Little Thompson Water District is constructing a new transmission line along Larimer County Road 16 to connect the Twin Mounds storage tanks west of I-25 with waterlines east of I-25. This project will improve water pressure in the northeast quadrant of our water system, supporting our customers during peak demand and providing a reliable backup supply when maintenance or repairs are needed. Funded through 2020-issued bonds, this 4-mile project impacts 22 properties in a fast-growing area and is expected to be completed by 2026.

To improve water quality, LTWD is upgrading the existing mixing system in the 5-million-gallon Twin Mounds storage tank. The current system requires power, maintenance and has not been fully effective, leaving some areas of the tank with “old water.” The new passive mixing system, scheduled for installation in 2025, will enhance water circulation without the need for power or maintenance, helping provide high-quality, good-tasting water to our customers.

To extend the life of the Twin Mounds steel storage tank, LTWD will install a cathodic protection system in 2025. This includes a deep well anode bed and an active rectifier system designed to prevent corrosion on the tank’s uncoated steel bottom, allowing our infrastructure to last longer.

The Buckhorn Tank in Masonville struggles to maintain consistent water quality, requiring LTWD to flush water to remove stagnation. In 2025, LTWD will conduct a study to evaluate system modifications that will improve mixing during winter operations, reducing water waste and ensuring high-quality drinking water. Future improvements will be implemented based on the study’s findings.

To support growth in Firestone’s Barefoot Lakes subdivision, a new 24-inch water transmission line is needed. LTWD is partnering with the developer to upsize this pipeline to 30 inches, ensuring additional capacity for the Town of Mead’s future developments. The developer will cover initial construction costs, with LTWD reimbursing the difference between the 24-inch and 30-inch pipelines through tap sale revenue. Construction began in March 2025 and is expected to take 18 months.

LTWD is investing in a secure, insulated 4,100-square-foot storage facility to protect critical water system materials currently stored outside from weather damage and theft. This 2025 project will enhance LTWD’s ability to maintain and repair water infrastructure efficiently.

The 150,000-gallon Sedona storage tank, serving the Sedona Hills subdivision, has never been recoated since installation and has developed corrosion-related leaks. In 2025, LTWD will replace the tank floor, reinforce structural supports, install a new vent and recoat the interior to extend the tank’s lifespan.

A new 7-million-gallon concrete storage tank will be constructed on the west side of I-25 and north of County Road 38 to support growth in the Town of Mead and Barefoot Lakes. The project, beginning in 2025 and continuing into 2027, includes new pipeline connections to ensure efficient water distribution.

The water meters in the Arkins Water District, which LTWD began managing in 2000, have reached the end of their lifespan. In 2025, LTWD will replace approximately 600 meters to improve accuracy and reliability.

The aging 10-inch pipeline from Phils Vault to Hwy 60, installed in the 1960s, is due for an upgrade. LTWD will replace it with a 12 and 16-inch PVC pipeline over a 12,000-foot stretch, with construction extending through 2027.

LTWD relies on remote monitoring systems to track water operations. Many of these telemetry sites are outdated and unsupported by manufacturers with replacement parts. Over the next five years, LTWD is budgeting annual funds to systematically replace 38 sites.

With increasing development near LTWD facilities, vandalism and theft have become concerns. In 2025, LTWD will install solar-powered, motion-sensitive lighting and security cameras at tank sites to enhance protection.

LTWD holds valuable water rights that allow for reuse after treatment from St. Vrain Sanitation District. In 2025, LTWD will fund a feasibility study to explore diverting this downstream water for additional supply. Future investments will support infrastructure development, with completion targeted for 2029.

To increase capacity and improve raw water treatment, the Carter Lake Filter Plant is expanding from 50 to 72 million gallons per day. This expansion will also give the plant some additional flexibility in the raw water quality it can treat. LTWD is responsible for half of the $56 million project cost, funding it through bonds and capital reserves. Construction begins in fall 2025 and will take three years.

Most of LTWD’s water comes from the Colorado-Big Thompson Project, operated by Northern Water. However, in 2007, LTWD and Central Weld County Water District constructed a 10,000-acre-foot (AF) reservoir east of Carter Lake to provide additional reserve in drought. LTWD is entitled to half or 5,000 AF of storage to provide drought protection and operational flexibility. Due to the location of the reservoir and advanced planning, LTWD was able to construct the reservoir without the lengthy delays and cost of federal review. The reservoir cost $28 million.