Frequently Asked Questions

Below you will find information that might help you understand how to find things or learn about information you might need to know about your city or town.

Southgate Water and Sanitation

8

  • Southgate has contracted with Denver Water and City of Englewood to provide billing services for water and sewer, respectively, on behalf of Southgate. Please visit the payment page for more information.
    Southgate Water and Sanitation

  • Please call Southgate at 303-779-0261 to report any interruption in service.
    Southgate Water and Sanitation

  • Stop using water immediately! Turn off all faucets, do not flush toilets, refrain from doing laundry, etc.

    Please call a plumber. Most sewer backups are service line related, which are not the responsibility of Southgate. If a plumber determines the backup is caused by a blockage in the main line, contact Southgate immediately.

    If the property is not draining wastewater to the sewer system and wastewater continues to back-up into the structure or large quantities of wastewater (more than that produced by the property itself) continues to back-up into the structure, contact Southgate immediately at 303-779-0261.

    Southgate Water and Sanitation

  • Discolored/brown water is often the result of Southgate performing work on the water system, which can dislodge scale that builds up inside the pipe causing water to appear discolored. The best thing for homeowners to do is simply run the water from faucets in the home to flush out the color until it runs clear. If the discolored water does not clear after flushing, please contact Southgate.
    Southgate Water and Sanitation

  • Sometimes odors are coming from the surrounding area, such as drains or in-house water filters that need changing. If the odor persists and you do not think that the odor is coming from the surrounding area, please contact Southgate.
    Southgate Water and Sanitation

  • Denver Water provides water to Southgate. Information on water quality can be found on Denver Water's website
    Southgate Water and Sanitation

  • Southgate is responsible for the main lines and the immediate connections to the main line. The property owner is responsible for the service line. The responsibility for the service line does not end at the property line, asphalt edge, or sidewalk but extends to the connection to the main within the street, right-of-way, or easement.
    Southgate Water and Sanitation

  • Denver Water provides information on Xeriscape on their website.
    Southgate Water and Sanitation

2016 Denver Water Rate Changes

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  • To fund essential repairs and upgrades to Denver Water's system and to fund a number of multi-year projects, such as replacing aging pipes and failing underground storage tanks, upgrading water treatment facilities and rehabilitating Antero Dam in Park County. For additional information, visit denverwater.org/BillingRates/RatesCharges/2016-rates/
    2016 Denver Water Rate Changes

  • 1. We're moving to a more individualized structure based on average winter water consumption; however, each customer's bill will still depend on how much water they actually use. 2. Denver Water's priorities for 2016 and the changes to the rate structure will allow us to continue improving our water system while ensuring essential water use remains affordable for our customers. 3. Denver Water has carefully created a new rate structure that will begin to shift our revenue from such a heavy reliance on usage to a more stable fixed fee over the next few years. 4. More stable revenue will mean that the future rate increases can be minimized and be less susceptible to increases due to fluctuations in outdoor water use resulting from unpredictable weather. 5. The new structure will provide a more stable source of revenue that Denver Water needs to continue to collect, treat and deliver safe, reliable water to its customers. Fixed Monthly Charge: based on meter size ($8.79 for a 3/4" meter, or 1 SFE) 1st Tier: average indoor use/essential use (e.g. water for hygiene, drinking, etc.) 2nd Tier: outdoor use 3rd Tier: excessive use
    2016 Denver Water Rate Changes

  • Because water used indoors is for cooking, bathing, drinking and hygiene, Denver Water considers this to be essential for human life and assign this the lowest rate. We will calculate indoor use by taking an average of winter consumption (using January - March bills) to determine how much water you need indoors. Each month, the amount of water you use up to your AWC will be charged at the lowest rate per 1,000 gallons. For residential customers, the minimum possible AWC is 5,000 gallons and the maximum AWC is 15,000 gallons.
    2016 Denver Water Rate Changes

  • January through March billing period represents indoor water use - such as bathing, cooking and flushing toilets. Indoor water use is essential for human life and does not include nonessential water use such as lawn watering. With this new structure, essential use is charged at the lowest rate.
    2016 Denver Water Rate Changes

  • The fixed monthly charge is based on the size of the meter at a property. The increase in this monthly charge is crucial to achieving a more stable revenue so that future rate increases can be minimized and less susceptible to increases due to fluctuations in outdoor water use resulting from unpredictable weather.
    2016 Denver Water Rate Changes

