Metro Vision Clean Water Plan
Wastewater Utility Plan
Guidance Document
Updated – March 23, 2007
Prepared by
Denver Regional Council of Governments
4500 Cherry Creek Drive South, Suite 800
Denver, Colorado80246
With the assistance of the
Water and Environmental Planning Committee
and its
Utility Plan Review Team
1
ABSTRACT
TITLEMetro Vision Clean Water Plan: Wastewater Utility Plan Guidance Document
AUTHORDenver Regional Council of Governments (DRCOG)
SUBJECTWastewater Utility Plan Guidance
DATEMarch 23, 2007
SOURCE OF COPIES
NUMBER OF PAGES83
ABSTRACTThis guidance document provides information, direction and procedures to utility departments, consultants, planners and wastewater managers that need to produce or update a Wastewater Utility Plan.The guidance document details requirements and general modifications that apply for wastewater works and facilities. Wastewater Utility Service Areas and Clean Water Plan Planning Areas form the linkage with the Metro Vision Plan process. All permitted wastewater treatment facilities in the nine-county Denvermetropolitan region are expected to complete a utility plan for site location approval. Wastewater Utility Plans require periodic updating. Only Accepted Wastewater Utility Plans will be used to process state site location approvals within the DRCOG region.
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TABLE OF CONTENTS
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
I. frequent questions......
What is a Wastewater Utility Plan?......
Who needs to complete a Wastewater Utility Plan?......
When will Wastewater Utility Plans be needed?......
Is there a renewal cycle for Accepted Wastewater Utility Plans?......
How are changes made to the Clean Water Plan?......
Are reports required for other wastewater facilities?......
What information is contained in this guidance document?......
What is the review and acceptance process?......
What is the difference between a Wastewater Utility Plan and a Clean Water Plan amendment?
II. Metro Vision Plan linkage......
Geographic context......
III. USEFUL definitions......
IV. Role of management agencies......
V. steps TO start a WASTEWATER utility plan......
Basic planning requirements......
Preplanning process......
VI. Important policies TO CONSIDER IN PLAN DEVELOPMENT......
Policy on consolidation of facilities......
Wastewater reuse policy......
Biosolids policy......
Wetland policy......
Policy on adding new treatment plants to the Clean Water Plan
Special Exemption service areas policy......
VII. Wastewater SERVICE AREA CONCEPTS......
Major service areas......
Minor service areas......
CWP Planning Areas......
Wastewater utility service to semi-urban areas......
Metro Vision Plan flexibility provisions......
VIII. RELATIONSHIP TO colorado SITE LOCATION APPROVAL PROCESS......
IX. Utility plans for EXISTING OR NEW wastewater TREATMENT PLANTS......
General requirements......
Environmental components......
Wastewater Utility Plan components......
Service area designations......
Population and employment datasets and forecasts......
Wastewater flow characterizations......
Treatment works characterization......
Odor control considerations......
Air quality permitting requirements......
Stormwater management plan......
Site characterization requirements......
Collection system......
Water quality characterization......
Minimum mapping requirements......
Alternatives analysis......
Management and financial plans......
Management structure and agreements......
Financial considerations......
Interest In financial assistance......
Required checklist for Wastewater Utility Plans......
Wastewater Utility Plan documents......
Wastewater Utility Plan Distribution......
X. Lift Station Report......
Lift Station Report guidance......
Review process for Lift Station Reports......
Lift Station Report distribution......
Required checklist for Lift Station Reports......
XI. INTERCEPTOR REPORT......
Interceptor Report guidance......
Review process for Interceptor Reports......
Interceptor Report distribution......
Required checklist for Interceptor Reports......
XII. Wastewater utility REPORT for low-growth areas......
XIII. GENERAL review process......
Utility plan and site location approval notification guidance......
Management Agency approval......
Public participation process......
XIV. WUP acceptance policy......
General criteria......
Renewal frequency......
Acceptance procedure......
Documentation sign-off......
XV. APPENDICES......
Appendix A – DRCOG Board Guidelines (Adopted January 2005)......
