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Water & Sanitation District Articles

El Paso County Regional Loop Water Authority, Jan. 18 – Consultants address financing, CSU facilities, easements

By James Howald

At its January meeting, the El Paso County Regional Loop Water Authority (EPCRLWA, or the Loop) board heard progress reports from two consultants. The board also held an executive session.

Consultants address financing, easements

John Kuosman updated the board on his discussions with engineering companies and Colorado Springs Utilities (CSU).

Kuosman, a water practice leader with Merrick and Co. who also serves as the Loop Water Authority’s project planning and workflow manager, said he had received feedback from several engineering companies on projects they had worked on that were relevant to the Loop’s water reuse design. He used that feedback to determine the cost drivers that the Loop should build into its financial analysis. These cost drivers were used by Piper Sandler, the Loop’s underwriter, to develop financing scenarios that will be voted on by the authority’s participating water districts.

Kuosman said the Town of Monument is driving the Loop’s work to develop a financial model for the project, because the town needs to make a final decision whether it will remain a participant in the Loop or become a participant in the Northern Delivery System, a water reuse project that is managed by the Triview Metropolitan District. Kuosman said he had scheduled a presentation to the town at its executive session on Jan. 30.

Kuosman also reported to the board on his discussions with CSU. The Loop initially assumed that it would be responsible for construction of all infrastructure required to process and convey water to its customers, but as the project moved forward CSU became open to the possibility of the Loop using CSU’s Edward Bailey Water Treatment Plant (EBWTP), which has unused capacity. Using EBWTP would save the Loop the cost of building its own treatment facility. The potential use of EBWTP by the Loop to process water from the Chilcott Ditch raises the issue of treatment upgrades that might be required at EBWTP, Kuosman said, adding that CSU is funding a study to make this determination. Kuosman said he would review the water quality data the authority has collected and facilitate a meeting with CSU.

Rebecca Hutchinson, also with Merrick and Co., told the board she was investigating the easements that would be required to convey the water treated at the EBWTP, which is located at 977 Marksheffel Rd., to the east of Colorado Springs, to the Loop’s customers in northern El Paso County. Hutchinson said she is working with two companies that specialize in easement investigations: Kimley Horn and Western States Land Services LLC.

Executive session

The meeting ended with an executive session to receive information from consultants regarding water sources. The executive session was attended by board members from the participating water districts.

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The next regular meeting is scheduled for Feb. 15 at 9 a.m. Regular meetings are usually held on the third Thursday of each month at 9 a.m. at the Monument Town Hall at 645 Beacon Lite Road. Workshop meetings are held the first Thursday of each month at 9 a.m. at the Cherokee Metropolitan District offices at 6250 Palmer Park Blvd., Colorado Springs. Please see loopwater.org or call 719-488-3603 to verify meeting times and locations.

James Howald can be reached at jameshowald@ocn.me.

Other El Paso County Regional Loop Water Authority (EPCRLWA, or the Loop) articles

Forest Lakes Metropolitan District, Pinon Pines 1, 2, and 3, Dec. 4 and 13 – District participates in Northern Delivery System; rates increase for 2024; budgets approved

By Natalie Barszcz

At the Forest Lakes Metropolitan District (FLMD) and Pinon Pines Metropolitan District (PPMD) 2 and 3 meeting on Dec. 4, the board approved participation in the Northern Delivery System (NDS), approved the 2024 budgets and mill levies subject to receiving the Jan. 3 revised property tax assessment, and approved rate increases and an updated contract for services with Triview Metropolitan District (TMD). The board received budget-related updates on the Northern Monument Creek Interceptor (NMCI) pipeline project and the Pikes Peak Regional Water Authority/Colorado Springs Utilities (CSU) Indirect Potable Reuse Study.

A town hall meeting preceded the regular board meetings via teleconference at 3 p.m. District Manager Ann Nichols confirmed that no residents attended the six-minute meeting to receive updates on the FLMD public infrastructure project status, and the PPMD 1 and 2 outstanding debt and financial statement reviews. The PPMD 1 all-resident board members did not attend any of the scheduled meetings on Dec. 4. A rescheduled special meeting was held on Wednesday, Dec. 13 at 4 p.m. At the PPMD 1 special meeting, the board approved a reduction in the debt service mill levy for PPMD 1, adopted the 2024 budget, certified the mill levy (pending the Jan. 3 revised property tax assessments), and approved the annual administrative and board member election resolutions.

Note: The meetings were held via teleconference.

FLMD and PPMD 2 and 3

Treasurer/Assistant Secretary Douglas Stimple, chief executive officer of Classic Homes, was excused.

Northern Delivery System participation agreement

District Attorney Russell Dykstra of Spencer Fane LLP requested the board approve a proposal for the district to buy into the capacity of the NDS.

Nichols said:

  • The district proposes a participation agreement in the NDS to connect the district to the CSU water storage tank (Highway 83) and deliver return flows back to the district.
  • TMD upfronted the cost of the NDS that is awaiting completion of the pump station at the Highway 83 tank before water can be delivered. See www.ocn.me/v23n12.htm#tmd.
  • The district will own 3.7% of the total share capacity of the pipeline.
  • CSU will charge a convey, treat and deliver fee annually to TMD for 25 years. The district will pay 3.7% of the total annual cost billed to TMD (subject to CSU rate increases).
  • The delivery fee will also increase incrementally for FLMD if TMD needs to increase the meter size in the future.
  • The district budgeted $200,000 in 2023 and $800,000 in 2024 (split into five payments of about $199,506).

Tom Blunk of CP Real Estate Capital, representing Forest Lakes LLC and Forest Lakes Residential Development, said it was important to protect water rights with TMD and complete the loop for the district.

Nichols said even though the district is not quite ready to exercise control of its return flows, the water supply including surface water is virtually all 100% reusable to extinction, and all the first use water supplied to customers can be recaptured and legally reused. It is essential in this environment to retain water rights and get the water back to the district when needed, and the TMD agreement will allow this to happen (via an existing interconnect) when the Beaver Creek flows into Bristlecone Lake are not very high, she said.

The board approved the NDS Participation Agreement with TMD, 4-0.

Future water reuse possibilities

Nichols said the district is considering moving its wastewater treatment to CSU in the future through the NMCI pipeline. The NMCI pipeline project request for proposal design is in process, and CSU is close to choosing a consultant. The NCMI will move ahead only if after 30% of the design phase reveals the pipeline is the most efficient way to provide service to customers, instead of making the costly regulatory requirements to the Upper Monument Creek Waste Water Regional Treatment Facility. The 2024 budget includes $90,000 for the district’s share of the design cost. The Pikes Peak Regional Water Authority/Colorado Springs Utilities Indirect Potable Reuse Study would cost about $350,000, and a grant for $250,000 had been requested from the Colorado Water Authority. If the grant is successful, the remaining cost of $100,000 will be split between the participants, she said.

Rates increase for 2024

Dykstra said the district had not received any public comments before the meeting. He opened a public hearing for the proposed 2024 rate increases for water, wastewater, and landscape services for FLMD and noted the increases had been published over 30 days in advance and posted appropriately on the FLMD website from Oct. 11, 2023.

Nichols recommended the board approve the proposed 7% increase in water and wastewater service rates, with no change in development fees, and a $1 increase for the irrigation/landscaping monthly fee. The increase is necessary to get the rates up to a level that will sustain operations for the future now that development fees cannot be relied on as the residential districts grow closer to buildout, said Nichols.

The board approved the rate increases, 4-0.

2024 budget—FLMD, PPMD 2 and 3

The boards unanimously approved the resolution adopting the 2024 budget and appropriating funds for 2024 for FLMD and PPMD 2 and 3.

Nichols said the mill levies are exactly the same as in 2023 for FLMD and PPMD’s 2 and 3, and she requested the board approve the resolutions to set the mill levies for the districts, subject to any final change after the El Paso County Assessor notifies the district on Jan. 3 with the adjusted property tax assessments.

Blunk said the debt service mill levy for PPMD 3 will be analyzed in 2024, and it’s possible that the mill levy will be lowered in 2025.

The board approved 4-0 the mill levies and transparency notices for FLMD, and PPMD’s 2 and 3, subject to any adjustment in early 2024.

Note: The mill levy for PPMD 2 was approved at 55.664 mills, and PPMD 3 was approved at 50 mills for collection in 2024. The mill levy for FLMD is set at 0.000 mills. The 2024 transparency notices for all four districts (including PPMD 1) will be posted in January 2024 at www.forestlakesmetrodistrict.com.

Amended 2023 budget for FLMD

Dykstra opened a public hearing to consider approval of a resolution adopting the amended 2023 budget for FLMD.

Nichols said the amendment is required at the end of 2023 for the conveyance of the public infrastructure from Filings 5, 6, and 7 development and Phase 2 of the Falcon Commerce Center. Collectively it amounts to just over $24 million ($9 million includes public infrastructure expenditure for roads that will be conveyed to the appropriate jurisdictions—El Paso County and the Town of Monument). The amendment increases the expenditures to sufficiently cover the conveyance, said Nichols.

The board approved the 2023 budget amendment, 4-0.

2023 audit engagement letter

Dykstra requested the board approve an engagement letter with Hoelting & Co. for the 2023 audits for FLMD and PPMD 2 and an audit exemption request for PPMD 3.

Nichols said the fees had not yet been finalized via letter, but the FLMD’s fee was expected to be $17,150, and the Pinon Pines districts’ fees are expected to be $6,250 each, according to the auditor.

The board approved the engagement letter subject to final legal review, 4-0.

The board approved the third amendment to the TMD Contract Operations Agreement to increase the fee by 10% for a total of $18,150 per month (the fee includes water and wastewater operations; customer billing; and the increase adjusted for the landscaping fee). See TMD article on page < 15 >.

The Dec. 4 meetings adjourned at 4:53 p.m.

2024 budget—PPMD 1

Dykstra opened the public hearing for the 2024 budget for PPMD 1.

Nichols said the assessed property values rose significantly on existing homes and the little bit of new construction in PPMD 1. She proposed reducing the existing debt service from 31.5 mills to 20.5 mills beginning Jan. 1, 2024, and said she would not know if the district would have enough mill levy to cover the operating expenses and management for PPMD 1 until the adjusted property tax assessment is received on Jan. 3 from the El Paso County Assessor.

President Mike Hitchcock said he did not want to put too much burden on the taxpayer, just pay the bills.

Nichols said even with the 11 mills reduction to the debt service, the district would still retain a little cushion at the beginning of the year and through to the end of 2024.

The board unanimously approved a resolution to adopt the 2024 budget, appropriate funds, and set the mill levies at 29.133 mills for collection in 2024 (subject to any necessary adjustment after the final evaluation of property tax assessments from the El Paso County Assessor on Jan. 3).

The board unanimously approved the 2023 audit for PPMD1 for a fee of no more than $6,250.

Annual administrative resolution

Dykstra said the state Legislature mandates that special districts must now provide a town hall for residents to attend annually. The district will hold an annual town hall meeting on the first Monday of December 2024 at 3 p.m. Out of the 120 town hall meetings previously held, only two residents had attended, and although there is good intent by the state Legislature, the meetings have not been super effective to date, he said.

All four boards approved the 2024 annual administrative resolution that includes the addition of an annual mandated town hall meeting.

Note: This reporter did not attend the town hall meeting at 3 p.m. on Dec. 4.

Board member election

The board unanimously approved the transparency terms for the board member election scheduled for May 2025.

Note: The all-resident five member PPMD 1 board has two director positions vacant. The three incumbent directors are required to be present to maintain a quorum for voting purposes at each meeting. Board director positions are not term limited.

The meeting adjourned at 4:18 p.m.

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Meetings are usually held quarterly or, when necessary, on the first Monday of the month at 4 p.m., via teleconference. Meeting notices are posted at least 24 hours in advance at forestlakesmetrodistrict.com. For general questions, contact District Manager Ann Nichols at anicholsduffy@aol.com or 719-357-5810.

Natalie Barszcz can be reached at nataliebarszcz@ocn.me.

Other Forest Lakes Metropolitan District (FLMD) articles

Donala Water and Sanitation District, Dec. 7 – Water and sewer rates to increase in 2024

By James Howald and Jackie Burhans

At its December meeting, the Donala Water and Sanitation District (DWSD) board held a public hearing and took a vote on a resolution setting new water and sewer rates that will take effect in 2024. The board briefly reviewed its proposed budget for 2024. It also heard financial and operational reports.

New rates for 2024

Board President Wayne Vanderschuere opened a public hearing on water and sewer rates. Resolution 2023-9 leaves most fees and charges unchanged but raises the district’s tiered water usage rates by 4% for all tiers. It increases the sewer service base fee to $7.14 per month plus $9.95 per thousand gallons of wastewater produced. The minimum wastewater service rate increases to $31.89 from $30.66 per month. Construction water will cost $18.39 per thousand gallons and will not be sold for use outside district boundaries. Residential water and sewer tap fees remain unchanged at $8,500. Commercial water tap fees for both ¾-inch and 1-inch lines will increase to $9,350.

The board voted unanimously in favor of the resolution.

2024 budget review

Christina Hawker, the district’s Accounts Payable specialist, told the board that when Proposition HH failed, the state Legislature held a special session to address property taxes. The special session pushed back the date by which DWSD must submit its budget so that final property assessments, which are needed for DWSD to finalize its 2024 budget, can be calculated. The final assessments are needed when the district calculates its mill levy, she said. The board scheduled a special meeting on Tuesday, Jan. 9 at 1:30 p.m. at the district’s office at 15850 Holbein Drive to approve the new mill levy and submit the proposed budget to the state. Hawker said it would be simple to update the proposed budget once the final mill levy is determined.

Highlights of financial and operational reports

  • General Manager Jeff Hodge told the board that despite lower water sales the district would end the year in the black on water sales.
  • Hodge said interest on the district’s financial reserves would cover the district’s bond payments.
  • Water Operator Ronny Wright told the board that the study of hydrous manganese oxide to reduce radium levels in the district’s water was complete and he expected a response from the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment by April.
  • Vanderschuere told the board that a water district near Pittsburgh had its program logic controllers (PLCs), which were made by an Israeli company, hacked by Hamas. Vanderschuere and Waste Plant Operator Aaron Tolman told the board that DWSD uses PLCs from other manufacturers that are not vulnerable to the exploit used in Pittsburgh.

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A special meeting on the 2024 budget in scheduled for Jan. 9. The next board meeting is scheduled for Thursday, Jan. 18 at 1:30 p.m. Generally, board meetings are held the third Thursday of the month at 1:30 p.m. and include online access; call (719) 488-3603 or access www.donalawater.org to receive up-to-date meeting information. The district office is located at 15850 Holbein Drive, Colorado Springs.

James Howald can be reached at jameshowald@ocn.me. Jackie Burhans can be reached at jackieburhans@ocn.me

Other Donala Water and Sanitation District (DWSD) articles

El Paso County Regional Loop Water Authority, Dec. 12 – Board focuses on budgets

By James Howald

At its November meeting, the El Paso County Regional Loop Water Authority (EPCRLWA) board determined its budget for 2023 did not need to be amended and concluded its work on its budget for 2024 with a public hearing. It voted to adopt the 2024 budget as proposed and to appropriate funds. The board also heard a report from its Project Planning and Workflow (PPW) manager and voted on a resolution specifying administrative matters. Finally, the board held an executive session to discuss the selection of an underwriting company.

Board wraps up 2023 budget, approves 2024 budget

Kathy Fromm, of Fromm and Co., the project’s accountant, told the board the budget for 2023 did not need to be updated and there was no need for a public hearing or a resolution on that budget.

Board President Jessie Shaffer opened a public hearing on the proposed budget for 2024, which was first presented at the board meeting in October. He noted Fromm had made minor changes based on the board’s discussion in November. Shaffer said the 2024 budget anticipated revenues of just under $1.2 million and expenditures of $1.66 million, which would leave projected total reserve funds of $445,000 at the end of 2024. Shaffer closed the public hearing.

The board voted unanimously to approve the 2024 budget and to appropriate the necessary funds.

Interviews with construction companies

John Kuosman, the EPCRLWA PPW manager, told the board he had been interviewing engineering and construction companies, particularly Forsgren Associates Inc. and Kimley-Horn, and was getting feedback from them that he was using to frame his cost estimates. Their detailed feedback would help determine the financial responsibilities of the authority’s participating districts, he said, adding he expected to have a more detailed cost framework ready in early 2024. He said he had also talked to Colorado Springs Utilities about its study of indirect potable reuse technologies and had been asked to sign a non-disclosure agreement concerning that discussion.

Administrative resolution

Russ Dykstra, the authority’s lawyer, asked the board to vote on an annual administrative resolution covering operational details such as records retention policy and budgeting schedules. The board voted unanimously in favor of the resolution Dykstra presented.

Executive session

The board held an executive session to discuss the selection of an underwriting company for the authority. The board reconvened into open session and voted to use Piper Sandler, an investment banking company, as its underwriter.

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The next regular meeting is scheduled for Jan. 18 at 9 a.m. Regular meetings are usually held on the third Thursday of each month at 9 a.m. at the Monument Town Hall at 645 Beacon Lite Road. Workshop meetings are held the first Thursday of each month at 9 a.m. at the Cherokee Metropolitan District offices at 6250 Palmer Park Blvd., Colorado Springs. Please see loopwater.org or call 719-488-3603 to verify meeting times and locations.

James Howald can be reached at jameshowald@ocn.me.

Other Loop articles

Triview Metropolitan District, Dec. 13 – 2024 budget public hearing presented; rate increases discussed

By Natalie Barszcz

At the Triview Metropolitan District (TMD) meeting on Dec. 13, the board held a public hearing for the 2024 budget, deferring its approval until after the district property tax assessments are received on Jan. 3, discussed future rate increases, and approved a participation agreement for Forest Lakes Metropolitan District (FLMD) to participate in the Northern Delivery System (NDS). The board also approved multiple resolutions and agreements for 2024.

President Mark Melville was excused.

Note: Due to snow affecting travel in the region, a quorum could not be reached until 5:48 p.m.

District Manager Jim McGrady confirmed that the district had posted the public hearings in The Gazette, to include the issuance of additional debt in the form of a Colorado Water Conservation Board (CWCB) loan and the switch to Zoom-only attendance.

2024 budget

McGrady said the district would not receive the final property tax assessment from the El Paso County Assessor until about Jan. 3, and the district would need to certify the mill levy no later than Jan. 10. Under normal circumstances, the district usually certifies the mill levy by Dec. 15 and a special meeting to certify the 2024 mill levy would be needed on Jan. 8 or 9. Before the change in the state Legislature, the district was planning to lower the debt service mill levy to 16 mills for 2024, for a total of 20.5 mills, down from the 24 mills assessed in 2023. The change may need to be revised after the property tax assessed valuation is received from the assessor.

He suggested the board consider the following items:

  • A 10% rate increase to the Tier 1 water rates to cover the cost of conveying water from Colorado Springs Utilities (CSU).
  • A sewer utility rate increase in February or March of about 9% to 10% before the heavy water use season that usually begins in April/May.
  • The district expects an increase of wastewater flow through the Upper Monument Creek Regional Waste Water Treatment Facility from 640,725 to about 957,838 gallons.
  • A potential lease of 300 acre-feet of water with Pueblo if 2024 is a dry year, budgeted at $70,000.
  • An increase in the Amcobi National meter reading service fee.
  • The budget allocates $500,000 to purchase land for a future office building. The district office lease expires in 2025, and no buildings are available for lease or purchase within the district.
  • $150,000 is allocated in the budget for Burke Hollow Park.
  • Well transformer and pump replacement costs.
  • Northern Monument Creek Interceptor for the 30% design cost for $350,000.
  • About $564,000 for the annual availability of service fee for CSU to convey, treat, and deliver the district’s water through the NDS.
  • An additional storage tank at Plant B to be built behind the existing tank. The purchase is made possible with a matching $1 million through the American Rescue Plan Grant. The design for the tank is budgeted at $250,000. The extra storage will assist firefighting needs and will allow the blending of surface and well water. It will be the last tank the district builds.
  • Arkansas Valley Irrigation Co. water rights utilization (annexation into Buena Vista) for $2.5 million. About 528 acre-feet of water is available to run through the NDS.
  • The NDS pump station is budgeted at $4.5 million. The district has spent about $16.7 million to date, and upon completion it is expected to total about $22 million (the total includes Segment D connecting to the west side of I-25 near Old Denver Road).

The budget allocation will decrease for:

  • Engineering fees—as the district nears buildout and plan reviews are fewer.
  • Development services and water attorney fees.
  • Water testing now that all tests have been completed for radium, and it is under control.
  • Electric utilities are expected to decrease when the NDS pump station is online and the well operations decrease. The cost to run the NDS pump station will be less than 100% of well operations.
  • The Vac truck is paying for itself quickly by avoiding costly outsourcing for sewer line cleaning.
  • The district expects about 75 tap fees to generate about $903,000 in 2024.

McGrady said every district has different costs, and typically the district’s rates are lower than most, but fixed costs are driving rate increases and the district needs to ensure debt can be paid. The district is considering an increase to the tap fees that have not increased in three years, but it is important that growth pays for itself with tap fees, he said.

Water Attorney Chris Cummins said the board is not approving the mill levy until Jan. 3 due to the failure of Proposition HH and the outcome of the state Legislature special session in late November. The board will adopt the 2024 budget by Jan. 10 based on the new El Paso County Assessor’s property tax assessment numbers, expected on Jan. 3. The rate increases will be approved separately in early 2024 after a public hearing.

Vice President Anthony Sexton said the budget review reveals the things the district would like to do, but nothing is set in stone, it is simply a guideline except for the mandatory expenses. Funds for projects can always be reallocated and projects rolled over to 2025—it is a work in progress. He likes to see the district always tightening belts, and if there is extra cash the district gets to do things like the NDS. The district has done rate increase studies, and the cost of the goods is increasing. The only way to keep the district operational is to increase rates when necessary. The district rates are low to mid-tier within the area and the 2024 budget looks good, he said.

Director Jason Gross said he would need to look at the proposed rate tables, but a 10% increase considering inflation does not sound unreasonable.

Treasurer/Secretary James Barnhart said the expenses are higher as the district transitions from well water to deliver renewable water to the district. Renewable water is just more expensive and there is just no way to “shake” that it is a big contributor, he said.

McGrady said the district never knows how much revenue will be generated from water sales, and the budget can be trimmed and tightened as needed, but the district is projecting about $5 million in cash at the end of 2023.

In a 3-0 vote, the board approved the following:

  • An audit engagement letter between TMD and Haynie & Co. to perform the district’s 2023 financial audit for a fee not to exceed $27,500 (including expenses).
  • The Northern Delivery System Joint Funding and Participation Agreement between TMD and Forest Lakes Metropolitan District (FLMD), with authorization for the district manager to sign. See FLMD article on page < 12 >.
  • An intergovernmental agreement between TMD and Lewis-Palmer School District 38 regarding the dedication of a 20-foot perpetual, non-exclusive easement to provide for future Higby Road improvements between Jackson Creek Parkway and Bowstring Drive. In exchange the district would make improvements to Creekside Drive and Leather Chaps Drive near Bear Creek Elementary School.
  • Amendment 3 between TMD and FLMD to provide utility operations services for a monthly fee of $18,150 in 2024. The terms and fee structure for the landscaping and snow removal services was extended to Dec. 31, 2024, with authorization for the district manager to sign.
  • Resolution 2023-10, an amendment to a loan contract from the Colorado Water Conservation Board for the Stonewall Springs Reservoir Complex Loan Contract, up to a maximum principal amount of about $5.2 million at about a 3% interest rate.

Note: The board packet for the Dec. 13 meeting can be found under Board Meeting Agendas & Minutes at www.triviewmetro.com.

Baptist Road intersection

Gross asked if Baptist Road was within the district’s area of responsibility and if a change could be made to the intersection opposite 1st Bank to prevent motorists illegally cutting through the left-turn intersection to avoid travelling east to the Leather Chaps Drive intersection to turn around and reach the Kings Soopers shopping complex.

McGrady said the district has no jurisdiction over Baptist Road except for maintaining the north sidewalk and it does supply water and wastewater services to the commercial properties on the south side of Baptist Road and the corner of Struthers Road. El Paso County owns and maintains the road and the traffic lights on Baptist Road, he said.

Executive session

The board moved into an executive session at about 8:20 p.m., pursuant to Colorado Revised Statute 24-6-402(4) (a), (b), (e), to discuss acquisitions and receive legal advice for negotiations regarding water acquisitions, strategic planning, and change cases. No actions were taken after the executive session. The meeting adjourned at 9:24 p.m.

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Meetings are usually held on the third Thursday every month at the district office at 16055 Old Forest Point, Suite 302. The next regular meeting is scheduled for Thursday, Jan. 18 at 5:30 p.m. For meeting agendas, minutes, and updates, visit triviewmetro.com.

Natalie Barszcz can be reached at nataliebarszcz@ocn.me.

Other Triview Metropolitan District (TMD) articles

Woodmoor Water and Sanitation District, Dec. 12 – Board approves rate increases and budget

By James Howald

At its December meeting, the Woodmoor Water and Sanitation District (WWSD) board concluded public hearings on rate increases and on its proposed budget for 2024. Both hearings were opened at its November meeting. The hearings were followed by votes on the rates and the budget. The board renewed the management contract between the district and the Chilcott Ditch Co. The board also heard financial and operational reports. The meeting ended with an executive session.

Rates increases for 2024 approved

At the beginning of the public hearing on rates, District Manager Jessie Shaffer told the board that an incorrect rate for Tier 2 water usage had been published on the district’s web page. The Tier 2 rate covers water usage from 6,001 to 25,000 gallons per month. Shaffer said the district intended to raise the rates for all usage tiers by 4% but had incorrectly published a 1.9% increase for Tier 2 water. Correcting the rate would require a 30-day waiting period while the new rate was announced to the public, he said. Shaffer explained that the average residence uses 6,785 gallons of water a month, so the bulk of revenue is from Tier 1 water sales and the impact of the lower rate would be negligible. He recommended keeping the lower rate in place, enabling the board to finish its work on rates quickly.

There were no comments from the public, and board President Brian Bush closed the hearing.

The board accepted Shaffer’s recommendation and voted unanimously in favor of Resolution 23-04, which adopts the rates as published.

Note: Details about the 2024 rates and fees can be found in the December issue of OCN here: www.ocn.me/v23n12.htm#wwsd.

2024 budget approved

Bush continued the hearing on the 2024 budget opened at the November meeting.

Shaffer told the board that the proposed budget included a 25% increase in potable water tap fees but made no change to sewer tap fees. He estimated the district would see $4.2 million in tap fees in 2024 if it sells 90 new taps as expected. He listed some fees that will increase in 2024 to allow the district to recoup the cost of delivering services, such as installing new water meters, which are more expensive than previous meters. Engineering fees charged by the district are increasing to $120 per hour. He noted that some construction projects expected to be completed in 2023 needed to be carried over to 2024.

There were no comments from the public on the budget, and Bush closed the hearing. The board voted to approve Resolution 23-05, which adopts the budget as proposed and appropriates the funds required. Bush and Directors Bill Clewe, Roy Martinez, and Tom Roddam voted in favor; Director Dan Beley voted against, arguing that the water tap fees should have been raised 47% as the district’s rate consultants advised.

Contract with Chilcott Ditch Co. renewed

Shaffer asked the board to renew its contract with the Chilcott Ditch Co., explaining this contract needed renewal every year. The contract obligates WWSD to provide accounting and administration services to the ditch company for a fee of $1,500 per month. The new contract did not increase the fee, Shaffer said. WWSD also provides labor to the ditch company for an hourly rate. Shaffer said the new contract increased the hourly rate from $36 to $39 per hour.

The board voted unanimously to renew the contract.

Financial, operational, and engineering reports

Board Treasurer Roy Martinez told the board that November was a normal month in terms of water usage. He said the district was at 81% of its expected water sales for the year.

Operations Superintendent Dan LaFontaine said there had been some small breaks in pipelines during November, one of which was complicated by the presence of an unmarked electric line. The district was running entirely on ground water, he said.

District Engineer Ariel Hacker gave the board an update on the status of new and existing wells. Site work has begun on Well 22. Drilling of the well at the Central Water Treatment Plant property, just northwest of the Lewis-Palmer Middle School football field, has not yet begun, she said. Some equipment had to be abandoned at the bottom of Well 12. Well 16 is out of production due to a motor failure.

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The next meeting is scheduled for Jan. 8, 2024 at 1 p.m. Meetings are usually held on the second Monday of each month at 1 p.m. at the district office at 1845 Woodmoor Drive; please see www.woodmoorwater.com or call 719-488-2525 to verify meeting times and locations.

James Howald can be reached at jameshowald@ocn.me.

Other Woodmoor Water and Sanitation District (WWSD) articles

Monument Sanitation District, Dec. 20 – Board sets bonuses and salary increases

By Jackie Burhans and James Howald

At its December meeting, the Monument Sanitation District (MSD) board decided on bonuses and salary increases for its staff. It also renewed letters of engagement with the district’s engineering, accounting, and auditing companies and scheduled a workshop to review its duties and responsibilities.

Bonuses and salary increases

Board President Dan Hamilton told the board that he was happy with the performance of the district staff and had surveyed the bonuses given by surrounding districts to their managers, which varied from no bonus to $5,000. Last year, MSD gave General Manager Mark Parker a bonus equal to one month of his salary. He proposed giving Parker a $4,000 bonus for 2023.

