PR-3
MUNICIPAL WASTE REPORT
METROPOLITAN DENVER AREA
SOUTH PLATTE RIVER BASIN
WYOMING
NEBRASKA
COLORADO
KANSAS
U. S. DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH, EDUCATION, AND WELFARE
PUBLIC HEALTH SERVICE
DIVISION OF WATER SUPPLY AND POLLUTION CONTROL
SOUTH PLATTE RIVER BASIN PROJECT
DENVER, COLORADO
DECEMBER 1965
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ERRATA SHEET
Municipal Waste Report - South Platte River (December 1965)
Pg. v - Last line of Conclusion No. 2 - "summer of 1965" should be
changed to "summer of 1966".
Pg. viii - Last line of Recommendation No. 5. - "January 1, 1966"
should be changed to "January 1, 1967".
Pg. Ik - Second line of paragraph two - "currently undergoing
renovation" should read "renovated".
Pg. 26 - Twelfth line - "1965" should read "1966".
Pg. 26 - Last paragraph - Plants presently affiliated with MDSDD#1
should include Thornton.
Pg. 28 - "Plants not presently Members of MDSDD#!:" - Thornton should
be deleted from this category and added to "Member Plants of MDSDD#!".
All remarks pertaining to Thornton remain the same as shown.
Pg. 29 - Last entry in "Suggested Abatement Schedule" column should
read "Jan. 1967".
Pg. 30 - First entry in "Suggested Abatement Schedule" column should
read "Jan. 1967".
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MUNICIPAL WASTE REPORT
METROPOLITAN DENVER AREA
SOUTH PLATTE RIVER BASIN
U. S. DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH, EDUCATION, AND WELFARE
Public Health Service
Division of Water Supply and Pollution Control
South Platte River Basin Project
Denver, Colorado
December 1965
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SOUTH PLATTE RIVER BASIN PROJECT
U. S. Public Health Service
Background and Objectives
On July 18, 1963 the Governor of Colorado requested the Secretary
of Health, Education, and Welfare to assist the State in determining
sources of pollution and quality of waters of the South Platte River
Basin within the State of Colorado.
The First Session of i_he Conference in the matter of Pollution
of the South Platte River Basin was held in Denver, Colorado on
October 29, 1963 unaer the provisions of the Federal Water Pollution
Control Act as amended (33 U.S.C. 466g). It was established at this
Conference that a study would be undertaken by facilities of the
U. S. Public Health Service. Findings and recommendations from this
study would lead to a program of pollution abatement to be developed
jointly by the South Platte River Basin Project, Public Health Service,
and the Colorado State Department of Public Health.
The long-range goals and objectives of the Project are as follows:
1. Determine the legitimate water uses and locate the
sources of pollution having an adverse effect on
those uses.
2. Through field investigations determine the physical,
chemical, and biological responses of the River to
pollution and evaluate the previously located sources
of pollution with respect to the conditions in the
River.
3. Compute the waste load reductions necessary to obtain
desired water quality and recommend water quality control
measures needed to effect the desired waste load
reductions.
Organization
The South Platte River Basin Project consists of engineering
and associated professional and clerical personnel. The Project
Headquarters offices are located in downtown Denver and the Laboratory
has been established at the Colorado State Department of Public Health,
Denver, 'Colorado. The Project is administratively attached to the
Water Supply and Pollution Control program of the Public Health
Service, U. S. Department of Health, Education and Welfare, Region
VIII, Denver, Colorado
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ACKNOWLEDGMENT
Throughout this study, effective coordination was maintained with
interested Federal, State, county, municipal and district personnel.
The Colorado State Department of Public Health has furnished the
Project with past analyses of various treatment plant effluents.
In addition, personnel of that agency provided valuable information
concerning the design and operation of these plants. The Inter-
County Regional Planning Commission was most helpful in providing
information regarding the many sanitation districts. Without
exception, the officials of the various municipalities and sani-
tation districts gave freely of their time and knowledge to assist in
this study, by furnishing plant operating records, plant laboratory
results, and system maps. Plant operators provided assistance in
the collection of many samples for the study. The officials of
Metropolitan Denver Sewage Disposal District No. 1 supplied extensive
information concerning the new Metro facilities. The generous assist-
ance given by the personnel of these agencies is gratefully acknowledged.
i
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TABLE OF CONTENTS
Page
ACKNOWLEDGMENT i
LIST OF TABLES iii
LIST OF FIGURES iii
SUMMARY iv
CONCLUSIONS v
RECOMMENDATIONS vii
I. INTRODUCTION 1
II. BACKGROUND AND DESCRIPTION 2
General Description of the Area 2
Description and Location of Municipal Waste
Treatment Facilities 2
Metropolitan Denver Sewage Disposal Dis-
trict No. 1 3
Present State Laws Governing Waste Discharge 5
III. CONDUCT OF THE SURVEY 7
Interviews and Plant Visits 7
Procedures . 7
IV. MUNICIPAL WASTE DISCHARGE 8
General 8
Domestic Loading 8
Domestic and Industrial Loading 16
Loading to the South Platte River and
Tributaries 22
V. DISCUSSION 24
Future Operation of MDSDD#1 24
Operation of Municipal Waste Treatment Plants 25
Pollution Abatement 26
BIBLIOGRAPHY 32
APPENDICES
Appendix A -- State of Colorado, Excerpt of Water and
Sewage Laws 33
Appendix B -- Individual Reports, Municipal Sewage
Treatment Plants -- (Published under
separate cover)
ii
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LIST OF TABLES
Table No.
Title
Page
I. Location of Municipal Sewage Treatment Plants 4
in the Metro Denver Area
II. Municipal Sewage Treatment Plants (Effluent 9
Bacteriological Loading)
III. Total 5-Day Biochemical Oxygen Demand for 10
Municipal Sewage Treatment Plants (Predominantly
Domestic Loading)
IV. Total Suspended Solids for Municipal Sewage 11
Treatment Plants (Predominantly Domestic Loading)
V. Summary of Municipal Treatment Plants with 18
Significant Industrial Wastes - BOD
VI. Summary of Municipal Treatment Plants with 19
Significant Industrial Wastes - TSS
VII. Summary of Municipal Sewage Treatment Plants 23
Loading to Streams
VIII. Pollution Abatement Schedule 27
LIST OF FIGURES
Figure No.
1
Title
Municipal Sewage Treatment Plants
Denver Metropolitan Area
Metropolitan Denver Sewage Disposal
District No. 1
Following
Page
in
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SUMMARY
A study of municipal waste discharges in the Denver Metropolitan area
was undertaken by the Project during the period April 1, 1964 -
December 31, 1964. Included in this study were 26 sewage treatment
plants owned and operated by municipalities, sanitation districts,
Federal and State agencies, or industries.
Interviews were held with plant officials in conjunction with a
Project sampling program which included analysis of composite and
grab samples. Additional operating data were furnished by plant
operators and the Colorado State Department of Public Health.
Data for 23 plants were developed to reflect influent and effluent
quality, and total loadings discharged to Basin streams. The remaining
3 plants were found to discharge no effluent to the South Platte
River or its tributaries. Of the 26 plants, twenty-two receive
essentially domestic waste and four receive both industrial waste
and domestic waste.
Additional considerations of this investigation included an analysis
of effects of the proposed Metropolitan Denver Sewage Disposal
District No. 1 (MDSDD#1) treatment facilities and the operation pro-
cedures practiced at the various municipal treatment plants in the
Metropolitan Denver area.
In close cooperation with the Colorado State Department of Public
Health, a proposed pollution abatement schedule was developed which
is based on current State Effluent Standards for waste discharges.
Recommendations included in the abatement schedule require action to
be completed before January 1, 1967, the estimated completion date
for the new MDSDD#1 facilities.
iv
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CONCLUSIONS
1. The municipal waste facilities in the Metropolitan Denver area
at the present time are inadequate. Eighteen of the 23 sewage
treatment plants discharging to Basin streams in the study area
do not conform to one or more of the State Standards for sewage
effluent. Specifically, during the Project study, 18 plants
did not conform to State Standards for coliform density,
15 plants did not conform to State Standards for Biochemical
Oxygen Demand and 9 plants did not conform to State Standards
for suspended organic matter. These conditions can be attributed
chiefly to insufficient plant capacity, lack of secondary
treatment and poor operational procedures.
2. Significant progress in pollution abatement is now under way for
8 treatment plants affiliated with Metropolitan Denver Sewage
Disposal District No. 1. The MDSDD#1 facilities, presently under
construction, should provide a substantial reduction in pollutional
loads to the Basin streams. The Adolph Coors Company, which
operates treatment facilities in Golden, Colorado, is also
engaged in a significant pollution abatement program. The
construction of additional treatment units scheduled for the
summer of 1965, will provide future capacity for this plant.
3. There are 4 entities which operate municipal treatment plants
that have initiated corrective action to conform to State
Standards for sewage effluent. All of these entities are either
in the process of obtaining or have obtained feasibility reports
relative to joining the MDSDD#1.
4. Two communities operating municipal treatment plants that now
conform to State Standards for sewage effluent with the exception
of coliform density require engineering studies to improve
plant operation or provide plant expansion in the near future.
5. Three plants which were found in violation of State Standards
are not presently committed to a definite course of action.
6. The major portions of Basin streams in the Metropolitan area
are grossly polluted primarily as a result of excessive waste
loads discharged from municipal treatment plants. Stream
conditions in the lower portions of the study area at the
time of the Project stream survey presented a picture of severe
degradation.