A. Introduction......
B. DEFINITIONS......
Urban Growth Boundary/Area......
Wastewater Utility Service Area......
CWP Planning Area......
C. Relationships......
UGB and WUSA......
UGB and CWP Planning Area......
Planning Area and local comprehensive plans......
Relationship to legal boundaries......
D. Roles......
DRCOG......
Cities and Counties......
Wastewater Management And Operating Agencies......
Appendix B – Water Quality Control Division Consolidation Policy......
Appendix C - Data Submittal Standards Format, Description and Minimum Mapping Requirements
AutoCAD Files (Not recommended but acceptable)
GIS or CAD Layers Required
LIST OF TABLES
Table 1Designated Regional Management Agencies
Table 2Key Contacts......
Table 3Clean Water Plan Wastewater Flow Factors......
Table 4Required Checklist for WUPS
Table 5WUP Distribution......
Table 6Lift Station Report Distribution......
Table 7Lift Station Report Checklist......
Table 8Interceptor Report Distribution......
Table 9Interceptor Report Checklist......
Table 10Wastewater Utility Plan Preparation and Review Steps
Table 11Acceptance or Conditional Acceptance Form......
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EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
Wastewater Utility Plans(WUPs) meet multiple wastewater management documentation needs and serve as technical appendices to the Denver Regional Council of Governments’ (DRCOG) Metro Vision Clean Water Plan (“Clean Water Plan”). WUPs are critical in determining how wastewater service is provided to urban areas and for special case locations that have a permitted wastewater treatment facility. The long-term goal was to have a Wastewater Utility Plan for all permitted wastewater treatment systems in the DRCOG nine-county region by January 1, 2003. At this time (June 2007) a few facilities are still completing their first WUP. Accepted WUPs are reviewed and updated, as appropriate; at least when wastewater flows to a treatment facility reach 80 percent of design capacity.
The policy direction for Wastewater Utility Plans is presented in the Clean Water Plan. This guidance document provides detailed technical and procedural information specifically targeting utility departments, consultants, planners and wastewater managers that need to produce a WUP. WUPs are intended to be consistent with the policy direction contained in the Clean Water Plan. WUPs apply to wastewater treatment plants and all associated domestic wastewater treatment works as defined in the Water Quality Control Commission’s (WQCC) site location approval regulation, Regulation No. 22.
This guidance document describes the types ofWastewaterUtility Plans and reports, dischargers or wastewater service providers who need to complete a utility plan, the role of the water quality Management Agency, and the timing schedules and documentation requirements. A number of steps in this process are outlined that increase the effectiveness and efficiency of wastewater management planning within the DRCOG region. The process is reviewed by DRCOG’sWater and Environmental Planning Committee and updated as appropriate.
Important definitions are provided early in this guidance document since these definitions are critical for understanding the guidance recommendations. The definitions are consistent with definitions contained in the site location approval regulation and the Metro Vision Plan. These two documents should be referenced for additional definitions.
The Clean Water Plan identifies and defines the geography of two types of wastewater service areas which are termed Wastewater Utility Service Areas (WUSAs) and Clean Water Plan Planning Areas (CWP Planning Areas). These service area concepts provide the necessary linkage with the Metro Vision Plan process. Each WUPshall identify specific service areas and describe how these areas will be served within the context of meeting water quality standards. The WUSA must be consistent with the Urban Growth Boundary/Area(UGB/A) designated through the Metro Vision Plan process.
Long-range wastewater service areas are called CWP Planning Areas. The portion of the CWP Planning Arealying outside the Urban Growth Boundary/Areashall be based on approved local comprehensive plans, comprehensive long-range utility plans, or the area a wastewater service provider intends to serve at ultimate development, as officially adopted in planning documents. A CWP Planning Areamayinclude areas expected to urbanizesignificantly beyond the Metro Vision Planning Horizon and may more closely represent the total amount of urban area projected for the ultimate build-out of a utility service area.
WUPs must meet the requirements of the WQCC’s site location approval regulation. As part of the Colorado Water Quality Control Act, site location approvals are needed for construction or expansion of domestic wastewater treatment works including lift stations and interceptor sewers. The definitions used in the site location approval regulation should be used in WUPs.
