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 Does Your Toilet Need an Upgrade?
Qualified Greeley water customers can receive free assistance to replace one of their home’s biggest indoor water-wasters—the toilet!
Greeley’s Flush and Flow Program is a partnership between the Weld County Youth Conservation Corps, Northern Water and the City of Greeley. The program provides directly installed high-efficiency toilets in the home. Qualifying candidates in assistance programs can participate regardless of whether they own or rent their house.
How to Participate:
- Check eligibility and sign up at greeleygov.com/flushandflow.
- Schedule a free indoor water efficiency assessment.
- Receive a voucher for up to two free toilets.
- Schedule your free toilet installation.
“This is a great opportunity to provide sustainable measures to areas of the community that would benefit the most,” said Ben Schaffer, interim water conservation coordinator. “Participants in the program can reduce their toilet’s water use by 50% or more, resulting in lower bills and improved water efficiency.”
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Cloudy or Rust-Colored Water Can be Resolved Easily
Greeley residents who experience cloudy or rust-colored water from their faucets shouldn't be alarmed.
The discolored water can be a side effect of the city flushing its fire hydrants to ensure they work in a fire emergency. Hydrant flushing is essential to maintaining the city's water distribution system.
What to do:
- Air can get trapped in water as it speeds through lines during flushing. The resulting air bubbles can cause the water to appear cloudy. The water will gradually clear as the air is released.
- Run cold water in your bathtub for a few minutes for rust-colored water. It should clear itself up.
- Don’t run hot water to clear out the rust-colored water from your plumbing. Sediment can settle inside your water heater and cause problems later.
If these conditions linger, please get in touch with the Greeley Water and Sewer Department at 970-350-9320 (Monday through Friday, 7 a.m. to 3 p.m.) or after hours at 970-616-6260.
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New Steel Flume Provides Reliable Water Diversion
Colorado’s backcountry contains many water diversions, which move water from one location to another. These diversions can take the form of a small irrigation ditch, pipeline, reservoir or well.
The City of Greeley acquired the Bob Creek Ditch when it purchased the Mountain and Plains Irrigation Company in the 1950s. Bob Creek is approximately 90 miles from Greeley in the Nunn Creek Basin. Due to its remote location, maintaining the ditch was difficult, and the city abandoned it in 1960.
The city rehabilitated the ditch in the 1990s to capitalize on the 400 acre-feet of trans-basin water it provides Greeley. The flume diverts water from Nunn Creek into the Poudre River where the city can access it.
After many years, the wood flume deteriorated, and a more permanent solution became necessary. Greeley’s High Mountain Reservoir crew designed and fabricated a steel flume to replace the old wooden structure. The High Mountain Reservoir crew, with assistance from Bellvue Treatment Plant operators, installed the flume between August 19-30.
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Greeley Water Staff Share Expertise at Water Conference
Approximately 1,400 water professionals attended this year’s Rocky Mountain Water Conference in Keystone from August 26-28. The City of Greeley was well-represented at the conference, with around 15 employees sharing their knowledge and insight of the industry with other Colorado water professionals.
Several Greeley Water employees spoke to Blair Corning on his Streaming Water Podcast, which the City of Greeley sponsored. The hour-long podcast included impromptu interviews with presenters, conference attendees and vendors. Greeley Water staff talked about their contributions to the city and department, including why they enjoy living and working in Greeley.
Greeley Water staff also presented to conference attendees on subjects like wastewater treatment processes, engaging with Greeley’s underserved population, and how the city has focused on improving the customer experience through the eyes of utility billing.
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Upgrades to Sevenmile Creek Improve Poudre River Quality
It’s hard to believe, but the 2020 Cameron Peak Fire still significantly impacts Greeley’s water treatment, especially after substantial rain events.
Sediment from burn scars can wash into rivers because less vegetation is present to slow rainwater, allowing it to soak into the ground. That sediment washes downstream and can increase the cost of treating and delivering high-quality drinking water to Greeley residents.
The Cameron Peak Fire severely damaged a four-mile stretch of Sevenmile Creek about 40 miles west of Fort Collins. The water from that creek empties into the Poudre River, where it is treated at Greeley’s Bellvue Water Treatment Plant.
For the past two years, city contractors have rebuilt or reinforced nine road crossings to decrease erosion. Crews have also installed over 75 in-channel wood structures to capture and retain sediment.
The United States Forest Service funded the $1 million project to improve downstream water quality in the Poudre River.
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2024 Greeley Ballot Measures
In November, Greeley residents will vote on four city ballot measures. These measures explore initiatives like the food tax, a debt issuance, collective bargaining, and the delegation of financial operations in the city.
Residents are encouraged to vote to shape the future of Greeley.
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