Special Charges

The Customer Service Field Section will make appointments for a scheduled visit to a property at a specific time upon request. This charge is assessed when you request a specific time appointment, rather than a window like "morning" or "afternoon." Appointments can be scheduled between 9 a.m. and 5:30 p.m. but not accepted for the same day. A limited number of appointments are available each day. Appointments may not be scheduled for restoration of service due to delinquent turn off. If you are not at the property when we show up for an appointment, an additional charge will be assessed to re-schedule.

If you miss an appointment with us – that is, the Customer Service Field Technician shows up at the appointment time but you are not there – we will be unable to complete the work. When you call in to make another appointment, we will charge $100 instead of the regular $50 charge to compensate us for the extra work involved in returning one more time. If you cannot make a previously scheduled appointment, you may call to reschedule at no extra charge.

This charge may be assessed when you request a "Well Water" sign from Denver Water. When well water, or water from some source other than Denver Water, is used at a property receiving public supply, a backflow preventer is required on the potable water line to protect the public system from contamination or damage that might be caused by the unapproved supply. The first time you request a sign, we must send someone to the property to verify that a backflow preventer is installed, and this fee covers the cost of that visit. It does not cover the cost of the annual certification of the device.

This cost-based fee is assessed when you are required to have backflow prevention and it must be tested. This fee recovers the cost of testing backflow prevention.

This is a one-time charge which allows water to be used through the service line during construction, before the meter is installed. This use is for construction purposes only. The property may not be landscaped or occupied without a Denver Water approved meter in line.

• Inside City $93
• Read & Bill $112
• Total Service $115

The fees cover part of the cost of dispatching a Customer Service Field Technician (CSFT) to discontinue water service to a delinquent customer and to later dispatch a CSFT to turn the water back on after payment as well as the cost of extra processing and handling of accounts in delinquent status. If your water is turned off because you haven't paid your bill, both $50 fees (totaling $100) must be paid before the water service will be restored.

Note: The CSFT is not authorized to collect the amount owed nor to give you an extension on paying a delinquent amount – this must be done by a Customer Care phone representative. If you pay the delinquent amount after the water is turned off, you must call our office to arrange to have service restored. If you call before 3:30 p.m., we will make every effort to have your water service restored by 7:00 p.m. the same day, but you may be without water for several more hours after you pay. If you call after 3:30 p.m., we will schedule your service restoration for the morning of the next business day. We require that a responsible adult be at the property when we arrive to turn the water back on. You may avoid this charge and late charges, as well as the inconvenience of a water service interruption, by paying your bill when it is due.

This cost-based fee is assessed when Denver Water personnel inspect distribution pipe installed by developers. The fee must be paid prior to plan approval.

• $2 per linear foot of pipe
• $340 per inspection for 1 or 2 hydrants or fire lines only

This cost-based fee will be assessed when Denver Water inspector is required to be at a site beyond normal working hours.

This pure policy-based fee is assessed when drawing has to be redone at the fault of the licensee.

This pure policy-based fee is assessed when Denver Water personnel do drawings for projects that require an easement on Denver Water property.

This pure policy-based fee is assessed when drawing has to be redone at the fault of the licensee.

These fines are charged against water accounts that have been found to be in violation of the water use restrictions enacted during times of drought. For most violations, the first notice will be a written warning, followed by increasing fines for additional violations at the same property. To avoid drought violations, always use water in accordance with the water use restrictions currently in effect, and avoid wasting water by letting it run off your landscaping.

It is your responsibility to protect the automatic meter reading ERT at your property from damage; damaged ERTs need to be replaced. If the ERT was originally installed in a flat meter pit lid, with the ERT extending above the rim of the lid, we will replace it one time at our expense and install the new ERT in a special recessed lid that will protect the device. Subsequent damage (or damage to an ERT that was installed in a recessed lid, or any vandalism damage or construction-related damage) results in this charge, most of which is to pay for the ERT itself, plus average installation labor. We do not assess this charge for ERTs that stop working for any reason other than physical damage. You may avoid charges for ERT damage by not placing objects on top of the ERT and by not driving over the meter pit. If you have landscape work done in your yard, be sure your landscaper is aware of the ERT. Even with a recessed lid, lawn aeration equipment may damage your ERT.

If the wire between the meter register and the ERT is broken or cut, we are unable to read the water meter to properly bill your account. It is your responsibility to properly protect this wire from damage. This charge covers the average cost of labor to find the problem and repair the damage or install a new wire. Be extra careful if you remove the meter pit lid to avoid damaging the ERT wire. If you have an indoor meter, be sure you don't cut the wire. Cut ERT wires may also indicate meter tampering, which carries a higher fine.

