Joseph B. Blake Water Treatment Plant upgrades reach completion

HIGHLANDS RANCH, Colo., Sept. 2, 2026 – The Joseph B. Blake Water Treatment Plant (WTP) Phase 1B Improvement Project has reached final completion, marking a key milestone in ongoing efforts to modernize and strengthen the facility’s resiliency and long-term performance.

The 40 million-gallon-per-day plant is owned and operated by Highlands Ranch Water and serves Highlands Ranch and neighboring portions of northern Douglas County, providing drinking water for a population of more than 100,000.

The project began construction in early 2024 as part of Highlands Ranch Water’s phased approach to replacing aging assets and upgrading its critical infrastructure. The work focused on enhancing equipment and systems that keep the facility operating reliably year-round and setting the stage for future modernization phases.

Phase 1B follows the completion of Phase 1A in spring 2024, which upgraded the pretreatment process and solids separation basin to improve water quality and prepare for future demand, all within the facility’s existing footprint.

Phase 1B included asset replacement to extend equipment life and reduce unplanned downtime, along with electrical upgrades that minimize single points of failure and enable more flexible operations. The project also added backup power and improved communications to facilitate systemwide coordination and monitoring across Highlands Ranch Water facilities. Additional enhancements support safer access, maintenance, and day-to-day operations for plant staff and contractors.

Together, these improvements underscore Highlands Ranch Water’s commitment to proactive reinvestment of ratepayer dollars in critical infrastructure that safeguards public health and maintains reliable service.

“Phase 1B is an important step in Highlands Ranch Water’s long-term investment in the Joseph B. Blake Water Treatment Plant, improving the reliability and redundancy of the systems that support daily operations,” said Highlands Ranch Water Director of Water & Wastewater Operations Peter Bong. “These upgrades will enable us to continue to provide dependable drinking water for our community for years to come.”

The project was delivered through a collaborative construction manager-at-risk (CMAR) approach, with Highlands Ranch Water as the owner, Carollo Engineers providing design and construction management services, and Garney serving as the general contractor. Through this approach, the project was completed more than $1 million below the guaranteed maximum price, reflecting careful planning, coordination, and cost management by Highlands Ranch Water and the project team.

Planned outages for critical electrical and process tie-ins required careful sequencing and close coordination between plant staff and the project team to maintain uninterrupted delivery of safe drinking water throughout construction.

“Congratulations to Highlands Ranch Water on reaching final completion of Phase 1B, a major milestone in modernizing the Joseph B. Blake Water Treatment Plant,” said Carollo Project Manager Jason Assouline. “Phase 1B is a great example of proactive reinvestment to deliver long-term value from essential infrastructure.”

Design is currently underway for Phase 2, the next stage of enhancements to the WTP. Phase 2 will include upgrades to filtration, disinfection, and finished water pumping, along with related process infrastructure improvements to accommodate future growth and evolving regulatory requirements. Construction is scheduled to begin in the second quarter of 2027.

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Media Contact:
Cameron McWilliam
Senior Public Relations Manager // Carollo
[email protected]