Lockwood Water and Sewer District Phase 3 Design Survey Project

The Process

Morrison-Maierle supported LWSD through every step of this effort. Our team prepared the Phase 3 Preliminary Engineering Report Update, completed an Environmental Assessment, conducted public meetings to educate and garner support, and helped secure multiple funding sources—including TSEP and RRGL grants, a Rural Development loan, an SRF loan, and an ARPA competitive grant. We also assisted LWSD with creating the sewer subdistrict boundary and a special assessment process with the County and their bond counsel to ensure financial fairness and sustainability.

Protecting the health and safety of Lockwood residents was the driving force behind this project. Many neighborhoods were burdened by aging septic systems, elevated nitrate levels in groundwater, and limited space for replacement drain fields, resulting in costly and temporary solutions.

The Phase 3 Sewer Subdistrict Project significantly enhances environmental stewardship by transitioning wastewater management from decentralized septic systems to a centralized collection and treatment system. This shift reduces the risk of groundwater contamination, mitigates nitrate accumulation in sensitive aquifers, and protects natural resources. By implementing long-term, resilient infrastructure, the project supports public health, provides long-term environmental protection, reduces financial strain on homeowners, and strengthens public confidence in local infrastructure.

Multi-Platform Surveying Builds a Complete Site Model

To effectively design the collection system extension, the project team needed detailed and accurate mapping of the area, including topography, property boundaries, and utility locations. Our team employed a range of methods to create mapping for the design team, ensuring accuracy and cost-effectiveness for the client.

This included static and real-time kinematic (RTK) GNSS surveying for horizontal and vertical control, digital differential leveling for establishing precise elevation benchmarks, and robotic total station observations to collect high-density topographic data in GNSS-obstructed areas such as under canopy or near vertical structures.

For broader terrain and feature mapping, we utilized airborne LiDAR collected via manned fixed-wing aircraft to generate a high-resolution digital elevation model (DEM) encompassing terrain, vegetation, and built features. To supplement the LiDAR dataset and fill in coverage gaps, we conducted drone-based photogrammetric surveys using a small Unmanned Aerial System (sUAS), producing orthomosaic imagery and 3D surface models.

Construction is scheduled to begin in the fall of 2025 and is expected to last for two years. When complete, this project—which began with optimized imagery from Morrison-Maierle’s survey team—will transform how this section of Lockwood manages wastewater, removing reliance on failing septic systems, reducing groundwater contamination risks, and improving the health and safety of residents for generations to come.