Located in the small mountain town of Pagosa Springs, Colorado the Snowball Water Treatment Plant will increase the amount of safe and reliable treated water the Pagosa Area Water and Sanitation District (PAWSD) can produce, now and into the future. PAWSD selected PCL based on the company’s experience with water treatment technology and history of being a reliable and motivated team capable of helping solve water treatment needs, including in remote areas. 

Originally constructed in the 1960s, the existing treatment structure was a Vietnam War military surplus building before being relocated to the current site. The new facility will increase the plant's capacity from 2 million gallons per day (MGD) to 3 MGD at full capacity, serving the Pagosa Springs area.  

The project also includes a dissolved air flotation (DAF) pre-treatment system, a unique feature in potable water treatment. A DAF system removes suspended solids and contaminants from water by injecting air under pressure, forming tiny bubbles. These bubbles attach to particles, causing them to float to the surface, where they are removed. The remaining clarified water is then collected for further treatment or discharge. This system is particularly useful for filtering out the forest fire debris that could be found in the facility’s raw water source, the San Juan River. 

This project’s location presents unique challenges in obtaining materials, finding labor, and unpredictable weather. To stay on schedule, the team had to keep working while the existing water treatment facility remained operational. Positioned 7,460 feet above sea level, the two-story building has a precast concrete exterior. Part of the floor slab sits directly on the ground, while another section is elevated, requiring simultaneous concrete pours due to the layout of the control joints. The team successfully completed the concrete work on schedule with an approximate total of 3,500 cubic yards placed. 

PCL assembled the project team with staff from several different operating areas. The ability to send an expert workforce to this remote location will allow PCL to meet the client’s budget and schedule goals, while providing an upgraded facility that offers a reliable and sustainable water future for the town.