7. Results of current Project programs relating to municipal
water supply, farm irrigation, and pollution of ground water
will be needed to determine the extent of damages to legitimate
water use of Basin streams.
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8. The Metropolitan planning concept, as embodied by the MDSDD#1
is a logical and economical solution to the problem of waste
treatment in the Denver area.
9. On the basis of present Biochemical Oxygen Demand loads estimated
by Project personnel, which are now in excess of projected loads
derived by Denver Metro Engineers, it is likely that expansion
of secondary treatment facilities at the MDSDD#1 plant will be
necessary earlier than the anticipated date of 1980.
vi
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RECOMMENDATIONS
The following recommendations have been developed in close coordina-
tion with officials of the Colorado State Department of Public Health.
These officials are engaged in developing a program of corrective
action with the communities involved.
1. The following plants do not provide adequate chlorination
because of either lack of facilities or insufficient use of
existing facilities. These entities should complete the
necessary action to conform with State Effluent Standards for
coliform density prior to January 1, 1967.
2. Eight plants have joined the MDSDD#1, which will provide the means
of correcting their present violation of State Standards with regard
to BOD and with the exception of Fruitdale for organic suspended
solids. Precautions must be taken to insure that whatever wastes
these plants do not convey to MDSDD#1, but continue to discharge to
streams, are in compliance with State Standards. The eight plants
are listed below:
3. The four plants which have requested feasibility estimates relative
to joining MDSDD#1 should complete such action as is necessary by
January 1, 1967 to either gain membership in the MDSDD#1 or improve
plant performance to insure conformance with State Standards for
discharge of BOD, Organic Suspended Solids, Coliform, and Settle-
able Solids. These are:
Thornton
North Washington
Baker
Wes tmins ter
Arvada
Clear Creek Valley
Wheatridge
Fruitdale
Northwest Lakewood
Denver Eastside
Aurora Westerly
South Lakewood
Englewood
Federal Correctional Institution
Evergreen
Littleton
Adolph Coors Company
Buckley Air Station
North Washington
Baker
Wes tmins ter
Arvada
Wheatridge
Northwest Lakewood -
Denver Eastside
Denver Northside
Thornton
Fruitdale
Aurora (Westerly)
Clear Creek Valley
Vll
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Three plants not presently engaged in a definite pollution
abatement program should complete such action as is necessary
by January 1, 1967 to insure conformance with State Standards
for effluent discharges. These are:
South Lakewood Evergreen
Federal Correctional Institution
Engineering studies with regard to renovation and expansion of
the Littleton Plant and with regard to operational procedures
at the Englewood Plant should be completed by January 1, 1966.
Although the above recommendations are based on present State
Standards for waste discharge, it should be understood that
more stringent regulations may be necessary in some instances in
order to insure minimum water quality in the receiving stream.
These water quality objectives and requirements will be developed
in the near future by the joint efforts of the South Platte River
Basin Project and the Colorado State Department of Public Health
in conjunction with a pollution abatement schedule for water
quality control over the entire Basin.
An immediate study should be undertaken at the City of Westminster
plant to provide interim measures designed to improve the opera-
tional procedures during the period of construction of MDSDD#1
plant. The facilities presently available at the Westminster plant
appear capable of greater efficiencies in the reduction of BOD and
total suspended solids.
As a general recommendation, all plants should conform to the
"Recommendations for Minimum Personnel, Laboratory Control, and
Records for Municipal Waste Treatment Works," as adopted by the
1963 Conference of State Sanitary Engineers. To insure proper
plant operation the staff of the State Water Pollution Control
Section should be increased to provide the necessary supervision
and technical advice.
viii
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I. INTRODUCTION
This report presents the results of a field study of municipal
wastes in the Metropolitan Denver area during the period April 1, 1964
to December 31, 1964. The objectives of this investigation were to
locate the sources of municipal waste discharges, to assess the
present treatment facilities provided for those discharges, and in
coordination with the Colorado State Department of Public Health, to
develop a pollution abatement schedule for such action as is indicated.
The current State of Colorado laws governing the discharge of sewage
effluents to State waters, upon which the pollution abatement schedule
is based, are contained in Appendix A. A survey of municipal wastes
in the remainder of the South Platte River Basin will be the subject
of a subsequent report.
1
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II. BACKGROUND AND DESCRIPTION
General Description of the Area
The City of Denver, capital of Colorado, is located in the north
central portion of the state on the western edge of the Great Plains,
approximately 50 miles east of the Continental Divide. The County
of Denver has identical boundaries with the City, and both are
considered as a single unit in a political as well as a geographical
sense. In addition to Denver, the Metropolitan area includes portions
of Adams, Arapahoe, Boulder and Jefferson Counties. According to
estimates obtained from the State Commerce and Development Division,
the population in the City and County of Denver was 525,000 persons
as of July 1, 1964, while the Metropolitan area comprised about
1,000,000 persons. The Metropolitan area includes about 700 square »
miles, which represents 6.7 percent of the area of the entire state.
Within these confines about one-half of the total population of the
State is located.
The South Platte River, which is 459 miles in length from its point
of origin to the junction with the North Platte River in Nebraska,
flows diagonally from southwest to northeast through the Metropolitan
area. The River enters the Metropolitan area south of Littleton
at about river mile 325, and departs in Brighton in the vicinity of
river mile 290 (1). The principal tributaries to the South Platte
River in the Metropolitan area are Bear Creek (River mile 320.9),
Cherry Creek (River mile 312.3), Sand Creek (River mile 306.8) and
Clear Creek (River mile 305.5) (1). According to records maintained
by the United States Geological Survey (USGS), the annual discharge
from Bear Creek, Cherry Creek and Clear Creek is 24,470, 11,800,
and 64,220 acre feet respectively (2). Sand Creek contributes an
annual flow of about 5,000 acre feet, based on data from the State
Engineer's Office.
The valley-fill deposits of the South Platte River Valley in the
Metropolitan area consist chiefly of sand and gravel. Large amounts
of ground water are present at depths ranging from less than one
foot to about 65 feet below the land surface. In this area, the
base flow of the mainstem of the South Platte River is supplemented
by large amounts of ground-water return flow. Conversely, certain
tributaries, notably Sand Creek, contribute a portion of their flow
to the shallow aquifer.
Description and Location of Municipal Waste Treatment Facilities
There are about 100 separate entities directly involved in the col-
lection and treatment of sewage in the Metropolitan area. Treatment
facilities are provided by 7 sanitary districts, 14 municipalities,
2
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and 5 institutions. The locations and types of treatment for these
plants are indicated in Table I, and Figure 1. The major treatment
works is the Denver Northside plant, which has an average flow of
about 70 million gallons per day (mgd) and serves an estimated
600,000 persons. The remaining 25 sewage treatment plants serve
about 354,000 persons. On the basis of these data, municipal wastes
for about 95 percent of the population of the Metropolitan area
receive treatment at those plants listed in Table I. The present
overall reduction of 5-day 20° C Biochemical Oxygen Demand for these
municipal treatment plants is about 50 percent. The wastes from the
remaining 5 percent of the metropolitan area population, or 46,000
persons are served by septic tanks or similar facilities.
Eighty-one percent of the treated wastes from the Denver Metropolitan
area are discharged to the South Platte River. As shown in Figure 1,
there are 8 plants along the River which contribute an average discharge
of 86.4 mgd. The 8 plants located along Clear Creek discharge 14.4 mgd.
Sand Creek and Bear Creek receive wastes from 7 plants which discharge
an average of 5.8 mgd. The 3 remaining facilities, largest of which
serves 500 persons, do not discharge to Basin streams.
Metropolitan Denver Sewage Disposal District No. 1
In 1960, the Colorado State Legislature passed an act permitting
formation of a Metropolitan Sewage Disposal District in any metro-
politan area in Colorado. This legislation was sponsored by the
Joint Sanitation Commission composed of a number of interested
districts and municipalities within the Metropolitan area, and the
Inter-County Regional Planning Commission. As a result of this
action, the Metropolitan Denver Sewage Disposal District #1 (MDSDD#1)
was formed, and provisions were made for an engineering study. The
firms of Phillips-Carter-Osborne, Inc., Ken R. White, Inc., and
Henningson, Durham, and Richardson, Inc., were retained as consultants
under the name of Denver Metro Engineers. The engineers provided
the pre-design report in 1961 which proposed the construction of a
new metropolitan sewage treatment plant and revisions to the existing
Denver Northside Plant (3). Essentially the new plant would provide
primary and activated sludge treatment with sludge drying and/or
incineration. The present Denver Northside facility would be used
for primary treatment only, and its effluent delivered to the proposed
MDSDD#1 Metro plant for secondary treatment. All sewage received by
the MDSDD#1 plant from areas not served by the Denver Northside plant,
would receive both primary and secondary treatment.
In addition to the treatment works, a system of interceptors was
proposed which would convey the sewage to the plants. Primarily
these collection facilities included interceptors to be constructed
3
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TABLE I
LOCATION OF MUNICIPAL SEWAGE TREATMENT PLANTS IN THE METROPOLITAN AREA
Map
Ident.
Type
No.
Name of Facility
River Mileage
Treatment
1.
City of Brighton
289.5
Secondary
2.
S. Adams Water & San District
301.2
Secondary
3.
City of Thornton
303.5
Secondary
4.