If you relocate an indoor ERT or do other work that interferes with radio signal transmission, Denver Water may have to relocate the ERT. This charge represents the average labor cost of rewiring an indoor ERT. We may also assess this charge if you request us to relocate an ERT in conjunction with a remodeling project. Please do not enclose your ERT behind a wall as this may interfere with radio signals, and could increase the cost of relocating the ERT. Please call Denver Water if your ERT needs to be moved from its present location.

Denver Water assesses this charge to send a Customer Service Field Technician to an address to obtain a special reading — usually to final-out an account in preparation for transfer to another owner or occupant. We usually charge this to a title company requesting the read.

This pure policy-based fee is a damage deposit for those receiving an easement on Denver Water property for repairing any damages done on Denver Water property.

You are assessed this cost-based fee if you're receiving water from a hydrant and have been issued a hydrant permit and a hydrant meter. The water uses are temporary in nature or vary from location to location.

This pure policy-based fee is assessed for water to be used for purposes other than extinguishing fires. Water may be withdrawn from fire hydrants only if a permit authorizing the special use for which such water may be withdrawn shall have been issued by Denver Water and a Read and Bill Distributor. Permits are valid only during the dates specified therein.

• Blanket Hydrant Permit = $1,000 per meter per year
• Water Truck > 1,500 gallons = $1,000 per meter per year
• Water Truck < 1,500 gallons = $250 per meter per year **

Notarized air gap verification form required.

Effective Sept. 30, 2009, Air Gap Certificates must be completed by a certified ABPA/ASSE backflow assembly tester. A Backflow Assembly Test and Maintenance Report shall be submitted along with the Air Gap Verification form at the time of permit application. We can no longer accept faxed copies after permit has been issued.

• Fees and requirements for connecting hydrants and water fountains at special events have been revised.
• Beginning in 2010, Denver Water will no longer honor "grandfathered complimentary permits" for any special event.
• Permit applications for event hydrants must be turned in at least 25 full business days in advance of the event. No on-site, post-application connections of any kind will be allowed.

This fee is assessed for providing irrigation plan review if you're submitting irrigation plans to Denver Water.

This legislatively defined fee is assessed when you request copies of information under the Open Records Act. Fees are $1.25 per page and $35.00 per hour for voluminous requests.

This pure policy-based fee is assessed if you need an easement on Denver Water property.

Denver Water has converted our water meters to Automatic Meter Reading. Some individuals have not allowed access to their properties to allow us to convert their indoor meters. Those meters must be read by Customer Service Field Technicians rather than meter readers on their regular routes. This charge compensates Denver Water in part for the extra expense of dispatching a Field Technician and processing the meter readings manually. To avoid this charge, respond to Denver Water's request to access your indoor meter for AMR conversion.

This cost-based fee is assessed when you purchase a new meter from Denver Water.

• 5/8" fireline check valve = $175.54
• 3/4" = $269
• 1" = $326
• 1 1/2" = $453
• 1 1/2" irrigation (turbine) = $816.99
• 2" = $502
• 2" irrigation (turbine) = $841.27
• Double check valve meter = $373.48

Note: Taxes not included

Denver Water may place a special locking device on your turned-off service or meter to make it more difficult for you to turn the water on illegally. If a later check shows that the locking device was removed (which will usually destroy the device), we will assess this fine as a further penalty for unauthorized water use and to pay for replacing the device. You may avoid this charge by not tampering with the locking devices installed on a service that has been turned off.

We assess the applicable charge for each additional meter set/meter inspection trip after the first one. Many times, when an inspector attempts to set/inspect a meter installation, the pit/meter setting/curb valve has deficiencies that cause it to fail the inspection. We assess this fee each time we conduct another inspection at the request of the customer, including the one at which it finally passes. This charge normally applies to new construction, and is most frequently assessed against builders and plumbing contractors. You may avoid this charge by assuring that meter installations are constructed in conformance with Denver Water's Engineering Standards.

• 3/4" = $125
• 1" = 125
• 1-1/2" = $250
• 2" = $250
• 3" = $125
• Over 3" = $125

This pure policy-based fee is assessed when water distributors need meter readings for their sewer charges. The requirements for this service can vary.

If you remove a meter from line, or remove the register from the meter, or disconnect the wire to the remote or ERT so that consumption is not fully measured, or otherwise tamper with a water meter, we will assess a fine of $500. Cut wires, broken meter seals, and tamper reports transmitted by the ERT are considered prime evidence of tampering. There may be additional charges or penalties to restore the metering system to normal operation. Do not tamper with your meter or ERT.

