Upper Landing Wastewater Reclamation
Mighty Argo Metropolitan District #2 • Idaho Springs, CO
Solution Overview
Client:
Mighty Argo Metropolitan District #2
Business Challenge:
- The project required wastewater treatment for a remote mountain destination located 1,300 feet above Idaho Springs, with no municipal sewer connection or surface water discharge.
Solution:
- A compact, containerized wastewater reclamation system was designed to treat 20,000 GPD of high-strength wastewater using MBR and RO treatment, automated controls, and off-site prefabrication.
Results:
- Installed within a footprint of less than a quarter acre
- Supports on-site water reuse and groundwater infiltration
- Enables remote operation
- Meets Colorado reclaimed water and groundwater standards
- Reduces potable water hauling
- Supports long-term watershed protection
Challenge
The Mighty Argo Cable Car Project required wastewater treatment for a new outdoor recreation and heritage tourism destination located 1,300 feet above Idaho Springs, Colorado. The site presented several significant constraints, including remote mountain access, limited construction space, no municipal sewer connection, and no option for surface water discharge.
The Upper Landing Wastewater Reclamation Facility also needed to treat 20,000 gallons per day of high-strength wastewater while supporting long-term environmental protection of the surrounding watershed. With less than a quarter acre available for treatment infrastructure, the project required a compact, reliable system that could operate effectively in a difficult mountain environment.
Solution
Using the Construction Manager at Risk (CMAR) method, the project team delivered a compact, containerized wastewater reclamation system designed to treat 20,000 gallons per day of high-strength wastewater within the remote Upper Landing site. The system integrates membrane bioreactor (MBR) and reverse osmosis (RO) treatment with automated controls, supporting on-site water reuse, groundwater infiltration, and remote operation in a mountain environment with no municipal sewer connection or surface water discharge.
To address the site’s access, elevation, and limited construction space, all treatment infrastructure was prefabricated off-site and installed within a footprint of less than a quarter acre. The completed facility meets Colorado reclaimed water and groundwater standards, reduces the need for potable water hauling, and supports long-term environmental protection of the surrounding watershed.
Award Recognition
The Upper Landing Wastewater Reclamation Facility received a 2026 Honor Award in the Small Projects category from the American Academy of Environmental Engineers and Scientists’ Excellence in Environmental Engineering and Science Awards Competition. The recognition highlights the project’s innovative approach to small-scale wastewater reclamation in a remote mountain setting, including compact treatment design, water reuse, groundwater infiltration, remote operation, and limited land disturbance.