The Colorado Water Conservation Board predicts that by 2050, communities across Colorado could be short 240,000 to 740,000 acre-feet of water (one acre-foot is equivalent to around 325,851 gallons), or potentially enough water to fill 370,000 Olympic-sized swimming pools. Upgrading water infrastructure throughout the region may be the key to avoiding shortages and ensuring continued water access for decades to come, according to civil construction expert Daňa Lebeda. 
 
“Outdated treatment systems can waste water through leaks and inefficiencies,” says Lebeda, who leads water infrastructure projects for PCL Construction across Colorado, Utah, New Mexico and Texas. “Many of Colorado’s existing water treatment facilities are past their recommended lifespan and don’t have the technology to meet future water quality standards.”  

In its 2020 report card, the American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE) awarded Colorado’s drinking water and wastewater infrastructure a grade of “C-.” This rating is largely due to the average age of the state’s water treatment facilities and conveyance pipes, which, at 50 years is approaching the recommended lifespan of 50-60 years. The report estimates that $10.2 billion will be needed over the next 20 years to maintain and upgrade Colorado’s drinking water infrastructure, with an additional $4.7 billion required for wastewater improvements.  

In response, municipalities, community leaders and industry experts are investing in water resilience by replanting and revitalizing areas damaged by climate change and upgrading aging infrastructure. PCL is actively engaged in numerous water infrastructure projects across the state, including in Arvada, Commerce City, Vail, Golden and Pagosa Springs, with more expected down the pipeline.  

The new Northwater Treatment Plant near Golden, Colorado is a prime example of municipalities building for their water future. Owned by Denver Water, this facility can treat up to 75 million gallons of water per day and has capacity for future expansions to support population growth. With growing populations, a changing climate and prolonged drought, Lebeda says these construction projects can't just offer short-term fixes.   

“Water infrastructure projects must be designed for long-term sustainability,” says Lebeda. “They need to adapt to evolving communities and climates while integrating modern, sustainable technologies.”

Conserving water sources is just one piece of the puzzle: protecting the quality of that water is another. Colorado is also impacted by new water quality standards issued by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) this past summer. The new regulations are the first-ever legally enforceable national drinking water standard and are intended to protect communities from exposure to harmful per-and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), also known as “forever chemicals.” States are tapping into $1 billion in funding from the Biden Administration’s Bipartisan Infrastructure Law to implement testing and treatment measures in public water systems that meet the new standards.  

One project benefiting from this legislation and subsequent funding is the Klein Enhancement Project, a new water treatment facility in Commerce City, Colorado. Alongside the South Adams County Water and Sanitation District (SACWSD), PCL Construction is building a new water treatment facility, southeast of Denver, to implement an ion-exchange system that complies with the EPA’s new drinking water standards for PFAS removal.  
 
While the legislation allows municipalities until June 2027 to meet initial monitoring requirements and until June 2029 for treatment requirements, SACWSD is taking early action. Other municipalities, including at least 20 counties in Colorado that have been tested, will soon need to follow suit by upgrading their facilities to incorporate advanced treatment technologies.   

“Investing in modern water treatment infrastructure is not just about complying with regulations,” says Lebeda. “It’s about safeguarding public health and the environment. Improved awareness about contaminants like PFAS makes it more critical than ever for municipalities to prioritize upgrading their systems to ensure clean, safe water.” 

One of the biggest tolls of climate change in Colorado has been the increasing scarcity of the state’s water supply. Over the past decade, Colorado’s mountains, which supply most of the state's water through snowmelt, reservoirs and river runoff, have been increasingly threatened by wildfires caused by unusually dry conditions. In areas affected by major wildfires, it can take up to 25 years for the region to fully recover and restore the water quantity and quality it once provided, which presents a significant challenge as the demand for water continues to rise with the growing population. And wildfires are just one of the many climate-related events impacting our water supply. 

However, it’s not just infrastructure that must adapt - people must too. Ongoing public education about the value and scarcity of water is essential. Additionally, individuals need to adopt water conservation practices and support efforts to protect water resources. From replacing water-reliant lawns with drought-tolerant plants to advocating for improved infrastructure, everyday Coloradans can have as much impact on preserving this vital resource as any government leader.

“Colorado's water infrastructure is at a critical crossroads. Aging systems and increasing demands from population growth and drought require prompt action,” says Lebeda. “With increased financial support coming from the federal government, we have a rare opportunity to modernize our water systems, ensuring long-term resilience and reliability for Colorado’s communities.”