2022 Infrastructure Updates
High elevation and extreme climates are tough on water and sewer infrastructure causing deterioration at a much faster pace. BMMD is actively addressing aging infrastructure by planning and executing improvement projects to the water, sewer, drainage and roads throughout the Wildernest community on an annual basis. However, more work is needed to sustain functionality and promote longevity. Following is a list of projects completed over the past several years and current projects planned for 2022. The following list is not a complete project list and does not include the required daily, weekly, and monthly maintenance activities, staffing and expenditures related thereto.
New Tank 2 - BMMD successfully completed the construction of a new 250,000 gallon water Tank, pump station, and 1,500’ of new water main piping. Project cost: $3.2 million
Tank 3 Rehabilitation – Completed the exterior rehabilitation and re-coating of this 50-year-old buried steel water tank in Fall 2021. Interior work will be conducted in 2022. Project cost: $500,000
Water Intake Plant - BMMD is working with Xcel energy to facilitate rebates and on-going savings once new pump control equipment is installed in 2022. Project cost: $185,000
Wells – Drought can cause stress to the water table and aquifer. BMMD must maximize well pumping efficiency and will install equipment in 2022 to help reduce pump energy demands and increase the accuracy of water produced. Project cost: $25,000+
Pressure Reducing Valves (PRV) Project - BMMD has installed two underground automatic fire flow pressure reducing valve (PRV) vaults. This upgrade to the water distribution system provides automatic fire flow functionality rather than relying on manual operation. BMMD is planning to install two more PRV vaults over the next several years. Projects cost: $700,000 for two PRV’s.
Wastewater Improvements - BMMD regularly monitors the sewage collection system by conducting bi-annual camera and cleaning of the sewer main. In 2020, BMMD replaced approximately 2035 linear feet of 8" sewer main pipe, replaced 7 manholes, reconnected 9 existing sewer services and completed wetland restoration. Project cost: $580,000
Emergency Portable Generator - Should there be a power failure longer than two days, there will not be sufficient water capacity to meet customer demands without the ability to pump water which requires power. BMMD’s purchase of a portable generator enables water supply reliability during emergencies by providing backup power in the event of a power outage. Project cost: $130,000
Telemetry & SCADA Upgrades - Utilities use telemetry monitoring to keep track of the water/sewer network. BMMD is upgrading 20-year-old hardware and software to make the system more reliable and efficient. Project cost: $38,000
Roadside Drainage – BMMD will convert a section of open ditch storm sewer drainage system in 2022 to a piped, below ground system to promote road safety. Estimated project cost: $235,000
Main Valve Replacement - BMMD continues to replace water main valves throughout the District. This on-going maintenance program will help the District isolate emergency water main breaks and keep more customers in water when leaks occur. Project cost: $100,000
Replacing Old Fire Hydrants - To safeguard the public by ensuring fire hydrants are accessible and fully functioning, BMMD is conducting a fire hydrant replacement program. This program replaces old fire hydrants with new, long-lasting equipment which offers enhanced flow rates to improve fire-fighting capability. This vital work is needed to ensure that emergency services personnel have easy access to hydrants with sufficient water pressure and flow rates to fight a fire. Project cost: $30,000 annually
2021 Infrastructure Updates
Tank 2 Abandonment
With the successful completion of the new 250,000 gallon water Tank 2R and pump station last year, the District must now abandon the old water tank 2 from the existing distribution system. A section of Poplar Circle will be closed for several weeks while the infrastructure is removed. We will provide advance notice to all affected properties prior to construction.
Tank 3 Rehabilitation
Starting in April 2021, engineers conducted interior and exterior inspections on the district storage tank #3 which is a 50-year-old buried steel water tank located on the corner of Ryan Gulch Rd & Lacy Drive. The assessment was performed to identify structural, sanitary and safety deficiencies for compliance with State & Federal guidelines. While sanitary standards have been met, engineers found heavy corrosion and issues associated with nearby ground water which could soon compromise the foundation of the tank. BMMD has planned immediate rehabilitation actions to address the recommended repairs.