After some discussion, the board settled on a $4,500 bonus for Parker, and bonuses for Accounts Administrator Cheran Allsup and Environmental and Regulatory Compliance specialist James Kendrick proportional to their pay rates. The board voted unanimously in favor of a motion to provide bonuses in those amounts.

Regarding salary increases, Hamilton reminded the board that last year it had given 9% increases. He said the Denver Aurora Consumer Price Index was 4.5% and suggested rounding that up to give a 5% salary increase to district staff in 2024. The board voted unanimously for a 5% increase.

Letters of engagement renewed

Parker told the board that the district’s auditors had asked the board to renew letters of engagement with companies providing services every year. He provided the board with letters of engagement for GMS Engineering Inc., the district’s consulting engineers, for Haynie & Co., the district’s accountants, and for Olson Reyes & Sauerwein, the district’s auditors. The board voted unanimously to renew all three letters of engagement.

Workshop scheduled

At the request of board Treasurer John Howe, a workshop to review the board’s duties and responsibilities with Allison Ulmer, of Collins Cole Flynn Winn and Ulmer, the district’s legal advisors, was scheduled for Wednesday, Jan. 17 at 5 p.m. The workshop will be held at the MSD headquarters building at 130 Second St. in Monument.

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Monument Sanitation District meetings are normally held at 9 a.m. on the third Wednesday of the month in the district conference room at 130 Second St., Monument. The next regular meeting is scheduled for Jan. 17, 2024. See colorado.gov/msd. For a district service map, see colorado.gov/pacific/msd/district-map-0. Information: 719-481-4886.

Jackie Burhans can be reached at jackieburhans@ocn.me. James Howald can be reached at jameshowald@ocn.me.

Other Monument Sanitation District (MSD) articles

Triview Metropolitan District, Nov. 13 – Commercial property inclusion; cell tower contract approved

By Natalie Barszcz

At the Triview Metropolitan District (TMD) meeting on Nov. 13, the board approved an inclusion of commercial property and a cell tower lease agreement, and agreed to approve an amendment to the Colorado Springs Utilities (CSU) agreement to convey, treat, and deliver district-owned water. The board received updates from Kiewit representatives on the Northern Delivery System (NDS) pipeline installation project, and an update on the Northern Monument Creek Interceptor (NMCI) pipeline project. The board held an executive session to receive legal advice and discuss negotiations regarding water supply contracts, property acquisitions, strategic planning and change cases.

President Mark Melville was excused.

Inclusion of property

District counsel George Rowley said a commercial property owner had petitioned for an inclusion of property into TMD Subdistrict A, about 19.88 acres south of the southeast corner of Higby Road and east of Jackson Creek Parkway.

District Manager James McGrady said commercial property would add substantial mills to the district’s revenue, and the additional revenue will help pay for the Higby Road improvements.

The board approved resolution 2023-09, 4-0.

Cell tower contract

McGrady requested the board review and consider a cell site lease agreement for $1,800 per month between Dish Wireless LLC and the TMD for a cell phone tower at the district’s C Plant in Sanctuary Pointe, and authorize the district manager to sign the contract after the Monument Planning Commission had reviewed the plan.

Several board members raised concerns regarding esthetics and the removal of equipment from the water tank should the contract end.

McGrady requested Rowley add the obligation to remove equipment to the contract, and a stipulation to maintain an esthetically pleasing look with the intent to match the color of the equipment to the tank, to include the shed.

The board approved the lease agreement contingent on the additional conditions, 4-0.

Convey, treat, and deliver contract amendment

Water attorney Chris Cummins requested the board review and approve an amendment to TMD’s convey, treat, and deliver water contract with Colorado Springs Utilities (CSU). The amendment provides greater clarity for TMD to include additional lands into the service area, to provide water service outside of the TMD boundaries pursuant to contracts/commitments, and to wheel water through the NDS to other entities, specifically including Forest Lakes Metropolitan District. The amendment is pending review and approval by Colorado Springs City Council and the CSU board. Upon approval of the measure by the TMD Board of Directors, the district manager is authorized to execute such amendment on behalf of TMD, subject to approval by City Council/Utilities Board in January, he said.

The board agreed with the revision and expected to approve the addition in early 2024.

Northern Delivery System update

Construction/Operations Manager Mike McDonald of Kiewit Infrastructure said the NDS pipeline project began as promised in May 2023, the installation was on schedule, and overall the public is happy and only a few complaints were received. He thanked the board and the executive team for the opportunity to complete the pipeline.

Project manager Max McClean said 29,000 feet of pipe had been installed and the Pump House tank was enroute from France. The electrical equipment is expected to be in the district in March and the metal building will be constructed in December 2023.

McGrady said Kiewit Infrastructure had been on board for three years and had kept the price within 10% despite inflation. The district has spent about $16 million on the project so far, and the road overlay and completion of the pump house remain to complete the contract. The project is expected to total about $21.8 million. Fire hydrants are now installed every 1,000 feet along the pipeline route.

Cummins said that besides the Cherokee Sundance Pipeline that runs down Volmer Road, Rollercoaster Road is the second road in Black Forest with a continuous number of fire hydrants in a heavily wooded area within the county.

Kiewit will complete the Segment D pipeline installation to a new proposed road in the Conexus development on the west side of I-25. On completion, the NDS pipeline will connect northern El Paso County to CSU. There is nothing else like the NDS other than the Southern Delivery System in southern Colorado, he said. See www.ocn.me/v23n10.htm#tmd and www.triviewmetro.com.

Northern Monument Creek Interceptor update

McGrady said four vendors submitted bids for the NMCI design, and it makes sense to the district and Forest Lakes Metropolitan District to participate in the project. The district will know if the project will make financial sense in July 2024 and should budget accordingly for the potential for the project to move forward and be completed in 2026. The NMCI pipeline project would move wastewater from the district to the J.D. Phillips Water Resource Recovery Facility in Colorado Springs, located off Mark Dabling Boulevard.

Participating in the NMCI will lower operational costs and gives the district certainty that upgrades will not be needed in the future. The Upper Monument Creek Regional Waste Water Treatment Facility (UMCRWWTF) is land locked and the mandatory upgrades will be difficult to install should expansion be needed at the facility, he said.

Vice President Anthony Sexton said that in the past some quotes for the upgrades to the UMCRWWTF were estimated at about $30 million, and the customer rates to accommodate those upgrades would be high. The cost for the NMCI would be split with other communities participating in the project, he said.

Superintendent Shawn Sexton said the district’s wastewater flows will need to be known and accurate before fully participating in the NMCI. Bai Engineers of Greenwood Village began a six-month study in August to examine the fluctuating wastewater flows at the UMCRWWTF. The past couple of years saw slight increases in the flows, but not as significant as 2023. The district will know more in three months, he said.

Sanctuary Pointe Park update

McGrady said Classic Homes had decided to postpone the Sanctuary Pointe Park Grand Opening until June 2024. The park rental fees will be held in an escrow account for future maintenance and turf replacement, he said.

Assistant Manager Steve Sheffield said the district will look at how the county and city park rentals are managed, but the district will give priority to local teams.

Secretary/Treasurer James Barnhart suggested blackout periods to allow the residents to use the field.

Sexton said the district will need to collect enough funds to pay for the artificial turf replacement in about seven to 10 years. The replacement is estimated to cost about $1 million.

Executive session

The board moved into an executive session at 8:03 p.m., pursuant to Colorado Revised Statutes 24-6-402(4) (a), (b), (e), to receive legal advice, discuss negotiations regarding; water supply contracts, property acquisitions, strategic planning and change cases.

District Administrator Joyce Levad confirmed that after the meeting, no actions were taken by the Board of Directors when the regular meeting resumed.

The meeting adjourned at 9:03 p.m.

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Meetings are usually held on the third Thursday every month at the district office at 16055 Old Forest Point, Suite 302. The next regular meeting is scheduled for Wednesday, Dec. 13 at 5:30 p.m. For meeting agendas, minutes, and updates, visit https://triviewmetro.com.

Natalie Barszcz can be reached at nataliebarszcz@ocn.me.

Other Triview Metropolitan District articles

Woodmoor Water and Sanitation District, Nov. 13 – Budget hearing opened; fee and rate increases proposed

By James Howald

At its November meeting, the Woodmoor Water and Sanitation District (WWSD) board held a public hearing on its proposed 2024 budget. It also scheduled a public hearing on water and sewer tap fees and usage rates, to be held at its Dec. 18 board meeting. The board also heard financial and operational reports.

Budget hearing opened

Board President Brian Bush opened the public hearing on the proposed budget for 2024. District Manager Jessie Shaffer said he had made three small changes to the draft budget presented at the previous meeting:

  • Field investigation showed that a sewer line at Jackson Creek Parkway and Higby Road does not need replacement as expected; the $103,000 estimated for that work will be moved to reserves.
  • An upcoming meeting with Mountain View Electric Association may require a higher amount to be budgeted for electrical costs.
  • Approval of the final budget for the Chilcott Ditch Co., of which WWSD is the largest shareholder, may require small changes to the WWSD budget.

Shaffer said a copy of the proposed budget was available to the public at the WWSD office.

There were no comments on the budget from the public. The board voted unanimously to keep the public hearing open until the next board meeting, which is scheduled for 1 p.m. on Dec. 18.

Increases to water tap fees and some rates announced

The board scheduled a public hearing on proposed tap fee and usage rate increases for its Dec. 18 meeting.

The proposed tap fees and usage rates are published on the WWSD web page.

Water tap fees, which are one-time fees used to fund infrastructure improvements required by new development, will increase significantly in 2024. The most common water tap fee, for a three-fourths-inch water tap for a single-family residence, will increase from $29,788 to $37,235. A three-fourths-inch water tap for a multi-family residence will increase from $22,341 to $27,927.

The fee for supplemental water service will remain unchanged at $29,000 per acre-foot.

The water service base fee for a three-fourths-inch meter, the size used for most residences, will increase from $10.59 per month to $11.01.

Monthly water volume charges will also increase:

  • Block 1, for 0 to 6,000 gallons, will increase from $6.71 to $6.98.
  • Block 2, for 6001 to 25,000 gallons, will increase from $11.06 to $11.27.
  • Block 3, over 25,000 gallons, will increase from $17.68 to $18.39.

The Renewable Water Investment Fee will remain unchanged at $40 per month.

The monthly base rate for residential sewer service will increase from $34.32 per month to $35.69, and the monthly sewer volume charge for each 1,000 gallons over 6,000 gallons per month will increase from $4.47 per month to $4.65.

A complete list of proposed rate and fee increases is published on the WWSD web page at: https://www.woodmoorwater.com/. Scroll down to find attachments A and B.

Financial, operational and engineering reports

Board Treasurer Roy Martinez said water use returned to normal in October, compared to lower usage in the unusually rainy spring and summer months. Water sales were down for the year, he said; at the end of October water sales stood at 76% of the annual budgeted amount with only two months remaining in the year. Repair and maintenance costs were also down by about $50,000, he said. Operations Superintendent Dan LaFontaine explained that some projects would wrap up by the end of the year and some of that difference would even out.

In his operational report, LaFontaine told the board that the Chilcott Ditch operations were winding down for the year and the staff at Woodmoor Ranch was focusing on vehicle maintenance.

LaFontaine reported five line breaks in October, resulting in about 1.25 million gallons of lost water. In response to a request from Martinez, LaFontaine calculated the costs of some of the leaks. The largest leak, in which 397,000 gallons of water was lost, cost the district around $12,000, which includes costs for water treatment, road base and asphalt, and labor. The second largest leak cost the district just under $10,000, he said.

LaFontaine said that by the end of the year, 1,708 water meters will have been replaced with newer, more capable models. The meter replacement project will take another two years to complete, he said.

District Engineer Ariel Hacker told the board that El Paso County wants the district’s design for the second phase of the Highway 105 expansion project to be submitted by the end of December. The district’s portion of the first phase is on schedule, she said; work on the non-potable water line at the Monument Creek Exchange will start the third week of November.

Hacker also addressed an error in JVA Inc.’s bid for the first phase of the Highway 105 expansion. She said JVA had not included costs for asphalt removal and replacement of pipeline at the intersection of Morning Canyon Road and Highway 105. Those items will add $110,000 to the cost of the district’s portion of the expansion, she said.

Hacker updated the board on work related to new wells. Well 22, which is south of County Line Road just east of I-25, is waiting on a permit from the county. Well 19, which is adjacent to the Southern Water Treatment Plant and was taken out of service for economic reasons a few years ago, will be reconnected to the district’s infrastructure once water quality testing is complete. Well 19 is expected to produce 35 gallons per minute when it is back in production, she said.

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The next meeting is scheduled for Mon., Dec. 18 at 1 p.m. Meetings are usually held on the second Monday of each month at 1 p.m. at the district office at 1845 Woodmoor Drive; please see www.woodmoorwater.com or call 719-488-2525 to verify meeting times and locations.

James Howald can be reached at jameshowald@ocn.me.

Other Woodmoor Water and Sanitation District articles

Monument Sanitation District, Nov. 15 – Board approves budget, leaves rates unchanged

By Jackie Burhans and James Howald

At its November meeting, the Monument Sanitation District (MSD) board held a public hearing on its 2024 budget and voted on two related resolutions.

Budget approved; funds appropriated

District Manager Mark Parker opened a public hearing in consideration of the 2024 budget and told the board that he had made only minor changes since the last board meeting. The amount budgeted for contingencies had been increased, he said. He made a conservative estimate of the revenue the district would receive from sewer tap fees, pointing out that phase two of the Willow Springs development would require 32 new taps. Parker explained the tap fees could only be used to fund infrastructure maintenance and improvement. User fees fund administrative and operational costs, he said. The 2024 budget anticipates $945,000 in user fees, an increase of $80,000 over the amount budgeted in 2023.

Parker said he anticipated two more years of substantial revenue from tap fees, as the Monument Ridge North development along Beacon Lite Road and the RAO Investment’s development on Rickenbacker Avenue proceed.

Parker closed the hearing on the 2024 budget and the board voted unanimously in favor of Resolution 11152023-2, which adopts the budget and appropriates $2.27 million from the General Fund to operate the district.

Rates remain unchanged

The board voted unanimously in favor of Resolution 11152023-1, which adopts wastewater service and tap fees for 2024. The monthly residential use fee remains unchanged at $40 per month. Parker said rates and fees have not been increased since 2020.

The complete schedule of fees can be found on the MSD web page here: https://monumentsd.colorado.gov/schedule-of-fees.

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Monument Sanitation District meetings are normally held at 9 a.m. on the third Wednesday of the month in the district conference room at 130 Second St., Monument. The next regular meeting is scheduled for Dec. 20. See https://colorado.gov/msd. For a district service map, see https://colorado.gov/pacific/msd/district-map-0. Information: 719-481-4886.

Jackie Burhans can be reached at jackieburhans@ocn.me. James Howald can be reached at jameshowald@ocn.me.

Other Monument Sanitation District articles

Donala Water and Sanitation District, Nov. 16 – District ends 2023 under budget

By James Howald and Jackie Burhans

At its November meeting, the Donala Water and Sanitation District (DWSD) board heard a financial report from General Manager Jeff Hodge and operational reports from Water Operator Ronny Wright and Waste Plant Operator Aaron Tolman.

2023 finances in the black

Hodge told the board that at the end of October, the district was about $400,000 under budget. Lower than usual water sales due to the rainy weather were offset by the fact that DWSD spent less than expected—about $300,000—on having Colorado Springs Utilities convey, treat, and deliver water from the district’s Willow Creek Ranch to DWSD customers. Hodge said the district would not need to spend more this year on “The Loop” water re-use project, in which it participates with the Cherokee Metro District, the Town of Monument, and Woodmoor Water and Sanitation District. The Loop may refund $100,000 to DWSD, Hodge said. Higher interest rates benefited the district in 2023, Hodge said.

Hodge said the proposed budget for 2024 would be voted on at the Dec. 7 board meeting and a public hearing on rates would also be held. The December meeting will be held a week earlier than usual so that the budget can be submitted to the state by Dec. 15.

Highlights of operational reports

In his report on water delivery, Wright told the board about electrical problems at the R. Hull treatment plant. Motor starters failed, he said, requiring the replacement of a circuit board. The age of the circuit board made it difficult to find a replacement. Hodge asked whether the district should upgrade it or instead convey the water to the Holbein plant for treatment. There were no comments from the board, and no action was taken.

Wright also updated the board on the district’s test study of hydrous manganese oxide (HMO) technology to reduce radium in water delivered to customers. Three days of water samples treated with HMO have been sent to the state for evaluation, he said. Wright said the study is going well and he expected results from the state in April.

On the wastewater side, Tolman told the board that cracks in the walls of one of the sequential batch reactors at the Upper Monument Creek Waste Water Treatment Plant had been repaired. Board President Wayne Vanderschuere commented on the high efficiency of the plant, and Hodge said the effluent from the plant was cleaner than Monument Creek, into which the effluent is discharged.

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The next meeting is scheduled for Dec. 7 at 1:30 p.m. Generally, board meetings are held the third Thursday of the month at 1:30 p.m. and include online access; call (719) 488-3603 or access www.donalawater.org to receive up-to-date meeting information. The district office is located at 15850 Holbein Drive, Colorado Springs.

James Howald can be reached at jameshowald@ocn.me. Jackie Burhans can be reached at jackieburhans@ocn.me.

Other Donala Water and Sanitation District articles

El Paso County Regional Loop Water Authority, Nov. 16 – Board expands contract with consultants

By James Howald

At its November meeting, the El Paso County Regional Loop Water Authority (EPCRLWA) board added to the range of services to be provided by specialized consulting companies. It also discussed the proposed 2024 budget.

Consultants take on larger role

The board heard an update from John Kuosman, a water practice leader with Merrick and Co. serving as the authority’s Project Planning and Workflow manager, regarding the role of consulting engineers. JVA Inc. was initially hired to test water quality and to design water treatment processes when it was assumed that the EPCRLWA would be responsible for all aspects of the project. In recent months, however, Colorado Springs Utilities (CSU) has opened the door to partnering with EPCRLWA by providing water treatment at its Edward Bailey Water Treatment Plant (EBWTP), which would lower the cost of the loop water reuse project significantly by eliminating the need for EPCRLWA to build its own treatment facility. The EBWTP currently treats water for CSU’s Southern Delivery System (SDS) and has about 35 million gallons per day of excess treatment capacity, Kuosman said.

Kuosman told the board that the next step for the loop was a conceptual treatment evaluation for water diverted from Fountain Creek through the Chilcott Ditch to the EBWTP. Most of the tasks required for that evaluation are already included in EPCRLWA’s contract with Merrick. He proposed that the EPCRLWA’s contract with JVA be expanded to cover some of the tasks required to develop this evaluation.

Kuosman outlined the six tasks required by the evaluation:

  • General project management.
  • A request for technical data such as process flow diagrams, operating and maintenance manuals, and water quality treatment data from CSU.
  • From JVA, an interim summary memo assessing Chilcott Ditch current raw water quality, development of water quality targets for Chilcott Ditch water, and an additional three months of water quality testing. Kuosman estimated this step would add $58,500 to JVA’s current contract costs.
  • A decision on whether it is necessary to separate water from Fountain Creek from SDS water at the EBWTP. Kuosman recommended the EPCRLWA contract with Carollo Engineers to assist with this decision, at a cost not to exceed $10,000.
  • Development of conceptual treatment alternatives at the EBWTP. Alternatives that assume separation of Chilcott Ditch water from SDS water include: pre-treatment of Chilcott Ditch water by the EPCRLWA; pre-treatment done by the EBWTP and post-treatment done by the EPCRLWA; and both pre- and post-treatment done by EPCRLWA. A fourth option involves blending raw water.
  • A final report and memorandum that will be used by CSU to determine pricing for the services it will provide.

Kuosman said he thought tasks three through six could be completed in three months.

Kuosman added he was also working on the easement issues required by the project and recommended hiring Kimley-Horn to help with easements in the northern part of the project and Western States Land Services for easements to the south.

Following Kuosman’s presentation, the board voted unanimously to amend its contract with JVA as requested and to authorize Kuosman to continue negotiations with Carollo Engineering.

Budget discussion

Board President Jessie Shaffer said he had made some minor adjustments to the proposed 2024 budget following the October board meeting. Reimbursements to participating agencies were reduced to $100,000. Shaffer asked the board if the amount budgeted for professional fees should be increased. Kuosman recommended an increase from $350,000 to $500,000 and the board concurred. Shaffer estimated the project would have a fund balance of $444,000 at the end of 2024.

A public hearing on the budget will be held at the next board meeting on Dec. 12.

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The next regular meeting is scheduled for Tue., Dec. 12 at 9 a.m. Regular meetings are usually held on the third Thursday of each month at 9 a.m. at the Monument Town Hall at 645 Beacon Lite Road. Workshop meetings are held the first Thursday of each month at 9 a.m. at the Cherokee Metropolitan District offices at 6250 Palmer Park Blvd., Colorado Springs. Please see loopwater.org or call 719-488-3603 to verify meeting times and locations.

James Howald can be reached at jameshowald@ocn.me.

Other El Paso County Regional Loop Water Authority articles

Triview Metropolitan District, Oct. 19 – Traffic safety concerns; NDS pipeline nears completion

By Natalie Barszcz

At the Triview Metropolitan District (TMD) meeting on Oct. 19, the board heard about measures to enhance traffic safety measures along Gleneagle Drive, received an update on the Northern Delivery System (NDS) pipeline project, heard about an addition to an existing loan, and held an executive session to discuss water supply contracts, property acquisitions, strategic planning, and change cases.

Director Jason Gross was excused.

Traffic safety measures enhanced

Ann-Marie Jojola, president of the Promontory Pointe Homeowners Association, thanked the board and the district for the traffic study conducted in the Promontory Pointe neighborhood along Gleneagle Drive. The study will help alleviate a lot of the questions about speed for the residents, she said.

District Manager James McGrady said the district is making changes after the study revealed that motorists were travelling through the neighborhood a few miles over the posted speed limit of 30 miles per hour. The district will change the speed limit to 25 mph near the Little Train Park and through the curved areas from Kansas Pacific Court down to Baptist Road. The straight areas will be 30 mph. A split-rail fence will be installed along the east and south sides of the park to prevent children chasing after balls down Gleneagle Drive. An additional number of crosswalk reminder signs will also be installed, making safety improvements and signs that make sense for the road conditions, he said.

NDS update

McGrady said the Kiewit team installing the NDS pipeline would be wrapping up the installation project along Rollercoaster and Northgate Road by the end of October. Milling and paving has begun at the north end of Rollercoaster Road, and the overlay is expected to be completed before winter. After completion of the pipeline installation, Kiewit will install a pipeline to the Conexus development for $200,000. The pipeline to segment D (future Conexus development) is part of the NDS and it is hoped the installation will move the Conexus development forward. The pipeline will end about 200 feet from the Town of Monuments municipal water infrastructure. See MTC article on page < 12 >. The district has spent almost $15 million as of September and the project is about 68% complete. The project is projected to total about $21.8 million.

Note: For NDS pipeline project updates, alternative traffic routes, road closures, answers to questions, and to sign up for email and text notifications, visit www.triviewnds.com. The link can also be found at www.triviewmetro.com.

Addition to loan proposed

The district is working with the Colorado Water Conservation Board (CWCB) to increase an existing loan. The state-funded agency receives its revenue from oil and gas severance taxes and provides loans for water resource projects. The district received a loan from CWCB for about $4.7 million to build the first phase of the South Reservoir, but as the project is ending there are several invoiced items that arose, such as creating the bottom of the reservoir to enable good drainage, and $19,000 for additional engineering. Adding the expenditure of $419,930 to the loan at 2.05% for a combined project total of about $5.1 million is a smart solution, taking advantage of the low interest loan rather than spending district cash, he said. The proposal will be presented for approval at the Nov. 16 board meeting.

Operations report

McGrady said the following:

  • Water Attorney Chris Cummins is still working on the participate agreement with the Forest Lakes Metropolitan District’s (FLMD) attorney. Cummins is waiting on some information from JDS Hydro and the FLMD attorney and is aiming for a completed agreement by the end of December to enable the first payment at the beginning of 2024.
  • Northern Monument Creek Interceptor (NMCI) requests for proposal for the design of the pipeline were due at the end of October. The stakeholders will begin looking at designs around Nov. 6.
  • The district continues to work with D38 on the Higby Road design. Some of the developers will submit their final development plans soon, but the final right of way is still being discussed. Discussions with the Town of Monument continue regarding the final width of the widening/redesign project.
  • A flow test on the pump at the South Reservoir was conducted with the pump manufacturer, and the pump reached the maximum of 32 cubic feet per second. The pump is designed to allow 64 acre-feet of water flow into the reservoir per day.

Utilities Department update

McGrady said the following:

  • Water sales for September were a total of about 46.508 million gallons. The district hit the maximum to date at 50 million gallons in July. Production was at 1.5 million gallons per day, but it is down to less than 1 million gallons per day now that the homeowners have drained their sprinkler systems.
  • The check valve for the A4 Well, located at the bottom of a pipe 1,600 feet deep, had failed and was causing problems with the variable frequency drive, so every time it was turned on the pump had to move a full column of water to the surface. The pipe was pulled out and the valve at the bottom was replaced, and another valve was installed half way down the pipe to avoid pumping a large amount of water in the future.
  • All backflow tests and prevention checks were completed, and 100% compliance has been achieved.
  • The Vactor truck has cleaned about 1,600 feet of sewer lines since being placed into service. Monument Marketplace and the Vista Apartments are completed, and the district has saved about $48,000 so far. The process can take place only when the temperatures are above freezing. The truck is winterized daily and housed in a heated environment to protect the apparatus from any water residue freezing in the truck.

Badger water meters

McGrady said the district has about 158 Badger meters (a cellular water meter with real-time water monitoring technology) left to install out of 2,100 homes. It costs more for the district to manually read those meters from the street, and eventually the old technology will not be available to read the old meters remotely, and access to basements will be the only solution. The district may need to take steps in the future if 100% compliance cannot be achieved. Residents refusing the installation of the new meters may need to pay extra for meter reading in the future, he said.

Note: There is no cost to residents for installation of the new meter, and installation takes about 30 minutes. For more information about the cellular meter, visit https:/www.badgermeter.com.

Executive session

The board moved into an executive session at 6:45 p.m. pursuant to Colorado Revised Statute 24-6-402(4) (a), (b), (e), to discuss acquisitions and receive legal advice for negotiations relating to water supply contracts, property acquisitions, strategic planning, and change cases.

District Administrator Joyce Levad notified OCN after the meeting that no actions were taken by the Board of Directors when the regular meeting resumed.

The meeting adjourned at 8:01 p.m.

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Meetings are usually held on the third Thursday every month at the district office at 16055 Old Forest Point, Suite 302. The next regular meeting is scheduled for Nov. 16 at 5:30 p.m. For meeting agendas, minutes, and updates, visit https://triviewmetro.com.

Natalie Barszcz can be reached at nataliebarszcz@ocn.me.

Other Triview Metropolitan District articles

Woodmoor Water and Sanitation District, Oct. 9 – Draft 2024 budget presented; tap fee discussion continues

By James Howald

District Manager Jessie Shaffer presented a draft of the 2024 budget to the Woodmoor Water and Sanitation District (WWSD) board at its October meeting. The board continued its effort to set water and tap fees and voted on a change to its employee benefits policy. Two class action lawsuits related to Per- and Polyfluorinated Substances (PFAS) were discussed, and Shaffer updated the board on the district’s cybersecurity strategy. The board also heard operational reports.

Budget presented; workshop and hearing scheduled

Shaffer distributed copies of a proposed 2024 budget to the board and asked it to schedule a workshop for further discussion. The board scheduled the workshop for Oct. 24.

Shaffer pointed out that a change to rates or fees required an announcement to the public 30 days in advance of a vote on that change and said that if changes were decided on at the November meeting there would not be adequate time to announce the change before the December meeting. He suggested that the December board meeting be changed from Dec. 11 to Dec. 18 to provide adequate notice. The board approved his suggestion to reschedule the December meeting.

Attorney Erin Smith suggested opening the Nov. 13 board meeting with a public hearing on the budget and continuing the hearing until the Dec. 18 board meeting. Votes on any rate changes and on budget approval could be held at the December meeting, she said.

The board decided to follow Smith’s schedule.

Water and sewer tap fees debate continues

Following up on his presentations at the two previous board meetings, Andrew Rheem of Raftelis, the company that advises WWSD on rates and fees, presented another round of analysis intended to help the board decide how to set water and tap fees to balance the interests of current residents with those of future residents and developers. Rheem addressed the questions raised by the board following his previous presentations. He said he had corrected an error in his calculations and had reconsidered the role of the district’s Renewable Water Infrastructure Fee (RWIF), the monthly charge that covers debt service on the district’s purchase of Woodmoor Ranch and its water rights, in his analysis.

Rheem explained the guiding principles and the case law regarding the setting of tap fees. He said first there must be a link between the impact new development has on the system and the fees that fund that development. Secondly, there must be a rough proportionality between the fees and the impact of new development. Finally, the fees can’t discriminate between types of new development.

Funding the El Paso County Regional Loop Water Authority (EPCRLWA) water re-use project, in which WWSD is a participant, is an important factor in how WWSD should set its tap fees, Rheem said. He discussed three methods to fund the project:

  • Revenue bonds, backed up by rate increases, for $85 million in debt, with a 20-year loan term and 4.5% interest rate. This scenario assumes the other three participating districts will also assume their share of the costs.
  • General Obligation bonds, which would need to be approved by voters.
  • A “Go it alone” scenario where WWSD pays for the entire project, expected to cost $181 million with revenue bonds.

