Improving our infrastructure to ensure access to high-quality, reliable water for generations
The Fort Collins-Loveland Water District serves over 60,000 customers spanning approximately 60 square miles across parts of Fort Collins, Loveland, Timnath, Windsor and Larimer County. For over 60 years, we have been dedicated to our mission of providing high-quality, secure, reliable, and affordable water. To ensure that we are well-positioned to meet the water needs of current and future customers for generations to come, the District has developed a Capital Improvement Plan (CIP) as part of our long-range master planning strategy.
The CIP includes a variety of construction projects such as the installation of new pipelines, maintenance and repair of water infrastructure such as pipelines and pump stations, and the construction of new storage facilities. These projects are crucial for ensuring access to clean and safe water, improving water infrastructure and meeting growing demands.
We understand these projects can be an inconvenience. Please know our team is working diligently to complete projects quickly and efficiently to minimize the impact. This page is designed to provide customers and our community with information on current and upcoming projects within the District. If you have any questions or concerns about a project please contact our office at (970) 226-3104 or send us a message through our contact form.
Current Projects and Improvements
Zone 5 Traffic Phasing
The concept traffic phasing exhibits are preliminary in nature and provided for information only. Dates, detours, closures, etc. are subject to change based on weather, permit approvals, and construction production.
Zone 5 Project – Phase 2
June – December 2024
The Zone 5 Project is a multi-phase project stretching approximately 8 miles across the City of Fort Collins. Existing FCLWD infrastructure is undersized for current and future flow needs, resulting in dependence on pump stations and alternative water delivery sources. The Zone 5 project will increase hydraulic capacity and improve overall system performance and reliability. The completion of this project is critical to continue to deliver reliable and affordable water to our customers. During phase 2 of the project we will be installing a 24″ water line along Horsetooth Rd. from Manhattan Ave. to Taft Hill Rd.
It is not expected that water services will be interrupted as part of construction. If an interruption is necessary, residents will be notified via a door hanger 24 hours in advance.
During the project, the following areas will be impacted with roadway restrictions, detours and closures. Please follow all crew instructions and signage and be prepared to use detour routes, park on adjacent streets and allow additional time for commuting.
- Shields Bore | June – July 2024
- Pleasant Valley Canal Bore | June 2024
- Horsetooth Rd. at Manhattan Ave. | July 2024
- Southern westbound lane from Manhattan Ave. to Shields St. | July – Sept. 2024
- Northern eastbound lane from Shields St. to Taft Hill Rd. | Sept. – Dec. 2024
Please Note: dates are estimates based on favorable weather conditions and are subject to change.
For questions about the Zone 5 Project, please contact Linsey Chalfant at lchalfant@fclwd.com or 970.226.3104 ext. 108
Zone 5 Project – Future Phases
The future phases for Zone 5 are still under design and subject to change. The project will be completed in multiple phases over several years and conceptual alignments are shown in the graphic to the left.
Updates will be provided as information becomes available.
Trilby Tank 30-Inch Feeder Pipeline
December 2024 – April 2025
The Trilby Tank Feeder Pipeline project involves installing a 30-inch water main within the public right-of-way and/or utility easement parallel to Trilby Road. The pipeline will extend approximately 3,200 feet west from Taft Hill Road and will be completed using a trenchless bore crossing beneath Taft Hill Road. The project also includes two connections to the existing water system: one near the intersection of Trilby Road and Taft Hill Road, and another near the current water tank.
Construction is scheduled to start in early December 2024 and is expected to be completed by late March 2025, weather and other potential delays permitting. All work will occur within the public right-of-way or designated utility easement.
It is not expected that water services will be interrupted as part of construction. If an interruption is necessary, residents will be notified via a door hanger 24 hours in advance.
During the project, the following areas will be impacted with roadway restrictions, detours and closures. Please follow all crew instructions and signage and allow additional time for commuting.
- Trilby Road, west of Taft Hill | December 2024 – March 2025
Please Note: dates are estimates based on favorable weather conditions and are subject to change.
For questions about the Trilby Tank Feeder Pipeline, please contact Carlos Medina at cmedina@fclwd.com or 970.226.3104 ext. 121
Western Backbone – Phase 3
February – October 2025
The Western Backbone Transmission Pipeline Project is part of the District’s ongoing system improvements. This project will replace four miles of undersized transmission mains along the western edge of the district’s service area. It also will increase hydraulic capacity and improve overall system performance. The first phase was completed in 2023 and the second phase was completed in 2024. The remaining phases will be constructed in subsequent years.
