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What does the Water Reclamation Plant do?

The Water Reclamation Plant operates under a permit issued by the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment (CDPHE). The Water Reclamation plant is designed to provide secondary treatment to as much as 4.4 million gallons per day (MGD) of domestic sewage.

Wastewater comes to the plant from sinks, toilets, bathtubs, showers, washing machines, dishwashers and many other sources.  It contains soap, detergents, human waste, chemical, food scraps, dirt, cooking oil, and many other pollutants.  These items must be removed or reclaimed before the water can be released into Coal Creek.

These pollutants are removed in a series of processes, each taking from several minutes to many hours.  They are then sent to a 300,000 gallon anaerobic digester, where in the absence of oxygen along with a tempature of 95 degrees Faharenheit, bacteria breaks down the biodegradable materials into more stable forms.  This process may take up to 30 days.

In the final step, the water is disinfected using ultaviolet light.  This deactivates any disease organisms before the water can be released to the creek.

Some Substances Can't Be Treated

Certain materials can harm the plant or clog sewer pipes, or are dangerous to employees. Some materials will pass right through the plant and pollute the river. For this reason, residents and businesses can help to protect the environment by using care in what they put down the drain. If you have any questions about how to dispose of questionable materials, please call the plant at (303) 665-6034.
 
 

Stormwater Compliance

Urban stormwater runoff is a major contributor to source water pollution. Lafayette’s stormwater program meets state and federal requirements by addressing several key areas:

• Illicit Discharge Detection and Elimination
• Municipal Best Management Practices
• Public Education
• Construction Site Runoff Control

Grease Control
 

Information regarding variances, interceptor sizing criteria, inspections, pumping schedules, biological treatment, as well as a Grease and Oil BMP reference sheet. 
 

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