Rheem said he had re-calculated the replacement cost of WWSD’s entire system in light of the board’s comments at the previous meeting and the Replacement Cost New (RCN) of the system stood at $137 million, about $3 million more than he previously calculated.

Rheem said he had changed his approach to distributing the outstanding debt from the purchase of the Woodmoor Ranch based on last month’s discussion. WWSD has $12.5 million of unretired debt for that purchase. Dividing that debt by the number of residences when Woodmoor reaches complete buildout means each resident would be responsible for just under $2,400 of that debt, Rheem said.

Board President Brian Bush questioned this approach, asking Rheem why the unretired debt should not be divided by the current number of residents rather than by the future number of residents at buildout. Rheem argued using future residents was necessary to abide by the principle of proportional impact of development. Bush also questioned whether the Woodmoor Ranch and its water rights should be considered as outstanding debt or as an asset.

Rheem said the current water tap fee was $29,788 and proposed three potential water tap fees, each assuming a different approach to funding the EPCRLWA project:

  • A water tap fee of $44,791 if the project is funded with revenue bonds.
  • A water tap fee of $27,195 if the project is funded with general obligation bonds. In this scenario the project cost would be paid via property taxes, not tap fees. This fee would be $2,553 less than the current fee.
  • A water tap fee of $64,370, if the cost of the project is paid entirely by WWSD. This is the “Go it alone” scenario.

Director Tom Roddam asked Rheem to estimate the maximum tap fee WWSD could charge without being challenged in court. Shaffer said he thought a case could be made for a water tap fee around $54,000 if the EPCRLWA project were funded with revenue bonds and the costs were shared among the four participating districts.

Directors Dan Beley and Bill Clewe supported setting the water tap fee at $44,791, arguing that Woodmoor was a desirable community and new residents should be prepared to pay the price to live here.

Bush reiterated his concerns about how the RCN was being calculated, about whether Woodmoor Ranch should be thought of as an asset or an outstanding debt and about inconsistencies in how the EPCRLWA costs were factored in.

The board asked Rheem to update his analysis in time for its budget workshop on Oct. 24.

Hospital reimbursement option dropped

Shaffer asked the board to authorize removing the Hospital Reimbursement Plan (HRP) from the district’s employee benefit package. The option doesn’t pay for a lot, he said, and the Colorado Employer Benefit Trust (CEBT), which provides WWSD’s health plans, wants to remove it from its offerings. CEBT included the HRP in its portfolio to provide a low-cost, low-benefit choice so that districts could reach 100% participation. CEBT has dropped the requirement for 100% participation, Shaffer said.

The board authorized Shaffer to draft a resolution removing the option if CEBT accepts the possibility WWSD may not reach 100% participation by employees.

“Forever chemical” class action lawsuits

Shaffer told the board that class action lawsuits have been filed against 3M and DuPont regarding their production of PFAS chemicals, sometimes called “forever chemicals” because of their persistence in the environment. They have been linked to many health issues, including cancer. Shaffer said the lawsuits had been filed on behalf of every public utility in the country.

Shaffer said WWSD had tested for these chemicals in the past and they were not present in WWSD’s groundwater in detectable levels. Bush said the district could join the lawsuits if it had spent money on PFAS removal or testing. The lawsuits are asking for $11 billion in settlements. He asked Smith to file a claim on the WWSD’s behalf.

Cybersecurity strategy recommendations

At the previous board meeting, Shaffer was asked to review WWSD’s approach to cybersecurity. The district will add a technology called “endpoint detection and response,” which involves continuous monitoring of the WWSD’s IT assets. Shaffer said the staff would be trained on cybersecurity threats.

Highlights of the operational reports

  • In his financial report, board Treasurer Roy Martinez said that revenue from water sales was at 67% of the budgeted amount. Given the time of year, he would expect water sales to be closer to 75%, he said. Martinez attributed the lower sales to the year’s rainier weather.
  • Operations Superintendent Dan LaFontaine reported two main breaks, which together led to 2 million gallons of lost water.
  • District Engineer Ariel Hacker reported that the county’s project to expand Highway 105 between Jackson Creek Parkway and Knollwood Drive was uncovering unknown utility lines.
  • Hacker said WWSD had sold 58 water and sewer taps to Classic Homes for residences in the Monument Junction East development and 30 taps to the Cloverleaf development east of Lewis-Palmer High School.

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The next meeting is scheduled for Nov. 13 at 1 p.m. Meetings are usually held on the second Monday of each month at 1 p.m. at the district office at 1845 Woodmoor Drive; please see www.woodmoorwater.com or call 719-488-2525 to verify meeting times and locations.

James Howald can be reached at jameshowald@ocn.me.

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Monument Sanitation District, Oct. 18 – Board addresses budgets, rates, liens

By Jackie Burhans and James Howald

Financial matters—budgets, rates, and liens—were the focus when the Monument Sanitation District (MSD) board met in October. The board began work on its budget for 2024 and set a date for a public hearing. The board also briefly considered the 2024 budget developed by the Joint Use Committee (JUC) for operation of the Tri-Lakes Wastewater Treatment Facility (TLWWTF). The board discussed potential changes to rates and fees and scheduled a public hearing to consider them. The board heard a report on delinquent liens and a monthly operational report from District Manager Mark Parker.

MSD 2024 budget presentation

Parker reviewed the MSD budget for 2024 that he presented to the board at the previous meeting. In response to a question from Director Skip Morgan concerning reserve funds, Parker explained the Taxpayer Bill of Rights (TABOR) requires the district to maintain a certain amount of money in reserve that can’t be used for operating expenses. He pointed out that the 2024 budget increased the money budgeted for property and loss insurance and for workers compensation insurance. He explained that engineering fees increased over the previous budget due to $43,000 in unpaid engineering fees owed to the district. Legal fees also increased because some recording fees and document review fees were included that would be broken out in future budgets.

The board voted to hold a public hearing on the 2024 budget at its next board meeting, scheduled for 9 a.m. Nov. 15 at the district office at 130 Second St. An announcement of the hearing is included in bills for October.

JUC 2024 draft budget

Parker presented a draft of the 2024 budget for the JUC. MSD partners with Woodmoor Water and Sanitation district and the Town of Palmer Lake in the operation of the TLWWTF: All three approve the JUC’s budget.

Parker said sludge removal costs are increasing due to increased fuel costs. Board President Dan Hamilton pointed out the operations costs increased by 30% in the proposed budget.

The board voted unanimously to approve the JUC budget as presented.

Rates and fees remain unchanged

The board discussed online payments, and Parker pointed out that out of 1,757 accounts only 302 pay online with a credit card. The district charges a 2.59% fee for online payments, he said. Hamilton commented that some customers pay by check to avoid the fee. The board discussed a small increase in rates to cover this fee for the customer, but Parker recommended no increase in the 2024 budget. He said staff would continue to study the issue.

Parker said MSD had not raised rates since 2020, when the monthly rate increased from $35 to $40 per month.

The board also discussed tap fees, which are charges paid when a new customer connects to the MSD infrastructure. Parker said the 2023 budget anticipated $500,000 in tap fee revenue but the actual figure came in closer to $1.9 million. He said he expected tap fee revenue to be lower in 2024. He explained some tap fees were being paid by homeowners in Wakonda Hills whose septic tanks were failing, requiring them to connect to the MSD collection system. Parker said he expected to see additional tap fee revenue in 2024 from the Willow Springs development, the Monument Ridge development, and from the Rickenbacker Avenue development.

The board scheduled a second public hearing to address rates and fees for 9 a.m. Nov. 15 at the district office at 130 Second St. An announcement of the hearing is included in bills for October.

Liens on delinquent accounts

Parker said the district had about 11 delinquent accounts and asked the board to approve Resolution 10182023-1, which would place liens on those accounts. One delinquent account amounted to $43,000, he said. The board voted unanimously in favor of the resolution.

Manager’s report

In his manager’s report, Parker said a recent upgrade to the MSD office building’s electrical service had been completed at a much lower cost than anticipated. He said he had signed a contract with a roofing company to repair the office building’s roof.

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Monument Sanitation District meetings are normally held at 9 a.m. on the third Wednesday of the month in the district conference room at 130 Second St., Monument. The next regular meeting is scheduled for Nov. 15, 2023. See https://colorado.gov/msd. For a district service map, see https://colorado.gov/pacific/msd/district-map-0. Information: 719-481-4886.

Jackie Burhans can be reached at jackieburhans@ocn.me. James Howald can be reached at jameshowald@ocn.me.

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Donala Water and Sanitation District, Oct. 12 – 2024 legal budget presented

By James Howald and Jackie Burhans

At its October meeting, the Donala Water and Sanitation District (DWSD) board continued its work on a budget for 2024. It also heard operational reports.

DWSD District Manager Jeff Hodge began by pointing out that the budget before the board was a “legal” budget, in the format required by the state, with three columns showing the actual year-end figures for 2022, the projected year-end figures for 2023, and the budgeted figures for 2024.

Hodge predicted a $2 million decline in the district’s ending fund balance from 2023 to 2024 due to $1.6 million needed to repair storage tanks, leaving the district with just under $9 million in reserves in 2024. Hodge said he expected reserves to increase in 2025 and 2026.

Water sales were $3.4 million in 2022 and were projected to decrease to $2.7 million by the end of 2023, a decline of about $731,000, Hodge said. Water sales are expected to be $3.2 million in 2024. Sewer service revenue is expected to be about $1.6 million for both 2023 and 2024.

Hodge said that while the district was neither in favor of nor against Proposition HH, the 2024 budget was put together on the assumption that it would pass. The district’s general property tax revenue is budgeted to increase by $600,000 in 2024.

Interest income was $120,144 in 2022, is projected to be $446,512 at the end of 2023, and is budgeted for $594,000 in 2024.

Grant proceeds are budgeted for $1.6 million in 2024, due primarily to American Rescue Plan Act funds awarded to DWSD for radium mitigation.

Overall, revenue is expected to increase slightly in 2024, Hodge said.

On the expense side, Hodge said operating expenses were expected to double from $3.4 million in 2023 to $6.1 million in 2024 due to a requirement by the state that certain repair and maintenance projects be included in this line item.

The board scheduled a public hearing on the budget for 1:30 p.m. Dec. 7 at the district offices at 15850 Holbein Drive.

Highlights of operational reports

  • Water Operator Ronny Wright told the board that the district’s study of hydrous manganese oxide technology to reduce radium levels in treated water was going well, and he expected testing to be complete by the end of 2023. The study results will be submitted to the state for review.
  • The planned maintenance on the district’s water tanks is scheduled to start in May.
  • The vault for Well 16A is complete, and work on the electrical system for the well is being scheduled.
  • Cracking in the walls of the sequential batch reactor at the Upper Monument Creek Waste Water Treatment Facility will be repaired using pressurized resin injection.

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The next meeting is scheduled for Nov. 16 at 1:30 p.m. Generally, board meetings are held the third Thursday of the month at 1:30 p.m. and include online access; call (719) 488-3603 or access www.donalawater.org to receive up-to-date meeting information. The district office is located at 15850 Holbein Drive, Colorado Springs.

James Howald can be reached at jameshowald@ocn.me. Jackie Burhans can be reached at jackieburhans@ocn.me

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El Paso County Regional Loop Water Authority, Oct. 19 – Board reviews 2024 budget, finances

By James Howald

At its October 19 meeting, the El Paso County Regional Loop Water Authority (EPCRLWA) board briefly discussed a draft of its 2024 budget and its finances for the previous month. It heard a progress report from its Project Planning and Workflow manager (PPWM). The board discussed finding a company to provide financial services for the project. Finally, the board also heard results from the most recent water quality tests.

2024 budget and September financial report

Board President Jessie Shaffer asked the board for comments on the proposed 2024 budget. EPCRLWA attorney Russell Dykstra asked if the participating districts—Cherokee Metropolitan District, Donala Water and Sanitation District, the Town of Monument and Woodmoor Water and Sanitation District—would be reimbursed in 2024 for the funds they have spent on the project so far. Shaffer said the goal was to reimburse the districts but that depended on how much of the $4 million in American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funding remained after needed studies and design services are completed. Not all district investments would be reimbursable, he said.

John Kuosman, a water practice leader with Merrick and Co. recently hired by EPCRLWA to serve as the project’s PPWM, said he thought the money allocated for professional fees was too little and he would work on a better estimate.

Board Secretary Mike Forman pointed out that no additional revenue beyond the ARPA funds was expected in 2024.

The board voted to hold a public hearing on the budget at its December meeting. Shaffer asked the board to prepare for further discussion of the budget at the November meeting.

The board also reviewed the project’s claims for September, which consisted of a $16,375 invoice from BBA Water Consultants Inc. for operations modeling, a $10,683 invoice from JVA Consulting Engineers for water quality testing, a $3,955 invoice from Spencer Fane for legal services and a fourth invoice for $280 from the Froman Co. The board voted unanimously to authorize the payment of the invoices.

Project report

Kuosman updated the board on his project management activities in September. He said he met with Jenny Bishop, a project engineer for Colorado Springs Utilities (CSU), to discuss how EPCRLWA could work together with CSU. Bishop is working on a grant to implement indirect potable reuse for CSU’s customers, and she is reviewing a proposal from EPCRLWA that CSU do some portion of the water treatment required by EPCRLWA’s loop project. Shaffer said he wanted EPCRLWA’s project specifically mentioned in Bishop’s grant language.

At the previous meeting, Kuosman discussed a letter of interest he intended to send to consulting and engineering companies to assess their interest in the loop project. At the October meeting, he said he had received 53 responses that would form the basis of a mailing list EPCRLWA would use to identify contributors.

Kuosman said he met with Dykstra and Shaffer to discuss the legal structure the participating districts will use to define contributions and operations. He said districts would need to make a final commitment to the project in 2024.

Kuosman mentioned he had been authorized to contact Mary Shinn, an environmental reporter at The Gazette, to keep her informed about the loop project. He said Foreman had already made a statement about the project to The Gazette.

Board seeks financial services company

Shaffer asked about a request for proposal (RFP) from financial services companies. Dykstra said the RFP should be finished later in the day and he would circulate it to five companies that he considered to be specialists in the financial areas required by the project.

The board voted unanimously to authorize Dykstra to write the RFP and circulate it as proposed.

Water test results show variation

Richard Hood, of JVA Inc., the company EPCRLWA has hired to assess water quality and design the water treatment aspects of the project, told the board the water quality tests done in September showed hardness, alkalinity, total organic carbon, sulfate, chloride and calcium all at their highest levels to date. The samples were taken from the Chilcott Ditch. He said further testing was needed to determine if the most recent results would continue. The board elected to continue testing a wide range of analytes to make sure adequate data was collected to design effective water treatment protocols.

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The next regular meeting is scheduled for Nov. 16 at 9 a.m. Regular meetings are usually held on the third Thursday of each month at 9 a.m. at the Monument Town Hall at 645 Beacon Lite Road. Workshop meetings are held the first Thursday of each month at 9 a.m. at the Cherokee Metropolitan District offices at 6250 Palmer Park Blvd., Colorado Springs. Please see loopwater.org or call 719-488-3603 to verify meeting times and locations.

James Howald can be reached at jameshowald@ocn.me.

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Woodmoor Water and Sanitation District, Sept. 18. Contracts awarded for infrastructure.

By James Howald

Construction contracts were the focus of the Woodmoor Water and Sanitation District (WWSD) at its September meeting. The board awarded two new contracts and changed the award of a third to a different company. It continued the discussion of water and sewer tap fees that began in its previous meeting, hearing a presentation from the consultants that provide the district with rates analysis. The board also heard operational reports.

Two new contracts awarded.

District Manager Jessie Shaffer gave the board a summary of the scope of work included in the construction contract for the Well 22 pumphouse project. Well 22 is south of County Line Road and east of I-25, and the drilling was completed in July 2022. The project includes the construction of the well house, the installation of the well’s pump, motor, and drop pipe, and associated piping, electrical support, and controls.

Richard Hood, of JVA Inc., an engineering company that advises WWSD, told the board that four bids for the project were received and Native Sun Construction was the low bidder at $1.17 million. Hood said Paintbrush Hills Metropolitan District, Woodmen Hills Metropolitan District and the City of Boulder gave Native Sun Construction positive recommendations.

Hood recommended that the board award the contract to Native Sun Construction, and the board voted unanimously to do so.

Rachel Frei, of BB&A Water Consultants Inc., presented her recommendations for the drilling, construction, and testing of a new Dawson aquifer well, to be drilled on the site of the Central Water Treatment Plant (CWTP), which is on Deer Creek Road adjacent to the Lewis-Palmer Middle School football field.

Frei said the proposed well would be designed to a different standard than other WWSD wells. Previously, WWSD has used the municipal standard for its wells, Frei said, but the last long-range plan completed by the district allows for some new wells to be built to the standard for commercial wells, which typically use lower quality and less expensive hardware components. Additional savings result from using smaller drilling rigs, she said. Commercial grade wells are usually 77% less expensive than wells built to the municipal standard.

Frei estimated the new well would produce 25 gallons per minute. WWSD’s Arapahoe aquifer wells typically produce 200 or more gallons per minute.

Shaffer said the well would be a test case for the district. He pointed out the commercial standard involved a bit more risk but would provide a much lower cost per acre-foot of water produced. The proximity to the CWTP meant less would be spent on pipeline and on building to house the well.

Frei recommended that the contract be awarded to Winegar Well Service LLC, which bid $219,315 for the project. The board voted unanimously to award the contract as Frei suggested.

Contract re-awarded.

At its previous meeting in August, the board awarded a contract to install the infrastructure for a new pressure reduction zone required by the Monument Junction development to Aslan Construction. Classic Homes, the developer of Monument Junction, was to be responsible for a portion of the project, but in August the WWSD board believed that Classic Homes would have WWSD manage the project and be reimbursed by Classic Homes for its portion of the work. Details about the original award of the contract can be found in a previous issue of Our Community News here: https://www.ocn.me/v23n9.htm#wwsd.

In September, Shaffer told the board there had been new developments. Classic Homes opted to use their own contractor to do its share of the work, he said, and Aslan Construction notified him that it had made a $170,000 error in its bid. As a result, Aslan withdrew its bid, Shaffer said.

Shaffer said he did not recommend rebidding the project. He recommended that the board award the contract to Midcity Corp., which had bid on the work along with Aslan.

After some discussion to sort out the consequences of Classic Homes choosing to use its own contractor rather than let WWSD manage the entire project and be reimbursed, the board voted unanimously to authorize Shaffer to move forward with Midcity’s bid of $438,722.

Tap fee debate continues.

At its previous meeting, the board heard a presentation on tap fee strategy from Andrew Rheem of Raftelis, a company that advises WWSD on rates and fees. At that meeting, the board voted to authorize Raftelis to continue its work, begun a year ago, to help determine how WWSD should set its water and sewer tap fees to ensure the district can fund the cost of service delivery and capital improvements looking out 10 years.

At the September meeting, Rheem and his colleague Harold Smith presented some preliminary results. They said they had developed scenarios that addressed issues such as how WWSD will finance its portion of the water re-use project often referred to as “The Loop,” which will build infrastructure to allow WWSD and other participating water districts to divert water from Fountain Creek, including treated effluent, and return it for reuse by customers.

Rheem and Smith said they estimated the final buildout of the WWSD service area would occur by 2042, with 6,500 connections to the water distribution system and 6,200 connections to the sewer system. They calculated the Replacement Cost New (RCN) of those systems to be $134.87 million. RCN is the amount it would cost to build systems of equal capacity at today’s prices and is a factor when tap fees are considered as a fee to buy a share in an existing system.

The discussion that followed raised some questions about the assumptions used to calculate the RCN. Operations Superintendent Dan LaFontaine pointed out that developers build pipes at their expense that are later conveyed to the district and asked how that was built into the RCN calculation. Other issues were how $7 million in recent capital improvements were calculated into the RCN, and how to account for the debt incurred by the purchase of Woodmoor Ranch, the debt service for which is paid by district customers every month in the form of the $40 per month Renewable Water Infrastructure Fee.

Uncertainty about how The Loop water reuse project would be financed—with revenue bonds or general obligation bonds that would require a vote for approval—complicated the issue of future tap fees.

Rheem and Smith presented a case for raising water tap fees, which are one-time fees paid when a new building is connected to the water distribution system, by $12,000 to $42,000. Board President Brian Bush argued that increase could not be made in one year. He also pointed out that federal and state regulations governing water quality were not likely to remain unchanged for 10 years and new regulations would impact the cost of delivering water to customers. Shaffer said the increase suggested by Rheem and Smith would raise objections on the part of developers.

The board did not vote following the discussion. Rheem and Smith said they would continue to work on their analysis, taking into consideration the questions raised.

Highlights of operational reports.

  • In his financial report, board Treasurer Roy Martinez said that revenue from water sales was down due to the unusually rainy summer and spring.
  • The 12-month rolling average for unaccounted water is 5%, which is low by industry standards.
  • 1,400 of the district’s residential water meters have been replaced with newer meters that are better integrated with the district’s billing system and support advanced functions such as helping customers avoid unexpectedly large water bills by notifying them when there is a leak on their property.
  • WWSD is issuing water taps for the west side of the Monument Junction development.

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The next meeting is scheduled for Oct. 9 at 1 p.m. Meetings are usually held on the second Monday of each month at 1 p.m. at the district office at 1845 Woodmoor Drive; please see www.woodmoorwater.com or call 719-488-2525 to verify meeting times and locations.

James Howald can be reached at jameshowald@ocn.me.

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Monument Sanitation District, Sept. 20. Board approves email policy, plans building improvements

By Jackie Burhans and James Howald

The Monument Sanitation District (MSD) board met in September to vote on a resolution outlining the district’s email policy. It discussed a preliminary draft of a proposed 2024 budget and took up issues concerning improvements and repairs of the district’s headquarters building.

District email for business use only.

State law requires governmental organizations that maintain email systems to have a written policy governing their proper use. District Manager Mark Parker told the board that work on MSD’s email policy was begun with their previous lawyer and was now ready for a vote.

Resolution 9202023-1 specifies:

  • MSD’s email system is owned by the district and is limited to messages related to district business. Personal or private messages are not allowed.
  • Use of personal email systems for district business is not allowed and may subject the district to discovery orders, seizure, and inspection in the event of litigation.
  • Messages sent through the district’s email are public records and are available to the public through Colorado Open Record Act requests.
  • The district may monitor messages sent through its email system.
  • The email system is an extension of the workplace and is subject to the district’s personnel policies.
  • Board President Dan Hamilton summed up the policy by pointing out that there is no privacy in use of the email system. Parker pointed out that board members would need to be careful in their use of the “Reply All” feature, as emails going to three or more board members constitute a meeting. Parker said he used the blind carbon copy feature to prevent board members from inadvertently creating a meeting by replying to everyone on the distribution list.

The board voted unanimously to approve the resolution.

Preliminary 2024 budget discussed.

Parker gave the board a preliminary draft of the 2024 budget and asked for their feedback at the next board meeting. He said he estimates income low and expenses high, and that generally works out. Legal and engineering fees were underestimated in the previous budget. Legal fees were somewhat higher than expected in the 2023 budget because of the legal work needed on the district’s bylaws and employee handbook. For the 2024 budget, he assumed a 10 percent increase in worker’s compensation costs and a large increase in the cost of gas and electricity. Interest income is up due to higher interest rates, he said.

Parker pointed out that MSD could impose a 7.734 mill levy, but that was not needed because the district is able to cover its cost of service through tap fees and user fees.

HQ building needs roof repair, HVAC upgrade.

MSD owns the building at 130 Second St. that houses the office space and conference room used by the district, as well as three businesses: the Black Forest Foods Café and Deli, Santa Fe Trail Jewelry, and the Second Street Hair Studio.

Parker told the board that, due to age and hail damage, the building’s roof needs to be replaced. The cost of replacement is less than the insurance deductible, he explained, so MSD will be paying for the replacement. Parker said he was working with the district’s insurance carrier to find alternatives to the current deductible.

Parker asked the board to consider paying for an engineering study to design a comprehensive solution to the building’s problems with heating and ventilation. The Black Forest Foods Café and Deli kitchen has created issues with ventilation that were not anticipated when the building was designed. The kitchen hoods pull air out of the building and makeup air is needed to run the building’s furnace efficiently, he said. The study would need to assess whether the rafters can support the needed equipment as well as the snow load in the winter months. The building’s electric service would also need to be included. Parker estimated the study cost at $5,500.

MSD Environmental/Regulatory Compliance Coordinator Jim Kendrick pointed out that over the last 20 years contractors who addressed issues stemming from the restaurant kitchen have put in place ad hoc solutions. He argued the cost of a comprehensive study and design would be money well spent.

The board did not take a vote but agreed that Parker should proceed with the proposed study.

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Monument Sanitation District meetings are normally held at 9 a.m. on the third Wednesday of the month in the district conference room at 130 Second St., Monument. The next regular meeting is scheduled for Oct. 18. See https://colorado.gov/msd. For a district service map, see https://colorado.gov/pacific/msd/district-map-0. Information: 719-481-4886.

Jackie Burhans can be reached at jackieburhans@ocn.me. James Howald can be reached at jameshowald@ocn.me.

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Donala Water and Sanitation District, Sept. 21. Preliminary 2024 budget presented

By James Howald and Jackie Burhans

At its September meeting, Donala Water and Sanitation District (DWSD) General Manager Jeff Hodge and Accounts Payable specialist Christine Hawker presented a preliminary draft of the district’s 2024 budget. The board awarded a contract for rehabilitating the district’s water tanks, updated a lease to sell effluent water, and made plans to sell a surplus variable frequency drive (VFD). Finally, district staff updated the board concerning the district’s testing of hydrous manganese oxide (HMO) to reduce radium in its treated water.

2024 budget overview.

The preliminary budget presented showed an increase in total revenue from $6.86 million projected for 2023 to $7.60 million budgeted for 2024. Water sales and interest income are projected to increase in 2024. Property tax revenue for 2024 was projected to be $2.24 million; that number reflects a $600,000 decrease in the county’s assessment due to the possibility of Proposition HH passing. Hodge said the 2024 budget assumes the district will not see any increase in revenue from increased property taxes.

On the expense side, total operating expenses are estimated to increase from $4.92 million projected for 2023 to $6.24 million budgeted for 2024. In the 2024 budget, $365,351 was moved from administrative expenses to operating expenses because upgraded accounting software enables better tracking of contract services. Utility costs for 2024 are budgeted to increase by $257,000 due to an estimated 10% increase in electrical costs by Mountain View Electrical Association. Engineering costs and well maintenance costs are also projected to increase in 2024.

Total capital and bond expense is estimated to increase from $3.44 million projected for 2023 to $4.31 million budgeted for 2023.

A total of $3.57 million was budgeted for capital improvement projects in 2024, with rehabilitation of three storage tanks, filter media rehabilitation at the R. Hull treatment plant, and funding for “The Loop” water reuse project at the top of the list.

Hodge emphasized that water and sewer revenue would cover the district’s operating expenses, and he estimated DWSD would have $8 million in reserves.

Board President Wayne Vanderschuere said the budget would need to be presented to the state by Oct. 15 and the board would hold a special meeting on Oct. 12 to formally accept a final 2024 budget.

Water tank rehab contract awarded.

Hodge recommended the board award a contract for water tank rehabilitation to Viking Painting LLC, which bid $1.05 million to rehabilitate the district’s three tanks. The contract had previously been awarded to Swedish Industrial Coatings LLC, but that company was unable to do the work.

The board voted unanimously to award the contract as Hodge suggested.

Effluent water lease extended.

Hodge asked the board to consider extending for two years a contract for DWSD to lease up to 6.5 acre-feet of effluent water per year to Letha Robison. The state of Colorado requires pond owners to replace water lost to evaporation. Hodge explained the new contract would raise the price of the water from $150 per acre-foot to $300. The board voted unanimously to extend the contract.

Surplus VFD to be sold.

Hodge told the board he had a buyer for a VFD the district is taking offline. VFDs control the operation of the motors that drive well pumps and allow them to ramp up or down smoothly rather than being completely on or completely off, thereby saving energy costs and reducing the wear and tear on pipelines. Water Operator Ronny Wright said he expected the VFD to be sold for $7,500.

HMO testing moves forward.

Wright updated the board on the status of the demonstration project the district is running to prove that treatment with HMO will reduce to acceptable levels the radium in the water delivered to customers. Wright said samples treated with HMO were taken between Sept. 11 and 17 have been submitted for testing. Two more samples will be taken in mid-October and in November, he said, adding he expected results by late December. When all results are received, the district will have 30 days to send the results to the state. Wright said he anticipated the state would respond by April, allowing DWSD to proceed with the design of an HMO-based radium treatment process.

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The next meeting is scheduled for Oct. 19 at 1:30 p.m. Generally, board meetings are held the third Thursday of the month at 1:30 p.m. and include online access; call (719) 488-3603 or access www.donalawater.org to receive up-to-date meeting information. The district office is located at 15850 Holbein Drive, Colorado Springs.

James Howald can be reached at jameshowald@ocn.me. Jackie Burhans can be reached at jackieburhans@ocn.me.

Other Donala Water and Sanitation District articles

Triview Metropolitan District, Sept. 21. Northern Delivery System pipeline installation nearing completion

By Natalie Barszcz

At the Triview Metropolitan District (TMD) meeting on Sept. 21, the board received updates on the Northern Delivery System (NDS) Pipeline Project and the release of water deeds, and heard about wastewater flow monitoring and a system to remove radium. The board also approved a small lease of water shares, heard about a revegetation program, and received an update on the Higby Road widening project. The district also held an executive session to receive legal advice regarding various negotiations on water supply contracts, property acquisitions, strategic planning, and change cases.

