Westminster City Council has taken a significant step toward acquiring land along Westminster Boulevard for a new water treatment plant. Construction of the new water treatment plant and the acquisition of the proposed site is contingent on City Council’s approval of the second reading of the councillor’s bill which is currently planned for early February 2023.  

In addition to setting aside the remaining $22.3 million for land acquisition, City Council could direct city staff to appeal the land value assessment established by the Jefferson County District Court which could potentially lower the total cost of purchasing the land. 

With the approval of the land acquisition, City Council will clear the way for a right-sized water treatment facility to be built on the 40 acres along the east side of Westminster Boulevard north of 98th Avenue. The proposed $196 million water treatment plant will provide the City the flexibility to respond to future state and federal clean water regulations and build additional treatment processes to respond to wildfire contamination.  

The right-sized project follows a nearly year-long re-evaluation of the original Water2025 project with an inflation-adjusted cost of over $300 million. With up to $100 million of potential cost savings, the new right-sized project will ensure the community continues to have clean, safe, and affordable drinking water for generations to come. The water rate structure approved by City Council in 2022 incorporates the necessary funding for the right-sized water treatment plant option.