N. Washington Water & San Dis-
trict
305.5
Secondary
5.
Denver - Northside
308.8
Primary
6.
S. Lakewood San District
314.1/2.1 W
Secondary
7.
City of Englewood
319.7
Secondary
8.
City of Littleton
323.5
Secondary
9.
Baker Water & San District
305.5/3.0
Secondary
10.
City of Westminster
305.5/3.6/1.6
Primary
11.
City of Arvada
305.5/6.2/0.3
Secondary
12.
Clear Creek Valley San District
305.5/7.0
Secondary
13.
City of Wheatridge
305.5/7.5
Secondary
14.
Fruitdale San District
305.5/10.0
Primary
15.
N. W. Lakewood San District
305.5/10.2
Primary
16.
City of Golden
305.5/15.5
Secondary
17.
Denver - Eastside
306.8/4.7
Primary
18.
City of Aurora (Westerly)
306.8/5.5/1.1 S
Secondary
19.
City of Aurora (Sand Creek)
306.8/6.8
Secondary
20.
Fitzsimons Hospital
306.8/6.9/0.9
Secondary
21.
Buckley Air Station
306.8/11.9
Secondary
22.
City of Glendale
(a)
Secondary
23.
Colo. State Industrial School
for Girls
(a)
Secondary
24.
Federal Correctional Institution
320.9/5.5
Secondary
25.
City of Evergreen
320.9/19.3
Secondary
26.
Rocky Mountain Arsenal
(b)
Secondary
(a) Plant discharge to oxidation pond, no effluent.
(b) Discharges to First Creek, thence to Burlington Canal - Does
not enter South Platte River.
(c) No secondary settling facilities available.
4
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SOUTH PLATTE RIVER BASIN PROJECT
MUNICIPAL SEWAGE TREATMENT PLANTS
METROPOLITAN DENVER AREA
DEPT. OF HEALTH EDUCATION ft WELFARE
PUBLIC HEALTH SERVICE
DfNVER COD-
FIGURE I
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along portions of Bear Creek, Sand Creek, the South Platte River
and Clear Creek. The location of the Metropolitan Denver treatment
plants affiliated with MDSDD#1, interceptors, and area served are
shown in Figure 2.
The pre-design report was accepted and authorization given to prepare
final plans. In 1963 the final plans for the first phase of inter-
ceptor construction were approved by the Colorado State Department
of Public Health (CSDPH), and a contract was awarded. In 1964, the
final plans for the MDSDD#1 plant and revisions for the Denver
Northside plant were also approved and contracts awarded. Construction
of these projects is currently under way and completion of all work
is contemplated prior to January 1967.
The MDSDD#1 sewage treatment plant will have an initial capacity
of 27 mgd for primary treatment facilities, and 117 mgd for secondary
treatment facilities. The revised Denver Northside plant will provide
a capacity for primary treatment of 97 mgd with BOD reduction of
35 percent. The initial design for both plants combined will provide
treatment for 262,000 pounds of BOD daily with an average removal
of 90-95 percent (3) .
A total of 46 municipalities and sanitary districts will be served
by the MDSDD#1 facilities. Among these agencies there are presently
8 sewage treatment plants in operation, including both Denver plants.
Four of these plants now provide primary treatment only. The Denver
East Side primary plant will be abandoned and the raw wastes conveyed
to the MDSDD//1 facility. The Denver Northside plant will operate in
conjunction with the MDSDD#1 facilities. The Northwest Lakewood and
Westminster plants may continue operating, but all effluent will be
diverted to MDSDD#1 for further treatment. The remaining 4 plants,
all of which provide secondary treatment, will have an option of
either discharging all wastes, raw or partially treated, into an
interceptor, or discharging a portion of effluent to the stream in
conformity with State effluent standards and the remainder to the
interceptor. It is likely that these treatment plants, with the
exception of the Denver facilities, will ultimately be abandoned and
all raw wastes conveyed to MDSDD#1. It should be noted that under
the agreement between the MDSDD#1 and the member districts and muni-
cipalities, no plant can enlarge its present facilities without
permission from the Metro District. Based upon the population
presently served by agencies committed to membership in MDSDD#1, it
is estimated that approximately 75 percent of all persons living
within the Metropolitan area will be served by the MDSDD#1.
Present State Laws Governing Waste Discharge
The Colorado General Assembly has enacted legislation contained in
Chapter 66 of the Colorado Revised Statutes concerning the power of
5
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PAGE NOT
AVAILABLE
DIGITALLY
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the State Department of Public Health to establish the quality of
the effluent of sewerage systems and trade wastes that are discharged.
This authority has been promulgated in the form of regulations. In
addition the statutes prescribe permissible effluent from domestic
sewage systems in terms of specific standards. In essence these laws
provide that the effluent of domestic sewerage systems shall not con-
tain settleable and suspended organic matter exceeding 0.5 ml/1 and
75 mg/1, respectively, shall not exceed 1000 coliform organisms per
milliliter when at least 4 samples are collected on 4 consecutive days,
and shall not contain dissolved or suspended matter exceeding 50 mg/1
in terms of a five-day 20-degree Centigrade Biochemical Oxygen Demand.
If the effluent of a sewerage system is discharged into a water course
used downstream as a surface source of public domestic water supply,
the regulations of the Colorado State Department of Public Health
state that the dissolved or suspended matter shall not exceed 30 mg/1
in terms of 5-day, 20-degree Centigrade BOD.
That portion of current statutes which pertains to the effluent from
sewerage systems is outlined in Appendix A of this report.
6
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III. CONDUCT OF THE SURVEY
Interviews and Plant Visits
Project personnel visited each of the sewage treatment plants
operating in the Metropolitan Denver area. Interviews were held
with institution, municipal and sanitation district officials,
including managers, superintendents and operators. The types and
condition of treatment units were examined and evaluated at each
plant. A check of operating methods and records was made in order
to determine variations and amounts of flow, as well as strength of
influent and effluent sewage. Together with plant officials,
estimates were made concerning the number of persons served by each
treatment works. Wherever possible, an estimate of the amount of
industrial waste flow to the treatment plant was determined. Such
information included the name, type, and location of the industry
involved. Particular attention was paid to treatment facilities
that appeared obsolete and poorly maintained or operated. Additional
factors investigated included provision for bypass of sewage, the
laboratory procedures followed, and the general degree of competence
and training possessed by the plant operators.
Individual sewage treatment plant reports for each of the facilities
in the Metropolitan Denver area are contained in Appendix B, which
is published under separate cover.
Procedures
A total of 21 plants was chosen for a waste sampling program which
was carried out over a period of nine months, from April through
December, 1964. Selection of these plants was based primarily on
the lack of sufficient or conclusive performance data. Each plant
was sampled for a period of 2-5 days.
Composite samples of the influent and effluent were collected hourly
from 8:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. each day by the plant operators, and were
composited on the basis of flow at the time of collection. In addition,
grab samples were collected by Project personnel at various times each
day of the sampling period. All samples were analyzed at the Project
Laboratory in accordance with "Standard Methods for the Examination of
Water and Wastewater" (5). Composite samples were examined for bio-
chemical oxygen demand, total suspended solids, volatile suspended solids,
and settleable solids. Grab samples were analyzed for total and fecal
coliform, and chlorine residual where applicable. Tabulation of all
sampling results is included with the individual plant reports contained
in Appendix B.
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IV. MUNICIPAL WASTE DISCHARGE
General
The discharges from sewage treatment plants vary in terms of the
types of waste received and the degree of treatment provided.
Several plants, including Denver Northside, Golden, North Washington,
and Clear Creek Valley, receive significant amounts of industrial
waste in addition to domestic sewage. Waste loads to the South
Platte River and its tributaries from municipal plant effluents
have been summarized on the basis of pounds of BOD, pounds of suspended
solids and numbers of coliforms discharged daily to the mains tern and
the affected tributaries. The latter include Bear Creek, Sand Creek,
and Clear Creek.
Of the 23 sewage treatment plants currently operating in the Metro-
politan Denver area and discharging to Basin streams, Project waste-
sampling activities were conducted at 21 plants to obtain more accurate
estimates of pollutional loading to the streams. Sufficient data were
available to provide satisfactory estimates for the remaining two plants.
In Table II bacteriological loading from 23 plants which discharge to
Basin streams is summarized.
Domestic Loading
Twenty-two sewage treatment plants in the Denver Metro area receive
essentially domestic wastes. In Tables III and IV estimated daily
biochemical oxygen demand and total suspended solids loadings to the
streams are shown for 19 of these plants. The remaining three plants
do not discharge to Basin streams. BOD data indicated an average of
0.079 pounds per capita for these plants during the eight-hour daytime
period. For the 24-hour period, a figure of 0.160 pounds of BOD/cap.
was assumed as a reasonable value for plants in the Metro Denver area.
An earlier study conducted by the Denver Metro Engineers for six plants
included in Table II derived an average value of 0.159 pounds of
BOD/cap/day (6). The ratio between the per capita loading values of
0.079 pounds and 0.160 pounds indicates that about 50 percent of the
daily BOD load is received during the 8-hour daytime period.
A similar evaluation in the case of TSS indicated a value of 0,081
pounds/cap-8-hour sampling period for these plants. In the 24-hour
period, a figure of 0.20 pounds of TSS per capita was assumed as a
reasonable value. The ratio between these per capita loadings
indicates that about 40 percent of the daily TSS load is received
during the 8-hour daytime period.
