Improving the safety and reliability of our aging system
Denver Water’s North System brings snowmelt from the mountains through reservoirs, pipelines and a treatment plant to produce clean, great-tasting drinking water. Denver Water is upgrading and modernizing the northern portion of our water system. We are building a new water treatment plant, installing a new pipeline and redeveloping our Moffat Treatment Plant. When finished, the system will be more resilient and adaptable to changing demands for water now and into the future.
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By the numbers
80
8.5
3
Why it's important
Denver Water’s North System was constructed in the 1930s, when the surrounding area was mostly farmland. Now, 80 years later, the North System is reaching the end of its lifespan.
Project components
Northwater Treatment Plant
We are building a new, state-of-the-art water treatment plant next to Ralston Reservoir, north of Golden in Jefferson County. The Northwater Treatment Plant will be capable of treating up to 75 million gallons of water a day and will be equipped with disinfection technology that will provide more flexibility to react to changes in water quality.
Northwater Pipeline
We are installing a 66-inch diameter pipeline, replacing one of the two existing pipeline, running 8.5 miles between Ralston Reservoir and the Moffat Treatment Plant. The new pipeline will transport treated water from the new Northwater Treatment Plant to the Moffat Facility for distribution.
Moffat Treatment Plant
After the Northwater plant opens in 2024, Moffat Treatment Plant will continue to operate at a reduced capacity until all North System Renewal projects have been completed – including the Gross Reservoir Expansion Project. Moffat also will continue to store treated drinking water, just like it does now. But much of that stored water will be treated at the Northwater plant, then piped down to Moffat.
How it affects our customers
These improvements will help maintain reliable, safe drinking water and avoid service failures that could adversely impact neighbors.
Being a good neighbor: Denver Water is committed to maintaining safe worksites and mitigating noise, dust, traffic and other construction impacts on our neighbors. We aim to reduce delays and inconvenience and communicate well in advance so commuters, residents and neighbors can plan accordingly.
Anticipated timeline*
*Construction started October 2017. As with any construction project, the schedule is dependent on a number of factors. It will be updated as construction progresses.