Boxelder Sanitation District began operations in 1965 with a lagoon system to provide effective treatment of the District’s wastewater prior to discharge to the Poudre River. Eventually the EPA required the District to treat the wastewater it discharged to a higher water quality standard. The lagoon system could no longer meet the new standards and in 2013, the District completed construction of a new treatment facility. The treatment plant performs exceedingly well, but with the continued growth in the District and stricter regulations, a second expansion is needed.

Planning for this second phase has been ongoing since 2014. Construction for this expansion has started and is planned to be completed by Summer 2021. The expansion facilities will include additional oxidation ditches, clarifiers, an expanded ultra-violet disinfection system, and a new biosolids management facility. The new facilities are expected to increase operational efficiencies, meet future regulatory demands and accommodate future growth.

The project is being designed by Burns & McDonnell Engineering Company, Inc. and the contractor for the projects is Moltz Construction, Inc.

Construction of upgrades and improvements to the Boxelder Sanitation District Wastewater Treatment Facility 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. This project will increase the capacity of the current wastewater treatment facility to accommodate future development within the Boxelder Sanitation District service area and will provide water quality benefits of complying with Regulation 85/31, ensuring nutrient reduction for community residents and businesses in and near the City of Fort Collins and the Cache la Poudre River. 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.