Home » IWS Completes Successful Wastewater Design-Build Project for Colorado School District
IWS wastewater treatment system

IWS Completes Successful Wastewater Design-Build Project for Colorado School District

PROJECT TYPE: Educational / Schools
LOCATION: Monte Vista, CO
SERVICE: Design-Build; Start-up / Operations
TECHNOLOGY: Textile Filter; Denitrification
SUSTAINABLE/WATER RE-USE Sustainable Media / Natural Treatment

IWS water treatment systems

Treatment system being installed
IWS Upflow filters

Two center tanks are the IWS up-flow filters
IWS wastewater treatment system

View of the completed treatment system

Sargent Schools, located in rural Rio Grande County, Colorado, undertook a significant expansion project, including the addition of a new high school building. This project presented a unique wastewater treatment challenge due to the site’s remote location and stringent regulatory requirements.

Overview: The Neenan Company was contracted to design and build the school expansion. Given the absence of suitable surface water disposal options and the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment’s (CDPHE) mandate for subsurface discharge with less than 10 mg/L total nitrogen, a specialized treatment system was essential. IWS was selected for their expertise in designing, permitting, and constructing such complex systems.

IWS’s Key Contributions:

IWS played a critical role in overcoming the project’s regulatory hurdles. Specifically, IWS:

  • Developed an Innovative System: Designed a wastewater treatment system combining Advantex AX-100 pods with IWS denitrification up-flow filters to meet the stringent CDPHE nitrogen discharge requirements (less than 10 mg/L).
  • Secured Regulatory Approval: Worked closely with CDPHE to gain approval for this novel system, which was a first for the agency in subsurface dispersal applications.
  • Engineered a Comprehensive Solution: Designed the complete system, including:
    • a 15,000-gallon septic tank.
    • a 10,000-gallon anoxic tank.
    • a 15,000-gallon recirculation tank.
    • six AX-100 Advantex pods.
    • two 8,000-gallon denitrification up-flow filter tanks.
    • a 6,000-gallon dosing tank.
    • a 40,000 sq. ft. drain field.

Successful Project Delivery:  Through IWS’s innovative design, regulatory expertise, and meticulous construction, the Sargent Schools wastewater treatment system was successfully implemented, meeting all CDPHE requirements. This achievement enabled the seamless integration of the new high school building, ensuring a sustainable and compliant wastewater solution for the rural community.

For more information, please click the ‘Contact’ tab to reach out to us.

IWS wastewater treatment system

IWS Completes Successful Wastewater Design-Build Project for Colorado School District

Download PDF
Is your MBR system prepared for high flow rates?
Read this article to gain valuable insights and download our FREE checklist to ensure your MBR wastewater treatment system operates at peak performance during high flow events, like major storms.
High Flow Rates Checklist
Is your MBR system prepared for high flow rates?
Read this article to gain valuable insights and download our FREE checklist to ensure your MBR wastewater treatment system operates at peak performance during high flow events, like major storms.
High Flow Rates Checklist
Is your MBR system prepared for high flow rates?
Read this article to gain valuable insights and download our FREE checklist to ensure your MBR wastewater treatment system operates at peak performance during high flow events, like major storms.
High Flow Rates Checklist
Is your MBR system prepared for high flow rates?
Read this article to gain valuable insights and download our FREE checklist to ensure your MBR wastewater treatment system operates at peak performance during high flow events, like major storms.
High Flow Rates Checklist