Director Amanda Carlton attended remotely; however, sound communication was unavailable for the participants attending via Zoom for the duration of the meeting.

Northern Delivery System pipeline project.

District Manager Jim McGrady said he attended a get-together with the Kiewit employees as the NDS project reached 100 days and is about 75% completed on the pipeline installation. The closeout for the pipeline portion of the project is anticipated to be the end of November and everything is on schedule, he said. Roller Coaster Road will be completed by mid-October, and Old Northgate Road is expected to be completed by the end of September. The pumphouse at Highway 83/Old Northgate Road is estimated to be completed in July 2024, he said.

President Mark Melville said the pump station had many long lead-time items. The district was able to purchase an electrical transformer from Mountain View Electric Association ahead of time and well before construction, he said.

Note: For NDS pipeline project updates, alternative traffic routes, road closures, answers to questions, and to sign-up for email and text notifications, visit www.triviewnds.com. The link can also be found at www.triviewmetro.com.

Release of water deeds.

McGrady said the Stonewall Springs South Reservoir is full. TMD and the Arkansas Ground and Reservoir Association (AGRA) water rights contributed to filling the reservoir. The district will begin running the NDS in less than a year and will need municipal water to run the pipeline. The district may need to lease a little water next year until all the decrees for the municipal water are in place. Some of the AGRA water could be utilized to supply the NDS, along with 500 shares (about 350 acre-feet) of the Fountain Mutual Irrigation Co. (FMIC). A portion of the 557 shares of FMIC, which the district is changing to municipal water shares, will likely be decreed after the 2024 runoff. The district will have a plan B and will pump water from its wells if needed to fully supply the district customers he said.

Melville said the district needs about 900-1,000 acre-feet annually, but the plan has always been to use about 20% well water and keep the wells in use, he said.

Water flows examined.

Assistant District Manager Steve Sheffield said Xuehua Bai of Bai Engineers is examining and taking measurements of the water flows at the Upper Monument Creek Regional Wastewater Treatment Facility (UMCRWWTF). The district is not 100% confident in the accuracy of the flow numbers that are released from the treatment facility and is double checking Triview’s existing flow measurement devices, he said.

Superintendent Shawn Sexton confirmed a new flow meter at the Upper Monument Creek Waste Water Treatment Facility (UMCRWWTF) had been replaced a couple of years ago. The district is keeping up with high summer water demand, and during August the district had a 9.7% variance (unaccounted water due to pipeline leakage), which is not uncommon. Nationwide some municipalities have up to 40% unaccounted water loses. The district is drilling down on losses, because previously the numbers presented were not the whole picture, he said.

Vice President Anthony Sexton said the 9.7% is a whole lot tighter than previous months, but it would be interesting to know why there are fluctuations in lost water between the summer months and the winter months, he said.

McGrady said Bai is taking readings on a flume every 15 minutes over 24 hours to capture 96 reads, then using an integration formula the district will know the volume that travelled through the flume in 24 hours. It will be important to identify the cause and the correct flows to the treatment facility as the decision to participate in the Northern Monument Creek Interceptor (NCMI) pipeline draws closer. The pipeline capacity will need to be accurate to accommodate the correct amount of wastewater. The cause could be metering or infiltration, he said.

Hydrous manganese oxide (HMO) system.

Sexton said the district is almost done with the hydrous manganese oxide (HMO) redesign and rebuild, and it looks completely different from the original design, and it will be “awesome.” He had attended the Rocky Mountain Water Conference from Sept. 10-13 in Loveland, with Lead Engineer Mario DiPasquale of RESPEC (formerly JDS Hydro). DiPasquale presented the HMO system to about 30 attendees, and after the presentation Sexton helped DiPasquale answer questions.

TMD and one other small district statewide are adopting the HMO system. The system consists of a combination of suspended manganese oxide particles that form a slurry, and when combined with raw water the chemical affixes to radium and the particles are large enough to be removed via filter, making it possible to easily remove when the filters are backwashed, he said.

McGrady said Donala Water and Sanitation District is implementing the HMO system after consulting with the TMD team. The system makes sense and works very well at a very reasonable cost compared to other systems, he said. Radium testing takes up to three months to complete. and then further testing is required. It took TMD about a year to complete and comply with the state requirements. The district is trying to spread the word about the economic benefit of the HMO system. TMD implemented the HMO system because other methods of removal are expensive. Radium is not just a Front Range issue, he said.

Melville said the HMO system will remove radium at a low cost of about $200,000, unlike some systems that require separate plants and cost over $1 million.

Director Jason Gross thanked Sexton and his team for going the extra mile, making the district exceptional just by taking the time to discover the HMO system.

Lease of water shares.

McGrady said he was approached by Curtis Mitchell, a consultant for Cross Creek Metropolitan District (CCMD) located between Widefield and Fountain Boulevard near Mesa Ridge High School. Mitchell requested a small lease of six shares to offset evaporative losses in a small sub-division pond that the state had mandated be drained due to evaporation loss. The agreement is a good neighbor relations project, and the district makes a little revenue in the process. He requested the board review and consider approving the agreement between CCMD and the TMD for the lease of six shares from the FMIC for three years from Nov. 1 through Oct. 31, 2026, to augment evaporative losses on the pond located within CCMD.

Water Attorney Chris Cummins said the district always includes a reclaim clause should the district need the water, but he had not written the agreement and would need to confirm. The lease provides only 4.2 acre-feet to offset evaporation in a small pond adjacent to a play area. If the provision to reclaim the water is needed by the district and is not already included, it will be added, he said.

The board unanimously accepted the agreement with a retraction clause should the district need the water.

Revegetation plan.

McGrady said TMD hired retired Colorado State University Professor Ed Rendente, an expert restoration ecologist, to work for the district on a revegetation plan at the Chicago Springs Ranch, located near Buena Vista and the place of use for the district’s Arkansas Valley Irrigation Co. water right. The land is covered by various grasses. After the irrigation water is removed, most of the hay and some species of grass will die out and the other intermixed vegetation is expected to thrive. A reference property near that has never been irrigated will mimic that land, but it could take 10 years or more, he said.

Cummins said the division engineer office mandates rules and regulations to implement a revegetation plan after irrigation rights are removed to prevent dust bowl conditions, he said.

Higby Road widening project.

McGrady said the Higby Road widening project design was approved. The road will be about 95-100 feet wide, about 20 feet less than Jackson Creek Parkway. The design also incorporates two roundabouts: one about midway of the Lewis-Palmer High School south parking lot for entry purposes, and the second at Bowstring Road. Until the district can figure out how to incorporate a sidewalk on the northeast side near the school baseball fields, two crosswalks will be installed to reach the sidewalk on the south side of the road, he said.

Above Triview Metropolitan District received a 900-ECO 12-yard Vactor truck in early September. The multi-use vehicle with many capabilities besides cleaning sewer systems will be utilized both residentially and commercially throughout the district and in Forest Lakes Metropolitan District. The district spent about $560,000 on the truck and expects to see a cost savings in a couple of years by avoiding costly outsourced services. Photo by Natalie Barszcz.

Public works, parks, and open space update.

Superintendent Matt Rayno said the following:

• The district had received the radar speed signs for Promontory Pointe and installation had begun. The 25-mile-per-hour sign would be removed.

• He and the snow captain would attend a snow and ice removal conference to receive continued certification in snow removal.

• The district purchased a dump truck with a snow plow for snow removal.

Gross said he likes the increase in service to the residents.

McGrady said the district was able to find a used diesel truck for about $37,000 sitting on a lot with only 50,000 miles on the odometer and a snow plow. The truck was then sandblasted, re-painted and fitted with a new sander for $16,000. The final cost was about $53,000 instead of about $150,000 for a new truck.

Melville suggested the large flat drainage pond that receives little runoff between Split Creek and Gleneagle Drive could be put to recreational use with a little bit more mowing and a couple of soccer nets.

McGrady said metropolitan districts in the Phoenix, Ariz., area have utilized dry retention pond areas for recreation, and he would look into utilization of the space.

During public comments, a resident said he was very happy about how his taxes are being spent by the district, especially when he sees the beautiful landscaping work and how great the district looks.

Executive session.

The board moved into executive session at about 7:23 p.m. pursuant to Colorado Revised Statutes 24-6-402(4) (a), (b), (e), to discuss acquisitions, receive legal advice regarding negotiations on water supply contracts, property acquisitions, strategic planning and change cases.

After the meeting, Sheffield confirmed that when the board returned to the regular meeting, no further action was taken.

The meeting adjourned at 9:23 p.m.

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Correction.

In the September issue of OCN, the TMD article should have read: “Rocky Mountain Turf Solutions are installing 115,600 square feet of UV-protected AstroTurf for the multi-use sporting field in Sanctuary Pointe.” After the September issue was published, McGrady provided the following information: The TMD Board of Directors approved $1 million from the parks and open spaces fees collected from the Sanctuary Pointe development for the AstroTurf installation. TMD collected just over $2 million at the point of construction, about $3,373 for each of the 600 homes in Sanctuary Pointe. About $1,666 per home was contributed to the park from those fees. The Homeowners Association fees were not used in the development of the park. OCN regrets the error.

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Meetings are usually held on the third Thursday every month at the district office at 16055 Old Forest Point, Suite 302. The next regular meeting is scheduled for Oct.19 at 5:30 p.m. For meeting agendas, minutes, and updates, visit https://triviewmetro.com.

Natalie Barszcz can be reached at nataliebarszcz@ocn.me.

Other Triview Metropolitan District articles

El Paso County Regional Loop Water Authority, Sept. 21. Board approves outreach to contractors

By James Howald

At its September meeting, the El Paso County Regional Loop Water Authority (EPCRLWA) board heard a plan from its recently hired Project Planning and Workflow Manager (PPWM) to advertise the project. The board heard results from the most recent water quality tests. The board also set a date for a public hearing on its budget. The meeting ended with an executive session.

The EPCRLWA was formed in November 2022 by an Intergovernmental Agreement between Cherokee Metropolitan District (CMD), Donala Water and Sanitation District (DWSD), the Town of Monument (TOM), and Woodmoor Water and Sanitation District (WWSD) to build infrastructure that would allow water, including treated effluent, that is flowing south in Monument and Fountain Creeks to be stored at Calhan Reservoir at Woodmoor Ranch and then pumped back north to be used by customers of the participating districts.

Letter of interest to be drafted

John Kuosman, a water practice leader with Merrick and Co., recently hired by EPCRLWA to serve as the project’s PPWM, told the board he saw lots of interest in the project on the part of consultants, contractors, and engineers who might be interested in providing services to the project as it moves forward. In previous meetings, the board decided to outsource as many tasks as possible to keep the number of staff members low as a way of reducing costs. Kuosman said he was drafting a letter of interest that service providers would use to demonstrate their interest in the project.

The regulations governing the use of American Recovery Plan Act funds allow EPCRLWA to pre-approve contractors so that they can be deployed quickly when needed. Kuosman said he planned to circulate the letter by email through his contacts in the industry and to post it on Bidnet, an online service that advertises government projects.

The board did not vote, but approved Kuosman’s plans to advertise the project.

Water quality tests proceed

Richard Hood, of JVA Inc., the company EPCRLWA has hired to assess water quality and design the water treatment aspects of the project, reported to the board on the latest water quality tests. Hood said a second sample of water from the Chilcott Ditch, which conveys water from Fountain Creek to the Calhan reservoir, was taken on Aug. 8. The testing results were in line with previous tests, Hood said, noting pH measurements were a little higher in the newer sample. Hood said Total Organic Carbon was relatively high compared to previous samples and Total Dissolved Solids were lower. The “forever chemicals” PFOA and PFOS, which have maximum contaminant levels of four parts per trillion, were both above that level at 12 and 17 parts per trillion respectively.

Hood said the Chilcott Ditch was due to be turned off for the year in October and he planned to take one more set of water samples from it before that time to check for seasonal variations.

Budget hearing set

The board scheduled a public hearing on its budget for Nov. 16.

Executive session

The board adjourned the regular meeting and went into executive session to receive legal advice regarding items that are subject to negotiations. No action was taken following the executive session.

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The next regular meeting is scheduled for Oct. 19 at 9 a.m. Regular meetings are usually held on the third Thursday of each month at 9 a.m. at the Monument Town Hall at 645 Beacon Lite Road. Workshop meetings are held the first Thursday of each month at 9 a.m. at the Cherokee Metropolitan District offices at 6250 Palmer Park Blvd., Colorado Springs. Please see loopwater.org or call 719-488-3603 to verify meeting times and locations.

James Howald can be reached at jameshowald@ocn.me.

Other El Paso County Regional Loop Water Authority articles

Forest Lakes Metropolitan District, Pinon Pines 1, 2, and 3, Aug. 7 and 14 – 2022 audits approved; contract services cost increases; water reuse project possible

By Natalie Barszcz

The Forest Lakes Metropolitan District (FLMD) Pinon Pines Metropolitan District (PPMD) 2 and 3 boards met on Aug. 7 to approve the 2022 audits and a second amendment to the agreement for the contract for services with Triview Metropolitan District (TMD). The boards also received updates on the Northern Monument Creek Interceptor Project (NMCI) and the Colorado Springs Utilities (CSU) Indirect Potable Reuse Project, and held an executive session related to intergovernmental agreements. The PPMD 1 all-resident board held a “special meeting” on Aug. 14 to reappoint President Mike Hitchcock to the board, approve the 2022 audit, and accept the board financial reports.

Note: Both meetings were held via teleconference. The boards had not met since December 2022.

Treasurer Douglas Stimple, chief executive officer of Classic Homes, was excused.

2022 audits

District Manager Ann Nichols said the board directors had previously received the full packet containing the 2022 audits for FLMD and PPMD 2 and 3 and, after receiving no comments, CPA Tom Sistare of Hoelting & Co. Inc. had filed the audits with the state to meet the July 31 deadline. The audits were “usual” and the financial controls were good except for PPMD 3, which had been audit exempt until 2023. In early 2022 it was discovered that some of the Public Improvement Fee (PIF) revenue belonged in 2021 and that her original estimate for PIF in 2022 was much higher than $240,000. The PIF revenue in 2022 was $455,000, significantly higher than in previous years. The PIF is estimated to be considerably more when the “Quik Trip” opens in the Falcon Commerce Center, said Nichols.

The board approved the 2022 audits as presented for all three boards, 4-0.

Contract for services with TMD

Nichols said a conversation with TMD Manager James McGrady revealed that the initial estimate for the contract for service agreement with TMD initially approved for $6,000 per month was not enough because the agreement was made before the 2023 budget, and a second amendment increasing the monthly cost to $6,700, back dated to July 2023, was needed. The TMD staff is doing a good job in the district, and about $4,000 is certainly justified for the remainder of the year, said Nichols. See www.ocn.me/v22n8.htm#flmd and www.ocn.me/v22n8.htm#tmd.

Secretary James Boulton, vice president/project manager of Classic Homes, asked if TMD would be replacing dead trees and providing trail maintenance and snow removal service.

Nichols said those services would be provided at an hourly rate for time spent, plus materials when needed. An amendment will be made to the contract services amendment, she said.

The board approved the contract for services increase, 4-0.

NMCI

Nichols said it was anticipated that CSU would request bids on the design for the NMCI in early 2023, but issues arose with the design that went through an old landfill on the U.S. Air Force Academy (USAFA) property. The USAFA is now in agreement with a design that will route the pipeline around the airfield, and it is close to signing the National Environment Policy Act assessment and approval of the re-routed design. The design phase is way behind, but the request for proposals was scheduled to be sent out by the end of August. By the end of the year or as late as spring a cost estimate of the design will be known, then FLMD can decide on the most efficient route to proceed.

FLMD and TMD are committed to seeing the design phase through but will not proceed with the construction of the NMCI pipeline until all costs are known. As a factor in the decision process, the districts are also seeking the scope and cost of upgrading the Upper Monument Creek Regional Wastewater Treatment Facility to meet the state requirements, said Nichols.

Wastewater return flows possible

Nichols said the Northern Delivery System (NDS) pipeline project TMD is developing will connect into CSU to convey, treat, and deliver water to customers in northern El Paso County. CSU continues to explore recapturing return flows with the Indirect Potable Reuse Project (formerly the reuse project under the Pikes Peak Regional Water Authority) for districts participating in the NMCI pipeline project. Wastewater would be delivered via the NMCI and treated at the J.D. Phillips Water Resource Recovery Facility on Mark Dabling Boulevard, and reuse flows would then be recaptured down Monument Creek at some point. CSU has identified six alternative arrangements to collect reuse water for treatment in Monument and Fountain Creeks before sending water to the Southern Delivery System. The projects are linked, and the costs may be presented to the board in the next couple of months, said Nichols. See www.ocn.me/v23n1.htm#flmd and the TMD article on page < 1 >.

Executive session

The PPMD 2 and 3 boards and Tom Blunk and William Muller of CP Real Estate Capital, representing Forest Lakes LLC and Forest Lakes Residential Development, moved into an executive session at 4:17 p.m., pursuant to Colorado Revised Statutes 24-6-402(4) (b) and (e) to receive specific legal advice from district counsel Russell Dykstra of Spencer Fane LLP and instruct negotiators in matters related to intergovernmental agreements.

Nichols confirmed to OCN that after the boards returned to the regular meeting, no action was taken, and the meeting promptly adjourned at 4:38 p.m.

PPMD 1

Nichols said that due to a miscommunication, Hitchcock had missed the deadline to file a self-nomination form for another four-year term on the PPMD 1 Board of Directors, and he would need to be appointed to the board.

President Mike Slavick and A J Slavick approved the appointment, and Hitchcock confirmed he had been read the oath of office by a notary. The board members approved Hitchcock be reinstated as board president. Mike Slavick returned to the vice president position, and A J Slavick is the board secretary. Former Director Chris Paulene did not re-apply for a board position in the May 2023 election, said Nichols.

Note: Two board director vacancies remain on the PPMD 1 board. Any eligible elector residing in PPMD 1 can apply for consideration for a board position.

PPMD 1 2022 audit

Nichols requested the board accept the 2022 audit that was received in July from Hoelting & Company Inc. The board was provided with the management and internal control letters, and the financial statements. The audit was filed with the state by July 31, said Nichols.

The board unanimously accepted the 2022 audit as previously presented.

PPMD 1 financial statements

Nichols said the board had received the June financial statement for approval.

The board unanimously accepted the financial statements as presented for June.

The meeting adjourned at 4:20 p.m.

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Meetings are usually held quarterly or when necessary, on the first Monday of the month at 4 p.m., via Teleconference. Meeting notices are posted at least 24 hours in advance at https://forestlakesmetrodistrict.com. For general questions, contact District Manager Ann Nichols at 719-327-5810, anicholsduffy@aol.com.

Natalie Barszcz can be reached at nataliebarszcz@ocn.me.

Other Forest Lakes Metropolitan District articles

Woodmoor Water and Sanitation District, Aug. 14 – General manager reviews water resources

By James Howald

At its meeting in August, The Woodmoor Water and Sanitation District (WWSD) heard a presentation from General Manager Jessie Shaffer explaining the approaches to water resources the district could use to plan future needs. The board considered awarding a construction contract, voted for a resolution affirming the district’s participation in the El Paso County Regional Loop Water Authority (EPCRLWA) and launched an analysis of water and sewer tap fees. The board heard operational reports. Finally, the meeting ended with an executive session.

Four approaches to water resources

In response to a request from the board made at the previous meeting, Shaffer gave the board his thoughts on possible approaches the district could take to manage its present and future water sources with a focus on long-term sustainability.

If the district does nothing, Shaffer said, the Denver basin aquifers currently supplying customers will decline, with or without growth. More wells will need to be drilled and the cost of well drilling will escalate. The water pumped from aquifers will become more and more costly. Beyond a certain number of wells, it is hard to avoid well interference and it is harder to site wells, which can’t draw from outside the district boundaries. Long-term sustainability requires other sources, he said.

Shaffer characterized the next approach as “Go it alone”—by which he meant treating and transporting water from the Woodmoor Ranch without relying on any partnering water districts. This approach offers a sustainable supply of surface water, with the advantage that WWSD would retain complete control over its operations. The downside is affordability: The cost is likely to be near $180 million, which would be born entirely by WWSD ratepayers. Shaffer said this approach is not achievable due to cost.

The third approach Shaffer discussed involves relying on Colorado Springs Utilities (CSU) to convey, treat, and deliver water to WWSD customers. The short-term costs of this approach make it seem attractive, Shaffer said, but the long-term costs are higher than other alternatives, with a cumulative cost break-even point at nine years, and CSU could raise rates at any time so WWSD would lose control of its costs under this approach. Infrastructure to connect to CSU’s system would need to be built, and there are many fees that that would apply.

Finally, Shaffer discussed using a group approach and partnering with other districts. He said the EPCRLWA, in which WWSD is participating, is an example of this approach. A considerable challenge here is creating consensus among the partners, Shaffer said, but this approach offers economies of scale and sustainability.

Following the presentation, board President Brian Bush said the “do nothing” approach should be dropped as it violates WWSD’s mission to provide water to its customers on a sustainable basis.

Construction contract awarded

District Engineer Ariel Hacker told the board that the Monument Junction development currently under construction by Classic Homes has created a need for an additional pressure management zone within the district. The cost of building the new zone would primarily be paid by Classic Homes but some of the needed infrastructure would be installed beyond the boundaries of Classic Homes’ property to serve other WWSD customers, so WWSD would be responsible for a portion of the project. Classic Homes is responsible for installing a total of three pressure reducing valves and related pipelines, while WWSD is responsible for one valve and its pipelines, she said.

Hacker said three bids for the project were submitted but two contained substantial errors, so she recommended the third bidder, Asland Constructors.

Shaffer said that typically if a developer creates a need for additional infrastructure, the developer pays the associated costs, but in this case, since some of the work is off the developer’s property, Classic Homes approached the district and asked WWSD to manage the entire project, with Classic Homes paying WWSD for its portion of the project and adding a 20% contingency fee. Shaffer said if WWSD managed the entire project it would mean a single set of inspections, making the project more efficient.

The board voted unanimously to authorize awarding the contract to Asland Constructors. Bush asked that work not begin until Classic Homes had paid WWSD for its portion of the costs.

EPCRLWA resolution passes

The board voted unanimously in favor of a resolution formalizing WWSD’s participation in the EPCRLWA, informally known as the loop. Of the three other participating districts, Donala Water and Sanitation District has also signed a similar resolution and Cherokee Metropolitan District and the Town of Monument are expected to take the same step soon.

Tap fees due for review

Shaffer introduced Andrew Rheem of Raftelis, the company WWSD works with to model rates and fees and told the board he had asked Rheem last year to begin an analysis of the district’s tap fees.

Rheem said his goal was to ensure that growth in the district was paying its own way, explaining that there were some legal restraints on how tap fees would be used. For example, if they are used for debt service, the debt must be acquired due to development.

Rheem defined water and sewer tap fees as a one-time charge assessed to new customers when they connect to the district’s infrastructure for the first time or when they increase their service. New customers are paying for their share of the district’s capacity, he said. Currently, a new residence in WWSD’s service area pays $29,788 for a ¾-inch water tap and $10,390 for a sewer tap. Larger capacity taps pay a higher fee, he said.

Rheem explained three approaches to setting tap fees. The “buy-in” method is often used in districts where capacity is available and a new customer is buying into the existing system. The system is valued at its replacement cost in this method. The “incremental” approach is used where the existing system has little or no capacity for growth and the tap fees will be used to increase capacity. Finally, the “hybrid” approach when there is current capacity, but more is needed.

Rheem said his analysis would evaluate the maximum water and sewer tap fees under all three approaches and would recommend tap fees for all meter sizes.

Bush asked what timeframe would be used for the analysis, and Rheem said that was an open question. Bush said the board should avoid getting locked into something it does not want going forward.

The board voted unanimously to authorize Bush to sign a service agreement with Raftelis to complete the study.

Highlights of operational reports

  • Operations Superintendent Dan LaFontaine noted that the district’s customers were currently receiving surface water treated at the Central Water Treatment Facility.
  • LaFontaine said he had been investigating how stormwater was infiltrating the system and said he believed that, due to the rainy weather, a number of customers were using sump pumps to drain their basements and sending that water into the wastewater system where it would be treated. This is an illegal discharge, he said, adding water from basements should be distributed to the homeowners’ property.

Executive session

The meeting ended with an executive session to confer with legal counsel on questions relating to the EPCRLWA and to negotiations with CSU regarding the conveyance, treatment, and delivery of water.

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The next meeting is scheduled for Sept. 11 at 1 p.m. Meetings are usually held on the second Monday of each month at 1 p.m. at the district office at 1845 Woodmoor Drive; please see www.woodmoorwater.com or call 719-488-2525 to verify meeting times and locations.

James Howald can be reached at jameshowald@ocn.me.

Other Woodmoor Water and Sanitation District articles

Monument Sanitation District, Aug. 8 – Board hears request to merge with town’s Water Department

By Jackie Burhans and James Howald

At its August meeting, the Monument Sanitation District (MSD) board heard a summary of a meeting between two MSD board members and representatives of the Town of Monument to discuss merging MSD with the town’s Water Department. The board voted on updates to the district’s employee handbook and to its bylaws. In his manager’s report, District Manager Mark Parker discussed maintenance and security issues at the district’s headquarters. Board President Dan Hamilton led a discussion of improvements to the district’s billing system. The meeting ended with an executive session.

LaKind and Kronick propose merger

Hamilton told the board that he and Director John Howe met with Monument Mayor Mitch LaKind and Councilmember Laura Kronick to discuss the possibility of merging MSD with the town’s Water Department and ultimately creating a water and sewer authority that combines the MSD service area, which is not entirely within the town borders, with the town. Hamilton said no specific proposal was made. Howe recalled that a similar discussion had taken place when Don Wilson was mayor, but no proposal was made.

Hamilton said if a specific proposal were made, it would be the board’s duty to consider it.

Jim Kendrick, who handles operations for MSD, said he did not know of a merger between a special district and a charter town in the state of Colorado.

Employee handbook and bylaws updated

Hamilton presented changes to the district’s employee handbook, which has been under review by MSD’s lawyer to bring it into compliance with recent changes to state law. Most of the changes address Paid Time Off (PTO) policy, he said.

Hamilton said under the updated policy employees with one to five years employment would earn 160 hours of PTO per year, employees with six to 15 years would earn 240 hours, and employees with more than 15 years would earn 320 hours. Parker added that Colorado’s Family and Medical Leave Insurance (FAMLI) law mandates that employees with less than a year on the job earn one hour of PTO for each 30 hours worked.

Hamilton proposed that each of Parker’s 28 years of experience in wastewater management add one-half a year of service to Parker’s 2 1/2 years of employment in MSD. He also pointed out that Colorado law requires any employee with less than 80 hours of earned PTO to be provided 80 hours if a public health emergency is declared.

Two half days off at Christmas and New Year’s were removed along with two floating days off and replaced with a day off following Christmas and New Year’s.

The board voted unanimously to approve the updated employee handbook.

The board also voted to approve amended bylaws. Parker said the changes were minimal, and he recommended reviewing the bylaws on a five-year schedule.

Manager’s report

Parker said the Black Forest Foods Café and Delicatessen, which rents a portion of the MSD headquarters building, was struggling with air conditioning issues and had deployed two swamp coolers on a temporary basis. He said its HVAC units were aging and would be evaluated for replacement. As the building’s owner, MSD would pay for any new equipment, he said.

Parker reported heat and hail damage to the roof on a section of the building and said a claim had been submitted to MSD’s insurer.

Parker told the board that Marylee Reisig, owner of Santa Fe Trail Jewelry, a tenant in the headquarters building, had thwarted a robbery attempt at her store. Pictures of thieves who had stolen $5,000 worth of merchandise from the Garden of the Gods Trading Post had been circulated to similar retailers and Reisig recognized them when they entered her shop. Reisig was able to prevent any theft by kicking them out, and Parker called police. Security camera footage showed the thieves driving by the store, parking their car, and entering the store.

Improvements to billing proposed

Hamilton said he would like to see the district make its autopay option easier for customers. He proposed eliminating the fee for paying with a credit card. He said he was willing to increase rates to eliminate the fee. Parker said credit cards were accepted only online and he intended to make it possible to pay with a credit card in the office as well. Parker said he did not want the district to store customer information as that would require compliance with additional regulations. Account Administrator Cheran Allsup said some older customers prefer to pay in person.

Executive session

The meeting ended with an executive session to consider Allsup’s annual review.

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Monument Sanitation District meetings are normally held at 9 a.m. on the third Wednesday of the month in the district conference room at 130 Second St., Monument. The next regular meeting is scheduled for Sept. 20. See https://colorado.gov/msd. For a district service map, see https://colorado.gov/pacific/msd/district-map-0. Information: 719-481-4886.

Jackie Burhans can be reached at jackieburhans@ocn.me. James Howald can be reached at jameshowald@ocn.me.

Other Monument Sanitation District articles

Donala Water and Sanitation District, Aug. 17 – Electrical contract awarded

By James Howald and Jackie Burhans

The Donala Water and Sanitation District (DWSD) board met in August to award a contract for electrical work on the district’s newest well. The board also heard operational reports from General Manager Jeff Hodge, who reviewed the district’s monthly finances and touched on several ongoing projects.

Well 16A nears completion

Hodge told the board that drilling and hardware installation are complete for Well 16A, which will pump from the Arapahoe aquifer. Bids are out for drilling a pipeline to connect the well to the district’s infrastructure and to construct a vault for the well. The final bid is for electrical work, Hodge said.