The percentages of 50 and 40 were applied to the 8-hour loads computed
for BOD and TSS respectively and estimates were obtained for loading
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TABLE II
MUNICIPAL SEWAGE TREATMENT PLANTS
EFFLUENT BACTERIOLOGICAL LOADING
Map Median Median
Ident. Total Coliform Fecal Coliform
No. Name of Plant MPN/100 ml MPN/100 ml
1. City of Brighton 520 48
2. S. Adams Water & San. District 5,200 1,600
3. City of Thornton 36,000,000 7,500,000
4. N. Washington Water & San. Dis-
trict 45,000,000 12,000,000
5. Denver - Northside 30,000 19,000
6. S. Lakewood San. District 160,000 (a)
7. City of Englewood 3,700,000 (a)
8. City of Littleton 5,400,000 (a)
9. Baker Water & San. District 9,700,000 5,100,000
10. City of Westminster 37,000,000 13,000,000
11. City of Arvada 7,600,000 1,500,000
12. Clear Creek Valley San. District 8,300,000 3,100,000
13. City of Wheatridge 1,700,000 (a)
14. Fruitdale San. District 59,000,000 (a)
15. N. W. Lakewood San. District 6,600,000 4,700,000
16. City of Golden 790,000 (a)
17. Denver - Eastside 140,000 67,000
18. City of Aurora (Westerly) 4,200,000 1,200,000
19. City of Aurora (Sand Creek) 18 42
20. Fitzsimons Hospital 20,000 5,600
21. Buckley Air Station 79,000 36,000
24. Federal Correctional Institution 2,600,000 (a)
25. City of Evergreen 3,300,000 460,000
(a) Data furnished by Colorado State Department of Public Health.
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to each plant for the 24-hour period. Plant efficiencies in BOD
and TSS removal were obtained from average influent and effluent
values for these characteristics during the sampling period. These
values were applied to the 24-hour loading for these plants and an
estimate of pounds of BOD and TSS discharged to the streams was made.
The treatment plants with essentially domestic loading are summarized
below;
City of Brighton STP
This low-rate trickling filter plant, which serves 7,500 persons, pro-
vides an efficiency of 95 percent for BOD removal, and 84 percent for
suspended solids removal according to Project sampling data. The present
flow of 0.65 mgd is well below the plant design capacity. Adequate and
well operated chlorination facilities are present at this plant. Daily
loading to the South Platte River is estimated at 45 pounds of BOD and
170 pounds of suspended solids. Effluent coliform densities averaged
520 MPN per 100 ml for total coliform, and 48 MPN per 100 ml for fecal
coliform.
South Adams Water and Sanitation District STP
The South Adams plant, which employs a high-rate trickling filter, oper-
ates with efficiencies of 91 percent removal for BOD and 83 percent
removal for suspended solids according to Project sampling data. This
serves about 16,000 persons, and receives average flows of 1.5 mgd
which are well under the present design capacity. Chlorination facilities
and operation are considered adequate. Daily loading to the South Platte
River is estimated to be 255 pounds of BOD, and 640 pounds of suspended
solids. Average effluent coliform values were found to be 520 MPN per
100 ml for total coliform, and 160 MPN per 100 ml for fecal coliform.
City of Thornton STP
The population served by this facility is 35,000 and daily waste flows
were found to be 2.6 M.G. The plant, which uses a high-rate trickling
filter, is designed for 1.9 mgd. According to Project sampling data
the plant efficiency in terms of BOD removal was only 44 percent with
3535 pounds discharged daily, while 4460 pounds of suspended solids
were discharged each day indicating a plant efficiency of 62 percent.
Both BOD and suspended solids values in the plant effluent were consis-
tently above State Standards. In addition, the lack of adequate
chlorination facilities was reflected in the effluent coliform densities
which averaged 36,000,000 MPN per 100 ml for total coliform, and
7,500,000 MPN per 100 ml for fecal coliform.
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City of Englewood STP
This municipality operates two plants, both using the high-rate
trickling filter process. These plants, which are designed for a
combined capacity of 8 MGD, utilize a single outfall to discharge
effluent to the South Platte River. The average daily flow re-
ceived at these plants amounts to 4.5 mgd, and an estimated 55,000
persons are served. Project sampling data indicated plant efficiencies
of 80 and 82 percent for BOD and suspended solids removal, respectively.
Daily loading to the river was estimated at 1350 pounds of BOD and
1460 pounds of suspended solids.
City of Littleton STP
This plant serves about 23,000 persons, and has an average daily flow
of 2.6 mgd. The design capacity of this trickling filter operation is
rated at 2.8 mgd. There are no chlorination facilities and the coliform
densities are considerably greater than State Standards. Project sam-
pling data indicated plant efficiencies of 82 percent for BOD removal,
and 81 percent for suspended solids removal. Daily loading to the river
was estimated at 715 pounds of BOD, and 780 pounds of suspended solids.
A comparison of present average daily flow and rated capacity indicates
that planning for expansion of plant facilities should be initiated
immediately.
Baker Water and Sanitation District STP
The District plant, which employs the high-rate trickling filter process,
serves about 17,500 persons and has an average daily flow of 1.5 mgd.
This facility is rated at a capacity of 1 mgd, and plant effluent values
are consistently greater than State Standards. In addition, a portion
of raw sewage is bypassed during periods of peak flow. There are no
chlorination facilities provided for this plant. Project sampling data
indicated plant efficiencies, including that portion which was bypassed,
were 43 percent for BOD removal and 58 percent for suspended solids
removal. Daily loading to Clear Creek was estimated to be 1645 pounds
of BOD, and 1390 pounds of suspended solids.
City of Westminster STP
This plant only provides primary treatment, since the trickling filter
units are presently being bypassed. The average daily flow, on the
basis of 17,500 persons served, is estimated at 1.3 mgd. The rated
plant capacity is also 1.3 mgd. Although chlorination facilities are
provided at this facility they were not in use. Project sampling data
indicated daily loading to Clear Creek of 3025 pounds of BOD and
2160 pounds of suspended solids. Plant efficiencies showed virtually
no BOD removal, and 32 percent removal of suspended solids. It appears
that, although the plant is affiliated with MDSDD//1 for future disposal
of sewage, an immediate effort to improve plant efficiency should be made.
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City of Arvada STP
This sewage treatment plant serves about 36,000 persons and is greatly
overloaded. The average daily flow of 3.5 mgd is well in excess of
the rated plant capacity of 0.75 mgd. Consequently, about 2.4 mgd of
raw sewage is bypassed to Clear Creek without treatment. No chlorina-
tion facilities are provided at this plant. Project sampling data
indicated plant efficiencies, including the effects of that portion
which is bypassed, were 25 percent for BOD removal, and 24 percent for
suspended solids removal. Total daily loading was estimated at 4755
pounds of BOD and 5760 pounds of suspended solids.
Wheatridge Sanitation District STP
This plant employs the standard trickling filter process and serves
20,500 persons. It receives a flow of 1.8 mgd which equals the plant
design capacity. According to Project sampling data, the plant
achieves 73 percent BOD removal, discharging 1200 pounds to Clear Creek
daily; 980 pounds of suspended solids are also discharged daily, from
a total of 4420 pounds received, resulting in 78 percent removal.
Chlorination facilities are provided at this plant.
Fruitdale Sanitation District STP
The District operates a primary plant serving about 1600 persons.
Although the facilities are adequate as far as capacity is concerned,
the lack of sufficient means of treatment results in violation of State
Standards. Project sampling data indicated plant efficiencies of 37
percent for BOD removal and 40 percent for suspended solids removal.
Daily loading to Clear Creek was estimated at 200 pounds of BOD and
110 pounds of suspended solids. No chlorination facilities are provided
at this plant.
Northwest Lakewood Sanitation District STP
This plant, which serves 21,000 persons, provides primary treatment and
receives flows equal to its design capacity of 1.9 mgd. No chlorina-
tion facilities are present. Project sampling data showed plant efficien-
cies of 19 percent for removal of BOD and 65 percent for removal of
suspended solids. It was estimated that Clear Creek receives daily
loads of 2780 pounds of BOD and 2000 pounds of suspended solids. Bacteri-
ological loading averaged 6,600,000 MPN per 100 ml of total coliform, and
4,700,000 MPN per 100 ml of fecal coliform.
City and County of Denver Eastside STP
This plant is the smallest of two facilities operated by Denver. It
serves 18,000 persons and has an average flow of 1.4 mgd. The plant
operates primary facilities including chlorination equipment. Project
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sampling data indicated the plant effluent in excess of State Standards.
Plant efficiency for BOD reduction was 40 percent, and 74 percent for
suspended solids reduction. Daily loading to Sand Creek was estimated
at 2050 pounds of BOD and 1040 pounds of solids. Poor chlorination
practices resulted in bacteriological loading of 140,000 MPN per 100 ml
for total coliform, and 67,000 MPN per 100 ml for fecal coliform.
City of Aurora - Westerly Creek STP
This trickling filter plant is the largest of two facilities operated
by Aurora. The plant design capacity of 2.5 mgd has been exceeded, as
the 55,000 persons served contribute over 3 mgd average flow. Conse-
quently the effluent to Sand Creek is in violation of State Standards.