If you feel your meter is not recording water usage accurately, you may request that the meter be tested at our state-certified meter testing facility. If you wish, you may arrange to be present to observe the test (8 a.m. to 3 p.m., Monday through Friday only). If the meter test shows that the meter was over-registering (that is, recording more water than was actually used), there is no charge for the test, and we will make appropriate adjustments to your bill. If the meter test shows that the meter is accurate within the standards of the American Water Works Association (100% accurate /- 2%), we will assess the applicable meter test charge. If the test shows that the meter was under-registering (that is, it was recording less water than you were actually using), we will assess the meter test charge, and may adjust your bill to reflect the charges for the water used but not billed.

• Displacement Meters (5/8" – 2") = $66
• Compound/Turbine Meters (2" – 8") = $92
• FM Meters (4" – 10") = $112

This infrequently charged cost-based fee is for a special meter that is used as an alternative to a backflow preventer if you have another source of water for irrigation and have to provide backflow prevention. Only specific locations are eligible for this 5/8” meter.

This charge is only applicable to customers with meters 2" size and larger. Large meter settings are equipped with a by-pass line that permits water service to continue uninterrupted while the meter is being tested or maintained. The by-pass line valve is locked in the OFF position by Denver Water, and must not be opened by anyone not authorized by Denver Water to do so. If the by-pass valve is found ON, this charge will be assessed against the customer account. The valve will again be locked OFF, and additional charges may be assessed for the estimated amount of unmetered water used at the property. You may avoid this charge by never opening the by-pass valve on your meter.

This pure policy-based fee is assessed when you request account consumption, billing or payment history.

This pure policy-based fee is assessed when you submit plans for approval. It must be paid when plans are submitted.

• $300 for plans with < 300' of pipe
• $600 for plans with > 300' of pipe
• $300 for review of one or two fire hydrants only or fire lines with domestic connections only

This pure policy-based fee is assessed if you need expedited license requests.

This subsidized fee is assessed for processing refunds of meter, tap or plan review fees.

This fee is assessed when a first attempt to turn on water cannot be completed because a responsible adult is not at the property when the Customer Service Field Technician arrives. We do not charge this fee if the water cannot be left on because a leak hasn't been fully repaired or some similar reason, provided someone was at the property when we attempted to turn it on. This charge usually applies to delinquent turn-ons when no one (or only a child) is home when we arrive. This charge is in addition to the regular $50 Delinquent Turn-Off/Turn On charge or the $25 Turn-On by Request charge. You may avoid this charge by being sure a responsible adult is at the property when we arrive to turn on the water.

Meters with ERT range in price from $198 ¾" on up. We assess this charge when we find that your meter has been damaged (vandalized), or if your meter freezes and breaks, or if the meter is missing. It does not apply to meters that develop leaks, that wear out, or that just stop working. You may avoid charges for damaged meters by being sure that indoor meters are installed in heated spaces where they are protected from vandalism.

This legislatively defined fee is assessed when copies of approved plans are provided. Charges are $1.25 per page and $35 per hour for voluminous requests.

Assessed whenever a check is returned by the bank as unpaid (insufficient funds), or if you stop payment on a check you have sent us in payment of charges due. If your check is returned to us by the bank, we will attempt to notify you and give you an opportunity to pay the amount due by cash or money order. If you do not pay the amount due, we will process a "short-check" turn-off, resulting in disconnection of water service (see "Delinquent Turn-Off" above) and additional fees. You may avoid this charge and the inconvenience of a water service interruption by always being sure you have enough money in your checking account to cover the check you write.

It is your responsibility to keep the stop box, curb valve and meter pit at your property in good condition. If we are unable to operate the curb stop at your property because it is filled with dirt or rocks, or because other objects have been placed in the box, we will notify you that you must clean the box. If you do not do it within the specified time frame, we will do the work for you, at a cost of $60. If the box has been damaged or the material can't be removed, we will have to dig up the box using heavy equipment; the cost of the additional work will be charged to the customer account. You may avoid this charge by keeping the stop box and meter pit accessible and in good condition, and by performing the necessary work when you receive a notice from Denver Water directing you to clean out your stop box.

