Most Commerce City businesses get water and sewer from South Adams County Water and Sanitation District, which requires commercial backflow devices tested yearly with reports due by August 31. Building permits come from the City of Commerce City Building Safety Division. Call the number on this page to be connected with a local plumber in Commerce City.
Local conditions
The city's utilities page names South Adams County Water and Sanitation District, SACWSD, as the water and sewer provider. It's the largest combined water and sanitation district in Colorado, covering more than 65 square miles, though Adams County also lists Industrial Park Water and Sanitation at a Commerce City address, so check your bill. SACWSD's water is a blend of its own alluvial and deep Arapahoe wells, treated at the Klein facility, and surface water bought from Denver Water, disinfected with chlorine. The district has classified every service line as non-lead.
Unlike most of the metro area, SACWSD treats wastewater at its own Williams Monaco plant in Henderson rather than at Metro Water Recovery. The district separates the public sewer from private lines owned by property owners, and for a backup it asks customers to call so it can help tell whether the blockage is in the main or the private line. SACWSD takes emergency calls at 303-288-2646 day and night. In an industrial city with refineries, warehouses and truck yards, commercial buildings often carry heavier loads on floor drains and wash bays than a typical office.
Comparing common commercial jobs
| Job | What it usually involves | Outside party |
|---|---|---|
| Annual backflow test | Testing each device and repairing any that fail | Report to SACWSD by August 31 |
| Sewer backup | Clearing and inspecting the private line | SACWSD if the main may be involved |
| Water heater replacement | Sizing, venting and gas connection | City permit through eTRAKiT |
| Floor drain or trench drain clog | Jetting or snaking the line | Usually none |
Warning signs
- Floor drains in a shop or wash bay that hold water
- Gurgling from restroom fixtures when another drain runs
- A missed backflow test notice from the district
- Wet pavement near the meter or service line
- A sudden jump in water use
Timing through the year
Since SACWSD's backflow reports are due by August 31, schedule tests in spring or early summer so there's time to repair a failed device. Before freezing weather, protect piping in unheated warehouses, docks and exterior walls, and drain hose bibs and irrigation. Building Safety handles plan review and permits for plumbing changes, and the city lists water heater replacement as work that can need one.
Commercial Plumbing questions in Commerce City
Does a business here need its backflow assemblies tested every year?
Who is responsible for the sewer line from our building to the main?
Which office issues plumbing permits for a commercial property?
How do we find out which water or sewer district serves our building?
More plumbing services in Commerce City
Commercial Plumbing nearby
Sources
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