Plant efficiencies were 80 percent reduction for BOD, and 72 percent
reduction for suspended solids. Project sampling data indicated an
estimated 1350 pounds of BOD, and 2030 pounds of suspended solids were
discharged daily into the stream. Bacteriological loading averaged
4,200,000 MPN per 100 ml for total coliform, and 1,200,000 MPN per
100 ml for fecal coliform, indicating unsatisfactory operation of
existing chlorination facilities.
City of Aurora - Sand Creek STP
This extended aeration type plant is the smaller of two facilities
operated by Aurora. About 9,000 persons are served, and contribute
an average flow of 0.7 mgd. This plant has a rated capacity for
1.0 mgd. In addition, the plant is well-operated and is in conform-
ance with State Standards. Project sampling data indicated daily
loading to Sand Creek was 100 pounds of BOD, resulting in a plant
efficiency of 92 percent, and 250 pounds of suspended solids, pro-
viding a plant efficiency of 83 percent. Bacteriological loading to
the streams averaged 180 MPN per 100 ml for total coliform, and 4.2
MPN per 100 ml for fecal coliform, indicating satisfactory chlorination
operation.
Fitzsimons Army Hospital STP
This high-rate trickling filter plant is operated by the Department of
the Army and, following chlorination and detention in a polishing pond,
the effluent is discharged to Sand Creek. The plant is well-operated
and is in conformity with State Standards. Based on plant operating
records for the past two years, the efficiency of BOD reduction averaged
91 percent, while the efficiency of suspended solids removal averaged
87 percent. Daily loading to Sand Creek was estimated at 70 pounds of
BOD and 20 pounds of suspended solids. Project sampling data indicated
bacteriological loading averaged 20,000 MPN per 100 ml for total coli-
form and 5600 MPN per 100 ml for fecal coliform.
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Buckley Air Station STP
This trickling filter plant was designed to handle a capacity of 1.5
mgd during World War II, however, a substantial reduction of base
personnel has resulted in a present average flow of 0.05 mgd. Project
sampling data indicate plant efficiencies of 83 percent for BOD re-
moval, and 79 percent for suspended solids reduction. Daily loading
to Tollgate Creek averages 9 pounds of BOD and 20 pounds of suspended
solids. No chlorination facilities are provided at this plant.
South Lakewood Sanitation District STP
The District operates an extended aeration plant which receives 0.6 mgd
of sewage, which is the plant's capacity, from about 6,500 persons.
Project sampling data indicated plant efficiencies of 81 percent for
BOD removal, and 69 percent for suspended solids removal. Daily load-
ing to the South Platte River was estimated to be 175 pounds of BOD
and 310 pounds of suspended solids. This plant was found in violation
of State Standards from the standpoint of BOD, suspended solids and
bacteriological effluent discharge.
Federal Correctional Institution STP
This plant at a Federal prison is operated by the Department of Justice
and discharges sewage effluent to Bear Creek. The facilities include an
Imhoff tank and trickling filter, however, no secondary settling or
chlorination is provided. Project sampling data estimated plant effi-
ciency for BOD removal at 71 percent, resulting in daily loading of 50
pounds. Plant efficiency for suspended solids reduction was estimated
to be 72 percent, resulting in daily loading to the stream of 40 pounds.
The plant effluent was in violation of State Standards regarding BOD,
suspended solids and coliform.
Town of Evergreen STP
This trickling filter plant provides treatment for sewage from about
700 persons during the winter, and several times that figure during
the summer, Project sampling data indicated plant efficiencies during
June, of 69 percent for BOD reduction, and 79 percent for suspended
solids reduction. Daily loading to Bear Creek was estimated to be
35 pounds of BOD and 50 pounds of suspended solids. Although chlorina-
tion facilities were provided at this plant, they have never been used.
The plant effluent was found to be in violation of State Standards for
BOD, suspended solids, settleable solids and coliform.
Domestic and Industrial Loading
In Tables V and VI estimated BOD and TSS loadings are shown for four
sewage treatment plants which receive significant amounts of industrial
16
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wastes. A large majority of industries that discharge their wastes
to these sewage treatment plants operates for a 5-day period each
week. For this reason the data are based on a 5-day week, since this
period represents the most severe conditions in terms of industrial
contributions. The data regarding industrial loading for these plants
were obtained from treatment plant records, engineering studies and
industrial plant surveys. The Adolph Coors Company Brewery operates
throughout the entire week; therefore, the data for Golden is presented
in terms of a 7-day week.
Inasmuch as the factors involved in the determination of pollutional
loading vary widely, these treatment plants are described below.
City of Golden Sewage Treatment Plant
About 8,000 persons in the City of Golden are served under contractual
agreement by this sewage treatment plant, which is owned and operated
by the Adolph Coors Company. The sewers in Golden are predominantly
combined, and data from the plant indicates the domestic BOD loading
to be 0.19 pounds per capita per day. The treatment plant, which
provides secondary treatment prior to discharge into Clear Creek, also
processes industrial waste from the Adolph Coors Brewery. According
to treatment plant records the average daily loading is shown below;
# BOD # Suspended Solids
Brewery 14,400 2,700
Domestic 1,500 1,400
Total 15,900 4,100
This company has been successful in reducing wastes, particularly
solids, within the manufacturing process. The treatment provided
consists essentially of primary settling, mechanical aeration, secondary
settling and removal of dewatered sludge to a company-owned landfill.
A well-equipped laboratory provides an excellent record of performance.
These plant records indicate that the sewage treatment plant has pro-
vided a high degree of both BOD and solids removal during the calendar
year 1964. Based upon a series of 24-hour composites obtained and
analyzed by plant personnel during late 1963 and early 1964, the efflu-
ent quality averaged 640 pounds of BOD and 475 pounds of suspended solids
for a plant efficiency of 96 and 89 percent. The Coors Company are
commended for their concern with water pollution and the measures that
they have taken to provide successful treatment for a highly organic
was te.
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North Washington Water and Sanitation District
This District operates a sewage treatment plant which serves a popu-
lation of about 12,000 persons and receives industrial wastes from
four meat packing plants. These industries include National Foods,
which slaughters and provides packing and rendering for an average
of 400 cattle daily; Litvak Meat Company, which slaughters and pro-
vides rendering for an average of 250 cattle daily; Rio Grande Packing
Company, which slaughters an average of 145 cattle daily; and Altberger
Company, which slaughters an average of 25 cattle daily. These plants,
with the exception of the Altberger facility, provide some degree of
in-plant pre-treatment in order to remove paunch manure, blood, grease,
and a portion of solid waste prior to the final discharge into the
District's sanitary sewers. The Altberger plant disposes of all
process waste in the District sewerage facilities.
Factors of 12 pounds of BOD and 14 pounds of TSS per animal were used
(7)(8) (9) to estimate the pounds of BOD and TSS discharged to the
District plant from industrial sources. The 11,760 pounds of BOD
received daily at the District plant, including domestic wastes, is
somewhat less than the total of 12,625 pounds indicated by the Denver
Metro Engineers in 1962 (6). Project sampling data indicated a plant
efficiency of 62 percent for BOD removal and 72 percent for TSS re-
moval. The daily loading to the stream is estimated to be 4,460 pounds
of BOD and 3,900 pounds of TSS.
Clear Creek Valley Water and Sanitation District
This District's sewage treatment plant receives domestic wastes from
about 7,000 persons and industrial waste from the Sigman Meat Company,
Inc. The packinghouse operation includes beef and slaughtered hogs.
The hog carcasses are delivered to the plant for processing of smoked
and cured meats. The blood and renderable products are collected
daily and sold to the Denver Rendering Company.
In December 1962 the consulting firm of Kirkham, Michael and Associates
prepared a report for the Sigman Company concerning process wastes.
At that time the following data were obtained for the plant effluent
to the District plant for a 5-day week: 3,570 pounds of BOD per day,
1,690 pounds of TSS per day, and 1,590 pounds of volatile suspended
solids per day. Present loading from this source is estimated at 4,000
pounds of BOD and 2,000 pounds of TSS daily. Combined domestic and
industrial loading to the District plant is estimated to be 5,100
pounds of BOD and 3,400 pounds of TSS daily. Project sampling data
indicated a plant efficiency of 67 percent for BOD removal and 84
percent for TSS removal. The daily loading to the stream is estimated
to be 1,700 pounds of BOD and 550 pounds of TSS.
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Denver Northside Sewage Treatment Plant
This facility is the largest treatment works in the Metropolitan
area. Although originally designed as a secondary facility, the
plant now provides only primary treatment consisting of pre-aeration
basins, primary settling chambers, sludge digesters, and sludge beds.
The original magnetite filter basins, which were intended to provide
secondary treatment, have been converted for use as chlorination
detention chambers. In 1964, it is estimated that 600,000 persons
were served by this plant. Based upon data obtained from plant
records for the period December 1, 1963-November 30, 1964, the
average flow into the plant was 70.05 mgd. Daily 24-hour composite
samples collected and analyzed by plant personnel indicated an
average influent BOD of 278 mg/1 and an average effluent BOD of
151 mg/1.
On the basis of these data, the plant received an average loading of
163,000 pounds of BOD daily. Based on the average figure of 85 gallons
per capita per day derived from the Project survey of plants in the
Metropolitan Denver area, and 0.160 pounds of BOD per capita, the
domestic contribution to this plant on an average daily basis would
be 51 mgd and 96,000 pounds of BOD per day. The remainder of the total
flow and loading, which is estimated as 19 mg. arid 67,000 pounds, can
be attributed to industrial sources. However, since the majority of
the industrial contribution is received at the plant during a 5-day
period, the daily flow and loading data obtained from the plant has
been examined on a weekday (Monday through Friday) basis.
