The community leach fields located in the 4th, 7th, and the Upper 8th Filings are at or over the capacity allowed by the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment (CDPHE). This fact combined with aging leach fields and increasing demand is resulting in leach fields being stressed to the point of periodic failure. We have selected Stantec Consulting a professional wastewater engineering company to help evaluate the problem and analyze the possible options. The Board of Directors believes that communication must be open and must give everyone a chance to give input along the way. We sent the first community communication letter to residents in October, 2006. These steps have led us to where we are today
What are we violating? Glacier View Meadows was established in the late 1960’s early 1970’s at that time the community waste water was in compliance. In the 1980’s federal and state rules started to address groundwater discharges, such as community leach fields. In the early 1990’s codes changed and the community leach fields are in violation of the latest water quality rules & regulations. Jim Musselwhite, Larimer County Health Department, has noticed periodic failure. The State Health Department is aware of your system. Although GVM is not under an "Enforcement Order" yet from the state, you must be proactive in resolving the problem. The State will not allow Glacier View to replace or expand damaged leach fields without meeting the new groundwater discharge standards.
In order to meet the codes in regards to discharge standards, it is necessary to replace the current leaching beds with a mechanical treatment process that treats effluent to a quality that meets discharge standards.
How will the 144 affected members finance the project? With assistance from the Health Department, G.V.M. was awarded a grant for $15,000 from the Colorado Dept. of Local Affairs (DOLA). The Water & Sewer Association had to contribute a matching amount of $15,000 for a total of $30,000. This money is being used for the initial engineering planning for the new treatment system. GVM was also awarded another $10,000 to help defray costs of the finance study.
The State of Colorado has a loan fund set up called the State Revolving Loan Fund. This fund, managed by the Colorado Water Resources and Power Development
Authority makes loans to communities of all sizes for financing improvements to water and wastewater treatment facilities. This financing can be very beneficial because of low interest rates. At the present time, the interest rate is 3.75 %. Vs. the 7 to 7.5 % provided by other financial institutions.
However, the State will not provide grants or loans to Homeowners Associations. They will however, loan money to the County for the benefit of Glacier View. In order to do that, you must form an improvement district through the County. The Glacier View Water & Sewer Board agrees that a Local Improvement District (LID) will best meet the needs of Glacier View. The LID has a flat assessment based system to be shared equally among property owners.
If you form an improvement district with the County, we will apply for a low interest rate from the State Revolving Loan Fund. Next week; each household will receive in the mail an income questionnaire. There are two questions on the questionnaire. Please fill it out and send it back as soon as possible. There is a pre-addressed and pre-paid postage envelope along with the questionnaire. This survey is totally confidential, there are no names used.
Stantec is contracted by Larimer County and sponsored by Glacier View Meadows Water & Sewer Association to evaluate the problem, and analyze possible options and solutions.
Basic Design: Combine septic tank effluent from 4th, 7th, and 8th filings. Send combined septic tank effluent to an onsite package wastewater treatment system. Treat wastewater and discharge to a nearby infiltration gallery.
Four Package Treatment Systems were evaluated: Santec, Aeromix, EEC, and Fluidine. After careful consideration the Fluidyne Treatment system is the preferred alternative.
Where will it be located: Gate 5, Upper 8th Filing is the preferred site location for the following reasons: It is the current location of the Upper 8th Filing Septic tank and Leach Field. Ability to send combined flow from 4th, 7th and Upper 8th Filings. There is adequate space available. Location is easily accessible. Make use of existing septic tank. There is a nearby power supply.
What will it look like? *Tie into existing septic tank. *Gravel access road and gravel pad.
*Buried package treatment system. *Above ground controls building *Chlorine disinfection piping. *Discharge line. *Infiltration gallery.
At this time we do not have an exact annual cost. The current estimates are between $300.00 and $500.00 a year.
Linda Sanders explained the time table will be a challenge.
Several steps have to be completed before June 30th in order for the LID to be placed on the ballots for the November election.
The homeowners study results will have to be completed.
At least 60 % of the property owners must sign the petition stating that they are in favor of becoming an LID.
The petition must then be submitted to Larimer County. A formation hearing must be done.
The biggest challenge at this point will be getting the petition signed and submitted in time.
Adjourned at 12:55 pm