Boulder continues to address sanitary sewer system issues citywide

Boulder residents continue to report that water or sewage is backing up into their homes. In most cases, this is groundwater and floodwater, not untreated wastewater (sewage).

 

However, if residents see or smell solid waste:

  • They should evacuate, if possible, as raw sewage represents a health and sanitation risk: and
  • Report the backup to the Emergency Call Center at 303-413-7730 and ask that the issue be reported to City of Boulder Public Works crews.

flood-sewage

These backups could still be the result of issues on private property, but the city would like to gather the information to determine if it indicates a system failure.

 

The city understands resident frustration about this issue, but the sanitary sewer system is particularly challenging to address for a number of reasons:

  • The city has approximately 355 miles of sanitary sewer lines (pipes) and approximately 9,200 sanitary sewer manholes;
  • A large portion of this system has been impacted by floodwaters and access manholes remain under water and inaccessible;
  • The collection system (pipes) continues to carry a large amount of flood water, groundwater, mud, and debris; and
  • The system functions by gravity and flows downhill to the wastewater treatment plant on 75th Street east of the city.

 

In order to address system-wide issues, the city must focus on low-lying areas first, which will hopefully become more and more feasible as floodwaters recede.  This initial action is necessary as system back-ups (downstream) affects system functionality (upstream).   While property owners farther from the creek may not see crews working adjacent to their properties, efforts occurring downstream are needed to restore overall system functionality and relieve backups in their area.

 

The city continues to urge water conservation measures by all city water customers (residents and businesses); minimizing water use and discharges to the sanitary sewer system will help mitigate impacts to affected residents and preserve the city’s water supply.
During the next few days, the city hopes to make significant progress on restoring system functionality as weather conditions improve and floodwaters recede.   Updated information will be available as the city is able to access additional low-lying areas and assess conditions.

 

For more information, visit www.BoulderOEM.com.  To report raw sewage in your home, please call the Emergency Call Center at 303-413-7730 and ask that the issue be reported to City of Boulder Public Works crews.

 

–CITY–

[includeme file=”/media/boulderfloodsponsors.txt]