Roger Sams, of GMS Engineering Inc., said the electrical work consisted of conduits, wiring, and installation of some equipment that has been received. There were two bids submitted for the work, Sams said: one from McDade-Woodcock Inc. for $134,551 and a second from Sun Valley Contractors LLC for $94,406. Sams advised the district to award the contract to Sun Valley Contractors.

The board voted unanimously to award the contract to Sun Valley Contractors.

Details of operational reports

Hodge told the board that water sales had increased during July, and much of the revenue lost due to exceptionally rainy May and June had been recovered. He gave a generally positive picture of the district’s finances, remarking that electrical expenses budgeted at $73,000 would be closer to $50,000 due to the lower water usage in previous months. Repair and maintenance was also under budget, he said.

Hodge said the district was rebidding the project to recoat the district’s water tanks.

Commenting on the district’s recent changes to billing for sewer service, which took effect in July, Hodge said only four calls from the district’s 2,900 customers had been received, with two callers unhappy with the changes and two happy. Hodge said July billing for sewer service was up $20,000.

Hodge said only 57 meters remained to be replaced out of the 2,819 in the district. He noted that the new meters were better integrated with the district’s billing software, allowing office staff to have accurate real-time data to assist customers.

Summarizing progress by the El Paso County Regional Loop Water Authority, of which DWSD is a participating district, Hodge said he noticed Colorado Springs Utilities (CSU) was becoming more flexible in the options it was willing to consider for how the loop project might use CSU’s infrastructure. The loop might be able to save money by using some of CSU’s infrastructure instead of building its own, he said.

Hodge also mentioned that due to staff changes, he was now the Operator in Responsible Charge (ORC) for the Upper Monument Creek Regional Wastewater Treatment Facility.

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The next meeting is scheduled for Sept. 21 at 1:30 p.m. Generally, board meetings are held the third Thursday of the month at 1:30 p.m. and include online access; call (719) 488-3603 or access www.donalawater.org to receive up-to-date meeting information. The district office is located at 15850 Holbein Drive, Colorado Springs.

James Howald can be reached at jameshowald@ocn.me. Jackie Burhans can be reached at jackieburhans@ocn.me.

Other Donala Water and Sanitation District articles

El Paso County Regional Loop Water Authority, Aug. 17 – Project manager discusses possible new approach

By James Howald

The El Paso County Loop Regional Water Authority (EPCRLWA) board met in August to hear an update from its recently hired Project Planning and Workflow Manager (PPWM) and to formalize the obligations required by the project’s acceptance of American Recovery Plan Act (ARPA) funds. The board also heard results from the most recent water quality tests. The meeting ended with an executive session.

The EPCRLWA was formed in November 2022 by an Intergovernmental Agreement between Cherokee Metropolitan District (CMD), Donala Water and Sanitation District (DWSD), the Town of Monument (TOM), and Woodmoor Water and Sanitation District (WWSD) to build infrastructure that would allow water, including treated effluent, that is flowing south in Monument and Fountain Creeks to be stored at Calhan Reservoir at Woodmoor Ranch and then pumped back north to be used by customers of the participating districts.

PPWM reports on meetings

The EPCRLWA board recently hired John Kuosman, a water practice leader with Merrick and Co., to serve as the project’s PPWM, overseeing and coordinating the work of the various contractors contributing to the effort. Kuosman told the board he was developing a decision flow chart around types of funding, funding agreements, and plans to sell bonds. Kuosman said he met with Russ Dykstra of Spencer Fane, the project’s law firm, to discuss the details of how the participating water districts might sell bonds to finance their portions of the project.

Kuosman also said he met with Colorado Springs Utilities (CSU). To date, EPCRLWA’s proposed design for the project has not included use of any infrastructure belonging to CSU. Kuosman said CSU was open to the idea of “boutique rates” for the use of some of their infrastructure. He said CSU was not looking for a commitment, but wanted to have conversations with agencies that might be interested in such an arrangement. Kuosman suggested this could be advantageous for EPCRLWA, which might be able to save costs on water treatment. Kuosman did not recommend that EPCRLWA “pump the brakes” on its current design, however.

Following Kuosman’s remarks about the CSU meeting, Tom Tharnish, Monument’s director of Public Works, who attended the meeting in place of Mike Foreman, Monument’s town manager, moved to appoint Kuosman to represent the project at CSU’s ongoing meetings regarding water reuse. The appointment was unanimously approved.

Kuosman also mentioned that he had met with the Town of Fountain, which has expressed interest in joining the project. Kuosman said Fountain did not want to pass on the costs of joining the project to its existing customers and was considering a public/private partnership instead that would be funded through new tap fees, which would be paid only by new development. The town had not made a formal request to join the project, he said.

ARPA subrecipient agreement explained

Dykstra asked the board to approve a subrecipient agreement required for the project to receive ARPA funds through El Paso County. The agreement states the funds must be used for work related to water and wastewater infrastructure that meets federal eligibility requirements, and the county will monitor the performance of the subrecipient against activities, goals, and performance standards that are defined for the project. The agreement documents that EPCRLWA has requested funds for:

  • Design engineering fees
  • Environmental assessments
  • Easements and property repairs
  • Legal expenses
  • Indirect costs

The agreement also requires EPCRLWA to make all its accounting documents available to the county.

The board voted unanimously to approve the agreement.

Water quality tests proceed

Richard Hood of JVA Inc., the company EPCRLWA has hired to assess water quality and design the water treatment aspects of the project, told the board that the latest water quality data were in line with previous results. Two herbicides were detected for the first time, but the levels were below the maximum contaminate levels for those chemicals.

Executive session and vote

The board adjourned the regular meeting and went into executive session to receive legal advice on a water use offer. After the executive session, the board voted unanimously to authorize counsel to prepare a response letter to the water use offer. No details about the offer were provided.

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The next regular meeting is scheduled for Sept. 21 at 9 a.m. Regular meetings are usually held on the third Thursday of each month at 9 a.m. at the Monument Town Hall at 645 Beacon Lite Road. Workshop meetings are held every Thursday at 9 a.m. at rotating venues. Please see loopwater.org or call 719-488-3603 to verify meeting times and locations.

James Howald can be reached at jameshowald@ocn.me.

Other El Paso County Regional Loop Water Authority articles

Woodmoor Water and Sanitation District, July 17 and 25 – Board president resigns; board reorganizes

By James Howald

The Woodmoor Water and Sanitation District (WWSD) board met twice in July. At the regularly scheduled meeting, board President Barrie Town resigned, citing health reasons, which led to a special meeting on July 25 to fill the vacated seat and reorganize the board. The board heard a presentation on Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS)—sometimes called “forever chemicals”—and considered awarding a contract for the district’s portion of the project to widen Highway 105.

District Manager Jessie Shaffer presented a mid-year budget update. The board considered the results of the acoustic evaluation of its pipelines, as well as operational reports. The regularly scheduled board meeting ended with an executive session.

Board appoints new member and reorganizes

Town opened the July 17 regular meeting by announcing his resignation, effective July 19, telling the board he was doing so reluctantly at the advice of his doctor. He said two residents had expressed an interest in being appointed to replace him: Jim Taylor, who had served on the WWSD board previously, and Wendy Fisher, an employee of a local bank who wanted to contribute to the community.

At the July 25 special meeting, board Treasurer Roy Martinez said WWSD was at a critical point in its history due to its participation in the El Paso County Regional Loop Water Authority (EPCRLWA) which, if implemented, would solve the problem of how to make the water purchased along with the Woodmoor Ranch property near Fountain Creek available to district customers. Martinez said the board needed qualified candidates for appointment who were familiar with district history and issues and who could hit the ground running. Martinez nominated Brian Bush for the vacant seat.

Bush has previously served two terms on the WWSD board as president. He could not run in the last election, since board members can only be elected twice, but the law allows him to be appointed for an additional term. Bush has a background in water law and was president during the recent upgrades to the Lake Pump Station and the Central Water Treatment Plant.

The board voted unanimously to appoint Bush to the vacant seat.

Following Bush’s appointment, the board held elections to reorganize its officers. Bush was elected to serve as board president. Bill Clewe, the incumbent secretary, was re-elected to that post. Martinez was re-elected to continue as treasurer.

Remedy for PFAS uncertain

District Engineer Ariel Hacker gave the board a presentation on PFAS, focusing on the many uncertainties about how they will be addressed. She said PFAS are manmade chemicals that were first introduced in the 1940s and have now become ubiquitous. PFAS occur in non-stick cookware, clothing, cosmetics, paint, furniture, cleaning products, fire-fighting foam, and many other products. They are sometimes called “forever chemicals” because they break down slowly. PFAS have found their way into water systems, the soil, and aquifers and this cycle will continue as long as they are in the products we buy. They are linked to many serious illnesses, including cancers, Hacker said. Hacker mentioned a large-scale study done 15 years ago that showed PFAS were linked to thyroid disease, high cholesterol, as well as kidney and testicular cancer.

Hacker mentioned that fire-fighting foam used at Peterson Air Force Base has contaminated drinking water in Widefield, Security, and Fountain, causing those communities to shut down wells and to find ways of removing the chemicals from drinking water. The City of Fountain installed a Granular Activated Carbon (GAC) treatment system, partially funded by Peterson Air Force Base.

Hacker emphasized that the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has not yet completely defined standards for PFAS in drinking water. In spring 2021, the EPA issued regulations for perfluorooctanoic acid and perfluorooctane sulfate and announced it would evaluate the family of PFAS for regulatory action. That evaluation is still underway, she said.

In response to a question from District Manager Jessie Shaffer about potential regulation, Operation Superintendent Dan LaFontaine said the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment would regulate PFAS in the state of Colorado. When and how they will do so is unclear, he said.

Shaffer said in addition to GAC there are other technologies to remove PFAS, including anionic exchange systems and biological activated carbon. WWSD needs to begin financial planning for implementing PFAS remediation, he said. He pointed out the towns of Security and Fountain have implemented systems that have led to undetectable levels of PFAS. LaFontaine said WWSD is already testing for PFAS and levels are undetectable, mostly because there are no wastewater streams above WWSD.

Construction contract awarded

Hacker told the board that the first round of bidding to complete WWSD’s portion of El Paso County’s project to widen Highway 105 between Jackson Creek Parkway and Lake Woodmoor Drive had produced a single bid, which was $185,000 over the engineer’s estimate. This led WWSD to rebid the work, she said.

Richard Hood of JVA Inc., a consulting company that advises WWSD, said the project to widen the highway will impact raw and potable water lines, requiring them to be moved. He said the second round of bidding produced three bids, with Wildcat Construction being the low bidder at $1.12 million, a bid $60,000 under the engineer’s estimate. He recommended awarding the contract to Wildcat Construction.

Shaffer pointed out that Wildcat Construction was chosen by El Paso County to do the county’s portion of the project, so it would make the project go more smoothly if WWSD also selected it.

The board voted unanimously to award the contract to Wildcat Construction.

Midyear budget update

Shaffer gave the board an updated budget for 2023 and said he would address the largest changes in his remarks.

On the revenue side, the biggest change was a reduction in anticipated tap fees, which were reduced from $4 million to $1.6 million. Higher interest rates slowed new construction, Shaffer said, which led to fewer new connections to the district’s water and sewer services. Slower development also led to a reduction of revenue from supplemental water: $752,510 in supplemental water fees was budgeted, but that was lowered to $99,842 in the mid-year budget. The unusually rainy spring and summer months lowered water user fees, he said.

Shaffer said the district spent only $250,000 of the $500,000 it had budgeted to participate in the EPCRLWA water re-use project.

On a positive note, Shaffer said the higher interest rates had doubled the interest the district receives on its financial reserves, raising it from $500,000 to $1 million.

On the expenditure side, Shaffer said the district spent $75,000 more than expected to repair hardware problems with wells. Costs associated with the project to widen Highway 105 and the project to replace worn out sewer saddles were higher than originally budgeted. Capital improvement projects were budgeted at $5.8 million, but only $5.4 million of that will be spent in 2023, he said.

Shaffer said he expected to end 2023 with $19.6 million in unrestricted reserves.

The board accepted the updated budget without a vote.

Acoustic evaluation a time saver

Earlier in the year, the district hired RH Borden to help it evaluate the state of its sewer collection pipes. In previous years, district employees had cleaned sewer pipes based on a schedule, cleaning 20 percent of the sewer pipes each year, moving through the entire service area on a five-year schedule. This method meant some time and resources were used cleaning pipes that really did not need service.

Shaffer explained that RH Borden had developed a new technology that uses sound waves to quickly identify pipes that are clear, partially blocked, or totally blocked. Shaffer said the original proposal was for RH Borden to evaluate one-fourth to one-half of the district’s sewer lines, but RH Borden was able to evaluate all the sewer lines with the funds allocated. Shaffer said he was surprised at how quickly RH Borden got through 80 miles of pipeline.

Kwin Peterson of RH Borden said in five weeks his team opened every manhole in the district, did an evaluation of each manhole, evaluated every pipe segment, and recorded all the data for entry into WWSD’s Geographic Information System database for later use. His team found 87% of the pipes did not need cleaning, allowing the district to focus only on the pipes that truly needed cleaning.

LaFontaine said this was the first time the district had a full assessment of all manholes. He estimated the new technology saved the district 3 to 3 1/2 months of labor and equipment usage.

Highlights of operational reports

  • LaFontaine said the rainy spring and summer had led to stormwater infiltrating the sewer collection system through manholes, which increased the flows in the Tri-Lakes Waste Water Treatment Facility.
  • The district’s project to replace existing water meters with more advanced units is ongoing.
  • Well 12 is out of service due to a pump failure.
  • The Cloverleaf development has qualified for conditional acceptance.

Executive session

The July 17 meeting ended with an executive session to confer with legal counsel on questions relating to the EPCRLWA and on the authority to set fees.

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The next meeting is scheduled for Aug. 14 at 1 p.m. Meetings are usually held on the second Monday of each month at 1 p.m. at the district office at 1845 Woodmoor Drive; please see www.woodmoorwater.com or call 719-488-2525 to verify meeting times and locations.

James Howald can be reached at jameshowald@ocn.me.

Other Woodmoor Water and Sanitation District articles

Monument Sanitation District, July 19 – Good news on Highway 105 sewer repair

By Jackie Burhans and James Howald

At its July meeting, the Monument Sanitation District (MSD) board heard an operational report and a financial report from General Manager Mark Parker and briefly discussed two issues that were tabled until the next board meeting.

Manager’s report

Parker updated the board on a repair needed on a sewer line that serves the Conoco gas station, the McDonald’s restaurant, and Jarrito Loco. The line runs under Highway 105, and at the previous meeting Parker said the line was 14 feet underground and if the repair required the line to be excavated traffic on the highway would be impacted. At the July meeting, Parker said following a discussion with engineers he believed the repair could be made by lining the pipe without digging it up.

Parker said he had signed up the district to participate in CoWARN, a statewide water and wastewater response network. CoWARN facilitates mutual aid between utilities to resolve emergency situations, he said, adding that membership does not obligate members to offer or accept aid.

Parker told the board that Black Forest Foods Café and Delicatessen, which rents a third of the MSD headquarters building, was struggling with inadequate heating and air conditioning. MSD, as landlord, would be responsible for any necessary upgrades.

In his discussion of district finances, Parker mentioned the district was receiving fewer requests for sewer taps, which are connections to the district’s wastewater collection system, and was seeing lower revenue from tap fees, which are one of the ways infrastructure improvements are funded. He said there was plenty of sewer and treatment capacity, so scarcity of water would be the factor limiting the demand for new sewer taps.

Items tabled

A decision to accept the employee handbook was tabled so that it could be updated to comply with new state laws. A review of district bylaws was also tabled.

June meeting update

Following the executive session held at the end of the previous board meeting, the board voted unanimously in favor of an 8.5% raise for Parker. This vote was not officially announced until after the July issue of OCN had gone to press.

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Monument Sanitation District meetings are normally held at 9 a.m. on the third Wednesday of the month in the district conference room at 130 Second St., Monument. The next regular meeting is scheduled for Aug. 16. See https://colorado.gov/msd. For a district service map, see https://colorado.gov/pacific/msd/district-map-0. Information: 719-481-4886.

Jackie Burhans can be reached at jackieburhans@ocn.me. James Howald can be reached at jameshowald@ocn.me.

Other Monument Sanitation District articles

Triview Metropolitan District, July 20 – Stonewall Springs Reservoir operational; Conexus Subdistrict dissolved; 2022 budget amended

By Natalie Barszcz

At the Triview Metropolitan District (TMD) meeting on July 20, the board heard about the Stonewall Springs Reservoir operations, approved the dissolution of Subdistrict B, amended the 2022 budget, received a presentation on the 2022 audit, received multiple updates, and held an executive session to receive legal advice on water and property acquisitions, and the Higby Road design.

Vice President Anthony Sexton and Director Jason Gross attended via telephone.

Director Amanda Carlton did not attend.

Stonewall Springs Reservoir is operational

District Manager James McGrady said the district acquired the 1041 permit from Pueblo County, which is necessary to operate exchanges of water at the Stonewall Springs Reservoir. The district is now exchanging water regionally using the new pump station, and the reservoir is full. The renewable water program is an accomplishment for TMD and the entire region, he said. See NEPCO article on page < 18 >.

Above: Triview Metropolitan District’s Stonewall Springs South Reservoir on July 20. The reservoir was full to capacity by mid-July and holds enough water to supply the district for two years. Photo courtesy of James McGrady.

Water attorney Chris Cummins said the filling of a reservoir generates a great deal of interest, because it is not an everyday happening. See photo above.

Note: The July newsletter is available at www.triviewmetro.com.

Subdistrict B dissolution

McGrady said when the district put together Subdistrict B for the Conexus development located west of I-25 off Old Denver Road, Monument, the district was unsure at the time that Conexus would be able to set up its own metropolitan district, but that has now occurred, and Conexus feels it will have sufficient bond capacity to complete the project. See www.ocn.me/v23n6.htm#tmd.

Gross said it seems the district would be taking a tool out of its tool kit, and why would the district get rid Subdistrict B before Conexus has built out its development? he asked.

McGrady said that Conexus can impose 35 mills for the operation and management of its new development. TMD currently imposes 24 mills of its allowed 35 mills to its customers and could only issue 11 mills to Conexus. He had a conversation with the developer and was assured they would not need Subdistrict B. If Conexus is making the wrong decision, it will have to make it work, he said.

Gross asked if the development posed any potential risk to TMD.

McGrady said the Conexus development west of I-25 is not integral to the district, and the roads and pipeline are located on the periphery of the district. The Town of Monument (TOM) collected a performance bond from the developer before the construction begins to protect against abandonment of the project. TMD inspects all the water and wastewater pipelines and Tom Martinez of Monument Public Works inspects the road and stormwater infrastructure. The work is warrantied for two years, and then a punch list is completed to ensure the final infrastructure is to code. The district employs extremely qualified staff with 20-plus years of experience to inspect water and wastewater infrastructure, to include the Northern Delivery System pipeline project

The district’s attorney, George Rowley, said there is no negative should Conexus fail to complete infrastructure, because it is required to install the infrastructure before any residents move in. Rowley requested the board review and approve Resolution 2023-05, a resolution of the TMD Board of Directors acting at the request of the property owners, Conexus developers Schuck-Chapman, to dissolve Subdistrict B and authorize the district staff and the district legal team to prepare documents, make filings, and consummate the dissolution of it.

The board approved Resolution 2023-05, 4-0.

2022 budget amendment

President Mark Melville opened a public hearing for the proposed 2022 budget amendment.

District Accountant Cathy Fromm explained the required amendments for the 2022 budget and said the General Fund/Capital Projects Fund was amended by $195,206 due to additional capital projects, and the Enterprise Fund was amended to show an increase of about $3.9 million. The increases were due to capital projects and over $300,000 in additional meters that were ordered in 2021 but received in 2022. The additions are required to be reported in the year received, she said.

Melville said a revised budget approval occurs every year after the auditors and accounts have conducted the audit, and hearing no public comments closed the public hearing.

McGrady requested the board review and approve Resolution 2023-04, a resolution of the TMD Board of Directors amending the 2022 budget.

The board approved the 2022 budget amendments, 4-0.

2022 audit

Christine McCleod of Haynie and Co. CPA presented the 2022 audit and said no significant weaknesses or deficiencies had occurred. The audit was substantially completed but still in draft form, and once complete the report will be filed on time with an un-modified opinion. The district has a strong set of financials with nothing outside of normal accounting procedures, she said.

McCleod recommended the Higby Road escrow account be moved to reflect a liability account on the balance sheet for correct financial presentation purposes.

The board approved the 2022 Audited Financial Statements as presented, subject to review and any changes, and the filing with the state, 4-0.

Financial update

Secretary James Barnhart requested clarification on the overbudget vehicle expense line discussed at the June board meeting. See www.ocn.me/v23n7.htm#tmd and the correction at the end of this article.

Fromm said the fuel charges will be moved to the fuel line item, and other charges will be scheduled to the correct accounts. The district had a lot of Les Schwab charges for tires this year and $660 for the Vehicle Expense line in the General Fund for Public Works, was really underbudgeted, she said.

McGrady said the district truly underbudgeted the line item, with gas expenses charged to that line, and many pieces and parts needed for vehicles this year.

The board accepted the financial report as presented, and approved the checks issued over $5,000.

NDS pipeline project update

McGrady said Kiewit was doing a great job, and the NDS pipelines were expected to be tied together in late July. The crews will begin working on the east portion of Baptist Road overnight to avoid traffic congestion. All materials for the project have been received (except for the pump station), and the pipeline will be installed by mid-September, with the overlay expected to take place from late September through mid-October, he said.

Note: For NDS pipeline project updates, alternate traffic routes, answers to questions, and to sign-up for email notifications, visit www.triviewnds.com. The link can also be found at www.triviewmetro.com.

Public Works and Parks and Open Space update

Superintendent Matt Rayno said:

• The Remington Hill overlay project was scheduled to be completed by Martin Marietta on July 22.

• Staff members are completing the last section of the trail system at Agate Creek Park.

• A concrete pad at Old Creek Park had been installed, and a shade structure and picnic table will be added to the pad in August.

• Radar speed signs have been ordered for a total of about $7,400. The signs will be installed on northbound Gleneagle Drive at the Promontory Pointe Trail Park, and southbound Gleneagle Drive just after the roundabout after exiting Sanctuary Rim.

Resident Ann-Marie Jojola thanked the district for installing radar speed signs along Gleneagle Drive in Promontory Pointe and said there are a lot of curves and motorists gain momentum. There have been some close calls with children crossing the road, she said.

McGrady said the road has a steep grade, and children do not have the sight distance to navigate the speed of oncoming vehicles.

Sidewalk repair matching program

McGrady said the district is responsible for curb and gutter repairs, but for sidewalks a concrete matching program of $1,000 per home to fix sidewalks exists. The district budgets $25,000 annually for the program and currently has $50,000 to match homeowner sidewalk repairs. Residents interested in the sidewalk repair matching program should contact Assistant Manager Steve Sheffield at ssheffield@triviewmetro.com or call 719-314-6473.

Re-opening of open space

McGrady said he and Rayno had walked the open space north of the Lyons Tail Road and south of the Talus Road playground and found the space was now free of trash and in great shape compared to about a year ago, when activities such as underage drinking, evidence of fire pits, scrub oak chopped with axes and fort building activity had been taking place. Back then the board examined alternatives after receiving resident complaints and made the area off-limits. The area is now looking pristine with no signs of damage, and he recommended the board consider re-opening the single-lane foot path and open space with monitoring, and new signs asking users to please respect this open space.

The neighbor that had originally requested the district take action in June 2022 to protect the open space said he had not requested the closure, but due to the closure a rock had been thrown through his window last year. He concurred the space looked good now, and he and his wife were in favor of the space being re-opened, as long as it is monitored. In the past he had observed a female teenager tear off a branch from the 100-year-old Gambel oak shrubs.

Residents attending in support of re-opening the space said they and another neighbor would be watching to ensure the open space users are not causing damage or engaging in dangerous behavior.

Melville thanked the homeowners in attendance and said the board regrets the decision it made to close the open space, but he hoped the children present at the meeting could go and enjoy the open space with their neighbors. See the TMD board meeting minutes from June 23, 2022 at www.triviewmetro.com.

Note: OCN did not cover the complaint that led to the closure because the July 2022 edition did not cover the TMD board meeting. Subsequently, the board meeting minutes and the district newsletter did not refer to the homeowners by name in response to the complaint.

Grass grant for open spaces

Resident Melissa Simonoff requested the board consider applying for the state’s $2 million grant available to municipalities for 2023-24 for lawn removal and replacement in public spaces. It could be used for the enhancement of the open spaces in Jackson Creek, she said.

McGrady said that in years past the grant was available only for residential purposes and a very small amount of money was available. He requested Simonoff forward the information to him for further consideration.

Melville thanked Simonoff for the information and said the board would look into the request.

Executive session

The board moved into executive session at 7:58 p.m., pursuant to Colorado Revised Statutes 24-6-402(4) (a), (b), (e), to discuss acquisitions, receive legal advice on negotiations regarding water acquisitions, change cases, property acquisition negotiations, and the Higby Road design.

After the meeting, Sheffield confirmed that no further actions were taken when the board returned to the regular meeting and promptly adjourned at 8:57 p.m.

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Correction

In the financial update portion of the June TMD article www.ocn.me/v23n7.htm#tmd, it should have read: “Vehicle expenses were $7,261, and 1100% over the budgeted $660 in the May 2023 financial report.” OCN regrets the error.

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Meetings are usually held on the third Thursday every month at the district office at 16055 Old Forest Point, Suite 302. The next regular meeting is scheduled for Aug. 17 at 5:30 p.m. For meeting agendas, minutes, and updates, visit https://triviewmetro.com.

Natalie Barszcz can be reached at

nataliebarszcz@ocn.me.

Other Triview Metropolitan District articles

El Paso County Regional Loop Water Authority

By James Howald

At its July meeting, the El Paso County Loop Regional Water Authority (EPCRLWA) board executed a contract with Merrick and Co. to receive project management and workflow services. The board heard the results of water quality testing and voted to send a representative to the Colorado Water Conference (CWC).

The EPCRLWA was formed in November 2022 by an Intergovernmental Agreement between Cherokee Metropolitan District (CMD), Donala Water and Sanitation District (DWSD), the Town of Monument (TOM), and Woodmoor Water and Sanitation District (WWSD) to build infrastructure that would allow water, including treated effluent, that is flowing south in Monument and Fountain Creeks to be stored at Calhan Reservoir at Woodmoor Ranch and then pumped back north to be used by customers of the participating districts.

Details of project management contract decided

Russ Dykstra of Spencer Fane LLC, the legal firm representing EPCRLWA, told the board he had completed negotiations with Merrick on an agreement under which that company will provide project planning and workflow management services to EPCRLWA. An attachment to the agreement specifies Merrick will:

  • Refine the business model and operations schema for the project.
  • Develop and execute necessary legal documents including operating agreements, water supply leases, supply limitations and curtailment procedures, and financing agreements.
  • Develop requests for proposals for engineering services.
  • Select and onboard consultants and specialized professionals.

Dykstra added either side can terminate the agreement at any time with 30 days’ notice.

Jessie Shaffer, the president of the EPCRLWA Board of Directors, pointed out that the agreement limits Merrick to no more than $350,000 over a nine-month term ending April 19, 2024.

Jeff Hodge, the secretary of the EPCRLWA board, mentioned that he thought John Kuosman of Merrick should be introduced to politicians representing the EPCRLWA service area, such as Rep. Don Wilson, Sen. Paul Lundeen, and County Commissioners Holly Williams and Carrie Geitner.

The board voted unanimously to execute the agreement with Merrick.

Water quality tests proceed

Richard Hood, of JVA Inc., the company EPCRLWA has hired to assess water quality and design the water treatment aspects of the project, updated the board on the latest round of water quality tests. He covered tests of water taken from Fountain Creek in May and June. The quality was good overall, Hood said. He noted a spike in flow following a rainstorm that led to increased turbidity, higher coliform bacteria counts, and decreased alkalinity. He said these results were typical following a rainstorm. The pH in the samples was between 8 and 8.2 and the samples were relatively hard at between 200 and 220 milligrams per liter of calcium carbonate. He noted both iron and manganese were above the maximum contaminate levels for those elements. Total organic carbon, considered a measure of pollution since pure water has no carbon, has been measured at both high and low amounts, Hood said.

Kevin Brown to attend CWC

The board voted unanimously to pay for Kevin Brown to represent the project at the Colorado Water Conference, to be held in Steamboat Springs on Aug. 22-24. Brown is an employee of the Cherokee Metropolitan District, one of the four districts committed to the EPCRLWA along with Donala Water and Sanitation District, the Town of Monument, and the Woodmoor Water and Sanitation District.

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The next regular meeting is scheduled for Aug. 17 at 9 a.m. Regular meetings are usually held on the third Thursday of each month at 9 a.m. at the Monument Town Hall at 645 Beacon Lite Road. Workshop meetings are held every Thursday at 9 a.m. at rotating venues. Please see loopwater.org or call 719-488-3603 to verify meeting times and locations.

James Howald can be reached at jameshowald@ocn.me.

Other El Paso County Regional Loop Water Authority articles

Donala Water and Sanitation District, July 20 – Board honors Judd, changes sewer billing

By James Howald and Jackie Burhans

At its July meeting, the Donala Water and Sanitation District (DWSD) board honored previous board member Ken Judd for his long service to the district. It launched a usage-based billing system for sewer service. General Manager Jeff Hodge detailed water sales over the last 10 years and discussed the impact of the exceptionally high rainfall seen in recent months on the district’s finances.

