Project History and Timeline
The City of Westminster is committed to providing affordable, high-quality water services.
The City is building a new water treatment facility and associated infrastructure to phase out the aging Semper Water Treatment Facility.
The new facility was designed over the last couple years with multiple opportunities for the community to provide feedback and input.
Every effort will be made to stay on schedule and finish the project on time; however, unforeseen circumstances, like weather or supply chain issues may cause delays.
Why a New Facility?
The 54-year-old Semper Water Treatment Facility is nearing the end of its useful life and will be phased out as the new treatment facility comes online.
The existing Semper site is inadequate for upgrading the facility to meet current and anticipated regulatory needs.
The new facility will provide an affordable solution with the flexibility to:
- Replace aging infrastructure and expand if needed.
- Respond to future state and federal clean water regulations.
- Build additional treatment processes to respond to potential future wildfire or watershed contamination and emerging contaminants.
Facility Rendering & Finishes
Water Treatment Facility Construction
We are making every effort to minimize inconvenience and to complete work as efficiently and safely as possible.
Minimizing Impacts
-
Typical work hours: Monday through
Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.
- Some evening and weekend work may be required as needed
- Construction activity to begin in late fall 2025 with work anticipated to take about three years
- Heavy truck traffic along Westminster Boulevard
- Noise, dust, and vibrations due to construction activity
- Construction fencing around the active work zone and perimeter fencing around the treatment facility area
Temporary Road Closures
-
Temporary road closures may be necessary to complete
work as efficiently and safely as possible.
- Roadway improvements on Westminster Boulevard
Heavy Machinery
- Heavy equipment, large trucks and increased crew vehicles on site
- Large cranes and scaffolding throughout the project
Water Supply Line Construction
We are making every effort to minimize inconvenience and to complete work as efficiently and safely as possible.
Minimizing Impacts
- Typical work hours: Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.
- Temporary traffic lane and sidewalk closures
- Noise, dust, and vibrations due to construction activity
- Trenches in the ground to lay the new pipe in most sections of the project
- Some tree removal is anticipated near the open space area east of Betty Adams Elementary
Temporary Road Closures
-
Temporary road closures may be necessary to complete
work as efficiently and safely as possible.
- Pierce and 96th Avenue
- 98th Avenue and Westminster Boulevard
Tunnel Operations
-
To be good neighbors, we will bore tunnels in the
following areas to minimize traffic impacts:
- BNSF crossing at Old Wadsworth
- Westminster Boulevard north of the Sports Complex
- US-36 south of Westminster Boulevard overpass
Caring For Our Community
Schools Along 96th Avenue
- We are coordinating closely with Semper Elementary, Mandalay Middle School, and Betty Adams to ensure student safety is a top priority.
- Most of the work along 96th Avenue is anticipated to take place in the summer 2026 when school is out of session.
Finished Water Line & Additional Utilities Construction
We are making every effort to minimize inconvenience and to complete work as efficiently and safely as possible.
Minimizing Impacts
-
Typical work hours: Monday through
Friday, 7 a.m. to 5 p.m.
- Construction is expected to begin as early as 2026.
- Construction is anticipated to last up to 6 months.
- Temporary traffic lane and sidewalk closures as well as construction in the open space to lay pipe
- You can expect to see track hoes and loaders
- Noise, dust, and vibrations due to construction activity
- Fiber optic communications and Xcel Energy electrical service will likely be installed with trenchless directional drilling equipment
Temporary Road Closures
-
Temporary lane closures will be necessary to complete
work as efficiently and safely as possible:
- 98th Avenue
- Westminster Boulevard
- Sheridan Boulevard (Work in the intersection of Sheridan Boulevard will require some night construction to reduce traffic impacts.)
Caring For Our Community
Impacts to 98th Avenue
We plan to coordinate closely and communicate regularly with property owners along 98th Avenue to limit construction impacts.
Funding and Rates
The Westminster Boulevard Drinking Water Project will be funded by cash on hand and bonds. These funding methods were chosen for a variety of reasons:
- Good interest rates: The City secured a low interest rate for the revenue bonds. The City's current bank interest rate will allow the City to earn money on these revenue bonds.
- Moderate Rate Increases: Due to the favorable bond interest rate, the City didn't have to increase water rates, but rather was able hold water rate increases at 4.5% in 2025 and 2026.
- Lower Project Costs: Using federal funds to pay for the project would have resulted in increased costs due to construction/ procurement requirements.
- Changes in Funding Options: Since initially looking into funding options, changes were made to the funding amounts available through the State Revolving Fund, making it less advantageous for the City and increasing project costs.
- Future Borrowing Capabilities: Using multiple funding sources now could affect the City's future debt rating and borrowing capabilities.
Good interest rates: The City secured a low
interest rate for the revenue bonds. The City's current bank
interest rate will allow the City to earn money on these
revenue bonds.
Moderate Rate Increases: Due to the favorable
bond interest rate, the City didn't have to increase water
rates, but rather was able hold water rate increases at 4.5%
in 2025 and 2026.
Lower Project Costs: Using federal funds to
pay for the project would have resulted in increased costs due
to construction/ procurement requirements.
Changes in Funding Options: Since initially
looking into funding options, changes were made to the funding
amounts available through the State Revolving Fund, making it
less advantageous for the City and increasing project costs.
Future Borrowing Capabilities: Using multiple
funding sources now could affect the City's future debt rating
and borrowing capabilities.
Engaging the Community
The City is committed to engaging the community about the Westminster Boulevard Drinking Water Facility Project.
In December 2023, we created a community advisory team (CAT) of homeowners, businesses, and organizations adjacent to the drinking water facility site to advise the project team on the aesthetics and appearance of the building and surrounding area. We have held four CAT meetings, during which CAT members have shared input on topics that include:
- Open space concerns
- Design finishes
- Improvements in the project vicinity
- Trail connection
Their participation ensures that the neighboring community has a voice in the building design, and we are eager to hear from the broader Westminster community today through this online open house.
