Having one of the largest non-potable water systems in the state, we're recognized as a statewide leader in water reuse. In the 1960s, we pioneered the use of treated wastewater for irrigation. Today, over 90% of our reusable water supplies are treated and used for augmentation, exchanges, and in our non-potable system.
These non-potable (not for drinking) supplies are made available to our customers for inside and outside use. Although they have been treated to remove many contaminants, they are not suitable for potable (drinking) use.
What if we could convert some of our non-potable resources into potable resources? In other words, can we recycle and further treat our reusable water through advanced purification methods to meet drinking water standards? Yes, we can.
In support of the Colorado Water Plan and our own sustainable water plan (Integrated Water Resource Plan), we were awarded a $350,000 grant in 2020 for a Direct Potable Reuse (DPR) demonstration project from the Colorado Water Conservation Board. The project, called the PureWater Colorado Mobile Demonstration, applies an advanced purification process to recycled water from our J.D. Phillips Resource Recovery Facility to produce potable water that meets drinking water standards as set by the EPA
Constructed inside a mobile trailer by Colorado School of Mines professors, staff and engineering students, with support from Carollo engineers, the demonstration seeks to advance the science and regulatory framework for DPR use in Colorado. It allows us to explore and better understand the potential benefits and constraints of DPR, including:
- Raw water quality for potable treatment.
- Potable water quality.
- Reduced conveyance (transportation) pumping and associated energy consumption.
- Reduced conveyance infrastructure.
- Reduced transit losses (e.g. evaporation).
- Presence and removal of emerging contaminants of human health concern.
We are exploring DPR as one option for future long-term solutions to help meet the growing demand for water in Colorado Springs and throughout the state.
Public tours of the PureWater Colorado Direct Potable Reuse Demonstration in Colorado Springs have concluded. For more information, read the Outreach Summary Report of the project's objectives and achievements.
The demonstration trailer will be relocated to the Colorado School of Mines upon completion of optimization testing. Designed as a pay-it-forward project, it will be loaned to other municipalities as an education outreach tool beginning summer 2022.
Thank you to these beverage makers for their support through products made with purified water from the mobile demonstration:
- The Carter Payne: fruit-forward non-alcoholic sodas
- Storybook Brewery: Gnomish Beer Goggles pale ale, Raspberry Hard Seltzer and non-alcoholic soda
- Black Forest Brewing Company: Colorado Strong IPA
- Local Relic Artisan Ales: Pure Barleywine
- Metric Brewing: PureWater lager
- Crazy Mountain Brewery: brewing January 2022
DISCLAIMER: The information contained in the videos above does not necessarily represent the views or opinions of the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment.
