Wastewater Engineering

Wastewater engineering for Colorado land development

MES designs wastewater systems for Colorado developments, towns and special districts. The work covers treatment plants, lift stations and sewer collection lines.

Some Colorado sites sit beyond the reach of a city sewer. A subdivision, RV park or school may need its own plant. MES designs the plant for its flows and discharge limits, along with the grading, drainage and utilities around it. Package plant permitting in Colorado.

For older systems, MES reviews CCTV footage, analyzes inflow and infiltration (I&I) and designs sewer lining and replacement. MES also helps towns and districts prepare grant applications for the work.

How CDPHE permitting works

The Water Quality Control Division of the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment (CDPHE) reviews domestic wastewater treatment works. Under Regulation 22, plants, lift stations and certain interceptor sewers with a design capacity over 2,000 gallons per day need state approval of their site location. Plants and lift stations also need design approval before construction starts.

The site application goes to local agencies first. Depending on the area, that can mean the city, the county, the local health agency and a regional water quality planning agency. Their recommendations go to the state with the application.

A plant that discharges to a stream also needs a Colorado Discharge Permit System (CDPS) permit under Regulation 61. The permit sets effluent limits. Some depend on the stream that receives the water. How the CDPHE discharge permit process works.

On-site systems of 2,000 gallons per day or less are permitted by the local public health agency under Regulation 43.

Colorado wastewater work

In Yampa, MES led the civil design of a 105,000 gallon per day replacement plant and planned lining, pipe replacement and manhole upgrades for the town's sewers. See the Yampa plant.

In Florissant, MES designed a 57,000 gallon per day replacement lift station and wrote the engineering report for the CDPHE submittal. See the Florissant lift station.

For a private school, MES designed a 10,000 gallon per day replacement plant and supported it through construction. See the school plant.

Common questions

Does my Colorado development need its own wastewater plant?

Not always. If a city or district sewer can serve the site, a connection is the first option to check. When no sewer is in reach, a small plant or an on-site system may fit. The design flow decides which state or local rules apply.

Who approves a new lift station?

A lift station over 2,000 gallons per day needs site location and design approval from the CDPHE Water Quality Control Division. The city or district that will own it often reviews the design first.

What is the difference between site location approval and a discharge permit?

Site location approval covers where a treatment works goes and whether it fits regional water quality plans. A discharge permit sets the limits on what a plant may release. A new plant that discharges to a stream usually needs both.