A TCEQ 210E authorization in 10 weeks let a 1.0 MGD mixed-use development in San Marcos bypass a discharge permit and its hearings.
1.0 MGD zero-discharge reuse for a mixed-use development
Project
Town of Oak Creek I&I and water loss analysis
MES quantified water loss and I&I for the town and delivered a final report with engineering estimates and a prioritized roadmap in 2024; follow-up work continues in 2026.
Wastewater lagoon, Oak Creek, Colorado
About the project
The problem
The Town of Oak Creek, Colorado had aging water distribution and wastewater collection systems.
Water loss in the distribution system was unquantified. So was the infiltration and inflow (I&I) in the collection system.
The pathway
The work has run in three phases.
The first phase was a study in 2024. MES assessed the age and condition of both systems.
MES analyzed water loss in the distribution system, quantified it and outlined its causes. MES also identified and quantified the I&I in the wastewater collection system.
MES prepared a budget estimate for replacing critical infrastructure components, so the town could plan and prioritize future upgrades within its financial limits.
The second phase was a follow-up. MES made site visits in December 2024 and April 2025.
In April and May 2025, MES reviewed metered and unmetered addresses, checked metered addresses against the county map, and added second meter reads and total flow.
MES prepared an I&I report in July 2025 and revised the study to address review comments in August 2025.
From late August to September 2025, MES reviewed CCTV and matched sewer manholes between the records and a spreadsheet.
The third phase is under way. In March 2026, MES worked on a Class 5 planning level cost estimate for wastewater treatment plant improvements.
From July to October 2026, MES worked on further I&I updates, CCTV and manhole revisions. MES also worked on the design of an MBBR (moving bed biofilm reactor) lift station.
The result
MES delivered a final report in 2024 with clear engineering estimates and a prioritized roadmap for future replacements and improvements.
MES made recommendations to reduce I&I and water loss and to improve how both systems perform.
The 2026 work is still in progress.
- Systems studied
- Water distribution and wastewater collection
- 2024 study
- Final report and replacement cost budget
- 2025 follow-up
- Address and meter review; I&I report, July 2025, revised August 2025
- Sewer records review
- CCTV review and manhole record matching
- 2026 work, in progress
- Class 5 WWTP cost estimate, I&I updates, MBBR lift station design
More projects
Other work like this
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2.0 MGD wastewater reuse authorization for a mixed-use development
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Industrial zero-discharge reuse in Taylor, TX, approved within 6 weeks of submission
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