Fountain Creek
The Fountain Creek Recovery Project is a great example of an environmentally sound and proactive approach to effectively manage water resources. The project was implemented to protect the environment and the community, and to keep potential wastewater overflows from reaching downstream in the event of upstream wastewater spills caused by vandalism, blockages, or other occurrences.
Project Overview
The Fountain Creek Recovery Project includes:
- An existing irrigation ditch located in south Colorado Springs, lined with concrete and used to divert contaminated water from Fountain Creek to a recovery pond.
- An 18.5 million gallon capacity, lined spill pond.
- During a spill, water in Fountain Creek is diverted to this pond.
- Water is then transferred to Las Vegas Street Wastewater Treatment Plant for treatment.
- A 20 million gallon capacity pond for storing clean water for water rights exchanges.
Planning
In March 2006, U.S. Senator Ken Salazar helped initiate the idea of restoring Fountain Creek and turning the corridor between Colorado Springs and Pueblo into a recreational amenity. The first step of the plan included fixing the problems associated with Fountain Creek and its tributaries, including flood control and water quality issues. That’s where CH2M HILL became a part of the recovery project.
Purpose
Any wastewater system carries a risk for spills. The purpose is to reduce the risk for spills caused by severe storm events, vandalism, grease blockages, and failed bypass operations from reaching downstream residents and communities.
Preventing wastewater spills will be facilitated by improving the collection system, rehabilitating the collection pipes, and securing at-risk locations.
Congratulations to the Fountain Creek Recovery Project Team
A job well done to the project team in Colorado Springs, Colorado, for the safe and successful design/build delivery of the Fountain Creek Recovery Project. A congratulatory event was held onsite to recognize the completion of this first-of-a-kind project and acknowledge the project team with an Excellence in Safety award for zero lost time and zero injuries.
The U.S. Conference of Mayors Outstanding Achievement Award
CH2M HILL walked away with honors for the Fountain Creek Recovery Project. The innovative project with Colorado Springs Utilities and CH2M HILL designed and built a system to divert stream flows from Fountain Creek when they contain spilled wastewater.