Canyons 5MG Tank & Pipeline

Building Potable Water Infrastructure for a Growing Colorado Water District

Providence Infrastructure Consultants (PIC) supported the strengthening of Parker Water and Sanitation District’s (“District”) ability to serve treated water to its growing service area by helping the District increase its water storage capacity. The focal point was a 200-ft diameter, 5-million-gallon potable water storage tank and a 24-inch diameter welded steel water supply pipeline that allows the tank to fully integrate into the District’s distribution system. A nearby interconnect metering station was also incorporated into the District’s system to facilitate water transfer between the District and Castle Rock Water. PIC’s comprehensive civil, process, electrical, and control designs supported the project from planning through construction.

The project posed unique challenges that required innovative solutions. The new tank had to be constructed at the same elevation as the District’s existing Zone 3 Water Storage Tank located 10 miles to the east in order for the overall water system to function properly. Specifying the new tank’s elevations proved challenging due to surveying limitations and the distance between the tanks. However, the use of triangulated satellite data ensured accurate and matching elevations were determined. Furthermore, excavation had to be made through 25 feet of rock at the selected site which resulted in additional hurdles during construction including developing noise mitigation measures to limit impacts to nearby residences. In addition to addressing difficult subsurface conditions, the tank’s overflow and drain facilities required detailed planning and unique design to minimize visual and operational impacts to adjacent properties. Lastly, design coordination between the District and Castle Rock Water related to the future operational needs and requirements of the interconnect metering station highlighted the project’s overall complexity, necessitating significant stakeholder collaboration.

To address the challenges of the project, PIC responded with flexibility and innovation to support the District and increase project value. To help The District save money, the tank’s overflow and drain were designed as a single, common facility. Furthermore, PIC collaborated with the District and their hydraulic modeling consultant to optimize the sizing of facilities to ensure long-term system functionality for accurate water transfer, remote operations, and flexible operation and maintenance.

PIC’s efforts yielded positive results for the Parker Water & Sanitation District. The completion of the 5-million-gallon water storage tank, pipeline extension, and metering station now allows the District to confidently serve its growing population and honor its water delivery obligations to Castle Rock Water. Completed in April 2024 in just under three years, this significant milestone highlights PIC’s dedication and commitment to client success.