Environmental Characterization, Soils Remediation, and Residential Utilities Construction

Challenge

MSK was engaged to provide comprehensive engineering services for the development of residential properties in a small Colorado town nestled within the San Juan Mountains. This project involved transforming an abandoned parcel of land impacted by historic mining operations into a fully serviced residential community. Our team led extensive site remediation efforts to address and mitigate environmental concerns associated with legacy mining byproducts. Additionally, we designed and implemented critical infrastructure improvements, including the installation of new municipal water and sewer mains, underground primary power, and underground communication lines. Given the region's rugged terrain and unique environmental challenges, we needed to carefully plan and execute multiple street buildouts to ensure safe, durable, and well-integrated roadways.

Solution

MSK provided all design, permitting, and oversight of the project that included an initial site remediation prior to the installation of utilities and streetscapes.

We created a localized hydraulic water model of the Town of Silverton's potable drinking water system based on a water system map provided by the public works department. By utilizing a combination of lidar and survey elevation data along with existing water system pipe materials and sizing information, we were able to successfully model normal operating pressures and fire flow conditions for the proposed water system expansion. Looped lines were incorporated into the design to provide flow redundancy and minimize water quality concerns.

Results

Through collaboration with the DPW director, we successfully completed the largest expansion of Silverton's original platted lands in recent years, setting the standard for streetscape and utility construction in a town that has lacked major development since its mining days.