During the period December 1, 1963 to November 30, 1964, there was a
total of 261 weekdays. The average flow was 72.53 mgd during this
time. The influent BOD averaged 299 mg/1 and the effluent BOD averaged
174 mg/1. From this information, the average daily loading received
in the plant during the 5-day week was 181,000 pounds of BOD. Thus,
the industrial flow averaged 21.5 mgd and 85,000 pounds of BOD per day
during this 5-day period. The influent TSS averaged 378 mg/1 and the
effluent TSS averaged 96 mg/1. The average daily load to the plant
during the 5-day week was 228,000 pounds of TSS. Based on plant data,
daily loading to the river was estimated at 105,000 pounds of BOD, and
57,000 pounds of suspended solids. Project sampling data indicated
that the mean coliform density of the chlorinated effluent was less than
100,000 organisms per ml.
Due to insufficient digestor capacity, partially-digested sludge
and sludge supernatant have been discharged directly to the South
Platte River in the past. Project personnel were informed that this
practice was discontinued in August, 1964 and that the supernatant
is now being recycled to the influent lines for additional treatment.
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Loading to the South Platte River and Tributaries
Table VII contains a summary of flow data, BOD, TSS and coliform load-
ing from municipal sewage treatment plants to the South Platte River
and each of the principal tributaries in the Metropolitan area. Where
significant industrial wastes are present, the data, with the exception
of the Golden sewage treatment plant, is presented in terms of a 5-day
week.
The total daily loadings to Basin streams in the Metropolitan area are
estimated to be 135,000 pounds of BOD and 86,000 pounds of TSS. The
major source of pollution, accounting for nearly 78 percent of the
total BOD load and 66 percent of the total TSS load, is the Denver
Northside plant which presently has primary treatment facilities.
Sewage treatment plants serving Arvada, Aurora (Westerly), Baker
District, Clear Creek District, Denver Eastside, North Washington
District, Northwest Lakewood District, Thornton, and Westminster
together contribute 18 percent of the total BOD load and 27 percent
of the total TSS load. The average daily flow at each of these plants
exceeds the present plant capacity and four of these facilities are
providing only primary treatment.
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TABLE VII
SUMMARY OF MUNICIPAL SEWAGE TREATMENT PLANT LOADING TO STREAMS
Stream
Plant Location
River Mile
Estimated BOD
.Average Discharged
Daily Flow to Stream
MGD Lbs/day
Total Susp.
Sol. Discharged Total
to Stream Coliform
Lbs/day MPN/100 ml
Bear Creek
Evergreen
Federal Correctional
Institution
320.9
320.9/19.3
320.9/5.5
0.065
0.060
35
50
50
40
3,300,000
1,600,000
South Platte
River
Littleton
323.5
2.60
715
780
Englewood
319.7
4.50
1,350
1,460
S. Lakewood
314.1
0.55
175
310
Denver - Northside
308.8
72.53(a)
105,000(a)
57,000(a)
North Washington
305.5
1.50(a)
4,460(a)
3,900(a)
Thornton
303.5
2.60
3,535
4,460
South Adams
301.2
1.50
255
640
Brighton
289.5
0.65
45
170
5,400,000
3,700,000
160,000
30,000
45,000,000
36,000,000
5,200
520
Sand Creek
Clear Creek
306.8
Buckley Air Station
306.8/11.9
0.05
9
20
Fitzsimons Hospital
306.8/6.8
0.47
70
150
5,600
Aurora - Sand Creek
306.8/6.8
0.63
100
250
18
Aurora - Westerly
306.8/5.5
3.10
1,365
2,030
4,200,000
Denver - Eastside
306.8/4.7
1.40
2,050
1,040
140,000
305.5
Golden
305.5/15.5
2.70
636
450
790,000
Northwest Lakewood
305.5/10.2
1.90
2,780
2,010
6,600,000
Fruitdale
305.5/10.0
0.20
200
110
9,700,000
Wheatridge
305.5/7.3
1.80
1,210
980
1,900,000
Clear Creek Valley
305.5/7.0
1.50(a)
1,690(a)
545(a)
8,300,000
Arvada
305.5/6.2
3.50
4,755
5,760
7,600,000
Westminster
305.5/3.6
1.30
3,025
2,160
37,000,000
Baker
305.5/3.0
1.50
1,645
1,390
9,700,000
(a) Based on a 5-day week.
(b) Not including bypass.
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V. DISCUSSION
Future Operation of Metropolitan Denver Sewage Disposal District No. 1
The Metropolitan Denver Sewage Disposal District No. 1 waste treat-
ment plant, which is scheduled to commence operation prior to
January 1, 1967 should provide substantial pollution abatement for
Basin streams in the Metro Denver area. In addition, these facilities
will offer the advantages of a centralized location and an economical
means of providing adequate sewage treatment. The design of the
District plant has sufficient flexibility to allow for expansion of
both primary and secondary treatment facilities in several stages.
Denver Metro Engineers estimate that expansion of the District plant
will be required in 1981 for primary treatment facilities and in
1982 for the secondary treatment facilities (11). If the Clear Creek
secondary treatment plants are abandoned, these expansion dates are
estimated to be 1974 for primary treatment and 1980 for secondary
treatment.
The present Denver Northside treatment plant has been expanded and
is currently undergoing renovation. According to design criteria
published by MDSDD#1 in February 1964, the revised Denver Northside
plant will be expected to receive a BOD loading of 207,000 pounds
daily with a removal of 35 percent or 7 2,500 pounds of BOD (12). The
remaining 134,500 pounds of BOD will receive secondary treatment at
the Metro District plant. The Metro District primary treatment works
are designed to remove 35 percent of 63,500 pounds of BOD from wastes
received daily from the Clear Creek and Sand Creek interceptors. The
discharge from these primary treatment units will be routed to the
secondary treatment facilities at the District plant. According to
the design criteria mentioned above, the Metro District secondary
treatment works are capable of handling 166,350 pounds of BOD daily.
The following table is presented to clarify the BOD loadings described
above.
Denver Northside Plant 207,000
Primary Treatment
In Out
(lbs) (lbs)
134,500
Secondary Treatment
In
Out
dbs)
MDSDD#1 Plant
Totals
63,000 41,300
270,000 175,800
175,800 27,000 (907.
removal)
175,800 27,000
Data obtained by Project personnel from plant records at the Denver
Northside works for the period December 1963 to November 1964 indicated
the average daily influent loading on a 5-day week basis was 181,000
24
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pounds of BOD„ These data also revealed that during the months of
July and October 1963, 215,000 and 226,000 pounds respectively of
BOD was the average daily contribution to this plant in terms of a
5-day week. These values are already in excess of the daily BOD
loading of 207,000 pounds previously indicated as a design factor for
this plant. It is likely that the recirculation of sludge supernatant
to the plant influent line affected the loading for October; however,
this condition did not exist in July. It is also significant that
total BOD loading to this plant on a 5-day week basis has increased
from about 140,000 pounds per day in 1960 according to Metro Denver
Engineers (3) to an estimated 181,000 pounds per day in 1964. Addi-
tional loading to the Northside plant will be realized by diversion
to the Denver sanitary sewers of industrial and commercial wastes
now discharging directly to the streams.
On the basis of the conditions outlined above and the possibility
that the Clear Creek secondary treatment plants will cease to operate
within a few years, it is likely that expansion of secondary treat-
ment facilities at the Metro District plant will be necessary earlier
than the anticipated date of 1980.
Operation of Municipal Waste Treatment Plants
Three components of sound operation for any waste treatment plant
are 1) personnel, 2) laboratory control, and 3) records. Sufficient
personnel with skills commensurate to the size and complexity of the
plant are required to obtain the degree of treatment provided by the
plant design and to maintain and protect the community's investment
in the physical plant. In order to measure the degree of treatment
being obtained and to locate existing or impending operational troubles,
adequate laboratory control must be exercised. The third operating
component, keeping records, is necessary for proof of performance and
for use in planning and justifying future plant needs and expansions.
"Recommendations for Minimum Personnel, Laboratory Control, and Records
for Municipal Waste Treatment Works," adopted in 1963 by the Conference
of State Sanitary Engineers and published in cooperation with the
Department of Health, Education, and Welfare, outlines by plant
capacity, the minimum requirements for each component in order to
provide adequate operation control (13) .
During the Project study of municipal waste treatment plants in the
Metropolitan Denver area, each plant was evaluated with respect to
these factors. Only four plants were found to be in substantial
conformance with these Minimum Recommendations. These plants are
Fitzsimons, Adolph Coors (Golden), Aurora (Westerly), and Denver
Northside. The remaining 19 plants provide some degree of laboratory
control, minimum personnel requirements and provisions for record
25
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keeping; however, considerable improvement can be obtained for
relatively little additional expense. It is proposed that the pro-
visions of "Recommendations for Minimum Personnel, Laboratory Control
and Records" (13) be adopted for all municipal sewage treatment
plants in Colorado.
Pollution Abatement
The schedule contained in Table VIII is recommended to provide
pollution abatement for municipal sewage treatment plants in the
Metropolitan Denver area based upon existing State Law and regula-
tions. In determining whether or not there is a present need for
pollution abatement at a specific plant, an examination of several
factors is required. Such considerations include: 1) the waste load
reductions necessary to provide the desired water quality in the
receiving water, and 2) the performance of the treatment plant interns
of operational efficiency. These factors have been examined for each
plant in terms of the existing State regulations and laws governing
sewage effluent discharges. That portion of current statutes which
pertains to the effluent from sewerage systems is outlined in
Appendix A of this report.
