Frequently asked questions

Question: How is the sewer average calculated?

Answer: The sewer rate is an average of the water used in the months of December, January and February. The Sewer rate is calculated once a year and is the rate for the year. This is to allow for only in house usage, that way during the summer when the lawns are being watered the sewer rate will not increase. The sewer rates are calculated each March and show on the April 1st billing.

Question: Why are the water and sewer rates so high?

Answer: Due to the age and declining condition of the water and sewer systems within the Town, maintenance and repairs are necessary to stay within the allowances permitted by the Colorado Department of Health and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency for release of treated wastewater.  Water system improvements are necessary to ensure reliable delivery of drinking water. More stringent stream standards are anticipated in the near future and the Town will need to make additional improvements to meet the new standards.  If the improvements are not completed the Town may face fines from the Colorado Department of Health and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.

Question: Why was my meter not read this month?

Answer: There could have been something obstructing the meter or there could be meter damage.

Question: Is there any assistance for the higher Water and Sewer Rates?

Answer: The Board of Trustees passed a Resolution reducing the water and sewer rates by 50% for those individuals who qualify for the LEAP program through the Colorado Department of Human Services.  LEAP qualification will have to be verified with the Town Clerk on an annual basis.

Question: My water usage seems to be high, what can I do?

Answer: Here are some things to look for but not limited to be causing high water consumption: 

• Leaking toilets
• Drips in your faucets
• Long water usages
• Leaking watering systems for yards

Those were just a few ideas to review throughout your home. If you have just a 1/16^th hole in your system that is allowing water to rush through at 60 psi water pressure, a home can go through 74,000 gallons in three months.

As an easy step by step process you can perform that we can come verify is turn all watering systems in the off position. Watch the meter triangle just located on top of the meter. If it is turning ever so then you have a leak. To test to be sure that this process described works, have a person briefly turn on a sink faucet and you will see the triangle will go round and round.