WUPsdocument the wastewater management strategy for wastewater treatment facilitieshaving design capacities of greater than 2000 gallons per day and the associated service and CWP Planning Area. Individual sewage disposal systems (e.g., septic systems) having a design capacity of greater than 2000 gallons per day must also have a DRCOG Accepted WUP in place. All WUPs shall contain a defined set of minimum information (location, sizing, staging, service area, process system, effluent quality, capital improvements and financial arrangements). The appropriate checklists, as provided herein, should be followed in the preparation of WUPs.
The primary goals in establishing Wastewater Utility Plans are to provide reasonable, feasible and economical wastewater service to an area designated for development within the nine-county DRCOG region. WUPs should consider impactsthat the treatment system will have on the water quality of receiving waters. WUPsshould include strategies for meeting all applicable water quality standards and classifications. A coordinated watershed approach is preferred.
DRCOG’sWater and Environmental Planning Committee(WEPC) may periodically request confirmation of Wastewater Utility Plan recommendations from DRCOG’s Board of Directors. Accepted WastewaterUtility Plans will be referenced in the Clean Water Plan and function as technical appendices to that plan. Consequently, theseWUPs represent the preferred wastewater management strategy for the Wastewater Utility Service Area and the CWP Planning Area. Accepted and conditionally accepted WUPs will be used for the site location approval process and to meet other applicable regulatory requirements.
I. frequent questions
What is a Wastewater Utility Plan?
Wastewater Utility Plans meet several wastewater management documentation needs including, but not limited to, the following five:
□The primary support document to amend the Clean Water Plan and serve as technical appendices to that plan;
□Links wastewater utility planning with the Metro Vision Plan and any subsequent regional plans adopted by DRCOG’s Board of Directors. Consequently, an Accepted WUP is onetool for implementation of the Metro Vision Plan;
□Function as the primary support document for thesite location approval process;
□Act as the support document providing the necessary background and planning information needed by the Water Quality Control Division (WQCD) in the discharge permitting process; and
□A support document for applications under the water pollution control revolving fund and state domestic wastewater treatment grant programs.
Who needs to complete aWastewater Utility Plan?
All wastewater service providers within DRCOG’snine-county region with 1) treatment facilities or plants permitted to discharge more than 2000 gallons per day, as issued through the Colorado Discharge Permit System (CDPS), and 2) cities, special districts, or other entities with wastewater collection systems that require lift stations or interceptors subject to site location approval.
When will Wastewater Utility Plans be needed?
Prior to any applications for site location approval or as otherwise needed to accurately reflect an entity’s plans for domestic wastewater management.
Is there a renewal cycle for Accepted Wastewater Utility Plans?
WUPs are dynamic documents that can be amended on an as needed basis and require periodic review and renewal. WUPs should be updated when the flows received at the treatment facility reach 80percent of the design capacity or when a major change occurs in any plan assumption. Major changes are defined later in this document.
How are changes made to the Clean Water Plan?
Clean Water Plan amendments, site application approvals and other approvals under the Clean Water Plan will necessitate an Accepted Wastewater Utility Plan. Wastewater service area forecasts will be maintained consistent with all Metro Vision Plan forecasts and policies. DRCOG will maintain a reference set of Accepted WUPs,developed by Management Agencies or Operating Agencies, for permitted wastewater treatment facilities with active discharge permits.
The Water and Environmental Planning Committee will process WUPs when submitted and as needed to support site location approval applications. WUPs must meet minimum recommendations contained in the Clean Water Plan for WUSA and associated CWP Planning Areas. WUPs for minor treatment plants may be approved if sufficient planning is completed to show that there will not be negative water quality effects associated with the proposed new facility or facility expansion.
Are reports required for other wastewater facilities?
Other wastewater facilities requiring the utility review and acceptance process include lift stations and interceptor sewers, non-growth areas and certain service area adjustments associated with conformity with the Metro Vision Plan. Guidance for special reports for lift stations and interceptor sewersis included in this document.
