The Upper Thompson Sanitation District is reworking its design for a new wastewater reclamation facility with a more affordable price tag.
A year ago, the board of directors decided to take a step back when the lowest bid to build the new facility came in at $94 million — some $14 million above the anticipated cost.
The new design is expected to be 60 percent complete by the end of April and 100 percent by the end of July, District Manager Suzanne Jurgens said in an interview. If the new cost estimates are acceptable, construction could begin this fall.
RN Civil Construction, the low-bidding contractor, is working with the district and the engineering firm, AE2S, to find ways to reduce project costs without sacrificing standards.
“As the design is evolving, we’re each identifying potential cost savings, all the while not compromising the process of treating the wastewater,” Jurgens said.
These include adjustments such as being more efficient with locations, room spaces, and equipment.
Once the design is complete, RN Civil will offer a renegotiated bid, and the board will vote on whether to accept it. Meanwhile, the district is updating permit approvals from Larimer County and the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment, Jurgens said.
The district has access to low-interest government loans for the project, up to $114 million, but it intends to borrow less than that, Jurgens said.
At the March 17 board meeting, AE2S Project Manager Steve Ravel said he plans to share screenshots of the newest 3D model at a future board meeting, likely in April.
The new facility is needed to replace the old treatment plant built in 1975. It will be located on a nine-acre site near the existing facility along Mall Road, east of Estes Park.
UTSD serves 4,500 customers across 44 square miles surrounding the downtown core of Estes Park, which is served separately by the Estes Park Sanitation District.
The district is hosting a “Toilet Talk” at its office, 2196 Mall Road, on Wednesday, March 25, from 5 to 6:30 p.m. The informal chat is a chance for the public to meet district staff, ask questions, and learn about the project.
“It’s a casual fireside chat for people to see what we’re doing and connect with us,” Jurgens said.