$40 million and counting: upgrading aging underground reservoirs

The concrete placement for the roof started at 5 a.m. in order to beat the heat of the day. Over an eight-hour span, roughly 25 concrete trucks per hour continuously delivered concrete to four concrete pumping trucks until the roof slab was complete.

According to DenverUrbanism, there are about 5,900 single-family homes in Denver that were built in the 1890s still standing today. And now, there is only one underground water storage tank left in the Denver metro area built that same decade that continues to store treated water today — but not for long.

That’s because Denver Water is in the middle of a $40 million capital project to improve the safety and reliability of Ashland Reservoir. One of the two reservoirs at the Ashland site has already been demolished and the new tank is nearly complete. Once that tank is in service, the second reservoir will be demolished and another built in its place.

This project is a vital part of Denver Water’s work to upgrade its aging infrastructure. In fact, over a decade-long span, Denver Water — through customer water rates — plans to spend about $120 million on treated water storage tank projects.

There are 30 underground reservoirs, just like the two at Ashland, in various city locations that store treated water after it leaves one of Denver Water’s three treatment plants. These reservoirs ensure customers have a reliable water source, especially during times of the day when water use is at its highest, like mornings when people wake up and water use spikes as they all use the toilet, shower and sink at the same time. The tanks also provide a dependable source for the fire department so there never is a concern about having enough water to fight a fire in the community.

On Aug. 18, 2014, the Ashland project reached a significant milestone as the roof was placed on the new storage tank. This required hundreds of concrete truckloads and more than 60 laborers working continuously until the 1,500-cubic-yard roof slab was finished.

And, the local media was there to capture the massive undertaking.

Throughout its morning show, 9News highlighted the concrete placement and importance of the reservoir to the community. Here is one of the live shots:

 

 

7News used the helicopter to provide a visual of the work from the sky:

At the end of the day, CBS4 provided an update from overhead with another helicopter video showing the final product:

 

Denver Water customers not “that guy” in July

By Lindsay Weber, Denver Water demand planner

We would like to thank our customers for not being “that guy” this July.

Denver Water’s 2014 Use Only What You Need campaign, Don’t be that guy, focuses on smart watering practices, including not watering when it rains. And, this July customers did just that by watching the weather and adjusting accordingly.

At the end of July, the Denver metro area received more than 2 inches of rain along with record low temperatures in a two-day span, and customers took note.

Water use dropped 34 percent for the three days following the rain compared to the three days preceding the rain. And, nearly two weeks later, we are seeing water use remain below those pre-rain levels.

So, we thank you for shutting off the sprinklers, keeping the hose at bay and letting Mother Nature do the work. And, for heeding the advice of this year’s campaign by not being “that guy.”

Additional resources to help you save water this summer:

• Rebates for high efficiency irrigation nozzles and WaterSense-labeled smart irrigation controllers.
• Water Budget Program for large properties.
• Irrigation System Audits for large irrigation customers.

Denver Water’s Water Watch Report provides weekly updates on current water supply and water use information.

More color, less water: How Lakewood is brightening up West Colfax

Looking for more inspiration? After taking a drive down West Colfax Avenue, check out the xeriscape demonstration gardens at Kendrick Lake Park in Lakewood.

Take a drive down West Colfax Avenue in Lakewood and it’s hard to miss the collection of retro neon diner and motel signs illuminating the road.

But, have you ever noticed the aesthetically pleasing median strip? We have!

Following the drought of 2002, the city of Lakewood parks department evaluated the condition of more than 1.3 million square feet of landscaped medians. Many of the medians had overgrown plants and inefficient spray irrigation systems, more than 25 years old.

This led to a trial run of using drip irrigation systems and xeric plants, including native and adapted plants, in 2004. And, Lakewood hasn’t looked back. The city has upgraded nearly 8 miles of landscaped medians to eye-catching and efficient low-water landscapes, resulting in a 40 percent reduction in water use.

And, they are not done yet. The work has been done in stages along West Colfax Avenue with the goal of upgrading the entire corridor over the next couple of years, making this strip the poster child for medians throughout the city, state and region.

Follow the approach used by the city of Lakewood to become efficient in your own yard as well:

• Identify areas where grass isn’t necessary or beneficial, and plan for a more efficient landscape alternative.
• There are many options to help ensure this section of your landscape remains stunning. Check out our Transforming Landscape series for inspiration and ideas.
• These transformations don’t have to take place overnight. Just like the improvements along Colfax, upgrading section-by-section is a wonderful strategy and will make the renovation more practical.

By following Lakewood’s lead, you too can have a colorful landscape — without needing to install retro neon signs.

Learn more about the water-saving practices used by the city of Lakewood in their video, Water Wise Gardening Tips: