Crews Working To Reduce Unpleasant Odors From Reclaimed Water System In Broomfield

Press release from the City and County of Broomfield:

August 22, 2020

Residents have reported an unpleasant odor within some of Broomfield’s parks and neighborhoods at night. The odors are directly attributable to the quality of the reclaimed water used to irrigate those areas. The reclaimed water system is not connected to the drinking water system.

The extended high temperatures and lack of precipitation have increased irrigation demands within Broomfield. Great Western Reservoir, which stores the reclaimed water used for irrigation, is lower than normal due to the increased demands. The remaining water has little to no oxygen and has high levels of chlorophyll, which indicates an algae bloom. These blooms are known to create this type of odor, which has been described as smelling like rotten eggs.

The reclaimed water system is used to irrigate Interlocken, some of Broomfield’s parks, and common areas in residential neighborhoods. No residential homeowners are connected to the reclaimed water irrigation system. Again, the reclaimed water system is not connected to the drinking water system.

Broomfield is actively responding to the odors by limiting irrigation of parks to the minimum levels that will keep vegetation alive. We are also adding additional odor treatment to the reclaimed water entering the system and will make adjustments to our sources of supply. These steps should reduce the strength of the odors over the next several days, but may not completely eliminate them.

Still have questions about water quality? Please call Broomfield Public Works at 303.438.6334.

This press release was produced by the City and County of Broomfield. The views expressed are the author's own.