Water Intake Plant
Several obsolete pumps have been removed allowing room for new equipment in the intake facility plant. The water plant energy demand is very high and as a result, energy bills are also very costly on a monthly basis. BMMD is working with Xcel energy to facilitate rebates and on-going savings once needed upgrades are completed. Upgrades to the remote SCADA access system have started to replace 25-year-old technology.
Wells
The District started conducting upgrades to decades old equipment to monitor static ground water level depths and trend well system production. Due to the on-going drought, BMMD discovered the water table lowering as a result. These wells are the only source of water in the District. We must maximize well pumping efficiency and reduce stress on the water table.
Sewer Maintenance
BMMD started the bi-annual camera and cleaning of the entire sewer collection pipeline. Contractors will video the pipes and identify any areas that need repair. Part of that process includes cleaning and flushing of any line build-ups. Other maintenance includes conducting a system-wide manhole inspection.
Storm Sewer Project
A storm drainage problem occurred along Ryan Gulch Road between upper & lower Poplar Circle this past winter. Water started to freeze in driveway culverts which caused water to flow and freeze out into the path and Ryan Gulch Road. The District is planning to install an underground storm sewer culvert in this area to prevent this problem from occurring each winter. Please note: BMMD does NOT maintain driveway culverts.
Roads & Drainage
Burgundy Circle and Burgundy Drive will be re-paved this summer along with rehabilitation of the connected drainage ditches. Mitigation work to divert sub-grade ground water will also be conducted. Pothole filling and roadside shoulder work started in late May and will continue into early July. Drainage ditch maintenance and restructuring will start in mid-June and continue throughout the summer. Road culverts will be inspected, cleaned and flushed.
Driveway Culvert Inspections
BMMD will be inspecting driveway culverts this summer. It is the responsibility of the property owners to maintain driveway culverts free and clear of silt, mud, debris and ice at all times.
Updated Asset Management Plan
Renewing and replacing water, sewer, road and drainage infrastructure is an ongoing task. BMMD strives to continuously improve existing infrastructure to provide reliable services to customers. Asset management can help a utility maximize the value of its capital as well as its operations and maintenance dollars.
BMMD is responsible for making sure that our system stays in good working order, regardless of the age of its components or the availability of additional funds. Asset management programs with good data—including asset attributes (e.g., age, condition, and criticality), life-cycle costing, proactive operations and maintenance, and capital replacement plans based on cost-benefit analyses—can be the most efficient method of meeting this challenge.
Starting in early 2021, BMMD began working with engineering firm SGM, Inc. to update the existing asset management plan. The ultimate goal of this project is to ensure the District has the information necessary to allow it to be sustainable and reliably provide service at an acceptable cost.
AND MORE......
2020 Infrastructure Updates
May 28, 2020
To: Wildernest Property Owner
Re: Construction Update
Dear Customer:
Starting on Monday, June 1, 2020, the Buffalo Mountain Metropolitan District (BMMD) will begin underground pipeline construction work along Ryan Gulch Road between lower Poplar Circle and Burgundy Circle. The work schedule is planned for Monday-Friday, 7:00 a.m.-5:30 p.m. and will take approximately 4 weeks to complete through June 30, 2020.
BMMD’s contractor, Aslan Construction Inc., will be laying new water main pipeline which requires deep excavation located along the South side of Ryan Gulch Road along the pedestrian path
About a dozen homes will be directly impacted by the excavation causing driveway blockages while the contractor is digging directly in front of properties. The driveway blockage will last approximately 4-5 hours at most. Once the pipeline is placed and backfilled, the Contractor may place steel traffic plates over driveways until final restoration work is complete.
Several water outages are planned to tie the new pipeline into the existing water distribution system. BMMD will provide all affected residences at least two days’ notice before water is turned off. The outage is expected to last approximately 8 hours each time.
We will do our very best to minimize the outage timeline but unexpected issues can arise when working on aging infrastructure nine feet below ground. If an emergency outage occurs, the following street locations will be out of water until repairs are made:
- Black Bear Ct.
