Wastewater & Reclamation

Parker Water and Sanitation has two activated sludge wastewater treatment plants that have a combined capacity to treat 3.5 MGD (million gallons per day).   The system currently treats approximately 3.0 MGD.  The wastewater flows through the collection system to the treatment plants through about 150 miles of sewer line.  The wastewater system is currently assisted by four lift stations throughout the District. 

The District uses advanced technology to remove pollutants.  The wastewater plants are designed to remove not only conventional pollutants, but also algae promoting nutrients such as nitrogen and phosphorus.  The removal is accomplished by the biological process (activated sludge) and the use of Advanced Water Treatment Filters.

Wastewater is treated to permit specifications or below and then discharged into Sulphur Gulch, which immediately enters Cherry Creek.  The permit conditions are determined by the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).  PWSD tests for over two dozen different pollutants including metals such as mercury.   Most of the analytes are measured in milligrams per liter (mg/L), however some are also measured in micrograms per liter (ug/L).  Below is a table to put these measurements in perspective.

ug/Lpart/ billion mg/L (part/million)
1 inch in 16,000 miles 1 inch in 16 miles
1 second in 32 yrs. 1 minute in 2 yrs
1 cent in $10 million 1 cent in $10,000

 

Wastewater Information

Active Sludge Information

Activated sludge consists of sludge particles in wastewater caused by the growth of organisms in tanks in the presence of dissolved oxygen.  The term “activated” comes from the fact that the particles are teaming with bacteria, fungi, and protozoa.

Advanced Water Treatment

Advanced Water Treatment Filters: A chemical (aluminum sulfate) is added to the water.  This chemical reacts with the remaining phosphorus in the water to produce a large particle (floc).  The largest of the particles settle out.   The remaining particles are trapped as the water flows through the anthracite coal and sand of the dual media filter.

Collection System Information

It is Parker Water and Sanitation’s mission to properly manage, operate, and maintain the collections system and to promote the safe transportation of sewage from your house or business to the wastewater treatment plant.  There are approximately 150 miles of sanitary sewer lines throughout Parker Water and Sanitation District.  All of those lines are considered sewer main lines.  A sewer service line is the sewer pipe that transports the sewage from your house (or business) to the sewer main line.  PWSD is responsible for all of the sewer main lines.  Service lines are to be maintained by the owner of the residence and/or business.  

The common causes of sanitary sewer overflows can come from:

  • Build-up of obstructions in the pipes
  • Excessive infiltration of storm water and/or groundwater
  • Pump and power failure
  • Broken and/or cracked pipes
  • Undersized pipes
  • Construction materials/plugs

The majority of all back-ups/overflows are directly related to the disposal of common household goods that are flushed down the toilets.  To avoid back-ups into your home, there are several things to address. 

  • Tree root maintenance
  • Avoid flushing common household items
  • Kitchen grease
  • Garbage Disposal

Management Program

  • Aggressive management program
  • Clean 1/3 district annually
  • Televise 1/3 district annually