The board voted on two resolutions: the first committing to participation in the El Paso County Regional Loop Water Authority (EPCRLWA) and the second initiating planning for adding direct potable reuse (DPR) to the district’s portfolio of water assets. Hodge updated the board on water quality issues, focusing on radium removal. The regular board meeting was preceded by a workshop devoted to the Upper Monument Creek Regional Wastewater Treatment Facility (UMCRWWTF), including a tour of the facility. The regular meeting ended with an executive session.

Judd receives Water Drop

Current board President Wayne Vanderschuere presented Judd with DWSD’s Water Drop award in appreciation of his long service to the district and its customers. In May, the board passed a resolution honoring Judd for serving as the board president, working on district financing, contributing to 10 district budgets, planning mill levy override campaigns, and negotiating with surrounding districts. Previous DWSD board President Ed Houle was present to see Judd accept the award. Judd’s granddaughter from Ireland also attended the ceremony.

Above: At its July board meeting, Donala board President Wayne Vanderschuere, right, presented the coveted Water Drop award to former board member Kenneth Judd, left. Judd, who resigned in May, was honored for his long service on the board, including a stint as board president. Judd had worked on district financing, contributed to 10 district budgets, planned mill levy override campaigns, and negotiated with surrounding districts. Photo by Jackie Burhans

Usage-based sewer billing starts in July

Billing Administrator Ashley Uhrin updated the board on DWSD’s new sewer billing methodology. Beginning July 1, DWSD’s flat fee of $40.54 per month for sewer service was replaced with a base fee of $6.90 plus a consumption-based charge of $8.94 per 1,000 gallons of wastewater produced. This change affects residential customers only. The consumption-based charge is calculated once a year based on average water consumption during December, January, and February, which is assumed to be equal to the amount of wastewater produced, since no irrigation is done during those months. Snowbird customers will be billed the district average for water service during the winter months, calculated at 3,500 gallons per month.

The new charges will be on August bills, Uhrin said. In response to a question from Director Bill George, Hodge said sewer revenue is estimated to remain more or less equal to the revenue produced by the previous flat fee.

More details about the usage-based rates can be found in the Jan. 1, 2022 issue of OCN, which reported on a presentation from Roger Sams of GMS Engineering Inc. that covers the assumptions and goals of the new methodology. Sams’ presentation can be found online here: https://www.ocn.me/v22n1.htm#dwsd.

Rainy weather reduces water revenue

Hodge told the board that the high amount of rain the last few months has reduced customer demand for water and lowered DWSD’s revenue from water sales. He showed the board a graph of water usage by month for the last 10 years that showed the water usage for June 2023 to be the lowest usage in June for the last 10 years. The highest June usage was in June 2013. He said low water usage was also estimated for July and possibly for August and forecasted a $754,236 deficit in water sales from what was budgeted for 2023.

Hodge said he did not believe the district would need to use funds from its reserves to meet operating costs. He pointed out that the low demand also meant the district would have to pay Colorado Springs Utilities (CSU) less to convey, treat, and deliver the district’s water to its customers, so there are some savings on the expense side.

Vanderschuere said he expected wholesale electrical costs to increase by 7% next year. He added that Hodge’s graph confirmed CSU’s prediction that the standard deviation in weather events was increasing, with higher highs and lower lows for precipitation and temperature.

Water Operator Ronny Wright told the board the rainfall had led to excess water in storage, which he was trying to sell or store somewhere other than the Pueblo Reservoir, where DWSD can store up to 499 acre-feet of water. DWSD currently is above that limit, he said. Hodge said that if DWSD had its planned aquifer storage and retrieval (ASR) technology in place, that excess water could be stored for future consumption.

Resolutions passed

The board voted unanimously to pass Resolution 2023-7, which defines how and why DWSD will participate in the EPCRLWA, a large-scale water re-use project in which DWSD partners with Cherokee Metropolitan District, the Town of Monument, and Woodmoor Water and Sanitation District. Specifically:

  • DWSD will have an equal vote with the other participants.
  • EPCRLWA is in the best interest of DWSD customers.
  • EPCRLWA provides local control of rates, costs, and operations.
  • EPCRLWA is intended to provide affordable recaptured water.
  • EPCRLWA will allow DWSD to use its water rights on Fountain Creek.

The board also voted unanimously in favor of Resolution 2023-8, which commits DWSD to initiating a long-term project to implement DPR technology that meets Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment Regulation No. 11. DPR is defined as: “a series of processes that produce finished drinking water using a source containing treated wastewater that has not passed through an environmental buffer.” The regulation, which was recently passed by the state Legislature, includes monitoring and treatment protocols. The district’s plans for DPR are aligned with its plans to implement ASR. The next step will be to establish baseline values for DPR, Vanderschuere said. Hodge stressed that the implementation of DPR would be a long journey.

Progress on radium removal

Hodge told the board that rehabilitating three filters in the Holbein water treatment plant had reduced radium to below the state’s limit. DWSD is now in a position to ask El Paso County for American Recovery Plan Act funds to reimburse it for the costs of radium removal. DWSD is working to implement hydrous manganese oxide (HMO) treatment to further mitigate radium, and some of the required hardware should arrive in the August to September timeframe. Hodge said he expected to have the HMO treatment process in place by November.

Workshop tours treatment facility

The regular board meeting was preceded by a workshop at the UMCRWWTF that included an overview of the treatment facility operations by Hodge and a tour of the facility led by Waste Plant Operator Aaron Tolman.

Above: On July 20, the Donala Water and Sanitation District held a workshop and tour at the Upper Monument Creek Regional Waste Water Treatment Facility before its board meeting. General Manager Jeff Hodge provided a brief overview of the treatment facility operations, and Plant Operator Aaron Tolman led a tour of the facilities, including the three sequencing batch reactor basins. From left, the first basin is aerated by blowers to provide oxygen for the microorganisms that process the incoming wastewater; the second basin is in settle/decant mode, and the third basin is undergoing repairs. Photos by Jackie Burhans.

Executive session

The meeting ended with an executive session to receive legal advice concerning negotiations regarding the UMCRWWTF Intergovernmental Agreement.

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The next meeting is scheduled for Aug. 17 at 1:30 p.m. Generally, board meetings are held the third Thursday of the month at 1:30 p.m. and include online access; call (719) 488-3603 or access www.donalawater.org to receive up-to-date meeting information. The district office is located at 15850 Holbein Drive, Colorado Springs.

James Howald can be reached at jameshowald@ocn.me. Jackie Burhans can be reached at jackieburhans@ocn.me

Other Donala Water and Sanitation District articles

Triview Metropolitan District, June 22 – NDS pipeline project progressing

By Natalie Barszcz

At the Triview Metropolitan District (TMD) meeting on June 22, the board received an update on the progress of the Northern Delivery System (NDS) pipeline project, approved a water rights lease agreement, and held an executive session to discuss acquisitions, negotiations, and receive legal advice for water, and property, and the draft aquifer storage and recovery report.

Vice Chairman Anthony Sexton was excused.

NDS update

District Manager James McGrady said the NDS pipeline project had reached Roller Coaster Road, and Kiewit Infrastructure is installing about 300 feet of pipeline per day, (the original bid had predicted 200 feet per day). The pipeline project has reached the trail head entrance to Fox Run Regional Park, and everything is going extremely well, he said. The pipeline is expected to reach Highway 83 by September, and he thanked Kiewit Infrastructure for working with landowners along the pipeline to negotiate storage of materials along the route. The district plans to complete the overlay of asphalt along the pipeline route in early fall, he said.

For NDS pipeline project updates, answers to questions and concerns, and to sign-up for email notifications, visit www.triviewnds.com. The link can also be found at www.triviewmetro.com.

Note: TMD is expecting to receive district-owned renewable surface water via the pipeline after the pump house is built next to the Colorado Springs Utilities water storage tank east of Highway 83 and Old Northgate Road. The pump house is scheduled for completion in October 2024.

Water rights lease agreement

McGrady requested the board review and consider an amendment to the district water rights lease agreement between James Treat of 7021 County Road 104, Salida and TMD. The district owns all of Bale Ditch 1, that diverts water into the Arkansas River, and owns half of Bale Ditch 2. The Treat family owns and uses the second half of Bale 2 to irrigate a hay crop. The agreement allows the district to have a standing lease to begin using the second half of the Bale Ditch water whenever Treat decides to stop using the water. The district will pay Treat for the use of the water. In addition to an existing water right, the agreement will justify and include the Treat water right, and whenever he decides to sell in the future, the district would likely be the buyer of the other half of Bale 2. The district has undertaken the engineering portion to divert the water from Bale 2 back to the Arkansas River, he said.

Water Attorney Chris Cummins of Monson Cummins & Shotet LLC said the lease agreement is favorable for owner Treat because it will avoid his duplication of the engineering costs to divert his share of water back into the Arkansas River.

Director Jason Gross said the agreement constitutes astute planning.

The board approved the water rights lease agreement between the district and Treat and authorized the district manager to sign with only non-substantive changes to the approved agreement, 4-0.

Operations report

McGrady said the following:

  • The Pueblo 1041 permit was scheduled for review and consideration by the Pueblo County Commissioners on June 27. The permit is critical for the district to operate all its water assets and exchanges between it and Pueblo.
  • The pump station at the Stonewall Springs Reservoir, Pueblo County, was commissioned on June 26, and the district has begun storing water in the reservoir.
  • The Upper Monument Creek Waste Water Regional Treatment Facility’s 86-page report is being reviewed by the district. The report will be discussed in the July executive session. See www.ocn.me/v23n4.htm#tmd.

Higby Road redesign

McGrady said the Higby Road redesign was undecided due to the multiple staff turnovers at the Town of Monument (TOM). A meeting is scheduled with the TOM to work through some of the technicalities of the design. The district has a comprehensive functional design that meets everyone’s needs including the school district’s, he said. The TOM Planning Department now have new staff with different ideas on the width of the road. The district is managing the project and engaged two traffic engineers, one with over 25 years of experience from Colorado Springs, and a design engineer. A Kiewit engineer also provided a cost estimate for the project. The district did collect money from developers to pay for the Higby Road project, he said.

Gross requested a confirmation briefing to ensure the design considers teen driver safety. See www.ocn.me/v23n2.htm#tmd.

Unexplained water loss cause discovered

Superintendent Shawn Sexton said after re-calculating the water usage versus water sold the district discovered a water loss of a little over 7% compared to previous months that indicated as much as a 15%-22% water loss. Water loss is at a normal acceptable level, but zero would be best.

McGrady said the unexplained water loss discussion in May was due to the district reading the meters on the 28th of each month, but the real reading is on the last day of the month. In winter, the extra days are added to the next month, but a hot day after the 28th in spring and summer would show higher usage. In the future, the district will compare apples to apples to ensure accurate water loss levels. The calculations were just a measurement issue, thrown off by high usage days, he said. See www.ocn.me/v23n6.htm#tmd.

Financial update

President Mark Melville requested the board review and approve the checks over $5,000 and said that all expenses were budgeted line items and part of the overall 2023 budget.

The board approved the checks over $5,000 as presented, 4-0.

Treasurer/Secretary James Barnhart noted that vehicle expenses were at $660,000—1100% over the budgeted $20,000 for 2023 in the financial report.

McGrady said the staff would need to investigate what appears to be a possible line-item discrepancy. The district conducts all vehicle oil changes in house, but expenses have been high for tires and fuel. Having an in-house mechanic has saved money for the district, and until the district purchased a $500 blade sharpener, the district had a weekly expense for the sharpening of blades. The cost of sub-contracting jobs is high and the district endeavors to keep most jobs in house, he said.

The board accepted the financial report as presented, 4-0.

Public Works and Parks and Open Space update

Superintendent Matt Rayno said the following:

  • The spring weather pattern has been a huge challenge for the staff to keep the district in viable shape. The district has seen excessive plant growth due to the rainfall, and additional weed control and early pruning is needed. A typical spring is not usually as wet, and herbicide control has been diluted by the water. Mowing is needed every five days, and the staff are working hard to catch up.
  • The paving is now complete at the new state-of-the-art facility at A Yard (located adjacent to the power station east of Jackson Creek Parkway). The new facility will house the 900-ECO 12-yard truck-mounted combination sewer cleaner, on order since August 2022. See www.ocn.me/v22n9.htm#tmd.
  • The Agate Creek Park enhancement project is nearing completion, with two staff dedicated to working on the park. Staff planted about 500 shrubs alongside the trails and anticipate a July 4 completion date. Foot traffic will not be permitted until after the surface is stabilized and the first mow is completed.
  • The Remington Hills overlay project was placed on hold due to erosion from the new development and the weather, but the district is hoping to begin the overlay July 9, after patching and re-stabilizing the road.

This reporter mentioned the wet trail behind Split Creek Drive at the intersection below the retention pond behind Transcontinental Drive in Promontory Pointe. Although a drain exists in the low point of the trail intersection, and drain improvements had been made in the past, the area more often remains wet throughout the year, causing the majority of trail users to cut another trail close to a property line. The pet station receptacle placed just west of the soggy area is often difficult to access from the trail that runs from the northern utility tract, south to Lyons Tail Road. Although the region has experienced an unusually wet spring, the problem has existed since the beginning of the development, hence the well-worn trail that veers from the designated trail, she said.

Melville suggested some additional buildup in the area might alleviate the problem.

Gross asked if a wet spot on the trail system behind Oxbow Drive could be fixed. He said a neighbor’s sump pump drains onto the trail, and he suggested the district install drainage in that area.

Rayno said that another resident on Lacuna Drive has a sump pump dumping out, and that the district needs to create culverts to help drain water in these spots, but many trails need work, especially after the prolonged heavy spring rain storms.

Executive session

The board moved into an executive session at 7:21 p.m. pursuant to Colorado Revised Statutes 24-6-402(4) (a), (b), and (e), to discuss acquisitions, negotiations, and receive legal advice for water and property, and the draft aquifer storage and recovery report. See www.ocn.me/v23n6.htm#dwsd.

After the meeting, Assistant District Manager Steve Sheffield confirmed that no decisions were made when the board returned to the regular meeting.

The meeting adjourned at 8:13 p.m.

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Meetings are usually held on the third Thursday every month at the district office at 16055 Old Forest Point, Suite 302. The next regular meeting is scheduled for July 20 at 5:30 p.m. For meeting agendas, minutes, and updates, visit https://triviewmetro.com.

Natalie Barszcz can be reached at nataliebarszcz@ocn.me.

Other Triview Metropolitan District articles

Woodmoor Water and Sanitation District, June 12 – Audit shows good financial health, Lori Akers retires

Correction

In last month’s article, board member Roy Martinez was incorrectly identified as Tom Martinez. Our Community News regrets the error.

By James Howald

At its June meeting, the Woodmoor Water and Sanitation District (WWSD) board heard an audit report on its 2022 finances. The district’s lawyer announced some changes to her legal firm. The district’s engineer updated the board on changes to the Highway 105 expansion plans and other projects. The impact of recent rainy weather was discussed. The board celebrated the service of longtime employee Lori Akers. The July board meeting was rescheduled, and the meeting ended with an executive session.

Retiring Billing Manager Lori Akers was feted by Woodmoor Water and Sanitation District (WWSD) board members, staff, and friends from Woodmoor Improvement Association and the community. Akers worked at WWSD for 38 years in a variety of positions, including meter reading, reporting and repairing, main break repairs, landscaping, front office, and billing. She started in 1985 as a part-time employee when the district had 817 customers and most of the roads were yet to be paved. She became a full-time employee in 1987, doing customer service and using two-way radios to communicate with other employees. She initially did billing by hand, sending out bills on 3-by-5 cards, then helped implement computer-based billing and oversaw three software conversions. During her tenure, WWSD grew to over 4,000 customers. Akers said, “I don’t cry, but I have a lump in my throat,” and she planned to enjoy her retirement touring on her motorcycle. Photo by Jackie Burhans

“Smooth audit”

Uli Keeley, of Prospective Business Solutions LLC, presented the results of the audit of the district’s finances for 2022. Keeley said this was her first audit for the district, but she was familiar with its finances. The board selected her as its auditor in December 2022. Keeley had worked for the district’s previous auditor John Cutler and Associates on WWSD issues before she started her own company.

Keeley’s report issued the district an unmodified opinion, an indication that the audit did not uncover concerning issues.

She pointed out a new line item in the net position portion of the report called “land lease receivables.” Governmental Accounting Standard Board regulations have changed how leases are reported on balance sheets. WWSD leases a portion of the Woodmoor Ranch property, triggering this new reporting requirement.

Keeley said the district’s net position, which represents the district’s equity in its infrastructure, had increased by $4 million since 2021.

Keeley said since this was her first audit of district finances, she was required to do extra work to confirm all beginning balances. She found the previous auditor had deferred the reporting of some revenues that she thought should not be deferred, and she had corrected that.

The board voted unanimously to approve the audit report and authorize Keeley to file it with the state.

District lawyer moves to new firm

Erin Smith, WWSD’s lawyer, announced that her partner of 25 years was retiring, and she planned to merge her practice with Maynes, Bradford, Shipps & Sheftel LLP, a firm in Durango that has a 75-year history with water law. Her rules of conduct require her to notify the board, she said, and ask for a motion to allow the president to sign a memo authorizing this change and permitting her to move her files to the new firm.

The board voted unanimously to authorize President Barrie Town to sign the required memo.

Highway 105 expansion delayed

District Engineer Ariel Hacker told the board that Phase A of El Paso County’s plans to expand Highway 105 between Jackson Creek Parkway and Lake Woodmoor Drive were being rebid. She said the county expected to award the new contract by the end of June and begin construction in August. Because of this delay, Hacker recommended that WWSD rebid the work required by the county’s project because WWSD received only one bid, which was much higher than expected. Because of the county’s expansion plans, WWSD needs to move water and sewer service lines that are in county rights of way adjacent to the highway.

Hacker mentioned two other WWSD projects she intended to rebid. The largest of these is the installation of additional equipment to manage water pressure in Zone Five, the southernmost portion of the WWSD service area. She said she was also considering whether to rebid construction needed to connect Well 19 to the WWSD infrastructure as a separate project or add it to the Zone Five project.

Spring rains mean free water, headaches

Operations Superintendent Dan LaFontaine told the board that WWSD is currently supplying only groundwater to customers. He added that the rainy weather meant free water for the district, since there are no energy costs to acquire the resulting surface water as there are with ground water. WWSD has not needed to divert water from Monument Creek due to the precipitation, he said. The water level in the Augusta Pit is high, and that additional water has been conveyed to Woodmoor Lake by gravity.

The downside to the rain, LaFontaine explained, is that once the ground is saturated, the rain often infiltrates the sewer lines through leaky manhole covers and stresses the water treatment plant.

Lori Akers to retire

The board celebrated Lori Akers, who served WWSD in many roles for 38 years. .

July board meeting rescheduled

The board delayed its July board meeting by one week until July 17 to allow additional time to prepare WWSD’s midyear budget update.

Executive session

The board meeting ended with an executive session to discuss pending litigation.

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The next meeting is scheduled for July 17 at 1 p.m. Meetings are usually held on the second Monday of each month at 1 p.m. at the district office at 1845 Woodmoor Drive; please see www.woodmoorwater.com or call 719-488-2525 to verify meeting times and locations.

James Howald can be reached at jameshowald@ocn.me.

Other Woodmoor Water and Sanitation District articles

Monument Sanitation District, June 21 – Board hears audit report

By Jackie Burhans and James Howald

At its June meeting, the Monument Sanitation District (MSD) board heard an audit report of the district’s 2022 budget. General Manager Mark Parker discussed the need to repair a sewer line running under Highway 105. The meeting ended with an executive session.

District finances in good shape

Derek Watada, an auditor from Olson, Reyes & Sauerwein LLC, told the board that as part of his audit process he worked with district staff to understand financial processes and tested them. He said the district’s books are clean, requiring only a few minor adjustments. The district’s financial statements are materially accurate, he said.

Watada said the district’s assets increased by $1.7 million over 2021. Tap fees generated $1.9 million in cash flow in 2022, an indicator of Monument’s rapid growth. He mentioned $200,000 in receivables, most of which is uncollected user fees, $60,000 of which are delinquent. A single commercial account owes $55,000 of the delinquent fees, he said.

Watada pointed out a new line item in the audit report: net pension assets. He explained this line resulted from the fact that Colorado Public Employees’ Retirement Association, which had been underwater, is now in a position where future payouts are less than its balance. Previously, MSD’s audits had shown a pension liability, but with PERA’s return to financial health the current report shows an asset instead. MSD’s previous audit showed total liabilities of $400,000; that total is now $275,000, Watada said, primarily due to the new pension asset.

Watada said MSD’s net position, which represents equity in the district’s infrastructure, had increased by $1.9 million in the last year.

He ended his presentation by commenting that the tap fees from over 200 new accounts were the primary driver of the year’s financial performance.

The board voted unanimously to approve the audit report and to file it with the state.

In his discussion of the financial reports for May, Parker pointed out that an increase in gas prices had raised the amount spent on utilities. Director William Morgan pointed out that interest income for the district had increased due to the higher interest rates.

The month’s financial reports were approved unanimously.

Sewer line needs attention

Parker said a sewer line that serves the Conoco gas station, the McDonald’s restaurant, and Jarrito Loco has been discovered to have portions that have sunk and are causing problems. The line runs under Highway 105 and is next to Taco Bell’s drive-through on the west side of the highway. Parker said he thought the problems resulted from poor installation. The line is installed 14 feet deep, making the repair more difficult, Parker said. In the short term the line can be cleaned, but repairing it properly could result in interruptions to business, he said.

Executive session

The meeting ended with an executive session to discuss the general manager’s performance review.

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Monument Sanitation District meetings are normally held at 9 a.m. on the third Wednesday of the month in the district conference room at 130 Second St., Monument. The next regular meeting is scheduled for July 19, 2023. See https://colorado.gov/msd. For a district service map, see https://colorado.gov/pacific/msd/district-map-0. Information: 719-481-4886.

Jackie Burhans can be reached at jackieburhans@ocn.me. James Howald can be reached at jameshowald@ocn.me.

Other Monument Sanitation District articles

Donala Water and Sanitation District, June 15 – Contractor selection process defined

By James Howald and Jackie Burhans

At its June meeting, the Donala Water and Sanitation District (DWSD) debated a Request for Qualifications (RFQ) document that will be used to select engineers and other contractors. Updates of the district’s personnel policies and operating regulations were discussed. Board President Wayne Vanderschuere discussed what he learned about energy costs at a recent Mountain View Electric Association (MVEA) meeting. The board heard details of financial and operational reports.

The meeting ended with an executive session to receive legal advice on DWSD’s Upper Monument Creek Regional Waste Water Treatment Facility (UMCRWWTF) Intergovernmental Agreement.

RFQ document approved; contractors pre-qualified

At the May board meeting, General Manager Jeff Hodge told the board that the district is receiving federal funds via the American Recovery Plan Act, and those funds bring with them a requirement to implement a standard process to evaluate contractors that aligns with federal regulations. He presented a draft of an RFQ form to be used when evaluating contractors. The board voted to refine the form and make a final decision at its next meeting.

Following discussion at the June meeting, the board committed to use the RFQ form as presented.

Hodge said four contracting companies had been evaluated using the new process. He presented the evaluations of Merrick & Co., Kimley-Horn, Meyer & Sams Inc. and LRE Water. All four companies scored between 95 and 100 points using the new evaluation process.

Hodge explained these companies were now pre-qualified to be awarded contracts up to $60,000 without further evaluation. Each company had its own areas of expertise, he said.

The board voted unanimously to approve the RFQ document and to add the four companies to the district’s list of pre-qualified contractors.

Personnel policies updated

Madison Phillips, a lawyer with Cockrel Ela Glesne Greher and Ruhland, the law firm representing the district, presented the results of her review of the district’s personnel policy document. Phillips said she had made all the substantive changes requested by the board. She mentioned that the updated policies now used the Consumer Price Index in Denver only as a data point, allowing the use of other information to determine salaries. She also said the policy for time off now specifies Paid Time Off will be used first and when that is exhausted Short Term Disability leave will be used. When that ends, the employee will transition to Long Term Disability.

The board voted unanimously to approve the updated policies.

Operating rules and regulations reviewed

The board considered a new version of its rules and regulations, which govern all aspects of the district’s operations, including how to apply for service, how service will be measured, fees, penalties and charges, control of prohibited waste, and enforcement.

Phillips said some changes had been made to align the rules with changes to the Clean Water Act.

The board voted unanimously to approve the updated rules and regulations.

Energy costs to rise

During the directors’ comments portion of the agenda, Vanderschuere told the board that he attended the MVEA annual meeting, and that he had learned that Tri-State Generation and Transmission Association Inc., MVEA’s supplier of electrical power, will increase the wholesale price of electricity by 8% in 2023. Wholesale power costs are 66% of MVEA’s costs, since MVEA does not produce power itself. MVEA has not increased prices for residential customers in six years, he said, and it will try to cover the increased cost, but it will be difficult for them to do so.

Time of day billing, which charges MVEA’s commercial customers, including DWSD, higher rates at peak usage hours, will be a bigger factor, he said, adding that DWSD should concentrate on timing work to align with the lower-cost time periods. Vanderschuere said the price during peak hours was 24 cents per kilowatt hour and the price was 10 cents per kilowatt hour during the less expensive hours of the day.

Hodge pointed out that increasing energy costs are one of the reasons DWSD is adding variable flow devices (VFDs) to its wells. They reduce energy costs, he explained.

Vanderschuere said energy cost increase will be a factor in DWSD’s future budgets, and he thought the district should plan for the worst.

Highlights of financial and operational reports

  • Hodge said revenues for water sales were low—25% of what was expected midway through the year—due to the rainy weather. That will change during the summer months.
  • Hodge said moving to Piper Sandler Investment Bank saved DWSD $150,000.
  • Water Operator Ronny Wright said wells 1A and 8A have had VFDs installed. Well 14A was due to have a VFD installed on June 26. Well 16A, which is under construction, will also have a VFD installed. Energy suppliers are offering rebates up to $20,000 when VFDs are installed, and VFDs can be remotely managed by software to further reduce energy costs.

Executive session

The meeting ended with an executive session to receive legal advice concerning negotiations regarding the UMCRWWTF Intergovernmental Agreement.

****

The next meeting is scheduled for July 20 at 9:30 p.m. so that a tour of UMCRWWTF can be held. Generally, board meetings are held the third Thursday of the month at 1:30 p.m. and include online access; call (719) 488-3603 or access www.donalawater.org to receive up-to-date meeting information. The district office is located at 15850 Holbein Drive, Colorado Springs.

James Howald can be reached at jameshowald@ocn.me. Jackie Burhans can be reached at jackieburhans@ocn.me.

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El Paso County Regional Loop Water Authority, June 15 – Board awards contract for project manager

By James Howald

At its June meeting, the El Paso County Regional Loop Water Authority (EPCRLWA) board chose a company to provide project management services. The board also heard the results of the last round of water quality testing.

The EPCRLWA was formed in November 2022 by an Intergovernmental Agreement between Cherokee Metropolitan District (CMD), Donala Water and Sanitation District (DWSD), the Town of Monument (TOM), and Woodmoor Water and Sanitation District (WWSD) to build infrastructure that would allow water, including treated effluent, that is flowing south in Monument and Fountain Creeks to be stored at Calhan Reservoir at Woodmoor Ranch and then pumped back north to be used by customers of the participating districts.

Merrick & Co. selected for project management services

Following an executive session held to select the company that will provide project management services, Jessie Shaffer, president of the EPCRLWA board, told those present that four bids were received to provide the needed services. Three of the bids were strong, and those companies were interviewed. Mike Foreman, EPCRLWA secretary and Monument town manager, moved to award the contract to Merrick & Co. The board voted unanimously in favor of the motion.

The role of the project manager was discussed in previous meetings. The project manager will coordinate the work of engineers, consultants, and other contractors, allowing the EPCRLWA to have a small staff. Initially, the project manager will work on an as-needed basis. The project manager will not oversee construction.

Water quality testing continues

Josh McGibbon and Peter Hassinger, of JVA Consulting Engineers, the company EPCRLWA has hired to provide ongoing water quality testing, gave the board a summary of the testing done on May 26 at the headgate of the Chilcott Ditch. The ditch, which diverts water from Fountain Creek and conveys it to the Calhan reservoir, was not running when the testing was done because the reservoir was full due to recent rain, McGibbon said.

Hassinger said the results were mostly in line with previous testing:

  • pH and hardness measurements were close to previous results.
  • Nitrate was between 4.5 to 4.9 in previous testing and was 3.6 in the latest tests.
  • There was a small rise in iron and manganese levels.
  • Turbidity increased from 17 to 216.
  • Organic carbon levels remain low.

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The next regular meeting is scheduled for July 20 at 9 a.m. Regular meetings are usually held on the third Thursday of each month at 9 a.m. at the Monument Town Hall at 645 Beacon Lite Road. Workshop meetings are held every Thursday at 9 a.m. at rotating venues. Please see loopwater.org or call 719-488-3603 to verify meeting times and locations.

James Howald can be reached at jameshowald@ocn.me.

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Woodmoor Water and Sanitation District, May 8 – Board reorganized; request for supplemental water considered

By James Howald

The Woodmoor Water and Sanitation District (WWSD) board opened its May meeting with an election of board officers. The board heard a request for supplemental water from Lake Woodmoor Development Inc., (LWD) and briefly considered a request to host a sheepherder on its Woodmoor Ranch property. It decided how to disburse a refund from CEBT and heard operational reports.