- Buffalo Drive
- Cortina Ridge
- Laredo Dr.
- North Side Circle
- Poplar Circle
- Ryan Gulch Rd (between Salt Lick Circle & Upper Poplar Circle)
- Salt Lick Circle
- Salt Lick Court
- Sauterne Lane
- Silverheels Drive
During the month of June, a detour will direct all general traffic from Ryan Gulch Road around Poplar Circle, Burgundy Circle, or North Side Circle. All residences in the directly affected area (Ryan Gulch Road) will be provided access at all times except for the specific driveway blockage as explained above.
Updates will be posted on this website page on a regular basis. Please be careful driving in construction areas and through residential neighborhoods.
We appreciate your patience during this necessary infrastructure upgrade project. It is our goal to conduct this work in a safe and expeditious manner in an effort to minimize disruption to your property. Thank you!
2019 Infrastructure Updates
New Water Tank & Pump Station
BMMD will continue to build the new 250,000 gallon underground water tank and pump station.
Contractors will install underground main piping to connect the new tank to the existing water distribution system.
Wastewater Improvements
BMMD regularly inspects the sewage collection system. This year BMMD conducted bi-annual camera and cleaning of the sewer main pipelines in 2019. Plans are underway to make point repairs caused by spring run-off water infiltration, freeze/thaw activities, and aging main pipes. The District is planning a replacement of a large section of sewer main pipe that runs on the Northern District boundary line. This sewer infrastructure project will include the needed replacement or lining of approximately 1,500 linear feet of pipe as well as ten (10) manholes repairs to bring the elevation of each up to grade to address ground water infiltration.
Pressure Reducing Valve (PRV)
BMMD started the second of four planned upgrades to the water distribution system by changing out manual PRV’s with automatic PRV’s, thereby eliminating reliance on a manually operated system. This upgrade also addresses the need to automatically (not manually) convey water from an upper water storage tank to a lower water storage tank during fire flow events.
GIS Mapping
A geographic information system (GIS) serves as a web map with layers corresponding to various systems that can be updated and shared in real-time with workers in the field helping to identify infrastructure that may be buried under the snow, or not easily located. BMMD continues infrastructure asset locates and will soon have a completed GIS map. Technicians continue to work inputting annual inspection and maintenance records into the GIS database.
Portable Generator
BMMD purchased a portable generator in 2019 to ensure system functionality during a power outage. Should there be a main power grid failure longer than one day, there may not be sufficient water capacity to meet customer demands without the ability to pump water from one water tank to another. The portable generator will improve water supply reliability.
Drainage Improvements
BMMD is planning a drainage improvement project in 2020 at the top of Ryan Gulch Road loop to address spring run-off issues and address spring water that runs year round on the edge of the road.
Main Valve Replacements
BMMD is planning to replace ten (10) malfunctioning water main valves throughout the District. This project is necessary to be able to isolate certain areas in cases of emergency water main breaks.
Water/Sewer/Road Operator Retires in 2020
After 35 years of servicing the Wildernest subdivision with operations & maintenance services, Metro Services II owner Eric Kircher will be retiring effective June 30, 2020. BMMD is seeking a replacement and will be publishing a request for proposals at the end of August 2019. Increase costs for services, equipment, plowing, and labor will be a factor when seeking a subcontractor replacement.
2019 New Water Tank & Pump Station Project
March 1, 2019
As reported in newsletters and website postings over the past several years, the Buffalo Mountain Metropolitan District (BMMD) has been planning to build a new 250,000-gallon underground water storage tank and pump station and has recently awarded the project to Aslan Construction, Inc.
The site location is 701/702 Ryan Gulch Road. Construction will commence on or after May 1, 2019, weather permitted. Work hours will be 7:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. Monday through Thursday, excluding all major Holidays.
The first phase of the project includes, but is not limited to, subsurface excavation, installing underground water piping, erecting the concrete tank, building the underground pump station, replacing a small section of sewer main line on the back side of the lot, and finally constructing the small above-ground pump station. Phase 1 is expected to last throughout the spring, summer and fall months of 2019.
