Wastewater

Even though the City is not responsible for the maintenance of private sewer service lines, we have collected as much information as possible about their locations. The information only tells us where the private line connects to the public line. It does not tell us where the line is located on private property. Since the system dates back to 1889, records for all properties may not be available or accurate. If you need to know where the line runs from your house to the street or easement you might have to contact a private sewer cleaning company.

It is always a good idea to check out all the utilities to any house you are thinking about purchasing. In 1974, the Wastewater Collection Division started keeping records of sewer emergency calls for each property. These records indicate if a problem was corrected by the City or was a private property problem.

Call 811 before you dig!

We respond to an average of 65 emergency requests per year. Of these, only around five are problems in the main lines that the division can correct. We are available to respond to emergencies 7 days per week, 24 hours per day. Regular hours for the division are from 7 a.m. to 3:30 p.m., Monday through Friday. If you have a sewer emergency during those hours, please call 970-350-9322. If a sewer emergency occurs after regular working hours, call 970-616-6260. On call personnel will be dispatched.

Routine cleaning is accomplished with two trucks specifically designed for sewer line cleaning. It is our goal to clean all public lines where homes and businesses are connected every 18 months. To accomplish this, over 125,000 feet of line must be cleaned monthly.

Sewer lines are inspected by a closed circuit television unit. The purpose of inspecting sewer lines is to find broken pipe, deteriorated pipe, and areas that have tree roots growing into the sewer lines. Information collected from these inspections is used to document and determine the location and type of rehabilitation required to correct problems.

There are many different methods to repair and replace sewer lines. Methods include total replacement and new technology that restores lines without digging them up. Since 1988, we have been researching and using various methods. Each year approximately $750,000 is spent rehabilitating the sanitary sewer system.

There are 10 sewage pumping stations in Greeley which require daily checking and maintenance. Failure of these stations to operate properly could cause sewer overflows or backups into basements.

A primary service for Greeley citizens is to have excellent facility performance that meets or exceeds EPA, State and local requirements.

The Wastewater Treatment and Reclamation Facility (WTRF) is an advanced secondary wastewater treatment facility with vertical turbine high solids influent pumps; rotary bar screens; 30 inch Parshall flumes with flush-mounted open channel influent flow sensors; primary clarification; activated sludge system with fine bubble diffused aeration and gas cleaning system; nitrification and de-nitrification capabilities; Trojan 300 Plus UV disinfection system; high-speed turbo blowers; secondary clarification; ultrasonic effluent flow meters; anaerobic digesters with floating covers; spiral plate heat exchangers; iron sponge with regeneration, low pressure steam, gas fired boiler units; PW Tech volute sludge thickening and Alfa Laval dewatering centrifuges; Chemical counteractant odor control system. In 2012, a 500 Kw photovoltaic solar array was installed adjacent to the WPCF. The solar system is projected to save the treatment plant approximately $800,000-$1,400,000 in electrical costs over the next 20 years.

Facility Specifications/Statistics - Data results from the year 2018.

• Plant Design Capacity: 14.7 MGD
• Annual Average Flow Capacity: 16.0 MGD
• Annual Average Flow: 7.7 MGD
• Peak Monthly Flow: 8.5 MGD (May)
• Average Daily Flow per Capita Day: 70.1 gallons
• Cost to Treat 1000 Gallons of Wastewater: $1.25
• Percent Hydraulic Capacity Utilized: 51%
• Percent Organic Capacity Utilized: 68%
• Percent Removal of Biodegradable Organics: 99%
• Percent Removal of Total Suspended Solids: 97%
• Percent Removal of Ammonia-Nitrogen: 96%
• Total Annual WPCF Budget: $3,545,850
• Population Served: estimated 110,000
• Average Effluent Total Suspended Solids: 11 mg/L
• Average Effluent Carbonaceous BOD: 4 mg/L
• Average Effluent Ammonia-Nitrogen: 2 mg/L
• Plant Discharge Point: Cache La Poudre River
• Biosolids Land Applied on Area Farmland: 1,600 Dry Tons



Environmental compliance is very important. Quality management practices are in place. The City of Greeley WTRF is committed to do the best job possible.

Facility tours are welcomed and the staff can provide classroom training for groups and individuals.

A facility tour can be arranged by calling 970-350-9360. Tours can last from one hour for a short tour, and up to 2 hours for a more comprehensive tour. Also, our staff can help setup a wastewater related training session. Topics include:

• Promoting pollution prevention/elementary education program
• Classroom presentations on water quality topics
• Provides information on household hazardous waste program.
• Provides information on modern wastewater treatment practices.

The operations and maintenance personnel ensure that the equipment is always maintained and operated in a manner to consistently achieve the best results in the treatment of wastewater. Not only is wastewater treated, biosolids are also processed, power generation equipment and a methane gas collection system are maintained and operated by best management practices. Safety is an important aspect for all personnel due to the nature of wastewater and heavy equipment routinely encountered on the job. Safety training is a continuous objective to ensure public and personal safety at all times. The facility is staffed 20 hours per day and 7 days per week

Operators make sure that the plant is meeting all National Pollution Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) requirements. All of the facility's eight operators have received the highest State of Colorado wastewater treatment certification (Class "A"). The operators perform the following tasks, including: process control changes, operating centrifuges, laboratory analysis, site security, coordination of biosolids hauling, chemical addition, training and plant tours.

The maintenance staff keeps the plant equipment and infrastructure in excellent condition. Their work includes the repair and maintenance of almost everything at the plant site. This includes the maintenance of pumps, motors, valves, mixers, electrical equipment, electronic PLC's, power generation equipment and centrifuges. The staff is also responsible for painting, yard maintenance and training.

The laboratory performs analysis in accordance with the facility's National Pollution Discharge Elimination System permit requirements. The laboratory collects samples and performs microbiological, chemical and physical analysis of wastewater and biosolids in order to determine the efficiency of plant processes and to monitor for the NPDES permit requirements.

Other duties include:

• Collect and preserve samples for independent laboratory analysis.
• Maintain complete and accurate laboratory bench-sheets and records.
• Perform quality control work in the laboratory at all times.
• Maintain and calibrate laboratory equipment on a daily basis.
• Performs standard EPA laboratory test procedures and samples.
• Prepare bacteriological media, chemical reagents and stock solutions.

The function of the Administration section is to provide administrative support for all WTRF sections. This includes data and records management, financial and administrative management, career development, training programs, process analysis, SCADA system, and regulatory interaction to assure compliance with all local state and federal regulations.

Function Summary

• Ensures compliance with all State of Colorado and U.S. Environmental Protection Agency issued permits and regulations by maintaining appropriate documentation and records.
• Directs and manages all wastewater treatment projects.
• Coordinates on-going staff training programs.
• Maintains in-house computer programs.
• Prepares reports and correspondence for regulatory agencies and various management and departmental purposes.
• Maintains operating capital improvement budgets for the division.
• Provides administrative and personnel assistance to employees.