Pagosa Springs Lift Station | Roaring Fork Eng.

Wastewater, Water Resources

Pagosa Springs Lift Station

Critical Infrastructure Replacement Delivers a Safer and More Resilient River Crossing

The First Street lift station project is a direct response to an infrastructure failure that created a public health emergency for the Town of Pagosa Springs. A sewer pipe crossing the San Juan River had been suspended beneath a bridge for decades, held in place by hangers rather than buried or encased. In October 2025, a major debris flow event destroyed the pipe and discharged sewage into the river. This project replaced that crossing with a pumped system that raises the pipe out of the debris flow pathway and protects it against future flood and natural hazard events.

Challenges & highlights

The existing crossing was a legacy installation that would not be permitted under current regulations. The pipe’s low elevation made it vulnerable to exactly the kind of high-energy debris event that ultimately caused damage. After the failure, the town faced an urgent need to restore service, protect public health, and prevent further discharge into the San Juan River and its downstream reaches.

The solution lifts the pipe to a higher, more protected elevation and converts the crossing from gravity flow to a pumped system. Pumping is required because the elevation change that gravity once handled can no longer be used safely at that alignment. The team is working closely with the health department to move through permitting quickly and is pursuing funding support for the town to help cover project costs.

The results

The project restored a critical sewer crossing in a way that is built to withstand flooding, debris flows, and other natural hazards that the original installation was never designed to handle. The result is a more resilient system that protects the San Juan River, the downstream communities that depend on it, and the public health of Pagosa Springs residents.

Elevation: 7,110

Location: Pagosa Springs, CO

Conducted a system evaluation considering capital and maintenance requirements for the lift stations and collection system
Evaluated pre-treatment options for the protection of the two major pump stations, including grinder, aerator, basin design configuration, chopper pumps, and other wet well technologies
Assessed the cost feasibility of these options while considering larger plans for the GID
Completed a rate study for the PSSGID under several alternative scenarios
Assisted with pursuing state and federal funding to pay for all recommended capital improvement projects
Presented options and discussed alternatives with the Town board
Collaborated closely with GID staff and Town staff throughout the project and during the development of final recommendations

Build infrastructure that holds up

If your municipality is planning roadway improvements, utility expansions, or system upgrades, we are ready to support your team.