Water System Improvements Contract Awarded to Reams Construction of Naturita

OPHIR – The Colorado Water Resources and Power Development Authority has approved the Town of Ophir’s request for a $500,000 loan at a zero percent interest rate via the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act. The money will be used to improve Ophir’s water system.

In addition to federal stimulus money, the town has also been awarded approximately $390,000 in grant funds for the water project from the Colorado Department of Local Affairs.

Ophir applied for federal stimulus funds in April, working with Telluride Energy, the consulting and project development firm, to complete the application.

At its Dec. 15 General Assembly meeting, the Town of Ophir approved a construction contract with Naturita’s Reams Construction. Project engineering was completed by Drexel, Barrell.

“We are grateful to be receiving support from the federal and state government for our water project,” said Ophir Town Manager Randy Barnes. “It’s awesome that even tiny communities like Ophir can benefit from federal stimulus dollars.”

Improvements to Ophir’s water system will include: construction of a new water infiltration gallery adjacent to the existing diversion on Waterfall Creek; construction of a new water treatment facility with upgrades to the treatment and filtration mechanisms; and installation of an additional 35,000-gallon storage tank in East Ophir to improve the town’s treated water storage capacity and to bolster fire suppression capability.

The principal component of the proposed project is to begin using Waterfall Creek as the Ophir’s primary water supply instead of Warner Springs, which will instead become a backup water source.