Your Investments at Work
Effective April 1, 2024, new water rates will take effect. Your monthly investment contributes to maintaining and improving the complex water system that delivers water to your homes and businesses. In addition to providing clean, safe water free of contaminants, Thornton invests in ongoing maintenance and improvements to ensure the entire water system remains efficient and effective for years. A lot is going on behind the scenes! Just a few examples of these improvement projects include:
Advanced metering and ongoing meter replacement
This citywide, multi-year project includes installing advanced water metering infrastructure such as data collectors, software, and network components and upgraded Advanced Metering Infrastructure (AMI) water meters. Federal grant funding secured by the city will accelerate the implementation of this AMI technology, allowing for real-time meter readings and quicker leak detection. Other noticeable improvements include enhanced meter reading, water conservation, and routine repair and/or replacement of damaged or old water meters. Water customers will also experience improved billing and customer service through an online portal to access water usage and set real-time leak alerts.
- Total project budget: $3.6 million
- Scheduled completion date: 2024
Pipeline rehabilitation and replacement program
Thornton replaces roughly 5,000 linear feet of pipeline each year. Nine different pipeline replacements are anticipated to occur this year. The city identifies these pipeline replacement areas based on an annual review of pipe breaks and pipe age data assessments computed into master plan software. When possible, some projects use pipelining technology to rehabilitate deteriorated pipelines throughout Thornton’s water distribution system instead of replacing them. The pipeline rehabilitation and replacement program continues to invest in and protect more than 600 miles of underground water pipeline that delivers water to our customers.
- Total project budget: $5.7 million
Pressure Reducing Valves (PRVs) repair and replacement
These projects target multiple areas in Thornton to repair or replace PRVs, air release valves, and other components to maintain the pressure and proper operation of water lines in Thornton.
- Total annual program cost: $1.4 million
Utility facility maintenance
In addition to targeted improvements throughout the water system, each utility facility requires regular maintenance to update equipment. Facility enhancement projects focus on improving the safety and reliability of the water system to lower risks of water shutoffs and ensure the safety of employees. Current projects include:
- Installation of surge protection and electrical repairs to the Hammer Reservoir Pump Station
- Installation of a standby diesel generator to provide power backup supply to the McKay Pump Station
- Painting and improvements to the four-million-gallon water storage tank located at 112th and Cherokee Street
- Multiple projects to improve operations at the Wes Brown Water Treatment Plant:
- Replace a sludge line that runs between Thornton’s two water treatment plants
- Clearwell coatings
- Replacement of air compressor, clarifier tube settlers and programmable logic controller upgrades
These projects will improve the resilience and sustainability of our water system so that it can continue to provide water to Thornton customers 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year. Learn more about Water at Work!
