 Pipeline Offers More Options for Non-Potable Water Distribution
The City of Greeley is investing in its long-term water future by buying the Neff Lake Raw Water Pipeline System. This existing system can help Greeley Water move untreated water from the lower Poudre River to other areas in the city to support irrigation for parks, golf courses, and community spaces.
The system includes an existing pump station, pipeline, easements, crossing agreements, and other related infrastructure from the north side of Greeley from Highway 392 to West 37th Street on the south side of Greeley.
The purchase is a strong value for Greeley. The infrastructure is valued at more than $40 million, and the city will pay about $13.1 million in cash payments over time and annually provide raw water as payment. Because the system is already built, Greeley can avoid the higher costs, longer timeline, and challenges of building a similar system from the ground up.
“Buying this pipeline is an important step for Greeley Water and Sewer to utilize different water rights and to use less expensive raw water throughout the community for irrigation,” said Adam Prior, deputy director and chief engineer. “It gives us a practical way to use the city’s water rights more efficiently. Moving untreated water to parks, golf courses, and other green spaces for irrigation helps us make better use of our raw water supplies. It also reduces demand on treated drinking water.”
Over time, the pipeline will give Greeley more flexibility to utilize non-drinking water in parks, open spaces, and other irrigation sites across the city. This will help the city use its raw water supplies more efficiently, reduce pressure on drinking water resources, and get the most value from the system.
|
