Construction Update 08: Construction Progress Continues Despite Cold Weather and Snow

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Aerial view of a large, circular concrete water tank under construction. The tank is surrounded by dirt and excavation equipment. Other smaller tanks can be seen in the background.

Construction progress continues despite cold weather. The Dewatering Building is advancing with wall pours and form installations. The Headworks Building is nearing completion of form and rebar work. Niwot is adding an anaerobic treatment tank to meet regulatory requirements. Gravity and non-portable lines are 80% complete. RLW focused on the Dewatering Building due to snow and mud conditions.

Our office remains open during regular hours — Monday through Friday from 9:00 AM to 3:00 PM.

Progress on Dewatering Building as Workers Pour Walls and Install Forms

An aerial view of the Dewatering Building construction site, showing recently poured concrete walls, installed forms, and construction equipment, including a large crane and heavy machinery. Snow covers parts of the surrounding ground, highlighting the cold weather conditions workers are managing during construction.

Above is a distant photo of the Dewatering Building, taken from afar to ensure safety due to active cranes in the area. Additional walls have been poured, and forms have been installed. This week, workers concentrated on this area to protect concrete pours from the effects of the cold weather.

Headworks Building Nears Completion of Form and Rebar Installation Ahead of Next Pour

Aerial view of the Headworks building construction site showing three distinct sections with installed concrete forms and rebar. The ground is partially covered in snow, with construction materials scattered around the site.

The Headworks building has more forms installed and finishing rebar installation before our next pour.

Niwot Implements Anaerobic Treatment

Aerial view of a large anaerobic treatment tank under construction at a wastewater treatment facility. The structure features multiple circular concrete walls in a layered configuration, surrounded by construction equipment, cranes, and workers. Snow is visible on the ground, adding contrast to the construction site.

We began placing forms in the anaerobic tank, a sealed environment that fosters anaerobic bacteria. These bacteria thrive without oxygen, breaking down organic matter into biogas, including methane, carbon dioxide, hydrogen, hydrogen sulfide, nitrogen, and water vapor. For Niwot, this enables us to treat phosphorus and meet new regulatory requirements. Regulation 85, a monitoring program, limits phosphorus and nitrogen in plant effluent. This initiative will help reduce greenhouse gas emissions and minimize odor as well.

Gravity Line and Non-Portable Lines Nearly Complete

An aerial view of a construction site with a large water treatment plant in the background. The foreground shows a newly constructed road with a trench dug along the side. The trench is filled with water and has a series of pipes running along the bottom. The road is covered in snow and ice.

Our gravity line and non pot line are 80% finished we are glad this is ready for future tie-in to our main and headworks.

RLW Prioritizes Dewatering Building Amid Snow and Cold Temps

Aerial view of a large, circular concrete water tank under construction. The tank is surrounded by dirt and excavation equipment. Other smaller tanks can be seen in the background.

The Clarifier has been drained, but due to the snow, low temperatures, and the resulting mud, RLW focused on the dewatering building this week.

What's next?

Next week, weather permitting, RLW is scheduled for a total of eight pours. One will be at the clarifier for the scum pit, while three pours at the Oxidation Ditch will complete the radius walls throughout the ditch. Additionally, two pours are planned for the dewatering building to form future walls. As long as the weather holds up, it looks like a productive week ahead.