Features, Rangely

Water treatment plant rehab nears completion

RANGELY | With Rangely’s Water Treatment Plant nearing completion of a five year and $6 million rehabilitation project the town won’t be able to spend much time resting before beginning another major renovation, this time on the Waste Water Treatment Facility.
Town Manager Peter Brixius says the Water Treatment Plant was in poor shape when he first came to Rangely almost 10 years ago.
“One of the two river intakes was unusable,” he said. Shortly after taking on the role of town manager, Brixius began looking into what it would take to either repair or replace the plant. After determining that a new plant would cost $10-11 million it was decided repairing the current plant was preferable.
The remodel of the plant occurred in three phases with the final phase expected to be completed by the end of the year. Of the $6 million in cost, $3 million came from Department of Local Affairs (DOLA) grants and another $150,000 from various other grant programs. The town borrowed an additional $1.5 million from the state. The difference was made up by direct transfers from the town to the utilities department. The utilities department is not primarily taxpayer funded and receives the bulk of its revenue from user fees.
Some of the major improvements to the plant included repairing a structural support problem on the interior of the plant, electrical and HVAC upgrades, replacing several major equipment components including tube settlers and filters and expanding the clearwell. New security fencing and improvements to the fluoride feed system were also part of the rehab.
With the end of the Water Treatment Plant rehab in sight the town has been forced to begin discussions of another major utilities project upgrade, this time to the Waste Water Treatment Facility.
According to Brixius, because of Rangely’s small population the Waste Water Treatment Facility has been exempt from certain state regulations, namely the “nutrient rule” which regulates allowable amounts of nitrogen and phosphorus discharge. However, Brixius anticipates that beginning in 2027 the exemption will disappear.
Brixius says that there are two possible ways to bring the facility up to the new standards. The addition of sequencing batch reactors at a cost of $3-4 million, or an activated sludge plant, which in 10 years might cost anywhere from $8-12 million.
“Many smaller communities like Cedaredge or Nederland are opting for sequencing batch reactors largely due to treatment cost benefit. In 10 years there might be a better technology,” he said.

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  • Results are not guaranteed, unfortunately! Read all the Rio Happenings in this week’s edition and online at ht1885.com.
  • Pictured with awards from the Triple Crown Series (#3 and #4) from bottom left Hudson Hummel (4th and 2nd), Lee Kirkpatrick (3rd and 4th), Heath Bennet (2nd and 2nd), Sawyer Hummel (1st and 3rd), Eli Bennet (1st), David Murray (Coach), Auri Murray (2nd and 1st), Taylor Bain, and Dawn Arnold (2nd). Story online at ht1885.com.
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Results are not guaranteed, unfortunately! Read all the Rio Happenings in this week’s edition and online at ht1885.com.
Results are not guaranteed, unfortunately! Read all the Rio Happenings in this week’s edition and online at ht1885.com.
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Pictured with awards from the Triple Crown Series (#3 and #4) from bottom left Hudson Hummel (4th and 2nd), Lee Kirkpatrick (3rd and 4th), Heath Bennet (2nd and 2nd), Sawyer Hummel (1st and 3rd), Eli Bennet (1st), David Murray (Coach), Auri Murray (2nd and 1st), Taylor Bain, and Dawn Arnold (2nd). Story online at ht1885.com.
Pictured with awards from the Triple Crown Series (#3 and #4) from bottom left Hudson Hummel (4th and 2nd), Lee Kirkpatrick (3rd and 4th), Heath Bennet (2nd and 2nd), Sawyer Hummel (1st and 3rd), Eli Bennet (1st), David Murray (Coach), Auri Murray (2nd and 1st), Taylor Bain, and Dawn Arnold (2nd). Story online at ht1885.com.
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@bailey_waldref_rew 

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Marketing Mixology is a FREE promotion where we spotlight one lucky local business across print, digital, and social channels each month! 

#locallove #locallovespotlight #lovemeeker #marketingmixology #shoplocal #superchargeyourmarketing
Bailey is our first Marketing Mixology partner and we are excited to help her promote this fun event along with the Meeker Colorado Chamber of Commerce! Bailey and Real Estate West will host the second annual Easter Egg Hunt March 25th-29th. Go follow her page so you don't miss any clues! @bailey_waldref_rew 💚💚💚 Marketing Mixology is a FREE promotion where we spotlight one lucky local business across print, digital, and social channels each month! #locallove #locallovespotlight #lovemeeker #marketingmixology #shoplocal #superchargeyourmarketing
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“For 50 years I’ve waited to see Meeker’s greens come out this nice,” said Jim Cook, who is returning to help at the course.” Hats off to Hunter and Matt Fellows who did an excellent job applying the snow mold preventative last fall which has made all the difference this year.”
Board members and volunteers are very hopeful that this will be a turnaround year for the local 9-hole course which plans an early April opening, weather permitting.
Members of the Rio Blanco Golf Association got a jump on spring this past week as volunteers shoveled and blew the snow off the greens. The winter’s snow and ice layers suffocate the fragile bent grass putting surfaces and getting the snow off allows Mother Nature to start her healing process earlier. “For 50 years I’ve waited to see Meeker’s greens come out this nice,” said Jim Cook, who is returning to help at the course.” Hats off to Hunter and Matt Fellows who did an excellent job applying the snow mold preventative last fall which has made all the difference this year.” Board members and volunteers are very hopeful that this will be a turnaround year for the local 9-hole course which plans an early April opening, weather permitting.
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