Colorado Springs Utilities invites the public to attend the SDS WaterFest, a free family friendly celebration of the water system and completion of the Southern Delivery System (SDS) water project.

The event, to be held on Saturday, July 23 from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m., will include public tours of the new state-of-the-art Edward W. Bailey Water Treatment Plant located at 977 Marksheffel Road at Highways 24/94 at Marksheffel Road in Colorado Springs. The public will get a rare inside look at what it takes to make water from Pueblo Reservoir into drinking water.

SDS began operating April 28, 2016. The system transports water from Pueblo Reservoir through 50 miles of underground pipe propelled by three raw-water pump stations to the new water treatment plant. The $825 million project was finished on time and $160 million under budget and is the largest infrastructure project completed and put into service at one time by Colorado Springs Utilities.

Water will be front and center at the SDS WaterFest. Educational exhibits and information booths will provide insight on Colorado Springs’ complex and successful water collection and delivery system. There will be water fun on tap including touching a cloud, making snow, and cooling off with spray from a fire hose. Kids can earn a prize by playing a water passport game and meet Dewey the Water Drop. Guests can commemorate the fun at the photo booth.

At noon an SDS time capsule will be buried for future generations to discover. Guests are encouraged to bring a small item that signifies this era to include in the time capsule. 

Food trucks will be at the event selling breakfast and lunch foods and ice cream. Live music will be provided by the popular Inman Brothers Band. To participate in the plant tour, guests are required to wear flat, sturdy shoes, and pets should be left at home.

“SDS was one of the largest water infrastructure projects completed in the western U.S. this century and it has major benefits for Colorado Springs,” said Jerry Forte, CEO Colorado Springs Utilities. “We want the citizen owners of Colorado Springs Utilities to have the opportunity to see their new treatment plant and learn more about their water system and the project that will provide water for generations.”

For more information, visit www.csu.org.