Roxborough Water and Sanitation District

Roxborough Water and Sanitation District (RWSD or District) continues to receive recognition for the state-of-the-art technology and innovative approach to water treatment plant operations at its Larry D. Moore Water Treatment Plant. The plant was named after former General Manager, Larry D. Moore, who worked almost 30 years for the District and was instrumental in securing a permanent raw-water supply for the community.

In the summer of 2017, RWSD began operations at the new water treatment plant, which replaced its old facility constructed in 1958. The new treatment plant included the ACTIFLO Turbo high-rate water clarification process that has the ability to remove over 99% of the naturally occurring contaminants in their raw water supply and allowed RWSD to save an estimated 30% on the cost of the new treatment plant.

It was the first treatment plant in Colorado to receive 100 percent of its initial disinfection credits from UV (ultraviolet light). UV light is very effective in killing many microorganisms that can be present in even the most pristine mountain streams. UV light is free of any chemicals, doesn’t affect the taste, helps keep the water clear, and doesn’t add any odors. In 2018, the plant switched to the use of chloramination to maintain a disinfected residual in the treated water as it travels through the system. It is more stable and easier to work with than chlorine.

In addition to providing safe, clean, great tasting drinking water to the Roxborough community, RWSD also operates the wastewater collection and transmission system. In 2005 the District undertook a project to regionalize wastewater treatment services with the City of Littleton and South Platte Renew (formerly the Littleton-Englewood WWTP). This $20 million investment allowed the District to eliminate two wastewater treatment plants that had previously discharged to the South Platte River upstream of Chatfield Reservoir.

Each spring, Roxborough conducts a “Spring Cleaning” by flushing the main water pipelines (mains) throughout the community to clear out naturally occurring iron and magnesium accumulation that has built up during the year. Flushing is critical to the maintenance of the distribution system.

2022 is the 50th anniversary of the founding of the Roxborough Community, and in recognition of this milestone and the age of the community’s infrastructure, RWSD is kicking off a comprehensive fixed asset replacement program to address aging infrastructure throughout the District.

In 2012 the District received the Special District Association (SDA) Collaboration Award for its efforts to bring a reliable water supply to service area in northwest Douglas County dependent on wells.

In 2013 the District received the SDA District of the Year Award.

In 2018 the Larry D. Moore Water Treatment Plant was named a Top Project by Water and Wastes Digest.

In 2019 the Larry D. Moore Water Treatment Plant received the ACEC Excellence Award.

In 2022, Roxborough Water & Sanitation District is again partnering with Resource Central to offer low-water-garden kits to help reduce outdoor water use.