Xcel power shutoff nearly caused wastewater spill [Video]

BOULDER, Colo. — Two sources of power for Boulder’s wastewater plant were shut off by Xcel Energy, nearly causing raw sewage to flow into Boulder Creek.

When Xcel utilized public safety power shut-offs (PSPS) for the first time on April 6, it shut down power to Boulder’s Water Resource Recovery Facility (WRRF).

“We can’t treat wastewater without power,” Boulder’s Deputy Utilities Operations Director, Chris Douville, said. “It’s eerily silent when the power is off.”

Douville described the near miss on April 6 that saw the treatment tanks nearing an overflow stage.

“We initially anticipated we had about two hours before we would spill,” Douville said. “The water level in this tank rose within 10 inches of this overflow rear plate.”

He said that several city staff were in contact with Xcel ahead of …