Some minor wastewater service providers and collection system providers have not completed a WUP. If there is no reason to change the treatment plant capacity, modify the service area, or upgrade the treatment works, a WUPmay not be necessary. However, any changes to the treatment works or service area for these minor systems, other than an amendment to an existing site location approval, will require a WUP subject to the Metro Vision Plan Assessment Process.
What information is contained in this guidance document?
This guidance document provides the necessary information and direction to utility departments, consultants, planners and wastewater managers that need to produce a Wastewater Utility Plan. WUPs shall be consistent with the policy direction contained in the Clean Water Plan and replace previous “201 facility plans.”
It is recognized that the amount of detail required in WUPswill vary depending on facility complexity and size. The Water Quality Control Division may require additional support documentation for the site location approval, permitting and financial assistance processes.
WUPs are critical for determining how wastewater service is provided in the region. This includes urbanized areas as well as small locales requiring centralized wastewater service and specialized sites requiring a wastewater treatment plant with a design capacity greater than 2,000 gallons per day (e.g., church camps, truck stops, or restaurants). The level of detail required in WUPswill be kept flexible to accommodate all wastewater service providers.
What is the review and acceptance process?
The review and acceptance of WUPs is a responsibility of DRCOG’sWater and Environmental Planning Committee at the discretion of the Board of Directors. The Utility Plan Review Team (UPRT), a WEPC subcommittee, reviews and provides recommendations on eachWUP. WUPs may be accepted by WEPC at any of their regularly scheduled meetings. This guidance document provides the details regarding this review and acceptance process.
One role of DRCOG’s Board of Directors is to assure that the policy directions contained in the Clean Water Plan are incorporated into the Accepted WUPs Copies of the Clean Water Plan are available on the DRCOG web site at The policy directions were developed in cooperation with the Water Quality Control Division. While the Division uses WUPs as one source of information in its various processes, acceptance by WEPC does not preclude the Division from requiring additional documentation.
What is the difference between a Wastewater Utility Plan and a Clean Water Plan amendment?
WUPsare intended to provide more detailed information about a wastewater treatment facility than can be reasonably contained in the Clean Water Plan. However, a WUP may generate new information that should be amended into the Clean Water Plan. Items that will require an amendment and, therefore, public hearing and action by DRCOG’s Board of Directors include:
□Identification of a new treatment plant;
□Relocation of an existing treatment plant to discharge to a different stream segment; or
□Changes to the WUSA not covered by the UGB/A flexibility provision;
□Decommissioning of a treatment plant.
II. Metro Vision Plan linkage
Defining the extent of urban development (i.e., the Urban Growth Boundary/Area) is a local planning functionreflected in the Metro Vision Plan. The Metro Vision Plan is the long-range land use plan for addressing the future growth of the nine-county Denvermetropolitan region. The plan defines the amount of urban development expected to occur within the region for the planning horizon. The Plan outlines strategies and implementation steps to preserve the region’s quality of life while also positioning the region to benefit from growth. The Clean Water Plan is one of the core elements of the Metro Vision Plan and defines the provision of wastewater service within the UGB/A.
Geographic context
The Clean Water Plan defines how wastewater service and water quality attainment can be achieved within specific geographies. The Clean Water Planidentifies and maps two types of wastewater service areas termed Wastewater Utility Service Area (WUSA) and CWP Planning Area. DRCOG’s Board of Directors has adopted guidance to clarify the relationship of these geographic areas to other Metro Vision geographies. This “Guidance for Metro Vision/Clean Water Plan Relationships” is included as Appendix A of this document. Entities developing WUPsshall use the WUSA and CWP Planning Area concepts. Recognition of these service area types provides linkage with the Metro Vision Plan. Each WUP will identify a specific service area and describe how this area will be served in context with meeting all required water quality limits. Wastewater service areas, whether they are for major or minor wastewater service providers, must include areas requiring urban services through the Metro Vision Planning Horizon. The figure below provides a simplified illustration of the relationships between Metro Vision Planand Clean Water Plangeographies.