Phase 3 of the Western Backbone project is anticipated to begin in the first part of 2025. This phase will take place between Overland Trail and Prospect Road along Pleasant Valley Road, Virginia Dale Drive. Wildwood Road, Lake Street and Cedarwood Drive. See the map for specific timeframes. The construction schedule is an estimate based on ideal weather conditions. Weather and other delays to this schedule may occur.
What to Expect
Driveway Access
- Work will be completed under a rolling closure, meaning the road will only be fully closed at the current excavation site.
- There will be soft closures for local traffic only as you enter your neighborhood, but residents should have access to your driveways for most of the construction.
- There will likely be a two-day period during pipe installation where those along the construction route will not be able to access driveways.
- There will also likely be a two-day period during paving operations where residents will not be able to access driveways. If concrete repairs are necessary in front of your driveway, an additional 2-3 days may be needed.
- Residents will be notified by door hanger 24 hours before changes to driveway accessibility.
- Residents can park in the Overland Park parking lot when access to driveways is impacted.
Construction Hours
- Construction may take place 7 a.m. – 6:30 p.m., Monday thru Friday. Work will only occur on Saturdays if there are delays due to weather or other unforeseen circumstances. Residents will be notified if work will be performed on Sundays. No work will be done on major holidays.
Deliveries, Trash and Service Providers
- Crews will assist with trash pickup.
- Crews will also allow access to mail carriers and delivery drivers.
- The project contractor will make reasonable concessions to allow personal service providers access to impacted properties.
It is not expected that water services will be interrupted as part of construction. If an interruption is necessary, residents will be notified via a door hanger 24 hours in advance.
For a detailed list of Frequently Asked Questions, click here. For additional questions about the Western Backbone Project, please contact Linsey Chalfant at lchalfant@fclwd.com or 970.226.3104 ext. 108.
Western Backbone Project – Future Phases
The future phases for Western Backbone are still under design and subject to change. The project will be completed in multiple phases over several years and conceptual alignments are shown in the graphic to the left.
Updates will be provided as information becomes available.
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NOTE: By signing up you will only receive email updates regarding the Western Backbone Transmission Pipeline project. You will not receive any other communications from FCLWD, including billing, newsletters, programs, etc.
Why is Fort Collins-Loveland Water District doing work in my neighborhood when I get my water from Fort Collins Utilities?
Fort Collins has several different water providers, including Fort Collins Utilities and Fort Collins-Loveland Water District. Water treatment facilities for both utilities are in northwest Fort Collins due to the access to water supplies in Horsetooth Reservoir and the Poudre River. While Fort Collins Utilities serves most of the main part of Fort Collins, water still needs to be distributed to other neighborhoods in southern Fort Collins and northern Loveland, which is where these projects come in. It allows the district to better provide water to its customers.
Completed Projects and Improvements
Zone 5 Project - Phase 1
Completed: December 2023
During phase 1 of the Zone 5 project (see above for more detail) we installed a 24″ water line along Manhattan Ave. and Troutman Pkwy. Phase 1 was completed on-time and on-budget in December 2023.
- Installed 5,651 LF of 24” water transmission line
- Two bores were completed along College Avenue and New Mercer Ditch/BNSF Railroad
- Final landscaping at Troutman and New Mercer Canal will take place in spring 2024.
Western Backbone Project - Phase 1
Completed December 2023
The Fort Collins-Loveland Water District installed a 36″/42″ water line as part of our ongoing system improvements. This 0.5 mile is the first phase of a 4-mile multi-phase project. This work is expected ahead of the future City of Fort Collins and Larimer County Corridor Improvement Project anticipated for 2024/2025. Phase 1 of the project was completed on-time and on-budget in December 2023.
- During the project, 2982 LF of 36” and 42” water transmission line was installed
- The project crossed two major intersections and 0.5 miles of arterial road.
Western Backbone Project - Phase 2
Completed October 2024
The Fort Collins-Loveland Water District installed a 42″ water line as part of our ongoing system improvements. The second phase of the Western Backbone project focused on the intersections of Prospect/Cedarwood and Overland/Pleasant Valley and was completed ahead of schedule.
