Low Zone Waterline and Pasquale Springs Reconstruction
The City of Salida has planned and budgeted for improvements at the Pasquale Springs Water Treatment Plant. This project includes the replacement of the water treatment equipment, storage, and pumping infrastructure at the site. The size of the project warranted Colorado Water Resources and Power Development Authority (CWRPDA) financing. This project was also considered during the 2021 Water Rate Study adopted by City Council. The improvements will provide additional treatment capacity at the site and replace aging infrastructure nearing the end of its useful life. System resiliency will be improved through the completion of these improvements.
Low Zone Water Line Replacement
The Low Zone Water Line Replacement project will replace the existing aging 16-inch ductile iron potable water transmission main originating at the existing City of Salida Galleries Water Treatment Plant to the water distribution system at the intersection of Highway 50 and Vesta Road. The new water main is planned to be a 16-inch C905 PVC line that is approximately 4,600 feet long. There is a river crossing (South Arkansas River) and the proposed water main alignment also parallels Highway 50 between the City of Salida and the Town of Poncha Springs for approximately 2,000 feet. The existing water main is in disrepair and in a difficult alignment to perform maintenance and repair activities.
This project was designed by SGM, Inc. and the contractor for the project is RMS Utilities, Inc.
Pasquale Springs Improvements
The existing Pasquale Springs pump station and contact chamber have passed their service life and needs to be replaced. Ongoing maintenance and repair of existing contact chamber is costly. Pasquale Springs is the City’s best water source, but their only able to use the system in the summer months due to uninsulated pump station resulting in freezing issues in the winter. Pumps are also currently undersized to meet available water right pumping capacity along with future peak day demand. Existing chlorine contact chamber is also undersized based and water right pumping capacity and CDPHE chlorine residual requirements. Existing contact chamber also contains zero baffles.
Pasquale Springs Improvements project will expand groundwater drinking source by replacing aging pump station, disinfection facilities, and chlorine contact chamber at the existing Pasquale Springs site. The new at grade pump station will house new pumps, valves, piping, and other related appurtenances. Electrical and HVAC will also be replaced. A separate room will be provided for disinfection facilities. A new concrete buried tank with baffles with be provided for appropriate chlorine contact time prior to pumping to distribution system.
This project was designed by SGM, Inc. and the contractor for the project is Moltz Construction, Inc.
Construction of upgrades and improvements to the Low Zone Waterline and the Pasquale Springs Improvements were financed by the Colorado Water Resources and Power Development Authority (CWRPDA) State Revolving Fund. The CWRPDA is administered by the Colorado Department of Health and Environment (CDPHE) with joint funding from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the State of Colorado. These projects will improve treatment and distribution within potable system for the City of Salida. State Revolving Fund programs operate around the country to provide states and communities the resources necessary to maintain and improve the infrastructure that protects our valuable water resources nationwide.
