Golf Courses Meet Large Diameter Interceptors

In 2017, five Denver Metro area entities collaborated on a regional wastewater master plan (Plan) with the goal to eliminate lift stations and provide a sustainable solution for wastewater conveyance and treatment for the region. The plan identified over 25 mi of new gravity interceptors required to eliminate seven lift stations and convey wastewater to a recently constructed treatment plant on the north side of the Denver Metro area. Implementation of the interceptors proved to be more difficult than presented in the Plan due to award-winning and championship golf courses situated near the natural drainageways the interceptors were required to follow. This paper focuses on the design and construction considerations necessary to install the 60-in. and 42-in. diameter interceptors through two golf courses in the Denver Metro area. A detailed discussion of the alignment optimization necessary for stakeholder acceptance, groundwater control, and balancing the viability and costs associated with tunneling and open cut installation methods is presented.