Chris Pelletier, Nederland Public Works Manager. Public Works has responded to operational upsets at the Wastewater Treatment Facility (WWTF) this month which required the entire department to respond and correct. These facilities are complicated and rely on operators to be vigilant when analyzing operations and trends. The staff continues to make improvements to operations and to optimize efficiency.

Staff has been working with the Town’s on-call engineers to plan and permit equipment for grit removal at the WWTF. Grit removal is a critical function of all wastewater treatment facilities. Grit in the waste stream is normal but if left in the process and allowed to settle in the treatment facility it can cause operational problems such as damage to equipment, reduced capacity over time, and clogs in pipelines. Some of the grit settles in the headworks where other materials are screened and staff is able to periodically remove the excess grit with the Town’s vacuum truck. However, not all of it is captured this way and some of the grit remains suspended in the flow and continues into the facility. It is these inefficiencies that Staff intends to correct.

Recent estimates have valued the equipment higher than expected. Staff will self-perform much of the installation to save money and apply for grant funding later this year to offset the cost of equipment. Staff will work to stay within the project’s budget. 

One of the public restrooms located at the Visitor’s Center has been completed and is open to the public under reduced hours. The restrooms have been outfitted with equipment to decrease the potential for viruses to spread. Ionizing air exchange fans have been installed to reduce and kill pathogens in the air. Hands free water fixtures have been installed and the doors are also relatively hands free and operate with the wave of a hand. These improvements are expected to improve the safety of Nederland’s visitors and employees.

The TIP project has been submitted to CDOT for their initial review and feedback. Some of the infrastructure work to install high speed EV chargers is in the beginning phase of construction with Xcel installing the underground to support the increased power needs of this equipment. Communication is on-going with stakeholders and staff is available to discuss the project with anyone interested. Staff has also been working with Xcel Energy on the design to bury overhead power as part of the TIP project since last September. This is a difficult piece of the project and Xcel has fallen behind in their timelines to complete the design and begin construction. 

Public Works is also continuing to change and improve the Town’s ability to perform asphalt maintenance. The majority of the department’s equipment is for the purpose of maintaining dirt roads. In recent years the department has recognized a need to expand its capabilities to perform necessary asphalt repairs. It is more efficient and economical for the department to be able to perform these services rather than hire outside companies. Public Works purchased a paving machine in 2020 and began honing the department’s skills. Public Works will continue this effort in 2021 and add to its inventory of equipment necessary to perform this type of work. 

(Originally published in the March 18, 2021, edition of The Mountain-Ear.)