Working “families” were created at the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic to minimize outbreak effects, and a decision tracker helped maintain institutional knowledge and project schedule as the workforce shifted throughout design and construction.

Located on a 183-acre site next to the Ralston Reservoir northwest of Golden, Colo., the state-of-the-art facility can treat 75 million gallons of water per day. To minimize visual impact, several of its component structures were constructed into the area’s hillside, which also reduced the energy load required for cooling and heating, according to the project team.

Using hydroelectric turbines, the plant leverages influent pressure to generate power and will annually become a net energy producer. When it opens, the plant will connect to the electrical grid, but the team says future modifications will enable off-grid capacity using battery storage if feasible and necessary.