Utility Plan Update) and they approved it. Still working with CDPHE on applicable early certifications for site location. Town and design engineer are continuing progress for 60% design of the plant.
June 2022 Update - The Design Engineer is currently working with NFRWQPA and CDPHE on approvals as the staff met with NFRWQPA and the Design Engineer is working on addressing related comments, which were minor. The early equipment procurement for the Grit System is expected to be presented to Council at the beginning of July.
May 2022 Update - The Design Engineer submitted the Site Location Application for the project to the State CDPHE as well as the Utility Plan update for the project to the North Front Range Water Quality Planning Association (NFRWQPA) for review and approval. The early equipment procurement for the project was awarded at the May 16 Council Meeting
April 2022 Update - The Design Engineer received review comments for the 30% plans and will be submitting the Site Location Application for the project to the State. The project team is working through the equipment selection process for the new facility and is anticipating presenting equipment selections to Council for award at the end of May
March 2022 Update - The Utilities Department anticipates to award an applicant for equipment selection at an April or May Town Council Meeting. The 30% design plans have been completed. The next step is to present this data to the Town Council.
February 2022 Update - The RFP for equipment selection for this project closed in February and the Utilities Department is working towards making a proposal award in April. The design engineer has been working hard collecting data, and the design should be 30% done by the end of March.
January 2022 Update - The RFP for equipment selection was posted on the Town’s website and Rocky Mountain Bidnet on January 13, 2022. Proposals for Equipment Pre-Selection for the Central Wastewater Treatment Plant Project are due February 17, 2022. The design engineer is putting together a conceptual site layout and collecting data to drive the design process.
December 2021 Update - Surveying and geo-tech for this project will be completed by the end of December. Aqua Engineering is working on RFP documents for equipment selection.
November 2021 Update - Aqua Engineering continues to work to collect collect utility information and organize data for the development of plant design.
October 2021 Update - The contractor, Aqua Engineering, is currently working to collect utility information and organizing data which will help them to understand how to design the plant to best serve residents.
September 2021 Update - The kick off meeting for this project was in September and the project is fully in the design phase at this time. Since the Town is developing designs for two wastewater treatment plants, this project design will likely sync with the design for the Low Point Wastewater Treatment Plant.
July 2021 Update - Aqua Engineering has confirmed completion of the contract for this project with the Town of Johnstown. Design planning for this project has begun.
June 2021 Update - The design engineering contract for the Central Wastewater Treatment Plant has been awarded to Aqua Engineering. Aqua Engineering has worked with the TOJ previously during the design phase for Low Point and understands the Town's needs and will develop the best design approach to meet those needs. Another benefit of the awarded consultant: consolidating the design approach for the Town's two wastewater treatment plants to the same treatment approach to allow for Staff to rotate and manage operations easily and consistently provide the opportunity for better service.
April 2021 Update - The Town posted an RFP in January to hire an engineering firm to design a new Central Wastewater Treatment Plant. The proposals for the Design RFP on the Central Wastewater Treatment Plant project are under review with the intent to award in the next month in order to start moving forward on design plans.