At Boxelder Sanitation District, we’re vigilant about maintaining the critical infrastructure needed to serve our customers safely, efficiently and effectively. In fact, we’re kicking off a few major projects this year that will improve service for our entire community.

Today, we’re sharing information about four of those projects and answering a few frequently asked questions so that you know what to expect in the coming year.

Master Plan Update

Master planning is critical for any entity that serves a large community, and Boxelder Sanitation District is no exception. A Master Plan is essentially an inventory of current land use and infrastructure and a timeline of future development goals. Since our Master Plan was last updated in 2010, it’s time to reevaluate the current trajectory and assess future needs.

Our new Master Plan will stipulate:

• The hydraulic capacity of the major trunk sewers and interceptors throughout the District.
• How topography, major waterline crossings, ditch crossings and future conditions may impact trunk sewers and interceptor routes.
• A recommended 20-year capital improvements plan throughout the District’s wastewater system.

Our District is over 50 years old and our infrastructure is aging. To ensure continued service for current and future customers, it’s important that we have a plan to identify improvements and understand the condition and operations of our infrastructure so we have ample time to plan for, finance and implement maintenance and replacements. Master Planning will take place throughout 2024.

Old Clay Interceptor and Cooper Slough Interceptor Replacement

To update aging equipment and ensure capacity to accommodate new community growth, Boxelder Sanitation District will replace two sewers that serve the northern and eastern portions of the District: the Old Clay Interceptor (OCI) and the Cooper Slough Interceptor (CSI).

The goals of this project are to:

• Combine these two sewers into one common sewer between Mulberry Street and Prospect Road.
• Replace the existing OCI main interceptor in this area.
• Route material to the treatment plant through a line that’s already been updated.
• Realign and increase the size of the bottleneck in the CSI line near Sherry Street south of Mulberry Street.

This project will be funded by growth, which is paid for by developers. The engineering and permitting processes will begin in 2024, and construction is slated to begin in 2025.

Rest Area Lift Station Force Main Replacement

To improve overall system reliability and reduce potential environmental risks, Boxelder Sanitation District will relocate our force main (a pressurized sewer line that moves wastewater from lower to higher elevations). Currently, the force main:

• Runs west from the lift station under I-25
• Crosses the Great Western Railroad and the Poudre River two times
•  Enters the wastewater treatment plant site and discharges into the plant’s influent sewer

Because of its proximity to the railroad and the river, this line is susceptible to flood damage, and possible breaks could impact the area. In its new location, the force main will run north from the lift station along the east side of I-25 before connecting to the existing Drake Interceptor.

The project engineering process will begin this year, with construction expected to begin in 2025.

Wastewater Treatment Plant Digester Thickening

In 2021, Boxelder’s Plant Expansion Project added a new aerobic digester to improve the efficiency of biosolid processing. At present, solids are pumped from the digester to screw presses, where they thicken and separate from water before they’re transported to a land disposal site.

This aerobic digester has optimized our systems, but we believe that the thickening process can be further improved. In 2024, we’ll study several additional thickening processes and assess their efficacy, which may include gravity thickening, solids flotation, gravity belt thickening, and drum thickening.

By refining our thickening process, we can reduce the costs of managing solids. After the study period between 2024 and 2025, any necessary design and construction phases can begin.

Project FAQs: What Customers Need to Know

With these four projects top of mind, let’s answer a few common questions you may have.

How are Boxelder Sanitation District Projects Funded?

Each of the projects above falls into one of two categories:

1. Growth projects
2. Rehabilitation and replacement projects (also called “improvement projects”)

Growth projects are funded by developers. The District’s philosophy is that “growth pays its way,” meaning that entities that seek to develop in the District will support new infrastructure projects designed to increase capacity and serve new customers. The purpose of this philosophy is to limit financial impacts on existing customers.

Rehabilitation and replacement projects, on the other hand, are funded by District revenues. This means that customers don’t shoulder the cost of new growth.

How Does the District Manage Project Needs and Budgeting?

Recognizing the need for improvements and upgrades is the sole responsibility of the District. For this reason, we continually:

• Create, enact and assess meticulous timelines and plans.
•  Evaluate costs and economic landscapes over time.
• Take steps to limit financial and functional impacts on customers.

This philosophy helps us spend and save judiciously, prevent system failures and limit emergency expenses.

For more information on how Boxelder Sanitation District determines which projects to work on, check out our September blog post.

Will These Projects Interrupt Service?

It’s important for customers to understand that most of the projects explored above won’t impact their everyday lives. Put simply, your service will continue as usual.

How Can Customers Learn Even More About Upcoming Projects?

As always, customers are encouraged to contact our office with any questions they have about our services, fees and projects. If you’re curious about your wastewater treatment we have a new projects page on our website where you can learn more about our current and future projects.

Boxelder Sanitation District Projects Support Our Entire Community

Throughout 2024 and the years to come, Boxelder Sanitation District will be updating and expanding our infrastructure to support development and ensure efficient, reliable service for all of our customers. We look forward to keeping you informed about our progress as we work toward these beneficial goals