Greeley’s Water and Sewer Department has over 90 capital improvement projects that require various levels of attention and oversight to get them to the finish line.
Adam Prior, Greeley Water’s chief engineer, manages a team of engineers who work in reservoirs, raw water, water treatment plants, and the wastewater treatment plant. Staying on top of these projects is an impressive feat.
“I depend on the subject matter experts from the operations staff and engineering teams to keep these projects moving,” Prior said. “I only get into the details of the individual projects when a team needs my support.”
Adam has worked for the City of Greeley for seven years. He said he likes solving real-world problems that help improve the city’s water and wastewater systems. Seeing a project to the end after years of planning, budgeting, and designing is fulfilling.
“Some of these projects take between two to 10 years,” Adam said.
His fondest accomplishments are seeing the completion of the Ashcroft Lift Station, Poudre Ponds slurry wall, and the Bellvue 60-inch tunnel and pipeline. Adam also played a pivotal role in educating the public on how the Terry Ranch Aquifer will provide safe, reliable drinking water to the next generation of Greeley residents.
“I am extremely proud of the small part I play in many of these projects that benefit Greeley residents,” Prior said. “They will still be here long after I’m gone.”
His days are not without obstacles, however. Natural disasters, COVID-19, and inflation have impacted construction material availability, price, supply chain issues, and delays. Adam and his engineers work tirelessly to develop creative, cost-effective solutions that meet the city’s needs.