Mesa County advances wastewater solution for the Mack community
Mesa County is moving forward with plans to modernize the wastewater system serving the Mack community, focusing on a more affordable and sustainable treatment approach.
On March 3, commissioners approved a $175,000 change order to continue engineering work on the Mack Wastewater Treatment and Collections System project.
The project supports the Mesa County Lower Valley Public Improvement District, which operates the wastewater system serving about 450 residents in Mack.
The existing wastewater treatment facility was originally approved in 1976 and is due for upgrades to meet the long-term needs of the community.
Mesa County has been working for several years to identify a solution that protects water quality while remaining financially feasible for the small population the system serves.
Earlier concepts for the project relied on a mechanical treatment system, which would have been significantly more expensive to build and operate.
To reduce costs while still meeting regulatory requirements, Mesa County shifted the project toward a lagoon-based treatment system supported by updated infrastructure and mechanical headworks.
The change order approved March 3 allows the county’s engineering consultant, JVA Consulting Engineers, to complete the redesign and finalize construction plans for the lagoon system.
The additional engineering work includes:
- Final construction design
- Regulatory resubmittals to the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment
- Utility coordination
- Grant funding support
Mesa County continues working to secure grant funding to help pay for construction. The system serves a small population with limited rate capacity, making outside funding important to the project’s financial feasibility.
Once the design is finalized and funding is secured, the county will move toward bidding and construction.
The goal is to provide a reliable, long-term wastewater solution that protects water quality and supports the future of the Mack community.