It is not intended however to define premissible loading from a muni-
cipal waste treatment plant discharge to a receiving stream solely upon
that which is now permitted under present State Standards. The capacity
of the stream to absorb wastes from a single municipal waste plant
effluent must be considered in the light of other waste discharges both
above and below the plant and the pattern of flow and diversions associated
with the receiving water. In the final analysis each waste discharge
permitted in the Basin will have to conform to criteria considered neces-
sary to provide water quality in the streams according to the maximum
beneficial use. At this time such water quality criteria has not been
established and therefore the present State Standards have been employed
only as a general guide.
Those municipalities and districts which are presently affiliated with
MDSDD#1 are considered to be committed to an effective course of
pollution abatement. These include Arvada, Baker District, Denver,
North Washington District, Northwest Lakewood District, Westminster
and Wheatridge. The facilities for MDSDD#1 are presently under con-
struction and current estimates indicate operation of the treatment
works will commence prior to January 1, 1967. The Adolph Coors Company,
which operates the sewage treatment plant in Golden is committed to
an effective program for pollution abatement. This industry's wastes
are in conformity with State waste effluent standards, except during
periods of peak flows. Expansion of plant facilities is planned during
1965. The completion date proposed for those plants at which major
revisions or improvements have been recommended is also January 1, 1967.
26
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TABLE VIII
POLLUTION ABATEMENT SCHEDULE
Plant Name
Design
capa- Avg.
city Flow
(mgd) (mgd)
Effluent Quality
Coliform
BOD VSS Density
(Mg/1) (Mg/1)(MPN/100 ml)
Recommendations
Suggested
Abatement
Schedule
Member Plants of MDSDD#1
Baker W & S District 1.0 1.5
City of Westminster 1.25 1.3
City of Arvada
Wheatridge
Northwest Lakewood
Sanitation District
335
155 3.7xl07
Immediately
Jan. 1967
150 85 9.7x10 Divert sewage to MDSDD#1 and provide Jan. 1967
adequate treatment including chlori-
nation for any sewage discharged to
Clear Creek.
Arrange for an engineering study
to evaluate operation procedures
and improve plant efficiency; and,
Divert sewage to MDSDD#1 and
provide adequate treatment
including chlorination for any
sewage discharged to Clear Creek.
0.75 3.5 210 205 7.6xl0^Ce)Divert sewage to MDSDD#1 and pro- Jan. 1967
vide adequate treatment including
-chlorination for any sewage dis-
charged to Clear Creek.
1.75 1.80 95 56 1.7x10^(a) Divert sewage to MDSDD#1 and Jan. 1967
provide adequate treatment
including chlorination for any
sewage discharged to Clear Creek.
1.8 1.9 215 106 6.6x10** Divert sewage to MDSDD#1 Jan. 1967
-------
Table VIII (Continued)
Pollution Abatement Schedule
Plant Name
Design
capa- Avg.
city Flow
(mgd) (mgd)
Effluent Quality
Coliform
BOD VSS Density
(mg/1) (Mg/1) (MPN/100 ml)
Recommendations
Suggested
Abatement
Schedule
Member Plants of MDSDD#1
North Washington
W & S District
1.0 1.4 435 309 4.5x10^ Divert sewage to MDSDD#1 and provide
adequate treatment including chlori-
nation for any sewage discharged to
Clear Creek.
Jan. 1967
City of Denver
(Eastside Plant)
City of Denver
(Northside Plant)
2.0 1.5 205
85 1.4x10-* Divert sewage to MDSDD#1
85 70.5(b) 151(b) 66(b) 3.0xl04 Divert effluent to MDSDD#1
Jan. 1967
Jan. 1967
Plants not presently Members of MDSDD#!:
City of Brighton 2.0 0.65 12
South Adams County
Sanitation District
City of Thornton
Clear Creek Valley
Sanitation District
2.5 1.5
1.9 2.6
0.85 1.4
26
205
285
24 5.2xl02
43
175
5.2xl03
3.6xl07
100 8.3xl06
NONE
NONE
Revise and expand plant facilities Jan, 1967
to provide adequate treatment,
including chlorination for present
and future loadings (c)
Revise and expand plant facilities Jan. 1967
to provide adequate treatment
including chlorination for present
and future loadings (c)
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Table VIII (Continued)
Pollution Abatement Schedule
Plant Name
Design
Capa- Avg.
city Flow
(mgd) (mgd)
Effluent Quality
Coliform
BOD VSS Density
(mg/1) (mg/1) (MPN/100 ml)
Recommendations
Suggested
Abatement
Schedule
Plants not presently Members of MDSDD#!;
Fruitdale Sanitation
District
2400 (d) 0.2 110
persons (winter)
1.0
(summer)
Adolph Coors Co.
VO
City of Aurora
(Westerly)
City of Aurora
(Sand Creek)
Fitzsimons Army
Hospital
4.5 2.7
3.1 2.5
1.0 0.66
.90 0.47
Buckley Air Station 1.5 0.05
30(b)
64
20
23
60 5.9xl0^(a) Revise and expand plant facilities Jan. 1967
to provide adequate treatment including
chlorination for present and future
loadings (c)
35(b) 7.9x10^(a) Complete planned expansion and
provide adequate chlorination.
61 4.2xl06
32
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Table VIII (Continued)
Pollution Abatement Schedule
Design
Effluent Quality
Capa- Avg.
Coliform
Suggested
city Flow
BOD VSS Density
Abatement
Plant Name
(mgd) (mgd)
(mg/1) (mg/1) (MPN/100 ml)
Recommendations
Schedule
Plants not presently Members of MDSDD#!:
City of Littleton 2.75 2.6 43
Federal Correctional
Institution 0.6 0.06 165
Town of Evergreen
0.25 0.065 80
33 5.4xl0^(a) Complete planned engineering study Jan. 1966
to determine present and future needs
including adequate chlorination,
55 2.6xl0^(a) Discharge all wastes to the Lake- Jan, 1967
hurst Sanitation District.
80 3.3x10^ Revise or expand plant facilities to Jan. 1967
provide adequate treatment including
adequate chlorination for present and
future loadings.
(a) Data furnished by Colorado State Department of Public Health.
(b) Data furnished by plant operator.
(c) Has requested feasibility estimate from MDSDD#1.
(d) Limited by digestor capacity.
(e) Not including bypassed sewage.
-------
It has been recommended that steps be undertaken by January 1, 1967 to
provide adequate chlorination facilities in those plants which will
continue to discharge wastewater to Basin streams after construction
of the MDSDD#1 treatment facilities has been completed.
31
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1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
BIBLIOGRAPHY
River Mileage Index, U. S. Public Health Service, South Platte River
Basin Project, PR-1, Denver, Colorado., January 1965.
Surface Water Records of Colorado 1963, United States Department of
the Interior, Geological Survey, Water Resources Division, Denver,
Colorado.
Predesign Report, Metropolitan Denver Sewage Disposal District No. 1,
Denver Metro Engineers, Denver, Colorado, August 1961.
Sewage Treatment and Disposal Agreement, Metropolitan Denver Sewage
Disposal District No. 1, Denver, Colorado, January 1964.
Standard Methods for the Examination of Water and Wastewater,
Eleventh Edition, APHA, AWWA, WPCF, New York, N. Y., January 1962.
Field Determinations on Waste Characteristics in Outlying Districts,
Metropolitan Denver Sewage Disposal District No. 1, Denver Metro
Engineers, Denver, Colorado, March 1962.
Industrial Waste Guide to the Meat Industry, United States Public
Health Service, Department of Health, Education and Welfare, Washington,
D. C., 1958.
Packinghouses, Mohlman, F. W., Industrial and Engineering Chemistry,
March, 1952.
Industrial Waste Report, Metropolitan Denver Sewage Disposal District
No. 1, Denver Metro Engineers, Denver, Colo., March 1962.
Unpublished data from the files of the South Platte River Basin Project,
USPHS.
Bond Prospectus, Metropolitan Denver Sewage Disposal District No. 1,
July 15, 1964.
Design Criteria and Loadings for Sewage Treatment Features, Metropolitan
Denver Sewage Disposal District No. 1, Denver Metro Engineers, Denver,
Colorado, February 24, 1964.
Recommendations for Minimum Personnel, Laboratory Control and Records,
Conference of State Sanitary Engineers and the United States Public
Health Service, Department of Health, Education, and Welfare,
Washington, D. C., June 1963.
32
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APPENDIX A
33
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COLORADO STATE DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC HEALTH
DIVISION OF SANITATION
Water and Sewage Laws (Health Department)
The following items are taken from the laws governing the Colorado State
Department of Public Health. These items consist of pertinent extracts
contained in Chapter 66 of the Colorado Revised Statutes, 1953, together
with the amendments as enacted by the General Assembly in 1955 and 1959.
These particular items deal with the minimum standards allowable for water
supplies used for human consumption and domestic sewage and trade wastes.
They also deal with the standards and hearing procedures for the control
of domestic sewage.
