On July 29, 2026, South Adams County Water and Sanitation District (SACWSD) celebrated the grand opening of the Klein Enhancement Project with a ribbon cutting ceremony. Elected officials, funding partners, community leaders, project partners, and press gathered as the plant began operations for the first time.
This $86 million project—the largest infrastructure investment in SACWSD's history—is Colorado's largest ion exchange treatment facility for removing per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS). The project increases the Klein Water Treatment Facility's PFAS treatment capacity to 18 million gallons per day and strengthens SACWSD's ability to provide high-quality, reliable drinking water for approximately 75,000 customers.
“The completion of the Klein Enhancement Project reflects our long-term commitment to protecting public health and proactively investing in the future of our drinking water system,” said SACWSD Manager Abel Moreno. “This facility strengthens our ability to provide high-quality, reliable drinking water while meeting current and future water quality standards, building on 75 years of service to our community.”
SACWSD partnered with Brown and Caldwell to design the facility and selected PCL Construction as construction manager/general contractor to deliver the project. Through this collaborative effort, the project was completed ahead of schedule and under budget while maintaining uninterrupted service to customers.
Brown and Caldwell optimized treatment processes and maximized operational efficiency in the design by separating flow from higher- and lower-concentration PFAS wells. The design also enables SACWSD to continue using its granular activated carbon (GAC) systems for volatile organic compound (VOC) removal, which extends media life and reduces long-term operating costs.
Funding was critical to making the new facility a reality. Brown and Caldwell's funding team, led by Seema Chavan, supported SACWSD through the full funding cycle, including working with federal and state funding agencies to secure nearly $90 million in low interest loans and grants, which included $61 million in grants from State Revolving Fund (SRF) Bipartisan Infrastructure Law (BIL) PFAS, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Emerging Contaminants in Small Disadvantaged Community, and federal earmarks. This funding strategy minimized the financial impact on ratepayers, while investing in the community's long-term water future.
"This partnership has been invaluable to our team as we continue to make decisions on funding and implementation of our new system."
– Kipp Scott, Special Projects Manager, SACWSD
The ribbon cutting celebration included remarks from:
Kipp Scott, SACWSD Special Projects Manager
Laurie Sullivan, Brown and Caldwell National Drinking Water Lead and Senior Project Manager
Jamie Safulko, PCL Area Manager – CO, UT, NM
Abel Moreno, SACWSD Manager
René Bullock, SACWSD Board President
The speakers highlighted the importance of planning, innovation, and collaboration in delivering a treatment solution that positions SACWSD to meet current and future drinking water quality goals. The event also provided an opportunity to recognize the individuals who contributed to the seven-year project's success—from pilot testing and design through construction and commissioning.
“The Klein Enhancement Project demonstrates what can be accomplished through strong collaboration and a shared commitment to serving the community,” said Laurie Sullivan, Brown and Caldwell Senior Project Manager. “Working alongside SACWSD and PCL Construction, our team designed a treatment facility that not only addresses today's PFAS challenges but also provides a resilient, long-term solution that will benefit the District and its customers for years to come.”