Telluride, Colorado MBR System
Newterra Achieves “New Heights” in Wastewater Treatment!
From eight months from contract award to system operation, Newterra supplies a rapid solution and within a tight budget to save the day for this remote community.
Faced with strict effluent limits and a tight timeline, the Last Dollar project partnered with AquaWorks DBO and Newterra to rapidly deploy a modular MBR system—meeting regulatory requirements and earning national recognition for engineering excellence.
Last Dollar is a year-round residential community located just outside of Telluride, Colorado.
Market Served
Small Remote Community
Application
Decentralized Wastewater Treatment
Location
Telluride, Colorado
Challenge
Emergency Replacement System
Solution/Service
MBR Sewage Treatment Plant
CHALLENGE
The key challenges facing the Last Dollar project was its difficult location for installation and the overall tight schedule to replace the old failing system. The Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment (CDPHE), had provided effluent requirements much less than the initial system was designed for – therefore, changing technology to MBR was now a must.
SOLUTION
AquaWorks DBO worked with the client, confirming that Newterra’s modular membrane bioreactor (MBR) technology was the only option that met all the specific requirements of installation, schedule, effluent performance, and overall equipment and installation costs.
Newterra began working with AquaWorks DBO immediately to finalize the best system that would provide the required capacity of treatment and meet the effluent limits imposed by the Colorado Department of Public Health (CDPHE). The preliminary design was presented to the CDPHE and their quick and positive response to the system design solution allowed Newterra to begin fabrication of the system within four months, due to weather constraints. Ultimately, the system was shipped in January, and was already treating 10,000 gpd (38 m3/day) of wastewater in March.
Newterra’s modular Clear3 Membrane Bioreactor (MBR) system was identified as the ideal solution to meet the unique demands of the site. The MBR technology offered:
- High-quality effluent capable of meeting CDPHE’s strict limits
- Rapid deployment with containerized, factory-built components
- A compact footprint and modular design suited to limited on-site space
- Reliability in cold weather conditions
RESULTS
Newterra’s Clear3 MBR system now provides reliable, regulatory-compliant wastewater treatment for the Last Dollar community. The project was completed on time and within budget, with minimal disruption to residents—a major win for both the HOA and the engineering team. Newterra’s decentralized systems deliver fast, scalable performance—proven by the Last Dollar project’s success in providing safe, sustainable, and compliant infrastructure under tight timelines.
An Award-Wining Partnership
AquaWorks DBO, Inc. was awarded the GRAND PRIZE by the American Academy of Environmental Engineers and Scientists® for Excellence in Environmental Engineering and Science™ for this project.
We Are Here to Help
Partner with Newterra to maximize your water resources. Together, we’ll design solutions specific to your needs in the food and beverage industry, boosting your efficiency and driving success.