The second phase of the project will include electrical and interior work inside the pump station. Phase 2 is expected to last throughout the winter months.
The third and final phase of the project will consist of new water main piping just East and West of the new tank site along the pedestrian path. The site will then be restored using native trees, shrubs, and grasses. Phase 3 is expected to last throughout the spring/summer months and conclude in fall 2020.
The tank site perimeter will be fenced with privacy screening for the safety of the public. The project may require single lane closures intermittently. Traffic control and detours will be provided as necessary. This work will also close the pedestrian path for most of the summer/fall months of 2019 and spring/summer months of 2020. BMMD and the Contractor will construct barricades and signs to protect and redirect pedestrians onto Poplar Circle to by-pass the construction site.
Project notices will be sent out for subsequent phases of work and also posted on the District website at www.colorado.gov/bmmd. Water outages are not expected during the construction process, however, if an outage is necessary you will be given advance notice in a timely manner.
We are aware of the inconvenience that will be caused by our activity and apologize in advance. Rest assured that we will do everything possible to minimize the impact of our activities in your neighborhood.
Thank you for your patience and cooperation during this upgrade to your water distribution system.
2018 Infrastructure Updates
New Water Reservoir
Water Infrastructure Upgrades Continue
For the past several years, the BMMD has informed Wildernest property owners of the need to upgrade aging water infrastructure. Our top priority is to meet customer demand and plan for population growth to ensure there will be an adequate supply of clean, reliable water decades into the future. To that end, the District is currently planning and engineering a new underground water reservoir and will continue with Phase II Pressure Reducing Valve (PRV) project installation.
Limited undeveloped land exists within the Wildernest community. It has been a challenge to find a suitable site to build the new underground water reservoir within the necessary water distribution zone. Fortunately, a vacant lot located at 701/702 Ryan Gulch Road has been acquired by the District for the new reservoir site. Although the site is surrounded by developed properties, like all the other District reservoirs, the project site will be well disguised by preserving the mountain scenery with restoration activities to include trees and landscaping. The District investigated two other potential reservoir sites which included Forest Service Land and Summit County Open Space, however, these other sites were either too costly to build, did not meet required elevation standards, or Special Use Permits were not an option.
System improvements are needed to continue meeting peak water demands. A small aboveground pump station housed in a small building will also be constructed at the new tank site along with the related piping, electrical, instrumentation, grading and landscape improvements. The pump station will comply with District Architectural Guidelines and blend with the natural environment.
The District also continues with Phase II of the Pressure Reducing Valve (PRV) project installations. This second underground PRV installation is a required infrastructure upgrade. The addition of PRV’s in each of the five pressure zones will provide for the automatic (not manual) operation of water conveyance and provide for more reliable fire protection in the District. Last year, the District was awarded a $30,000 grant from the Summit County WildfireCouncil to help pay for the PRV project which directly impacts wildfire safety in the District.
The new reservoir project is estimated to cost between $2.5-$3 million dollars. Each PRV project cost an estimated $250,000. Funding for the project(s) will be obtained through the Colorado Department of Public Health & Environment Drinking Water Revolving Fund which provides financial assistance at a very low-interest-rate to governmental agencies for the construction of water projects in Colorado. The water infrastructure upgrade project costs will, in turn, be paid by District customers through water/sewer service fees already factored into customers' bills as adjusted by a small 3% annual increases.
Later this year, you should expect to see some preliminary construction and investigation work that will gather information needed for the design/build process. This will include soil and bedrock sampling, infrastructure inspections and other analyses.
The District will be conducting a comprehensive environmental review and will hold a public meeting this summer to share project details. The meeting will share environmental impacts as well as information on what's to be expected during construction starting in 2019 with regard to traffic, noise and construction methods. Residents will be given meeting dates once scheduled and will be published in the Summit Daily News and posted on the website at www.colorado.gov/bmmd.
BMMD staff and Board of Directors continue long-term strategic and financial planning and will budget for infrastructure improvements every year for the next 20 years.
