Leak Detection in Watkins, CO

How do I know what water system I am on?

Look at your water bill first. We could not verify a public water provider for Watkins, and Adams County's list of water and sanitation districts includes none with a Watkins address. Some Watkins-addressed properties lie inside Aurora city limits, where the post office is, and those may be on Aurora utilities. Adams County's Water Master Plan says eastern Adams County relies mainly on Denver Basin groundwater, with some rural residents supplying their own water from wells. If you have no water bill, your home is likely on its own system, and the county can help confirm what serves your address.

How is a leak found on each kind of system?

On metered water, shut off every faucet and appliance, then read the meter twice an hour apart. Any change means water is leaving the system. On a private well, close every fixture and watch the pressure tank gauge for 15 to 30 minutes; a falling reading or a pump that starts with nothing running points to a leak between the well and the taps. Either way, the plumber then isolates sections of the plumbing and uses listening equipment or moisture readings to find the spot.

The median Watkins home was built in 2002, with about 25% built before 1980, and recent growth includes a neighborhood of nearly 100 homes. In newer houses, leaks usually start at fittings, supply hoses, water heater connections and sprinkler valves. Older farm homes may have worn valves and long buried lines. Plains winters with hard freezes are tough on hose bibs and pipes in exterior walls.

Which office handles permits?

It depends on where the property sits. Watkins is unincorporated and spans Adams and Arapahoe counties. The Adams County One Stop Permitting Center requires a building permit for plumbing modifications on that side; the Arapahoe County Building Division covers the Arapahoe side; and properties inside Aurora city limits fall under the City of Aurora.

A local note

Because the rules and contacts change with the address, have a recent bill, or your well details, handy when you call. Tell the plumber which county you are in and whether you are inside Aurora city limits so the right utility and permit office can be lined up from the start.