Day: October 29, 2010

Aurora: Prairie Waters Project update

A picture named prairiewaterstreatment.jpg

From Water and Wastewater (Lori Irvine):

The city of Aurora recently celebrated the completion of the Prairie Waters Project, an innovative and environmentally friendly water system that was finished ahead of schedule and more than $100 million under budget.

A large Colorado crowd excited to see the completion of the $653 million project gathered Friday, Oct. 8, for the system’s formal dedication. Speakers included Aurora Mayor Ed Tauer, Interim City Manager Nancy Freed, Aurora Water Director Mark Pifher, former Aurora Water Director Peter Binney and CH2M HILL Chairman and CEO Lee McIntire whose company provided design and program management services.

The project is the fastest, most cost-effective and environmentally sustainable way to meet Aurora’s water needs and went from design to completion in just five years. Construction broke ground in July 2007. The system includes 34 miles of 60-inch diameter pipeline, three pump stations, a natural purification area and a new water treatment facility that is one of the most technologically advanced in the country.

More Prairie Waters coverage here and here.

Energy policy — oil and gas: The Colorado Oil and Gas Conservation Commission is asking oil companies to develop baseline water data prior to drilling

A picture named derrick.jpg

From the Fort Collins Coloradodan (Bobby Magill):

The tests, which will establish a baseline for water quality where oil and gas companies are rushing to buy up mineral leases so they can drill the potentially oil-rich Niobrara Formation, are a protective measure required in southern Weld County but not yet in far Northern Colorado. “It’s an area where we don’t have a lot of baseline information at this time, and where we are anticipating significant oil and gas development in the future,” said David Neslin, Colorado Oil and Gas Conservation Commission director.

The information will help the state respond to residents’ complaints about suspected domestic water well contamination from nearby oil and gas development, he said.

The region between Grover and Wellington and around the Pawnee Buttes is becoming a hotspot for oil drilling after a new oil well in northern Weld County gushed 1,700 barrels of oil in one day last year.

More oil and gas coverage here and here.