2017 Infrastructure Updates
Long term utility planning combines financial forecasting with asset management. It is a process that evaluates existing system conditions, establishes asset management, maintenance demands, and infrastructure repair and replacement needs. It is a highly important process that considers future scenarios and helps utilities navigate aging infrastructure challenges. BMMD’s long-range plan identifies priorities and time frames for implementing capital projects and provides a financing plan for those projects. BMMD has identified the need to update numerous aging infrastructure projects some of which are identified below and is currently seeking sources
of funding to finance costs associated with those required updates. BMMD is committed to providing Wildernest customers with quality service and value, and these
upgrades are just one of the many ways we plan to continue fulfilling that promise. It is important to BMMD to maintain the critical balance between financial stability, reliable operations, and delivering services to customers at the best value.
Water Tanks
Wildernest population fluctuates anywhere between 5,000 up to 10,000+ people depending on the season and the number of short-term renters, vacationers, and full-time residents. BMMD is planning to build a new water tank to improve water infrastructure by helping increase water supply reliability during high usage events and provide additional water capacity for fire protection. This multi-year, multi-phase project includes significant planning to locate an eligible site for a new underground water tank. Wildernest is 96% built-out and very little land is available to build a new tank. BMMD is currently looking at a suitable site that meets the required elevation requirements and proximity to existing District water pipelines. BMMD is also planning to rehabilitate two existing steel water tanks. Re-coating water tanks is an extensive process. The tanks must be taken out of service while the rehabilitation takes place. In order to take the existing reservoirs off-line, BMMD must first construct the new water tank in order to supply uninterrupted water to Wildernest customers during the time the two existing steel tanks are out of service.
Pressure Reducing Valves (PRV) Project
The current water distribution system is equipped with manual butterfly valves in each of the five pressure zones in the District. During a structure fire or wildfire event, if water must be conveyed between zones to supplement lost water, the District water operator must manually operate the butterfly valves. Water conveyance should not require manual operation. The addition of Pressure PRV’s, in each of the five pressure zones, will provide for the automatic (not manual) operation of water
conveyance and provide for more reliable fire protection in the District. BMMD is installing the first PRV this summer. This is also a multi-year, multi-phase project.
Replacing Old Fire Hydrants & Valves
To safeguard the public by ensuring fire hydrants are accessible and fully functioning, BMMD is conducting a fire hydrant and valve replacement program. This program replaces old fire hydrants and valves with new, long-lasting equipment which offers enhanced flow rates to improve fire-fighting capability. This vital work is needed to ensure that emergency services personnel have easy access to hydrants with sufficient water pressure and flow rates to fight a fire.
Wastewater Improvements
BMMD regularly monitor’s the sewage collection system by conducting bi-annual camera and cleaning of the sewer main system and repairs problems to wastewater infrastructure caused by water infiltration of spring run-off, freezing temperatures, and deteriorating pipes. We continue to ensure that our wastewater systems are operating safely and efficiently.
Portable Generator
Typically, a water tank is sized to hold approximately one day’s worth of water for the community served by the tank. Should there be a power failure longer than one day, there will not be sufficient water capacity to meet customer demands without the ability to pump water which requires power? A portable generator will improve water supply reliability and enhance firefighting capabilities during emergencies by providing backup power in the event of a power outage.
GIS Mapping
Geographic information systems (GIS), mapping programs track infrastructure assets such as water, wastewater, valves, service lines, curb valves, manholes, and more. Without the IT resources to create maps of underground pipelines and other linear assets, utilities can have a tough time locating them. A GIS serves as a web map with layers corresponding to various systems that can be updated and shared in real-time with workers in the field, thereby reducing redundancy and saving
valuable time locating infrastructure that may be buried under the snow, or not easily located. BMMD will begin locating infrastructure assets this summer and digitally mapping the entire system over the next three years.
Telemetry Communications Upgrade
Utilities use telemetry monitoring to keep track of unmanned assets such as pumping stations, water tank levels, and water treatment activities which is mandatory to manage the water distribution network. BMMD is upgrading 20-year-old radios and dated hardware/software to make the system more efficient.