Water treatment plant goes green

If you’ve driven past the intersection of 63rd Street and Hwy.119, you’ve probably noticed the solar array by the Reservoir Water Treatment Plant (RWTP).

According to Meghan Wilson, City of Boulder communication manager, the array helps the city meet its goal of reducing carbon emissions by 50 percent by 2030. The RWTP was the second largest energy user for all of the city’s facilities. The panels will supply two-thirds of the treatment plant’s energy needs.

Wilson said, “We are aiming for 50MW (megawatt) of local renewable energy generation by 2020, and we are almost there – this system will help us meet that goal.”

The project was funded from a portion of a $38,260,000 water and sewer revenue bond, which was approved by city council on May 1. Xcel Energy also provided an incentive through a rebate for 20 years.