Work is officially underway on Brighton's new water treatment plant after City Councilors, staff and contractors celebrated the groundbreaking July 27.
“On hot days like this, we are reminded how important water is — not just any water, quality sustainable water,” City Manager Michael Martinez said.
Actual site preparation and construction should start this month. Construction on the project is scheduled to be finished in April 2025, with the plant beginning operation by Dec. 2025.
Overall, the project is expected to cost $155 million. The construction is being funded with bonds that will be repaid by fees paid by future developers and by a flat $6 per month user fee set to begin in January.
The plant will augment the city's current facility, which is next door to the new facility at 4350 E. Bromley Lane. Both plants are just west of the Adams County County Courthouse.
When it comes online, the plant will be able to treat 10 million gallons of water daily, nearly doubling Brighton's water treatment capacity.
“We talk about growth often and subsequently the growing water needs of our community. That's where the new water treatment plant comes in,” Martinez said. “This water treatment plant will make us capable of treating twice as much water as we can today. That basically amounts to 20 million gallons of water per day.”
It's designed to meet Brightons' projected needs for 20 years once it comes online.
“It will also provide water treatment growth for years to come,” Martinez said. "We anticipate this will last us until 2045.”
Councilors approved work on the new water treatment plant in November. Until it comes online, the city can produce up to 12.5 gallons of water daily and has the capacity to store up to 16 million gallons for later use.
City officials also touted the new plant's environmental benefits. Typically, water treatment plants end up releasing brine as a byproduct that must be treated itself or discharged. The new plant will do away with any brine discharge.
“It's a project that's been years in the making and we are thrilled to finally break ground,” Martinez said.
