Journey of Water
Abstract
This report focuses on the process needed to collect, transport, treat, use, and recycle the water
that is used in the City of Denver. The report will describe in detail the source of water that is
used, as well as the recycling process and where the water is being used after the water is
recycled to curtain quality conditions for reuse. The process is much simplified but works well in
conveying the actual water journey.
Introduction
Water source can be very unique to the region or place that must supply. Luckily for the City of
Denver, the Rocky Mountains are located nearby. During the cold months of winter, the Rocky
Mountains experience large snow storms which accumulate for months. As soon as the hotter
weather arrives, the snow begins to melt which is then collected and the Journey of Water begins
right after is has been locally stored in reservoirs near the source.
1. Water Journey
The water journey that will be explain in the following subsections will be describing the
simplified water journey that the water is brought to the city of Denver.
1.1 Mountain snowmelt
Snow collected in the Rocky Mountains is melted during the warm weather and the water is
collected.
1.2 Mountain reservoir
The snowmelt is collected by connecting streams into a reservoir to be collected.
1.3 Water tunnels
The water from the mountain reservoir is then channeled through tunnels that run from the
mountains towards the city.
1.4 Front Range Reservoirs
The snowmelt water that is transported through channels is then stored in reservoirs located near
by the city.
1.5 Drinking water treatment plant
The water inside of the local reservoirs is then moved to treatment plants. The water is filtered
and treated chemically to remove any harmful content.
1.6 Treated water reservoir
After receiving treatment, the water is moved and stored in other reservoirs located inside the
city.
1.7 Pumping stations
Water that must be moved to higher grounds are moved into pumps that will help water reach
such higher locations.
1.8 Distribution pumps.
Piping systems which have been laid across the city will deliver water to residential areas as well
as industrial and commercial areas.
1.9 Residential customers
Residential areas will have networked piping systems that will deliver the water that is needed.
1.10 Industrial and commercial customers
Industrial and commercial customers also get a share of the water, which is delivered through the
system underground.
1.11 Waste water treatment plant
After water from the sewer system is moved from the origin towards a water treatment plant
where it is filtered and returned to a safe criteria.
1.12 South Platte River
Waste water treated water is poured into the South Platte River which carries the water out of the
state, into Nebraska which joins the North Platte River and becomes the Missouri River.
1.13 Recycled water treatment plant
Recycled waste water is treated to a certain level standard so it can be reused for irrigation and
some industrial/commercial facilities.
1.14 Recycled water Customer
This recycled water is used for city parks, golf courses or any other place that uses large amounts
of water for irrigation and similar things.
2. Mountain Reservoir Siting
There is a need to have a collection point from all the run down water from the snowmelt.
Usually the water flows down the mountains to a collection point such as a lake, pong or a river
in which the water can spill into. Most of the times this will not be the case, hence we need to
design a system to collect water. There is a design criteria in which the surroundings are
considered, any buildings or structures are removed or relocated. It is important to design the
reservoir to prevent over flow and flooding of the surroundings, as this too could pollute the
water with organic material from the surrounding. Top soil is removed to avoid it being dumped
into the reservoir by the tides. It is also important to maintain a deep slop around the shores of
the reservoir. (Shammas et al. 2011)
Conclusion
This report discussed the process which water from the snowmelt undergoes to arrive to the
communities, and when it leaves the communities for recycling. The journey of water is a great
way to understand how we get our waters to our homes and what usually happens to it
afterwards. Many people do not know where the water comes from or the actual steps for
treatment.
Reference
Shammas, Nazih K., and Wang, Lawrence K. (2011). Water supply and wastewater
removal. John Wiley & sons, Inc. Hoboken, N. J.