Utilities

Administration

The Administrative Division is responsible for planning and executing a comprehensive range of administrative services which support operations. These services encompass the areas of human resource management, financial management, systems and information management, project management and support services. In these areas, the support provided by the Administrative Division is critical to the effective and efficient operations of the Utilities department

Utilities Planning & Project Management

Utilities Engineering protects public health and the economic vitality of our city through quality utility system management. This team provides planning, public engagement, project management, engineering, construction, and asset management for water, wastewater, and stormwater/flood management infrastructure.

Utilities Distribution & Collection System Maintenance

Utilities Maintenance operates, maintains, and provides emergency response for the water distribution, wastewater collection, flood control facilities and stormwater conveyance systems of the city. This workgroup also performs all water meter reading, maintenance, and repair along with all underground utility locates. There is also a team that handles the Public Space Reclamation for all Utility corridors including Boulder Creek and adjacent properties. A new team will begin in 2023 focusing on Public Space Reclaimation outside of the Utilities area and focus on efforts thoughout the city.

Water Resources

Water Resources manages the city’s municipal raw water supplies and hydroelectric facilities. This group manages the diversion, storage, and delivery of raw water and completes water rights accounting. This workgroup also manages the water conservation program, leasing of raw water supplies to agricultural users, protects the city’s water rights in water court proceedings, acts as a liaison with ditch companies, and manages the instream flow program for Boulder Creek.

Water Treatment

Water Treatment operates and maintains the two water treatment plants responsible for providing the Boulder community with potable water for public health and fire response. This team is responsible for ensuring compliance with federal and state regulations including the Safe Drinking Water Act.

Wastewater Treatment

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.

Water Quality

Water Quality serves as a technical resource and provides regulatory support for Utilities and other city departments. Services include implementation of and support for regulatory permits, monitoring to meet regulations, evaluating performance of wastewater and drinking water treatment processes, and implementation of programs to protect public and environmental health, including the city’s source water and stormwater systems. The group also provides project management services in support of integrating water quality enhancement and regulatory compliance into the city’s capital projects.