The meeting ended with an executive session to develop negotiating positions on potential agreements with Monument Fire District, Lewis-Palmer School District 38, and Enerfin Renewables LLC and to discuss a personnel matter.

Town replaces term-limited board president

Barrie Town was elected to serve as WWSD board president, replacing Brian Bush, who served two terms as president and was term limited. Town has served on the WWSD board previously.

The board elected Tom Martinez to serve as treasurer. Martinez joined the board earlier in 2023.

Bill Clewe was elected to a second term as secretary.

Waterside development gets supplemental water

District Engineer Ariel Hacker presented LWD’s request for supplemental water service to the board. LWD plans to build 52 multifamily units on four acres of land on the east side of Woodmoor Drive adjacent to Lewis-Palmer Middle School. The development is named Waterside. WWSD’s standard water service is ½ acre-foot of water per year for each acre of land. LWD is requesting an additional 14 acre-feet of water per year for Waterside, Hacker said.

District Manager Jessie Shaffer said the district’s long-range plan anticipated that the land in question would be developed at the density LWD is intending, so the request is “not outside what we planned.” Shaffer said LWD’s request would bring the district $595,000 annually in water fees, in addition to 52 one-time tap fees at the multifamily rate of $22,341 per tap. Shaffer said the multi-family tap fee is 25% less than the tap fee for a single-family residence, due to the expectation that there will be less outdoor irrigation.

The board voted unanimously to approve a motion to accept LWD’s request and bring back a supplemental water agreement for a final vote at the June board meeting.

Sheepherder gets a thumbs down

Shaffer told the board that JUWI Solar Inc., a company that leases a portion of WWSD’s Woodmoor Ranch property for a large solar array, had requested that WWSD host a sheepherder on WWSD’s portion of the ranch. The sheep would help JUWI control noxious weeds.

The board had several concerns with this arrangement, including security, insurance liability, and the potential impact of sheep droppings on water quality. Operations Superintendent Dan LaFontaine said giving the sheepherder the access requested would interfere with ranch operations.

The board directed Shaffer to deny the request.

CEBT dividend goes to employees

Shaffer told the board he had recently received a check for $9,600 from CEBT, the company that administers WWSD’s benefits program. Shaffer said CEBT’s rates are based on financial projections, and when actual costs are lower than the projections, CEBT returns the overage to the district. Shaffer said this had happened three times in the last 10 years and asked for the board’s thoughts on how the surplus should be handled. Shaffer suggested returning the funds to employees, arguing that the surplus would have gone to employees in their paychecks if CEBT had calculated their costs more precisely.

The board authorized Shaffer to return the surplus to employees.

Highlights of operational reports


  • LaFontaine said surface water from Lake Woodmoor would be added to the blend delivered to customers in June.

  • Wells 12 and 18 are temporarily out of production for maintenance.

  • Hacker told the board that planning for a new well into the Dawson aquifer was underway with BBA Water Consultants Inc. The well will be adjacent to the Central Water Treatment Plant on Deer Creek Road just northwest of Lewis-Palmer Middle School’s football field.

  • Hacker noted that some of the apartments in the Monument Junction development were on hold, but the Whataburger and Maverick filling station are still moving ahead.

Executive session

The May meeting ended in an executive session to consider strategies relative to negotiations and for a conference with legal counsel concerning potential agreements with the Monument Fire District, Lewis-Palmer School District 38, and Enerfin Renewables LLC, and for discussion of a personnel matter.

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The next meeting is scheduled for June 12 at 1 p.m. Meetings are usually held on the second Monday of each month at 1 p.m. at the district office at 1845 Woodmoor Drive; please see www.woodmoorwater.com or call 719-488-2525 to verify meeting times and locations.

James Howald can be reached at jameshowald@ocn.me.

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Donala Water and Sanitation District, May 18 – Board reorganizes; aquifer storage and recovery study presented

By James Howald and Jackie Burhans

The Donala Water and Sanitation District (DWSD) board swore in newly elected board members and reorganized at its May meeting. It heard the results of a study of aquifer storage and recovery (ASR) and a report from its auditor on its 2022 finances. The board discussed a template for a Request for Qualification form that will be used when seeking engineering and consulting services. The board appointed District Manager Jeff Hodge to serve as its representative on the Upper Monument Creek Regional Waste Water Treatment Facility (UMCRWWTF) Operations Committee and approved a bid to add a flow control vault and pipeline to well 16A.

The meeting ended with an executive session to receive legal advice on the UMCRWWTF Intergovernmental Agreement.

New members sworn in, officers elected, and Kenneth Judd honored

Kevin Deardorff, Bill George, and Scott McCollough took their oaths of office at the May meeting. Deardorff and George were re-elected; McCollough is new to the board.

Above: At the May 18 meeting of the Donala board, President Wayne Vanderschuere swore in Bill George, Scott McCullough, and Kevin Deardorff as board members. George and Deardorff were re-elected, and McCullough is new to the board. Following the swearing-in, the board elected Vanderschuere to serve a second term as president; George and Deardorff continued as vice president and treasurer/secretary, respectively. Photo by Jackie Burhans.

Following the swearing in, the board elected officers. Wayne Vanderscheuere was elected to serve a second term as president. Bill George was elected vice president. Deardorff was elected as treasurer and secretary. George and Deardorff will serve second terms in their respective offices.

The board passed a resolution expressing its appreciation for the service of Director Kenneth Judd, who stepped up to fill a seat on the board vacated by the resignation of Ed Houle when Houle moved out of the district. Judd intended to fill the position until the next election, and that is what he did. Judd had served on the DWSD board previously, and Vanderschuere commented on Judd’s contributions to a range of issues, including district financing, the preparation of 10 district budgets, the planning of mill levy overrides and fees, and negotiations with surrounding districts.

Above: At the Donala May 18 board meeting, the board recognized and thanked outgoing board member Kenneth Judd whose term had ended. Judd stepped up to fill a seat on the board vacated by the resignation of Ed Houle when Houle moved out of the district. Judd had served on the DWSD board previously, and Vanderschuere commented on Judd’s contributions to a range of issues, including district financing, the preparation of 10 district budgets, the planning of mill levy overrides and fees, and negotiations with surrounding districts. In his farewell remarks, Judd encouraged the board to understand that it serves future generations as well as today’s residents. Photo by Jackie Burhans.

In his farewell remarks, Judd encouraged the board to understand it serves future generations as well as today’s residents.

ASR feasible, study shows

Joel Barber, a hydrogeologist, and Allan Foster, a water quality expert, both of LRE Water, presented the results of a study of ASR commissioned by DWSD. ASR involves pumping excess surface water into aquifers using an existing well, which is later extracted from the same or a remote well and delivered to customers. ASR minimizes water losses to evaporation compared to storage in a reservoir and is valuable in extended droughts.

Barber explained that a study done in 2013 showed aquifers were depleting and identified this as a risk to long-term water supply. As water levels in aquifers decline, it becomes more expensive to use wells as a source of water. Three DWSD wells were tested between 2019 and 2022, and their water levels were seen to be dropping from 4 to 24 feet per year, resulting in pumping cost increases between $200 and $1,000 per year per well. Barber predicted 300 feet of decline in the aquifers that supply DWSD over the next 30 years given current usage. This is a regional trend, Barber said.

Barber estimated that implementing ASR would provide $1,000 in savings per year per well due to a potential 20-foot rise in water level. He estimated construction of a pilot ASR facility at $455,000. Cost of an acre-foot of stored and extracted water would start at $2,500 during the first year of implementation and would decline to a steady state of $800 per acre-foot by year 11 of implementation.

Barber said only treated water would be stored in aquifers, and DWSD’s treated water was compatible with the water currently in DWSD’s aquifers.

Three agencies are involved in the permitting process for ASR implementations, Barber said: the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment, whose goal is to protect the health of customers; the Division of Water Resources, which addresses water quantity issues; and the Environmental Protection Agency, which focuses on water quality. There must be a single permit holder that is liable for risks, Barber said.

The presentation included a proposed 10-year implementation road map that includes a pilot phase from 2023 to 2028, a build-out and integration phase from 2028 to 2033, and an ongoing implementation phase beginning 2033.

Barber and Foster recommended DWSD move forward with an ASR pilot and pursue options for regional cooperation. ASR would give DWSD a storage option within the district that DWSD would control. Triview Metropolitan District, DWSD’s neighbor to the west, was a likely choice for collaboration, they said. They recommended that a third-party consultant administer the program if more than one district participates. They discussed the possibility of grants from the U.S. Bureau of Reclamation or the Colorado Conservation Board.

The board took no specific action following the presentation, but the consensus was that it would continue to work with LRE to implement ASR.

Audit shows financial health

Tom Sistare of Hoelting & Co. Inc. gave the board the results of DWSD’s 2022 finances. Sistare described DWSD as “a district that is in good shape, run by a healthy board.”

Sistare said the field work for the audit was done at the DWSD in mid-March. He questioned the staff, looked at the books and did walkthroughs of internal controls. The audit procedures were based on the results of his investigation.

Sistare gave a clean report on the district’s internal controls and an unmodified or clean report on the district’s financial statements.

Sistare said the DWSD’s total net position, or equity in the district, had increased by $1.6 million from 2021.He noted capital expenditures were up $2.7 million compared to the previous year and 2022’s tap fees were one-third of the previous year, an indication of less new construction in DWSD’s service area.

Vanderschuere asked about the impact the funds DWSD has received from the American Recovery Plan Act would have on the district’s finances. Sistare said those funds would require a grant-specific audit that drills down on compliance with federal regulations and internal controls. He recommended reviewing the district’s compliance with federal procurement policies. Hodge pointed out DWSD’s procurement procedures were recently reviewed and updated for federal compliance.

Sistare told the board he would file the audit report with the state as required.

RFQ template approved

Hodge said federal policies require the district to use a standard request for qualification (RFQ) form when contracting for professional engineering and specialized consulting services. A draft form was included in the board packet that specifies evaluation criteria such as relevant experience, firm capabilities, technical qualifications, and quality of the submittal.

DWSD Attorney Linda Glesne said her firm was familiar with this federal standard and could advise the district.

Hodge said that the district will implement radium removal using hydrous manganese oxide, and the template would be used during the bidding process to hire the engineers needed for that project. He added that when the district was working with state guidelines, an RFQ was not needed.

The board voted in favor of a motion to refine the RFQ form for final approval in June.

Hodge appointed to Operations Committee

The board voted unanimously in favor of a resolution naming Hodge as the DWSD representative on the UMCRWWTF Operations Committee. The committee oversees the operation of the waste treatment facility that DWSD currently shares with Triview Metropolitan District, Forest Lakes Metropolitan District, and Academy Water and Sanitation District.

Bid awarded

Hodge asked the board to approve a bid from KR Swerdfeger Construction LLC to construct a concrete vault for well 16A that will contain flow control, surge and pressure and waste pumping valves, as well as some additional pipeline, at a price of $355,143. The board voted unanimously to award the bid as Hodge requested.

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The next meeting is scheduled for June 12 at 1:30 p.m. Generally, board meetings are held the third Thursday of the month at 1:30 p.m. and include online access; call (719) 488-3603 or access www.donalawater.org to receive up-to-date meeting information. The district office is located at 15850 Holbein Drive, Colorado Springs.

James Howald can be reached at jameshowald@ocn.me. Jackie Burhans can be reached at

jackieburhans@ocn.me.

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Monument Sanitation District, May 17 – New board members sworn in

By Jackie Burhans and James Howald

Three board members took their oaths of office at Monument Sanitation District’s (MSD) May meeting. Once its new members were sworn in, the board reorganized. A resolution authorizing an upgrade to the district’s internet service was passed. The board planned for a public celebration of its 60th anniversary serving the community and heard operational reports.

Board reorganizes

Tony Archer, Dan Hamilton, and Janet Ladowski were sworn in for four-year terms. Archer was previously appointed to the board on Feb. 15 to replace Director Laura Kronick, who resigned from the MSD board to serve on the Monument Town Council. As an appointee, Archer was required to run for a seat at the next election. Hamilton was also an incumbent, having served as the MSD board president for the previous four years. Ladowski replaced Marylee Reisig.

Following the oaths, the board reorganized, electing Hamilton to serve another term as president, incumbent John Howe as treasurer, and Ladowski as secretary.

Board votes to upgrade internet service

The board voted in favor of Resolution 23-051723, which accepts a bid from Force Broadband LLC to provide internet service to the MSD headquarters building using a fiber connection. Previously, the buildings’ internet service used wireless connectivity. Fiber-based internet service is much faster and more reliable.

District Manager Mark Parker explained that the installation cost would be shared with Lolley’s Ice Cream who will use fiber in its new event center, where Ice Cave Cider used to be, next to the MSD building. Parker said Black Forest Foods Café and Deli, which occupies half of the MSD headquarters building, is considering switching to fiber internet service, which will lower costs.

Hamilton, part owner of Force Broadband LLC, recused himself from the vote on the resolution but answered technical questions about the service during the discussion. The materials for the meeting included a conflict-of-interest disclosure form for Hamilton. The form is registered with the Colorado secretary of state.

60 years of service to be celebrated

Director Howe told the board about the plans he and Parker are making for the district to host a public celebration of MSD’s 60th anniversary. The celebration is planned for Saturday, July 29, from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. in the courtyard of the headquarters building at 130 Second St. The district’s customers will receive invitations in their June billing statements. Monument Town Council members and County Commissioner Holly Williams will also be invited, Howe said. Complimentary hamburgers and hotdogs will be provided by the Black Forest Foods Café and Deli, which will also be open to serve its lunch menu.

Parker said the event will also have an educational side, with information provided about the district’s operations.

Highlights of operational reports


  • Parker told the board that MSD had received a $995.88 Safety and Loss Prevention grant from the Colorado Special Districts Pool. Parker said he used the funds to purchase a first aid kit and is working with the Monument Fire Department to identify an Automated External Defibrillator that is compatible with their equipment.

  • Parker remarked that the recent heavy rains had stressed the district’s lift stations but none had failed.

  • Parker also noted that the Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition software that automates much of the district’s operation had been impacted by the failure of an Uninterruptable Power Supply (UPS). One lift station was affected by the issue. The battery was replaced in the UPS to return it to service.

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Monument Sanitation District meetings are normally held at 9 a.m. on the third Wednesday of the month in the district conference room at 130 Second St., Monument. The next regular meeting is scheduled for June 21. See https://colorado.gov/msd. For a district service map, see https://colorado.gov/pacific/msd/district-map-0. Information: 719-481-4886.

Jackie Burhans can be reached at jackieburhans@ocn.me. James Howald can be reached at jameshowald@ocn.me.

Other Monument Sanitation District articles

Triview Metropolitan District, May 18 – Former directors recognized; new directors sworn in

By Natalie Barszcz

At the Triview Metropolitan District (TMD) meeting on May 18, the board recognized outgoing directors Marco Fiorito and James Otis for their eight years of service on the board, administered the oath of office to the new directors, approved a license to construct and operate a pump house, and discussed a request from Conexus to dissolve a sub-district. The board also held an executive session to discuss multiple matters and receive legal advice.

Director recognition

President Mark Melville said that in the past 10 years, the district had widened Jackson Creek Parkway, obtained water rights, and developed and begun the installation of the Northern Delivery System (NDS) pipeline enterprise; and the Stonewall Springs South Reservoir system is ready to pump water to the district. He thanked both outgoing board directors for being instrumental in moving the district forward.

Vice President Anthony Sexton thanked Otis and Fiorito for their guidance and the dedication to the district and for being good board members,

Above: President Mark Melville presents former board Directors Marco Fiorito (left) and James Otis (right) with plaques recognizing eight years of service on the Triview Metropolitan District board at the May 18 meeting. Directors were term-limited on this board. Photos by Natalie Barszcz.

Treasurer/Secretary James Barnhart said the district did not have a single share of renewable water seven years ago, and the achievements since then have been amazing. He thanked Otis and Fiorito for the long board meetings that sometimes ran as late as 11 p.m.

New directors on board

Melville welcomed new board members Amanda Carlton and Jason Gross and administered the oath of office.

Above: President Mark Melville administers the oath of office to newly elected board Directors Jason Gross and Amanda Carlton at the May 18 Triview Metropolitan District meeting. Photo by Natalie Barszcz.

Election results

District Administrator Joyce Levad confirmed the number of votes received for the May 2 election as follows: Amanda Carlton 233, Ann-Marie Jojola 97, Jason Gross 259. Barrett Edwards withdrew before the election. Any votes cast for Edwards were not counted.

Future pump station license

District Manager James McGrady requested the board approve an annual fee of $1,200 for a land lease agreement for a 25-year term to allow the district to build and operate a pump station on the Colorado Springs Utilities (CSU) property where a 3-million-gallon tank sits behind a knoll off Highway 83 at the intersection of Old Northgate Road, Colorado Springs. The tank is about 15 years old, and is an underutilized asset supplying the Flying Horse development.

The board unanimously approved the lease agreement.

NDS project updates

McGrady said the district is about three weeks into the NDS pipeline project, laying pipe from B plant up to Sanctuary Pointe, and a second crew installing pipe up to C plant. A 2,000-foot bore behind the homes in Sanctuary Pointe has begun and will take about 11 days to complete. For all NDS pipeline project updates and to sign-up for email notifications, visit www.triviewnds.com. The link can also be found at www.triviewmetro.com.

Pueblo County permitting

McGrady said the second Pueblo County 1041 permit is proceeding, and the district hopes to present the plan to the Pueblo Board of County Commissioners on June 27. The 1041 planning process is time consuming, but permissions are necessary to operate the district assets in Pueblo County. The first 1041 with Pueblo County was approved in August 2022, allowing the district to store 999 acre-feet of water in Pueblo Reservoir and interface and access the Southern Delivery System. The second 1041 permit will allow operations at the Stonewall Springs South Reservoir and Central Reservoir and will include exchanges to Pueblo and exchanges from Fountain Creek to Pueblo, all steps critical for the NDS operation.

Pump station completed

McGrady said the pump station at the South Reservoir is completed and ready to pump. The massive pump station could, if necessary, move 30 cubic feet of water per second, about 60-acre feet (or 18 million gallons) per day, and tentatively could empty the reservoir in about 20-30 days. The first water was pumped successfully into the South Reservoir on May 12 at 10:45 a.m., a momentous day for the district, he said.

Northern Monument Creek Interceptor project

McGrady said the district had not received any updates from CSU on the Northern Monument Creek Interceptor (NMCI) pipeline project (a large sewer pipe to transport waste 10 miles south to the J.D. Phillips Water Resource Recovery Facility). To determine the feasibility of the project, CSU will hire a consulting agency to complete 30% of the design for the NMCI pipeline. The project has been discussed for five years and included a lengthy National Environmental Policy Act process because the pipeline path would cross the Air Force Academy, he said.

District funding

Melville said the board should anticipate dropping the mill levy again due to the significantly higher property tax value assessment increase for next year. The district reduced the mill levy over the past four years.

McGrady said the previous two-year snapshot is significantly different from the next two-year snapshot. In June 2022 interest rates were about 3% and home prices were going through the roof. The next two-year snapshot from July 2022 through June 2024 will be significantly different with higher interest rates. The district assesses the mill levy at 24 mills solely to pay down the debt service.

Sexton said residents received a reduction of taxes in the district from 35 mills to 24 mills. The revenue from property taxes the district receives has increased with the significant rise of home values. The district taxpayers approved the flexibility to change the mill levy rate should sales taxes dry up in the future, but the district collects what it needs. Some of the loans the district carries cannot be pre-paid, and double payments are prohibited, he said.

Barnhart said the board decision to spread the cost of the debt service loans over 30 years with low interest rates is a benefit. Future residents will also pay for the infrastructure of the district, he said.

McGrady said the district is one of the best financed districts, with a utility enterprise, sales tax, property taxes, tap fees, and an operations and management mill levy that can be assessed if necessary. The money has been expended to the betterment of the community, he said.

Sexton said the district is in a great situation, and if homes are built in TMD, they will have water. The district has enough for buildout with the wells turned off.

Water Attorney Chris Cummins of Monson Cummins & Shotet LLC said the wells on paper are three times buildout, but in the future, extraction will not be economical, and that is the reason the district pursued renewable water rights. Well water will only be used to supplement summer demand in the future, and the district will cease to pump at high demand year-round from the wells, he said.

Conexus dissolution request

McGrady said Conexus had proposed the board dissolve Sub-district B, which overlays the Conexus Metropolitan District 1 and 2. The district relates to the early development days of Conexus when the district implemented two districts: Sub-district A associated with the Conexus development on the east side of I-25 (Jackson Creek North) and Sub-district B on the west side of I-25 (east of the Santa Fe Trail/south of Second Street, Monument). The developers originally thought they would need a funding source, and because the district dropped the mill levy from 35 mills to 24 mills, creating a gap of 11 mills between what the district is entitled to levy and what it does; Conexus could then issue 11 mills of debt in Sub-district B. The debt would not have been associated with existing TMD residents, only the Conexus property owners. At the time Conexus was planning on developing commercial property in Sub-district B, but the plan has changed to residential. The plan no longer works for Sub-district B after Conexus created a special district independent of TMD with an overlapping service plan for water and infrastructure from TMD. Conexus pledged it would not compete and take away water sales. Conexus will levy its residents 11 mills, and TMD will continue to levy 24 mills for Conexus Sub-district B.

The board tabled the request for further discussion in executive session.

Cummins said the TMD board directors are the controlling board for Sub-district B; and Conexus petitioned the board to create the district, and are requesting the board dissolve the district.

Unexplained water loss

Sexton asked about a discrepancy in the water drawn and sold numbers that had tightened for the last couple of months, but the May numbers showed the district sold 12 million gallons and pulled 15 million, and about 2.5 million gallons was missing.

McGrady said that the discrepancy only shows annually in the summer, and it could be due to some residential meters not turning fast enough. The district has about 300 old meters left to replace with accurate cellular meters in homes, so readings should become tighter. Everything is metered even down to the construction lines including hydrants, and the district is trying to discover the cause. Every irrigation system is metered, regulators were installed, and all meters were calibrated about a year ago. It is a mystery, but likely the loss occurs on the commercial side when irrigation begins, and the district will investigate, he said.

Melville suggested the problem might be meters showing slightly more water than actual production.

Superintendent Shawn Sexton said water is metered at the well, at the plant filter, and when leaving the plant so the loss of water is likely occurring after it exits the plant. There is a 2%-5% variance, but all meters are jibing with each other so the loss is occurring elsewhere, he said.

Sexton said a loss of 15%-22% of water will need to be captured before water is metered from CSU to ensure the district is not capped due to metering issues, leaving the district pumping well water again.

Assistant District Manager Steve Sheffield said that 8%-10% loss acceptable and goes on in all water districts.

McGrady said the problem is concerning, and the whole system could be leak protected, but the loss could be an unmetered irrigation system, or maybe one of the three interconnects with neighboring developments. An irrigation leak is a lot of water that would be visible, he said.

Superintendent Sexton said he would examine the interconnects.

Executive session

The board moved into executive session at 7:55 p.m., pursuant to Colorado Revised Statute 24-6-402(4) (a), (b) and (e), to discuss negotiations regarding water and property acquisitions and receive legal advice for the Upper Monument Creek Waste Water Regional Treatment Facility and the Conexus sub-district dissolution.

Sheffield confirmed that no decisions were made when the board returned to the regular session.

The meeting adjourned at 9:17 p.m.

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Meetings are usually held on the third Thursday every month at the district office at 16055 Old Forest Point, Suite 302. The next regular meeting is scheduled for June 15 at 5:30 p.m. For meeting agendas, minutes, and updates, visit https://triviewmetro.com.

Natalie Barszcz can be reached at nataliebarszcz@ocn.me.

Other Triview Metropolitan District articles

El Paso County Regional Loop Water Authority, May 18 – Water quality tests look promising

By James Howald

The El Paso County Loop Regional Water Authority (EPCRLWA) board heard more detailed results of water quality testing at its May 18 meeting. President Jessie Shaffer updated the board on progress filling the project manager position the authority has advertised. Kevin Brown asked the board for direction on how to specify the schematic engineering design report for the project. Director Amy Lathen raised the issue of how to increase political support for the project.

The EPCRLWA was formed in November 2022 by an Intergovernmental Agreement between Cherokee Metropolitan District (CMD), Donala Water and Sanitation District (DWSD), the Town of Monument (TOM), and Woodmoor Water and Sanitation District (WWSD) to build infrastructure that would allow water, including treated effluent, that is flowing south in Monument and Fountain Creeks to be stored at Calhan Reservoir at Woodmoor Ranch and then pumped back north to be used by customers of the participating districts.

Few concerns with water quality

Richard Hood, of JVA Inc., the company the authority has hired to assess water quality and design the water treatment aspects of the project, summarized for the board a memo he wrote detailing the water quality results from testing done in March and April. Hood said the overall water quality is good, making the water relatively easy to treat. Tests showed the water quality was consistent, he said, with moderate pH and alkalinity levels. The tests showed moderate dissolved carbon and acceptable levels of iron and manganese. Total dissolved solids—a measure of minerals, salts, and metals—were slightly above the standard, Hood said.

Hood said standards for per- and poly-fluoroalkyl substances, commonly called PFAS, were announced by the Environmental Protection Agency in March but are not yet in effect. The standards are expected to be enforced in December 2026. Hood told the board these substances, which don’t break down over time and are linked to a wide range of health problems, should be watched carefully and will impact the design of the water treatment part of the project. Hood said the tests showed perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA) levels at 9.5 parts per trillion. The target level is 4 parts per trillion. The tests for perfluorooctane sulfonic acid (PFOS) showed levels at 16 parts per trillion. The target level is 4 parts per trillion.

Hood said the first samples were taken at the headgate of the Chilcott Ditch, the point at which the water is diverted from Fountain Creek. The next round will be drawn from where the Chilcott Ditch enters the Calhan Reservoir. This will provide a measure of changes that may be occurring as the water is conveyed through the ditch.

Project manager position generates interest

Shaffer told the board that the request for proposal for a project manager who will coordinate the work of the consultants and contractors needed for the project has seen many downloads from the BidNet site where it is posted, indicating lots of interest.

Direction sought on design proposal

Kevin Brown, an employee of CMD who is responsible for an RFP to develop a schematic engineering design report for the complete infrastructure required by the project, asked the board for direction on the question of who should make the final decisions on technical issues—the project manager that the board intends to hire or the board members themselves.

The schematic engineering design report is a detailed plan that will address issues such as the water treatment design, the location of pumping stations, the specifications for the several runs of pipeline that will need to be built, and so forth. The report will also document exactly which portions of the infrastructure each participating district will own and is needed to inform financial decisions. The EPCRLWA board plans to hire a consulting company to complete this report.

Brown recommended these decisions be made by the board members but felt either approach could work. The issue remained undecided.

Board will reach out to Mobolade

Director Amy Lathen, who represents CMD on the EPCRLWA board, suggested the board should reach out to Yemi Mobolade, the recently elected mayor of Colorado Springs. Director Mike Foreman, who represents TOM on the EPCRLWA board, said a meeting with Mobolade was already scheduled and agreed that the authority needs to increase its political representation.

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The next regular meeting is scheduled for June 15 at 9 a.m. Regular meetings are usually held on the third Thursday of each month at 9 a.m. at the Monument Town Hall at 645 Beacon Lite Road. Workshop meetings are held every Thursday at 9 a.m. at rotating venues. Please see loopwater.org or call 719-488-3603 to verify meeting times and locations.

James Howald can be reached at jameshowald@ocn.me.

Other El Paso County Loop Regional Water Authority articles

Woodmoor Water and Sanitation District, April 10 – Trail agreement with school district approved

By James Howald

The Woodmoor Water and Sanitation District (WWSD) board approved an Intergovernmental Agreement (IGA) with Lewis-Palmer School District 38 allowing the school district to use a maintenance road adjacent to Woodmoor Lake as part of its Safe Routes to School (SRTS) trail system. District Manager Jessie Shaffer updated the board on the status of WWSD’s water meter replacement project. The board also heard operational reports. The meeting ended with an executive session.

SRTS takes a step forward

Board President Brian Bush asked the board to approve an IGA with the school district that would authorize the district to include a portion of a maintenance road that runs along the south and west edge of Lake Woodmoor in the SRTS trail system, which the school district has been planning for several years. The proposed trail system will connect Lewis-Palmer Elementary School, Lewis-Palmer Middle School, and Palmer Ridge High School, allowing students to walk to those schools with the minimum exposure to traffic.

The text of the IGA specifies that bikes can’t be ridden on the maintenance road. The IGA also says WWSD will not do additional maintenance for the road to accommodate its use as part of SRTS.

The school district will be responsible for building a bridge over the spillway in the south end of Woodmoor Lake and has obtained a separate grant to fund it.

The board voted unanimously to authorize Bush to sign the IGA.

Meter replacement project hits snag

Shaffer told the board that WWSD’s project to replace water meters with newer, more capable technology had uncovered an incompatibility between the electronic components in some of the new meters and the software the district uses to bill customers. About 430 recently replaced meters would need to have their network endpoints updated. The endpoints upload water usage data through a cell network to the billing software, which bills customers and enables them to track their water consumption online. Shaffer said customers with faulty meters have been identified and would be contacted to schedule the needed fix.

Operations Superintendent Dan LaFontaine emphasized that the endpoints would be replaced with no interruption to water service. Some customers would receive an estimated bill for April, he said, adding the repairs should be done by the end of May.

