Wastewater Treatment

Environmentally Sustainable

Utilities

FY2024 Budget

Program Budget Overview

Description

  • Wastewater Treatment operates and maintains the Boulder Water Resource Recovery Facility (WRRF) and the Boulder Lift Station. At the WRRF, raw wastewater from city residents and businesses is processed into clean water that is discharged into Boulder Creek according to the city's National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System permit. In addition to clean water, biosolids fertilizer and renewable natural gas are recovered at the WRRF.

Summary of 2024 Budget Enhancements/Realignments:

  • Plant Process Analyst Conversions (Realignment; -$56,000; Ongoing). This budget proposal addresses a realignment of funding by moving funds from non-personnel expenses to personnel. The reason for the change is modernization of staffing resources and positions, consistent with the outcomes of the classification and compensation project. Projected increased salary needs are being offset by a reduction in non-personnel expenses, avoiding the need for new funding at this time. The proposal supports staff growth and development to keep pace with the technology evolutions at the WRRF, ultimately supporting permit compliance and reliable operations.
  • Marshall Landfill Operations - Realign to Water Quality Program (Realignment; -$45,000; Ongoing). The Marshall Landfill is a closed landfill located south of Boulder that requires ongoing city involvement due to historical use of the landfill and associated environmental concerns with the landfill and surrounding area. The duties and responsibilities of the city with the landfill are based in regulatory compliance and monitoring of the site with other obligated parties, which are functions that the city’s Water Quality team is best equipped to provide. This budget proposal effectively transfers operational funding from the Wastewater Treatment team to the Water Quality team, so that expenditures and oversight can be coordinated more efficiently.

Sustainability, Equity and Resilience (SER) Goals & Objectives: Environmentally Sustainable

  • Objectives
    • Supports the natural environment and its ecosystems so they are better able to resist damage and recover quickly.

Program Outcomes

  • Full compliance with all permits, regulations, and reporting.
  • Protection of public health.
  • Increased stewardship of environmental systems and habitats.
  • Improved recovery of resources (water, biogas, and biosolids).
  • Modernization of staffing resources to ensure efficient operation of the treatment facility.

Measurements

  • % of electricity used that’s coming from solar PV systems (kWh solar / kWh total) as an annual average.
  • Site Net RNG Production: [Current Year RNG production minus NG Usage] / [Last Year RNG Production minus NG Usage].