It is your responsibility to keep the stop box and curb valve at your property in good operable condition and accessible. If the box or valve has been damaged or is broken, we will notify you by letter that you must replace the box and valve – this work can by done by a plumbing contractor. If you do have the work done within the specified time, we will do the work for you at your expense. The charge for replacing the stop box only is approximately $140, while the charge for replacing both the box and valve is approximately $500. The actual charge may be slightly lower or significantly higher than the amount listed, depending on the amount of labor required and whether the stop box is in dirt, grass, asphalt or concrete.

Note: Curb valves may deteriorate or break through no fault of yours, but, like anything else you own that wears out, it is your responsibility to repair or replace it. It is important to keep the curb valve accessible and in good condition, since this may be the only way to turn off the water in your house if a pipe breaks. One way to avoid damage to the stop box and valve is to be sure you do not park or drive a vehicle over the box. Don't allow the stop box to be paved over or covered with dirt or grass; if it is, you should clear the obstruction right away.

Special Tee connection of your service line to a main.

Special connection of a corporate customer's service line to a main.

This fee is assessed to Denver Water’s outside city distributors when they request that the water service to one of their sewer customers be disconnected for non-payment of a sewer bill.

The Labor charge for creating a ¾" and 1" tap in a main is $120; for 1½" taps, $335; and for 2" taps, $335. Requests for taps larger than 2" will require estimates.

This cost-based fee is assessed when a builder or developer requests our meter shop to make service line taps after normal working hours or on weekends. This fee is in addition to the standard tap labor fee.

This pure policy-based fee is assessed when Denver Water agrees to conduct a study of a district’s water system for a determination of converting the district to a total service customer.

This charge may be assessed when a special trip to a property is required for such purposes as: verification of the presence of a backflow preventer, re-inspection of a meter setting after a failed inspection, obtaining a manual meter reading when a customer has refused access for conversion of a meter to Automatic Meter Reading, repeat visits to the same property to obtain compliance with the Engineering Standards and/or Operating Rules, and similar special services not generally provided to all customers. The charge partially compensates Denver Water for the cost of providing the special service to a specific customer. Some of these charges can be avoided by following the directions given in compliance notices, installing meter settings in accordance with the standards, and allowing free access to indoor water meters.

These charges are made when you or your plumber calls us to turn off the water for some reason other than routine repairs, such as a seasonal turn-off while you are out of town. Our phone representative will normally provide a half-day window (i.e., "morning" or "afternoon") for us to arrive at the property. It is not necessary for someone to be at the property for a Turn-Off, but a responsible adult must be present when the water is turned on. For an additional charge of $10, we can schedule a more specific appointment time, between 9 a.m. and 6 p.m. Tuesday, Wednesday or Thursday. If there is no responsible adult present when we arrive, additional charges may apply.

This fine is assessed when someone is found using a hydrant to fill a tank truck or for some other purpose without a permit and meter in place. Repeated infractions incur higher penalties for each occurrence. Denver Water field personnel write "tickets" when they find a hydrant being used improperly or illegally. Each incident is investigated to verify that the use was, in fact, illegal or improper. If you use fire hydrants as a temporary water source, you may avoid the risk of this fine by applying for a hydrant use permit. Keep a copy of your permit near the hydrant being used, and always use a hydrant meter and backflow preventer. Contact our Water Sales office at 303-628-6100 for more information.

Several days after a delinquent customer is turned off, a Customer Service Field Technician (CSFT) visits the property to be sure the water is still turned off. If you turn the water back on, we will turn it off again and place a special locking device on the service to keep it from being turned on again. This charge is assessed as a penalty for using water illegally after it was turned off and to pay in part for the locking device. We will also charge for any water registered on the meter since the turn-off, and may assess additional penalties and damages. We will charge this fine each time the water is turned on illegally. This fine is in addition to charges for unauthorized removal of locks, boots, or slugs. Repeated unauthorized turn-ons may result in suspension or cancellation of the License to use water at the premises You may avoid this fine by not turning the water on after we've turned it off for non-payment.

This fine is assessed for any unauthorized use of water, such as irrigation of a newly constructed property or occupancy of the property before the meter is set, tapping into the service line ahead of the meter, or similar use in violation of the License for water service. In addition to this fine, you will be charged for the estimated amount of water used that did not register on the meter, and we may assess additional penalties and damages You may avoid this fine by using water only in accordance with the Operating Rules of Denver Water.

This charge is for all other violations of Denver Water's Operating Rules and Engineering Standards involving illegal or improper use of water. The actual charge will depend on the severity of the violation, the amount of water that may have been used, the danger or threat of contamination or damage to the Denver Water system, and other factors. We will also bill you for the cost of the water if we can estimate the amount that was used illegally.