RESPEC PROJECT

Growth came faster than expected for the Fort Collins–Loveland Water District (FCLWD) in Colorado. Rapid development across the residential and commercial sectors has outpaced their water storage capacity, placing pressure on aging infrastructure and increasing the risk of service disruptions. The need for new water storage wasn’t a someday project; it was urgent, and it had to be done right.

RESPEC stepped in with decades of experience designing large-scale water storage systems. Project Manager Gene Schaefer, who has led the design of more than fifty tanks, including some of the region’s largest post-tensioned concrete structures, called this project one of the most complex of his career due to site constraints and permitting.

A Massive Tank You’ll Never See (But Will Rely On)

The new 6.0-million-gallon (MG) tank will be FCLWD’s largest tank, increasing the district’s overall storage capacity by 60 percent overall and 150 percent at the Trilby site. Despite its 214-feet diameter and 24-feet height, it will be nearly invisible once complete. Designed to be entirely buried, with just a few surface access hatches and vents visible, the tank will preserve the surrounding landscape and minimize visual impacts for nearby residents.

Post-tensioned concrete engineering makes this possible. High-strength steel cables compress the walls, floor, and roof to prevent cracking, resist soil backfill pressures and extend the tank’s lifespan. The circular design efficiently withstands water pressure, while soil backfill protects against Colorado’s temperature swings and shields components from corrosion.

“The tank will be completely sealed from the elements,” Gene said. “It’s built to last for generations.”

Finding Space—and Solutions—for a Growing City

To make the Trilby tank possible, RESPEC helped FCLWD secure land across Trilby Road from its existing 4.0 MG tank. The site, shared with Larimer County Solid Waste’s planned solid waste transfer facility nearby, required close coordination between the district, county, and RESPEC.

A Memorandum of Understanding allowed tank design to move forward while land negotiations were still underway, helping the team maintain momentum and avoid costly delays.

Early in the process, geotechnical exploration revealed sloping bedrock beneath the foothills site. With that information, RESPEC adjusted the tank’s layout to ensure stable, uniform subgrade support, a critical factor for a structure of this size.

The project also includes two metering vaults, a control building, and a 3,000-foot feeder pipeline to connect the new tank to the district’s transmission main. A section of that pipeline had to be bored under busy Taft Hill Road to avoid disrupting traffic, which was just one of several construction-phase challenges RESPEC helped navigate with foresight and precision.

Permits, Prairie Dogs, and Progress

Getting to construction wasn’t easy. The site, located near a natural area and adjacent to a solid waste facility, required multiple jurisdictional approvals. RESPEC helped guide the district through northern Colorado’s complex permitting landscape, including securing the City of Fort Collins’ first-ever 1041 permit. The team also managed environmental studies involving prairie dogs and burrowing owls, ensuring the design aligned with habitat protection requirements.

While the land purchase process extended the timeline, RESPEC worked closely with stakeholders to maintain momentum and minimize delays.

“We’ve essentially been running design, permitting, and coordination in parallel,” Gene said. “It’s required constant communication and flexibility.”

An All-Hands Effort to Deliver Water Security

RESPEC led the design as the prime consultant, working with a multidisciplinary team that included Ally Utility Consulting LLC (site civil); Kumar & Associates, Inc. (geotechnical); King Surveyors, LLC (surveying); Chavez, Tiffany & Ayers (electrical); GEI Consultants, Inc. (tunneling); and RESPEC’s Water & Wastewater group (civil, controls and environmental) from Colorado Springs and RSPEC’s new Loveland office. Together, they addressed every aspect from structural, site civil, electrical, and geotechnical engineering to environmental compliance, controls, and pipeline routing.

The 3,000-foot feeder pipeline, routed through public lands and sensitive areas, required especially close collaboration. FCLWD’s integrated project delivery approach, combining RESPEC’s design leadership with input from Hensel Phelps Water and Connell Resources, kept the project moving, allowing construction to begin before final approvals were complete.

Building Water Infrastructure That Lasts for Generations

Once constructed, the Trilby tank will support thousands of homes and businesses across Fort Collins and Loveland. It’s a bold investment in public infrastructure and a clear example of what can be accomplished with thoughtful planning, deep experience, and strong partnerships.