66-1-7. POWERS AND DUTIES OF THE STATE DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC HEALTH
The state department of public health shall have and exercise, in addi-
tion to all other powers and duties imposed upon it by law, the following
powers and duties:
• • • • •
(5) To establish and enforce minimum general sanitary standards as
to the quality of water supplied to the public and as to the quality of the
effluent of sewerage systems and trade wastes discharged upon the land or
into the surface or ground waters, and as to the quality of fertilizer
derived from excreta of human beings or from the sludge of sewage disposal
plants; and to advise with municipalities, utilities, Institutions, organi-
zations and individuals, concerning the methods or processes believed best
suited to provide the protection or purification of water and the treatment
of sewage and trade wastes to meet such minimum general sanitary standards;
• • • • •
(8) To establish, maintain and approve chemical, bacteriological and
biological laboratories, and to conduct such laboratory investigations and
examinations as it may deem necessary or proper for the protection of the
public health:
(9) To make, approve and establish standards for diagnostic tests by
chemical, bacteriological and biological laboratories, and to require such
laboratories to conform thereto; and to prepare, distribute and require the
completion of forms or certificates with respect thereto:
• • • • •
(18) (Subsection revised by Amendment enacted by the General Assembly,
1955)
The phrase "minimum general sanitary standards" as used in this section
shall mean the minimum standards reasonably consistent with protection of
the public health, and in the case of minimum general sanitary standards as
to the quality of water supplied to the public, the same shall in no event
be less than the drinking water standards of the United States Public Health
Service. The word "standards" as used in this section shall mean standards
reasonably designed to promote and protect the public health.
(19) (Subsection added by the General Assembly, 1959)
(a) To enforce the public policy of the state of Colorado with
reference to the pollution of waters of the state by human excreta as herein
expressed, it is hereby declared that the health, safety, and welfare of the
inhabitants of the state of Colorado require that the streams, lakes, and
other waters of the state be kept free of pollution by human wastes, and it
is therefore declared to be the public policy of this state that no discharge
which contains human excreta shall be permitted to flow in the streams, lakes,
or other waters of this state, unless such discharge shall comply with all
34
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standards of the state board of health adopted pursuant to law; and in
addition thereto the following standards shall apply:
(b) The number of coliform count in such discharge shall not average
more than one thousand per milliliter, such average being based upon a
total of not less than four samples taken at the rate of at least one
sample per day over a period of four consecutive days.
(c) Minimum standards for effluent from sewerage systems shall be
not more than five-tenths milliliter per liter for settleable organic
matter, shall be not more than seventy-five parts per million by weight
for suspended organic matter, and shall be not more than fifty parts per
million for the combined suspended and dissolved organic matter when
measured in terms of five day twenty degree, centigrade, biochemical
oxygen demand test.
(d) The methods of examination employed to determine compliance with
any one of the above standards shall be those set forth in Standard Methods
for the Examination of Water Sewage and Industrial Wastes, Tenth Edition,
prepared and published jointly by the American Public Health Association,
The Federation of Sewage and Industrial Wastes Associations, and the
American Water Works Association, New York, 1955.
(e) In addition to all other powers, duties artd means of enforce-
ment of the above stated standards, it shall be the duty of the depart-
ment of public health to investigate and determine the facts with refer-
ence to the discharge or disposition of sewage or any other matter con-
taining, or having had as a component part thereof, human excreta in any
stream, lake or body of water within the state, upon its own initiative or
upon the filing with such department of a verified petition as herein
provided. Said petition may be filed with the department by the govern-
ing body of any municipality, or any county, or any county or district
health department, or any state agency or any twenty-five residents of
any county complaining of pollution resulting from any one source which
pollution exists in the county of residence of the petitioners, alleging
that such discharge or other disposition in such stream, lake or other
body of water is in violation of any law or of any rule or regulation of
the state board of health, and identifying the person, or persons, instru-
mentalities or agencies responsible for such discharge or other disposition.
(f) Such study, investigation or survey may include engineering
studies and bacteriological, biological and chemical analyses of the
effluent or other matter so discharged or disposed of in said waters to
the extent that they may be necessary to determine the facts and to es-
tablish ways and means of eliminating such violations of law, rules or
regulations as may be found to exist. The director shall, within a
reasonable time, make tentative findings in writing which shall set
forth the matters Investigated and shall specify the violations, if any,
found to have occurred, and the extent and degree thereof, together with
a tentative determination of the person or persons, instrumentalities or
agencies responsible therefor, and also the methods of eliminating the
source or cause of the violation. If no violation is found the director
shall forthwith order the proceedings dismissed, in which the case the
petitioners, if any, may have the director's findings and order of
dismissal reviewed as provided in section 66-1-13. If one or more
violations are found, said tentative findings shall fix a time and place
for a hearing before the state board of health which shall be not less
35
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than thirty days after issuance and service as herein provided of said tenta-
tive findings. A copy of such tentative findings shall be served by registered
or certified mail upon each person, agency or instrumentality alleged by said
petition or determined by said findings to be responsible therefor and upon
at least one of the initiators of the petition, if any; or service may be
made in the same manner as is provided by the rules of civil procedure for
personal service of process. The hearing by the board shall be held as is
provided by subsection (8) of section 66-1-8.
(g) Plans, specifications, and other related data pertaining to the
proposed construction of any and all publicly or privately owned community
water or sewage treatment facilities, not including industrial plants,
shall be submitted to the state department of public health for review of
sanitary engineering features prior to the construction of such facilities.
(h) The Colorado state department of public health is hereby dele-
gated the responsibility of establishing and maintaining a quality testing
program on the waters of the state. Such testing program shall be for the
purpose of determining adequacy of abatement measures, developing programs
for abatement, and ascertaining changes, natural and otherwise, in water
quality.
(i) The examination for water quality shall include such physical,
chemical, biological, and radiological or other tests as may be necessary
in order to be useful in determining the effects upon water quality employed
for possible recreational, industrial, agricultural, fish and wildlife, and
municipal uses.
Cj) The Colorado state department of public health, in the exercise
of these duties and powers shall advise, consult, and cooperate with the
cities, sewer districts, intercounty regional planning agencies, other
agencies of the state, the federal government, and other states and inter-
state agencies, and industries, in furtherance of the purposes of this
section.
66-1-8. POWERS AND DUTIES OF THE STATE BOARD OF HEALTH
In addition to all other powers and duties conferred and Imposed upon the
state board of health by the provisions of this article, the board shall
have and exercise the following specific powers and duties:
• • • • •
(5) To hold hearings, administer oaths, subpoena witnesses and take
testimony in all matters relating to the exercise and performance of the
powers and duties vested in or imposed upon the state board of health.
• • • • «
(8) (Subsection added by the General Assembly, 1955)
Upon the issuance of a tentative finding as provided by section 66-1-7
(19), the state board of health shall, on the day set for hearing by said
finding or any day to which the same may be continued, proceed to hear the
matter. The board shall afford a fair and full opportunity to all parties
in interest to be heard in person or by counsel as to the correctness of
the tentative findings of the director, and said board shall then make
its findings. If the board finds that the tentative findings of the
director with respect to any violation of law or of the rules and regu-
lations of the board is substantially correct, and if the person, persons,
agencies or instrumentalities responsible for such violations have been
36
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4
before the board, then the board shall direct such person, persons, agencies
or instrumentalities to abate the violations. If, however, it appears that
the person, persons, agencies or instrumentalities responsible for the viola-
tions have not been before the board, then the hearing shall be continued
until such time as jurisdiction over such parties is acquired by service upon
them in the manner provided in section 66=1=7(19) of & copy of the director's
tentative findings and of the board's determination that the presence of such
person, persons, agencies or instrumentalities is necessary to a complete
determination of the procedure. Every such person, persons, agencies or
instrumentalities shall be given full and fair opportunity to be heard, and
the hearing to which the proceeding shall be continued shall be de_ novo,
unless the new party or parties, having been properly served shall fail to
tppear.
A copy of the decision of the board shall be promptly served upon each
party in interest by registered mail and shall set forth a reasonable time
as determined by the board for the abatement of any violations found to exist,
thich reasonable time may at the discretion of the board be extended from time
to time for good cause shown by the party responsible for such abatement.
All findings of violations, and orders for abatement thereof must be
made by a vote of a majority of the members of the state board of health. All
such decisions of the board shall be subject to judicial review as provided
in section 66-1-13, and all orders of the board issued hereunder may be
enforced as any other standard rule, regulations or order of the board.
66-1-13. JUDICIAL REVIEW OF DECISIONS. Any person aggrieved by a decision
of the board aac the director and affected thereby shall be entitled to
judicial review by filing in the district court of the county of his residence,
or of the city and county of Denver, within ninety days after the public
announcement of the decision, and appropriate action requesting such review.
The court may make any Interested person a party to the action. The review
shall be conducted by the court without a jury and shall be confined to the
record, if a complete record is presented, except that in cases of alleged
irregularities in the record or in the procedure before the board or the
division of administration, testimony may be taken in the court. The court
may affirm the decision or may reverse or modify it if the substantial
rights of the appellant have been prejudiced as a result of the findings and
decisions of the board being:
(1) Contrary to constitutional rights or privileges; or
(2) In excess of the statutory authority or jurisdiction of the board
or the director, or affected by any error of law; or
(3) Made or promulgated upon unlawful procedure; or
(4) Unsupported by substantial evidence in view of the entire record
as submitted; or
(5) Arbitrary or capricious.
Any party may have a review of the final judgment or decision of the
district court by writ of error to the supreme court.
37
GPO 855-712
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