Plumbers in Westminster, CO

Between Denver and Boulder, in Adams and Jefferson counties

Westminster straddles the Adams-Jefferson county line north of Denver, about 11 miles from downtown in a straight line. It began as a farming town, incorporated in 1911, and had 116,317 residents at the 2020 Census. US 36, I-25 and US 287 cross the city, the Orchard Town Center anchors the north end, and trails like Big Dry Creek link more than 3,000 acres of open space around Standley Lake Regional Park.

One lake, two treatment plants

Standley Lake, filled by Clear Creek snowmelt carried through canals, is the city's only water source. The Semper plant uses direct filtration and the Northwest plant uses membranes, and both disinfect with chloramines. Westminster reports total hardness of 112 to 149 ppm, roughly 7 to 9 grains per gallon, which counts as moderately hard. The city owns the line from the street main to the meter pit, and the customer owns it from the meter into the house.

On the sewer side, the city operates about 411 miles of pipe, and wastewater goes either to its Big Dry Creek Wastewater Treatment Facility or to partner Metro Water Recovery. The line from the property to the tap on the city main, including the tap, is private, so a root intrusion or collapse in the lateral is the owner's repair and the city points people to a plumber for backups in that line.

Backflow assessments for homes

Westminster's cross-connection program requires approved assemblies on commercial, industrial, irrigation and fire line services and assesses single- and multi-family homes by site hazard. Homes with a well or pond count as having an auxiliary supply and must install and maintain an assembly. Each one is tested at installation and yearly by a certified tester, and results go to the city's Cross-connection Control team at 303-658-2477.

Housing, lead and permits

The median home was built in 1987, and about a third predate 1980. The city's service line inventory found no lead in known residential lines; copper is the norm, though some older homes may have galvanized steel. The Building Division at 4800 W 92nd Avenue (303-658-2075) requires permits for water heater installation or replacement, tank or tankless, for plumbing changes and fixture moves, and for underground sewer or water line repair. Like-for-like fixture swaps are exempt.

Gas, the Denver contrast and calling

Xcel Energy supplies natural gas. If you smell it, get outside first and then call 911 and Xcel at 1-800-895-2999. Unlike Denver, which relies on Denver Water and the city's Wastewater Management, Westminster handles water and sewer itself; main breaks and leaks go to Public Works and Utilities at 303-658-2500. For private-side problems, call the number on this page and you will be connected with an independent plumber in Westminster who quotes the work directly.