Highlights of operational reports

  • The Chilcott Ditch is being cleaned up, a new culvert has been installed, and water delivery to customers should begin by mid-May.
  • Shaffer said the Colorado Senate was considering SB23-270, a bill which, if passed, would allow stream remediation projects to proceed with a simplified assessment of their impact on water rights. Shaffer said the Pikes Peak Regional Water Authority was opposing the bill on the grounds it could take away water rights in some cases.
  • LaFontaine reported two main breaks and a tank overflow. The overflow was due to a radio failure, he said, adding that 70% of the overflow was recovered and added to Woodmoor Lake. A backup battery was added to prevent future overflow, he said.
  • Equipment plans for Well 22 are being reviewed by El Paso County.
  • Contractors have been lined up to begin work on Well 19.
  • Tap permits for the Cloverleaf development in South Woodmoor are expected to be issued in six to eight weeks.
  • The apartments planned for the Monument Junction have been delayed due to the current state of the housing market.

Executive session

The April meeting ended in an executive session to consider strategies relative to negotiations and receive legal advice concerning potential agreements with the Monument Fire District.

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The next meeting is scheduled for May 8 at 1 p.m. Meetings are usually held on the second Monday of each month at 1 p.m. at the district office at 1845 Woodmoor Drive; please see www.woodmoorwater.com or call 719-488-2525 to verify meeting times and locations.

James Howald can be reached at jameshowald@ocn.me.

Other Woodmoor Water and Sanitation District articles

Monument Sanitation District, April 20 – Focus on infrastructure

By Jackie Burhans and James Howald

Infrastructure—sewer and network—was the main topic of discussion at the Monument Sanitation District’s (MSD) April meeting. District Manager Mark Parker briefed the board on repairs to three lift stations. He also filled the board in on a proposed upgrade to the network infrastructure in the MSD headquarters building. The board also heard operational reports.

Lift stations repaired

Parker told the board that lift stations in the Wakonda Hills, Wagon Gap, and Willow Springs neighborhoods had been repaired in the last month. Lift stations use pumps to ensure wastewater continues to flow in situations where gravity alone is insufficient.

In Wakonda Hills, the lift station’s pump failed, causing the circuit breaker to trip. The pump was replaced, which fixed the problem, Parker said. The Wakonda Hills and the Wagon Gap lift stations needed to be cleared of accumulated grit. The Willow Springs lift station had a water leak that resulted in a loss of 260,000 gallons of water. The developer was still working on the repair when the MSD board met, Parker said.

Parker noted that a bill had recently passed the Colorado Legislature requiring the packaging for so-called “flushable wipes” to explain that the wipes may in fact clog wastewater facilities if they are flushed. The wipes are a common cause of expensive repairs to lift station pumps, Parker explained.

The board also voted unanimously to approve the bill of sale for the Willow Springs lift station. Lift stations are typically constructed by the developer and then, after inspection, sold to the sanitation district for a token price.

Network upgrade brings more speed, reliability

Parker told the board that he had received a proposal from Force Broadband to upgrade the headquarters building’s internet connection to optic fiber. Optic-fiber cables move data as pulses of light through glass fibers, increasing the speed and reliability of data transmission over copper cables.

Force Broadband is owned by Dan Hamilton, who serves as the president of the MSD board. Hamilton discloses this potential conflict of interest at the start of each MSD board meeting and recused himself from the discussion of the proposal.

Parker said discussions with Lolley’s Ice Cream and Black Forest Foods Café and Delicatessen were underway to determine if they would want to help defray the $1,800 cost of installing fiber-optic cable and make use of the improved internet access. The board took no action on the proposal at the April meeting.

Highlights of operational reports

  • Parker told the board the employee handbook had been updated and now covered recently passed legislation such as the Family and Medical Leave Insurance Act.
  • The district’s auditor is now requiring letters of engagement to be signed with service providers on an annual basis.
  • The board discussed plans for a celebration in honor of MSD’s 60th birthday.

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Monument Sanitation District meetings are normally held at 9 a.m. on the third Wednesday of the month in the district conference room at 130 Second St., Monument. The next regular meeting is scheduled for May 17. See https://colorado.gov/msd. For a district service map, see https://colorado.gov/pacific/msd/district-map-0. Information: 719-481-4886.

Jackie Burhans can be reached at jackieburhans@ocn.me. James Howald can be reached at jameshowald@ocn.me.

Other Monument Sanitation District articles

Donala Water and Sanitation District, April 20 – Waste treatment plant debate continues

By James Howald and Jackie Burhans

The Donala Water and Sanitation District (DWSD) board continued to discuss wastewater treatment strategies at its April meeting. Currently, DWSD shares the Upper Monument Creek Regional Wastewater Treatment Facility (UMCRWWTF) with three other water and sanitation districts: Academy Water and Sanitation District (AWSD), Forest Lake Metropolitan District (FLMD), and Triview Metropolitan District (TMD). FMLD and TMD are considering sending their wastewater to a treatment facility run by Colorado Springs Utilities. General Manager Jeff Hodge brought the board up to date on recent communications with the managers of FLMD and TMD.

An updated contracting and procurement policy was voted on. The board also heard operational reports, and the meeting ended with an executive session to consider strategies relative to negotiations and receive legal advice concerning pending litigatiion.

UMCRWWTF likely to remain in production

In comments before the meeting, DWSD board President Wayne Vanderscheure said he believed that the UMCRWWTF would continue to operate even if FLMD and TMD elect to send their wastewater elsewhere. Should FLMD and TMD leave the facility, AWSD and DWSD would probably continue to operate it, he said.

Hodge outlines area of concern

Hodge summed up for the board a letter he had sent to Ann Nichols, FLMD general manager, and Jim McGrady, TMD general manager. DWSD is the facility operator, the letter points out, arguing when Nichols and McGrady contracted with Carollo Engineers Inc. they overstepped their authority. The letter objects to Nichols and McGrady requesting that the scenario where only DWSD would use the treatment facility be studied by Carollo. The letter points out that some of the tasks assigned by Nichols and McGrady to Carollo can be performed by current treatment facility staff.

The letter points out that DWSD’s legal counsel has found three issues with the agreement with Carollo: the creation of a multi-fiscal year financial obligation without the voter approval required by the Taxpayers Bill of Rights (TABOR); the requirement that the treatment facility indemnify Carollo; and the fact that McGrady signed the agreement with Carollo as “Owner” when DWSD is the plant operator.

The letter concludes by saying that DWSD does not object to FLMD and TMD doing their due diligence to decide whether they will continue to use the facility and by asking them to adhere to the terms of their agreement with DWSD.

Following Hodge’s update, Vanderschuere pointed out that FLMD and TMD had not responded to the letter.

Procurement policy adopted

Hodge explained that minor changes to the procurement and contracting policy were required by the fact that DWSD is receiving American Recovery Plan Act (ARPA) funding to remediate radium. ARPA funding requires more stringent bidding procedures, Hodge said.

The board decided that purchases and professional services from pre-approved vendor lists totaling less than $50,000 would be subject to a simpler bidding requirement. Vanderschuere said he wanted to preserve the ability to act quickly in emergency situations.

Highlights of operational reports

  • Well 2D is producing 166 gallons per second.
  • Variable Flow Devices (VFDs) are being added to several wells. VFDs help keep the flow into the filters at the processing plants at a steady level, which increases the filter’s efficiency.
  • DWSD staff is focusing on cybersecurity.
  • DWSD will add processing using hydrous manganese oxide to address radium instead of relying solely on the treatment plant filters.
  • Roger Sams, an engineer with GMS Inc., said his company was starting to investigate direct potable reuse as a technology DWSD might use in the future. Direct potable reuse refers to designs where treated effluent is immediately returned to the distribution system without being discharged to a stream. The standards for direct potable reuse have not been clearly established by the state.

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The next meeting is scheduled for May 18 at 1:30 p.m. Generally, board meetings are held the third Thursday of the month at 1:30 p.m. and include online access; call (719) 488-3603 or access www.donalawater.org to receive up-to-date meeting information. The district office is located at 15850 Holbein Drive, Colorado Springs.

James Howald can be reached at jameshowald@ocn.me. Jackie Burhans can be reached at jackieburhans@ocn.me.

Other Donala Water and Sanitation District articles

El Paso County Regional Loop Water Authority, April 16 – Acquisition policies approved

By James Howald

At its April meeting, the El Paso County Loop Regional Water Authority (EPCRLWA) board continued to draft procurement policies that meet the guidelines required by American Recovery Plan Act funding. A service for bidding and requests for proposals (RFPs) was selected. The board heard a brief financial report and made changes to its hiring requirement for a workflow manager position. The board also heard preliminary water quality test results.

The EPCRLWA was formed in November 2022 by an Intergovernmental Agreement between Cherokee Metropolitan District (CMD), Donala Water and Sanitation District (DWSD), the Town of Monument (TOM), and Woodmoor Water and Sanitation District (WWSD) to build infrastructure that would allow water, including treated effluent, that is flowing south in Monument and Fountain Creek to be stored at Callahan Reservoir at Woodmoor Ranch and then pumped back north to be used for customers of the participating districts.

Micro-purchases defined

EPCRLWA President Jessie Shaffer presented a draft of acquisition policies that addressed micro-purchases and bidding requirements. The policies were an extension of the reporting requirements presented by attorney Russell Dykstra at the previous meeting.

Shaffer said the acquisition policy defines micro-purchases as the acquisition of supplies or services costing less than $10,000. Micro-purchases require a minimum of two written or verbal quotes. The board may select the offer that provides the best value, even if that offer is not the lowest cost.

The board voted unanimously to approve the policies as presented.

BidNet selected for bids, RFPs

The board selected BidNet as the online platform for advertising bids and RFPs. Shaffer said that BidNet caters to public entities.

Financial report

Cathy Fromm of Fromm & Co LLC, the authority’s accounting firm, told the board that a bank account had been established for EPCRLWA and she was now able to pay invoices on the authority’s behalf. She said contributions from the four participating water districts had been received and deposited, so the authority was fully funded for the time being.

The board voted unanimously to approve the claims for the month and authorize payment.

RFP for workflow manager position updated

Shaffer said the job posting for a workflow manager had been updated in light of the new reporting and acquisition policies. Evaluation criteria, using a clearly stated point system, had been added to the RFP. Shaffer said the EPCRLWA board expected to hire contractors, rather than employees, to complete most tasks, and the workflow manager would be expected to coordinate the efforts of the contractors.

The board voted unanimously to approve the updated RFP and post it on BidNet.

Initial water quality test results

John Hood of JVA Inc., the company hired to conduct ongoing water quality testing, presented some initial results. Hood said overall the water has a high concentration of dissolved minerals. The alkalinity and pH are in an acceptable range. Chlorides and sulfates are moderately high. Synthetic Organic Chemicals and Volatile Organic Compounds are not detectable, Hood said. He said the next water quality sampling would be done April 25.

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The next regular meeting is scheduled for May 18 at 9 a.m. Regular meetings are usually held on the third Thursday of each month at 9 a.m. at the Monument Town Hall at 645 Beacon Lite Road. Workshop meetings are held every Thursday at 9 a.m. at rotating venues. Please see loopwater.org or call 719-488-3603 to verify meeting times and locations.

James Howald can be reached at jameshowald@ocn.me.

Other El Paso County Regional Loop Water Authority articles

Triview Metropolitan District, April 20 – Northern Delivery System pipeline installation begins

By Natalie Barszcz

At the Triview Metropolitan District (TMD) meeting on April 20, the four-member board heard about the Northern Delivery System (NDS) pipeline project timeline, approved the fourth amendment to a contract and an infrastructure agreement, and held an executive session to discuss negotiations regarding multiple projects, acquisitions, and negotiations.

Northern Delivery System

District Manager James McGrady said the kick-off meeting for the NDS project had taken place earlier in the day and construction would begin as early as late April with clearing the path of the pipeline. The pipeline installation is expected to begin by mid-May, beginning with the installation from “B” plant to “C” plant, then behind Sanctuary Pointe to Baptist Road. The pipeline installation along Roller Coaster Road is expected to last two months and begin on July 1. The roads will not be closed but at times will be restricted to local traffic only. All the pipeline is expected to be installed by October to allow a full asphalt overlay of the paved roads before winter. The pump station construction is expected to begin mid-June/July, he said.

NDS project hotline

Residents can keep up to date with the project timeline and submit comments and questions at www.triviewnds.com or leave a recorded message at 719-799-6533. Kiewit Infrastructure Corp., the main construction company and project manager, will be addressing the public’s concerns during the project. Residents can also access the project site via www.triviewmetro.com.

Kiewit contract amendment

McGrady requested the board review and approve the fourth amendment to the contract between Kiewit and TMD, for a maximum price of about $2.9 million for the construction portion of the Booster Pump Station. The complete Booster Pump Station will cost about $5 million. Last month, the third amendment approved the purchase of materials for the station that will be constructed on Colorado Springs Utilities property. The water will be pumped from the pump station to “C” Plant at about 260-270 psi. The high-pressure valves and surge tanks drove the cost a little higher, he said. See www.ocn.me/v23n4.htm#tvmd.

Th board unanimously approved the fourth amendment.

McGrady said the total cost of the NDS project is about $21.8 million, about 10% higher than originally estimated in 2022.

Colorado Springs Utilities contract

McGrady said the Colorado Springs Utilities (CSU) convey, treat, and deliver contract was approved at the Colorado Springs City Council on March 28.

Note: The 25-year contract with CSU to convey, treat and deliver district-owned water to TMD residents will cost about $1.6 million in the first year.

Home Place Ranch infrastructure agreement

McGrady requested the board consider approving the first amendment to the Home Place Ranch Water and Sewer Infrastructure agreement between Home Place Ranch LLC and TMD. The development has shrunk from the original plan of about 1,000 homes to the new plan of about 300-400 homes, he said.

Water attorney Chris Cummins said when Challenger Homes purchased the property in 2018, the agreements were clunky for both parties. The infrastructure agreement was revised in 2019 when the district thought the developer would build about 400-600 homes. Since then, the developer has realized the hundred-acre woods, the topography, and the Preble’s meadow jumping mouse habitat would be difficult to develop, and further reduced build-out. It is a good agreement that confirms the number of homes and provides a schedule, he said.

McGrady said the agreement had been available for some time, and the district has received $600,000 for the sewer service from the developer. The development is 600 homes less than originally proposed about 20 years ago, but a significant number of homes have been built, with the developer paying for the infrastructure. Nothing has changed except the developer is ready to sign the agreement, he said.

The board unanimously approved the agreement.

Upper Monument Creek Waste Water Regional Treatment Facility

District attorney George Rowley requested the board approve Resolution 2023-03, appointing McGrady as the district representative for the Upper Monument Creek Waste Water Regional Treatment Facility (UMCWWRTF). Each of the three co-owners of the facility nominate a representative, he said.

The board unanimously approved the appointment.

Financial report

The board reviewed and approved checks above $5,000, and unanimously approved the financial report as presented for March.

Note: The next district newsletter is expected to be sent to residents at the end of May. For more information on the district’s water sources, residential watering restrictions, and district projects, visit www.triviewmetro.com.

Utilities Department update

Superintendent Shawn Sexton said the following:

  • The Arapahoe 4 Well will be going online in late April, and the Arapahoe 9 Well will be out of service while the Dawson 9 is off-line until a new motor is received. A9 is really in service but needs to run with D9 until it can be disconnected from it.
  • The plant is keeping up with demand without full utilization of the online wells.
  • A Plant is running 24/7 and B Plant is running about 12 hours a day. TMD has a large capacity of water in reserve.
  • The booster pump station at C Plant on Vanderhoof Court had a pump upgrade on the No. 2 booster pump, but programming issues exist that will be completed April 24.
  • Filters 1-2 were placed back into service at B Plant after Bacti clearance was completed. No damage had occurred to the filters after 20 years of service.
  • Sewer line TV camera work was completed at Homeplace Ranch.
  • Staff completed a walk-through with Nick Harris of JDS Hydro (a division of RESPEC), for five tie-ins between C and B plants for the NDS pipeline project. The project is large and will require coordination between the contractors and the TMD staff.

Forest Lakes Metropolitan District update

Sexton said TMD is coordinating with construction crews at the Forest Lakes Metropolitan District (FLMD) plant. FLMD construction crews are installing new raw water lines and making improvements to the well field for the ground water plant in the Falcon Commerce Center. TMD staff will be coordinating with the crews, he said.

Director James Otis asked about the Variable Frequency Drive (VFD) pump controller that failed during a recent snowstorm at the ground plant in FLMD.

Sexton said a short out occurred in the VFD unit cabinet, causing a failure that likely occurred due to a lack of ventilation as a result of snow buildup. A loaner unit was hooked up to run manually. The failure is not preventing access to any supply of water and the surface plant has been online since mid-April.

Otis questioned if any possible design flaws at the FLMD plant were causing failures, given the short age of the plant.

Sexton said it is not due to design flaws, just hours of run time causing wear and tear, and the unit was approaching end of life, but the snow did not help.

Public Works and Parks and Open Space update

Superintendent Matt Rayno said the following:

  • The new barn in “A” yard is about 95% completed with the utilities stubbed out. The structure is awaiting trenching and a garage door, and the concrete floor is scheduled to be poured in late April. The yard will be graded and paved in mid-May. The heated barn will house the district’s sewer cleaning Vactor truck and snow removal vehicles and equipment. See www.ocn.me/v22n9.htm#tvmd.
  • The crews are working on the trail system irrigation for May 1, and seeding is expected to begin mid-May.
  • Spring cleanup around the district is underway.
  • Treasurer/Secretary James Barnhart asked about the progress on Sanctuary Pointe Park after seeing dirt being moved.

Rayno said the original engineering plans had to be revised due to the 30-year floodplain requiring additions to the site. The contractor will be installing drainage and is hoping for a July 4 completion.

Note: The Sanctuary Pointe developer is responsible for the construction of this park.

Americans with Disabilities Act ramp installed

This reporter requested the reason for the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) compliant ramp that connects the slope at the cul-de-sac at the north end of Agate Creek Drive to the trail system and said three residents had raised multiple questions about a potential loss of view, wheelchairs negotiating the ramp, and skateboarders who had already been using the ramp.

Rayno said the installation of the ADA-compliant ramp that joins to the trail between Venison and Saber Creek Drive was not requested by homeowners; it was a district decision to enhance the area and include access from the cul-de-sac to the trail. The hillside was scrub grass, but it is now landscaped with boulders, maples, and crabapple trees, and the remainder of the feature will be landscaped and fill the void, he said.

McGrady said the slope was around 2% and a switchback was incorporated into the design to keep the path ADA compliant. It is part of the overall improvement of the area and there is nothing that will impede any view, he said.

President Mark Melville and Vice President Anthony Sexton did not feel that the ramp would be a problem drawing skateboarders, and bikers would just ride on through down to the trail.

Rayno said “good luck” to skateboarders negotiating the ramp once the area is completed. He confirmed that the connecting trail would be ADA compliant, and views will be no less impeded than before the installation. It will be quite beautiful when completed by the end of July, and a bench may be added in the future, he said.

Executive session

The board moved into executive session at 7:14 p.m. pursuant to Colorado Revised Statute 24-6-402(4) (a), (b), and (e), to discuss negotiations and receive legal advice associated with water delivery infrastructure, water acquisitions, and property acquisitions.

Steve Sheffield, assistant district manager, confirmed that when the board returned to the regular session there were no actions taken, and the meeting adjourned at 8:38 p.m.

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Meetings are usually held on the third Thursday every month at the district office at 16055 Old Forest Point, Suite 302. The next regular board meeting is scheduled for May 18 at 5:30 p.m. For meeting agendas, minutes, and updates, visit https://triview.com.

Natalie Barszcz can be reached at nataliebarszcz@ocn.me.

Other Triview Metropolitan District articles

Woodmoor Water and Sanitation District, March 13 – New technology for sewer maintenance

By James Howald

At its March meeting, the Woodmoor Water and Sanitation District (WWSD) board approved a more efficient way to identify sewer lines in need of maintenance. The board awarded a contract for a sewer saddle replacement project and heard a request from a resident to buy land from the district. The board heard operational reports, and the meeting ended with an executive session.

Acoustic wave technology improves efficiency

Operations Superintendent Dan LaFontaine told the board about a new technology using acoustic waves that could reduce what the district spends on its “repair and replace” strategy for sewer lines. Currently, WWSD has divided its service area into five zones, and each year the lines in one zone are inspected by video camera and cleaned. It takes five years to inspect and clean all the lines in the service area, LaFontaine said.

LaFontaine explained a new method that uses devices that send and receive acoustic waves between manholes. The distortion in the acoustic waves is used to determine how clear or clogged a line is. LaFontaine said the Monument Sanitation District and the Palmer Lake Sanitation District have switched to this approach with good results.

LaFontaine said the technology would allow the district to inspect all five zones in one year instead of five years. Invasive tree roots are a costly problem, LaFontaine said, and a faster schedule would be more effective in dealing with them.

President Brian Bush recommended inspecting all lines annually. Director Barrie Town pointed out that using a schedule was not efficient because some lines were cleaned solely because they were on the schedule, not because they needed cleaning.

Director Town moved to add funds to the sewer line budget item, and the board voted unanimously in favor of his motion.

Contract awarded

District Engineer Ariel Hacker reviewed for the board the details of a contract to replace 30 service saddles (vertical connectors that join residential lines to mains), five gate valves, and three fire hydrants. The contract includes asphalt replacement, traffic control, and customer notification.

Hacker said Caraveo Construction Inc. had submitted the low bid for the job at $187,711. She noted there were two other bids—one for $295,000 and the other for $480,000. The range of bids was very wide, she said, adding Caraveo Construction was already working on another job for the district.

The board voted unanimously to accept Caraveo Construction’s bid and authorize Bush to sign a contract.

Resident offers to purchase land

During the public comment portion of the meeting, resident Dave Easton told the board he was interested in purchasing land adjacent to Monument Academy from WWSD. He said he had made a similar request several years ago.

District Manager Jessie Shaffer told Easton the district typically doesn’t sell land. Bush said he would be surprised if the current or a future board agreed to sell land belonging to the district.

Highlights of operational reports

  • Construction of new well 19 is due to begin in April.
  • The Chilcott Ditch is being cleaned in anticipation of beginning to deliver water to ditch customers later in the spring.
  • Classic Homes is expected to have model homes in the Monument Junction East development built by June.

Executive session

The March meeting ended in an executive session to consider strategies relative to negotiations and receive legal advice concerning pending litigation.

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The next meeting is scheduled for April 10 at 1 p.m. Meetings are usually held on the second Monday of each month at 1 p.m. at the district office at 1845 Woodmoor Drive; please see www.woodmoorwater.com or call 719-488-2525 to verify meeting times and locations.

James Howald can be reached at jameshowald@ocn.me.

Other Woodmoor Water and Sanitation District articles

Monument Sanitation District, March 15 – Election canceled

By Jackie Burhans and James Howald

District Manager Mark Parker told the Monument Sanitation District (MSD) board at its March meeting that its upcoming election had been canceled because there are not more candidates than vacant board seats. He also updated the board on legislation that would govern how so-called “flushable” wipes would be labeled. Finally, the board heard operational reports.

Candidate withdraws

Parker told the board that Randy Estes had withdrawn his application to run for one of the three open seats on the board, reducing the number of candidates to three and eliminating the need for an election. Parker said the election was expected to cost between $5,000 and $10,000 had it been needed. Estes is willing to serve by appointment if a seat opens unexpectedly, Parker said.

The legal report from designated election official Peggy Rupp included a cancellation of election report and declaration of candidates elected that names Anthony Archer, Daniel Hamilton, and Janet Ladowski as elected to four-year terms that will begin on May 17. Archer is currently serving on the board, having been appointed in February to fill the seat vacated by Laura Kronick’s resignation. Hamilton is currently serving as the board president.

Legislation aims to educate consumers

Parker updated the board on Senate Bill 23-150, which, if passed, will require the labels on wipes to warn consumers that the products are not truly “flushable” in that they do not dissolve once in the sewer system and increase maintenance costs by jamming the pumps in lift stations, clogging filters, and catching on tree roots, leading to repair costs that are shouldered by the ratepayers. Use of wipes increased following COVID. They can create dams that cause wastewater to back up into homes, Parker said. The bill will require informational labels instructing consumers to dispose of them without flushing them down the toilet.

Highlights of operational reports

  • Parker noted that legal expenses were higher than typical in February due to work by the district’s law firm on the election and on rewriting the employee manual, which needs to be updated in light of Colorado’s Family and Medical Leave Insurance program, the Colorado Healthy Families and Workplaces Act, and the Department of Labor Family and Medical Leave Act. Job descriptions are also being updated, he said.
  • Double authentication, which requires signoff by two employees, has been put in place to improve the security of ACH transactions.
  • The district is scanning documents produced during its 65-year existence. The paper documents are being converted to Portable Document Format files that can be easily searched.

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Monument Sanitation District meetings are normally held at 9 a.m. on the third Wednesday of the month in the district conference room at 130 Second St., Monument. The next regular meeting is scheduled for April 19. See https://colorado.gov/msd. For a district service map, see https://colorado.gov/pacific/msd/district-map-0. Information: 719-481-4886.

Jackie Burhans can be reached at jackieburhans@ocn.me. James Howald can be reached at jameshowald@ocn.me.

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Donala Water and Sanitation District, March 16 – Board seeks long-term contract with CSU

By James Howald and Jackie Burhans

At its March meeting, the Donala Water and Sanitation District (DWSD) board met with representatives of Colorado Springs Utilities (CSU) to discuss CSU’s proposed long-term contract with DWSD. The board returned to the issue of the Upper Monument Creek Regional Wastewater Treatment Facility (UMCRWWTF), which it shares with Triview Metropolitan District (TMD) and Forest Lakes Metropolitan District (FLMD). The board also heard operational reports.

Board discusses long-term contract with CSU

DSWD, which has operated under a short-term contract that has had a series of extensions, is seeking to sign a long-term contract with CSU on the conveyance, treatment, and delivery of its renewable water through CSU’s Southern Delivery System (SDS).

Jenny Bishop, project engineer for CSU, attended the DWSD meeting to discuss CSU’s proposal, which is a short-term contract that can convert into a long-term contract. The reason for this approach is that CSU’s contract for SDS has a clause that states that it cannot be used for regional entities that are not part of the Southeastern Colorado Water Conservancy District (SECWCD) without either joining SECWCD or getting a written waiver from SECWCD and the Bureau of Reclamation (BR).

Bishop explained that both SECWCD and BR had separately indicated verbally that they were OK with the waiver, but that CSU had been unable to get them in the same room at the same time to sign a written document that CSU has drafted. The workaround is to sign a contract now that will serve as a short-term contract extendable for three years and convert it to a 25-year long-term contract once the waiver is signed. Twenty-five years, she noted, is the longest contract CSU can offer according to the city’s charter.

The board went into an executive session to further discuss the CSU proposal and came out with edits to the proposed contract and directions to their lawyer to work with CSU’s lawyer to pursue the waiver required for a long-term contract. General Manager Jeff Hodge will be available to attend any meetings that CSU might set up with SECWCD and BR to help finalize this waiver.

Debate over UMCRWWTF study continues

Hodge updated the board on recent developments in the sometimes-contentious discussion between DWSD, FLMD, and TMD over how to proceed with and who will pay for an engineering study of the UMCRWWTF performed by Carollo Engineers Inc. (CEI).

The study was commissioned by FLMD and TMD as part of their consideration of a proposal from CSU to take over the wastewater treatment currently done by the UMCRWWTF, which would make that facility unnecessary. FLMD and TMD viewed CSU’s proposal to take over wastewater treatment positively, but DWSD decided against participating, arguing that the cost and benefit of the project were not clear.

DWSD argued that because the study was initiated without its input, it would not pay any share of its costs.

Hodge summarized a letter sent from DWSD to FLMD and TMD that stated:

  • DWSD accepts FLMD and TMD’s offer to pay for work done by CEI in 2022.
  • DWSD will pay its share of CEI’s charges for work done in 2023 if DWSD can assess and update the scope of work.
  • DWSD sees the UMCRWWTF as a valuable asset, wishes to continue to use it, values its potential to allow water re-use, and appreciates its contribution to local control.

The letter also requested that DWSD receive all data provided by CEI to FLMD and TMD, asked to have its preference for continued use of the facility reflected in the contract with CEI, and expressed its willingness to discuss how one partner might leave the Intergovernmental Agreement without shutting down the facility. DWSD believes shutting down the facility would not be in the best interests of its residents.

Board President Wayne Vanderschuere said he felt the data did not support CEI’s overly negative assessment of the UMCRWWTF and the study had not been peer reviewed. He added he had reached out to FLMD and TMD but had not received a response to date.

Highlights of operational reports

In his manager’s report, Hodge mentioned the following operational details:

  • The upcoming election has been canceled since there are three candidates for the three open seats on the board.
  • The construction of the raw water line for recently drilled Well 16A was scheduled to begin the week of March 13.
  • Staff is working on a protocol to remove phosphorus from the UMCRWWTF effluent that will result in credits that will delay the need for upgrades.
  • DWSD has changed to a new lab for water quality testing due to concerns with the accuracy of results from the previous lab.

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The next meeting is scheduled for April 20 at 1:30 p.m. Generally, board meetings are held the third Thursday of the month at 1:30 p.m. and include online access; call (719) 488-3603 or access www.donalawater.org to receive up-to-date meeting information. The district office is located at 15850 Holbein Drive, Colorado Springs.

James Howald can be reached at jameshowald@ocn.me. Jackie Burhans can be reached at jackieburhans@ocn.me

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