Leak Detection in Strasburg, CO

Which part of the water line is mine?

Strasburg Sanitation and Water District is responsible for the water main and the line from the main to the meter. The homeowner owns the line from the meter to the house. Meter pits are usually at the front of the home, so a wet patch between the front of the lot and the foundation usually points to the owner's section. If water is coming up at the meter or in the road, call the district at (303) 622-4443.

Sewer is laid out differently. Water lines run in road easements, but sewer lines run in the alleys, and the homeowner is responsible for the tap and the line from the house to the main. That matters if you are trying to tell a water leak from a sewer problem: wet ground out front is more likely the water line.

Are leaks more likely in older Strasburg homes?

Strasburg began as a railroad community and is becoming a commuter town as new housing is built. The median home was built in 2001, and about 25% predate 1980. Older homes near the original town are more likely to have worn valves and fittings, while newer houses usually leak at connections such as PEX fittings, supply hoses, water heater lines and sprinkler valves. Wind and hard freezes on the plains are tough on hose bibs and pipes in exterior walls.

The district keeps a service line material inventory, and you can ask about your own line by calling the district.

Who handles permits for the repair?

Strasburg is unincorporated and sits in both Adams and Arapahoe counties. On the Adams County side, the county's One Stop Permitting Center requires a building permit for plumbing work. We could not confirm the permit office for the Arapahoe County side, so the plumber should check with the county before replacing pipe there.

A local note

District water comes from six groundwater wells in Adams County and is disinfected with chlorine. Groundwater supplies can carry minerals that leave crust on fittings, and a white or green crust around a valve is often the first visible sign of a slow drip.