Posts tagged Boulder
Backed up sewer system raises it’s UGLY head
Sep 15th
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.
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–
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All Boulder OSMP properties closed until further notice
Sep 15th
Parks conditions could be dangerous and rescuers are otherwise occupied
In the wake of torrential rain and flooding, the City of Boulder Open Space and Mountain Parks (OSMP) department requests that citizens respect an emergency order and stay off all OSMP properties. The flooding has caused rockslides and mudslides, which have led to the destabilized bridges and other significant hazards.
Many trees have had their roots compromised, and there is a danger they may come down suddenly. Rocks have also been tumbling down hillsides and they could cause serious injury. Staff needs time to identify and mitigate these dangerous situations.
The Flatirons and other OSMP properties are closed indefinitely..due to rain damage
“Teams that normally assist injured people on OSMP are busy with search and rescue effort around the county,” said Joe Reale, OSMP’s ranger supervisor. “First responder resources are limited at this time.”
OSMP staff members are working hard at assessing the damage. OSMP will reopen areas of the system when it is determined that areas are safe and that users will not be causing additional resource damage.
City Manager Jane Brautigam issued an emergency order Thursday (Sept. 12) afternoon that closed all OSMP properties in response to rain and flooding that has caused these safety concerns. The order is in effect until further notice.
–CITY–
Jennelle Freeston
Coordinator of Volunteer Services
City of Boulder Open Space and Mountain Parks
66 South Cherryvale Rd.
Boulder, CO 80303
FreestonJ@bouldercolorado.govOSMP
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Update: City of Boulder water is good; Left Hand water not so much
Sep 14th
The City of Boulder is urging increased water conservation by city water customers for several reasons as a result of the recent flooding. Water customers are asked to turn off all irrigation systems. Turf, plants and trees do not need supplemental water at this time. Run only run full loads in the clothes and dishwashers. Don’t let taps run or flush toilets unnecessarily.
The city’s Betasso Water Treatment Facility is operational and continues to deliver safe drinking water to city residents. However, due to high levels of turbidity in the Boulder Reservoir, the Boulder Reservoir Water Treatment Facility is not able to treat drinking water at this time and was not brought back online as the city had planned. While the Betasso facility has the ability to deliver water to all city customers, the city does not have redundancy in water treatment with the Boulder Reservoir Water facility offline. The city is urging water customers to use water conservatively until the Boulder Reservoir facility is operational again. This will allow the city to conserve and extend water treatment resources at the Betasso facility.
Additionally, the city’s wastewater treatment facility is experiencing unprecedented flows and system anomalies. A reduction in water use will help alleviate the pressure on the wastewater collection system.
Update on the wastewater pipeline breach
Yesterday, the city announced a breach in the main wastewater pipeline that carries 90 percent of the city’s wastewater to the treatment facility. However, today’s assessment indicated that there was not a breach in the suspected location. While good news, the condition of the wastewater currently arriving at the treatment facility does indicate that there are other issues throughout the collection system. City staff continues to assess and resolve these collection system deficiencies.
Many Boulder residents have been reporting that water or sewage is backing up into their homes. In most cases, this is groundwater and floodwater, not untreated wastewater (sewage). Excess stormwater in the drainage system and saturated soils are causing groundwater and floodwater to back up into private residences. However, if residents see or smell solid waste, they should call the Emergency Call Center at 303-413-7730 and ask that the issue be reported to Public Works crews. 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.
Residents with isolated groundwater and floodwater backups may stay in their homes. However, if the water is wastewater, residents should use their own discretion to determine whether or not their homes are safe to stay in. These incidents are expected to decrease as the floodwaters recede.
Note about calls from Left Hand Water District
Some City of Boulder water customers received a phone call from the Left Hand Water District announcing a boil water order. If you are a City of Boulder water customer, you do not need to boil your water. The phone call was sent to a geographic area, but there are City of Boulder water customers in that area too and some got the call inadvertently. Check your water bill to determine who your water provider is. If you are in an HOA or a multifamily or rental unit and your water bill is paid by the HOA or your landlord, ask them to confirm who provides your water.
–CITY–
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- Boulder water treatment plant
