The Greeley Wastewater Treatment and Reclamation Facility cleans and treats used water from homes and businesses. The treated wastewater meets all quality standards before its release into the environment.
State regulation requires cities to reduce the amount of nutrients in treated water before returning it to bodies of water such as the Poudre River. Nitrogen and phosphorus come from human and animal waste and are common fertilizers. Excess nutrients in water can create algae blooms that lower oxygen levels for aquatic life and cause other water quality issues in lakes and rivers.
To meet these requirements, Greeley began construction in March 2021 on $35.5 million in facility improvements. Once complete in 2023, the improved treatment process will reduce nitrogen and phosphorus entering the Cache La Poudre River and help prevent algae from forming downstream. Plant improvements continue through 2036 with strategic improvements to replace aging infrastructure, expand the capacity, and meeting State and Federal regulations.