  • Please contact Denver Water for information on your meter size. The meter size will be added to bills as soon as possible.
    2016 Denver Water Rate Changes

  • 1. Using excess water January through March will cause sanitary sewer charges to increase for the entire year. Sanitary sewer charges are also based on winter water consumption. 2. The point of average winter consumption is to keep essential indoor use affordable. 3. Conservation is still a priority and it is important to ensure the stability of our current and future water supply. We strongly discourage water waste. 4. Water use has declined 22% in Denver Water's service area over the last decade. We all need to continue efforts to create a culture of conservation. For more information, check out denverwater.org/Conservation/
    2016 Denver Water Rate Changes

  • The focus remains on efficient water use by keeping a tiered structure that charges more for inefficient use. In other words, the more you use, the more you pay. It is important, however, to ensure essential indoor water use is affordable for everyone from individuals to larger families. Higher use is not always the result of inefficiency. Often times, it is the result of more household members. For example, it is normal for a family of 4 to use 4 times as much water indoors, which is essential to life, as a household with only 1 person.
    2016 Denver Water Rate Changes

  • Denver Water runs on revenue. We are not a tax-supported utility, and our charter prohibits operating for profit. The rule is simple: charge rates that cover service costs. Building a rates program that follows that rule is not so simple. Denver Water approaches the task by identifying some specific customer classes and then determining the cost of providing service for each class. Based on that determination, rates are adjusted.
    2016 Denver Water Rate Changes

  • Information is currently available through: 1. Our blog: denverwater.org/2015/12/16/your-water-bill-different-path-same-goals/ 2. denverwater.org/BillingRates/RatesCharges/2016-rates/
    2016 Denver Water Rate Changes

General FAQs

4

  • Southgate manages the infrastructure that conveys potable water to your property and ultimately conveys sanitary sewage from your property to a treatment facility. Please contact Denver Water at 303-893-2444 with any questions or concerns about your water bill and the City of Englewood at 303-762-2635 with any questions or concerns about your sewer bill.

    General FAQs

  • Common household causes for low/lower than normal or no water pressure include: 

    1. Issues with the Pressure Reducing Valve (PRV) in the home
    2. Water softener maintenance
    3. Recent plumbing work whereby a system was repaired but not restored to its optimal state
    4. Break on the Irrigation system

    However, low or no water pressure can also be cause by a water main break or repair. Please call (303) 779-0261 to report low or no water pressure. After hours, select option 8 to connect with the on-call operator. We will endeavor to assist you in determining where the problem may lie and if a plumber is needed to remediate the situation.

    General FAQs

  • Please call (303) 779-0261 to report a sewer back up or overflow.  After hours, select option 8 to connect with the on-call operator.

    General FAQs

  • Common reasons for Discolored/brown water include: 

    1. Construction involving heavy equipment in the area
    2. Hydrant flushing activities, which the district conducts regularly throughout the year
    3. A water main break in the neighborhood
    4. Water main repairs

    However in most causes, discolored/brown water can be mitigated by running your faucets for a few minutes until the discoloration disappears. If, the problem persists, please call (303) 779-0261 to report Discolored/brown water. After hours, select option 8 to connect with the on-call operator.


    General FAQs

Southgate Water and Sanitation Intranet

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  • Southgate has contracted with Denver Water and City of Englewood to provide billing services for water and sewer, respectively, on behalf of Southgate. Please visit the payment page for more information.

    Southgate Water and Sanitation Intranet

  • Please call Southgate at 303-779-0261 to report any interruption in service.

    Southgate Water and Sanitation Intranet

  • Stop using water immediately! Turn off all faucets, do not flush toilets, refrain from doing laundry, etc.

    Please call a plumber. Most sewer backups are service line related, which are not the responsibility of Southgate. If a plumber determines the backup is caused by a blockage in the main line, contact Southgate immediately.

    If the property is not draining wastewater to the sewer system and wastewater continues to back-up into the structure or large quantities of wastewater (more than that produced by the property itself) continues to back-up into the structure, contact Southgate immediately at 303-779-0261.

    Southgate Water and Sanitation Intranet

  • Discolored/brown water is often the result of Southgate performing work on the water system, which can dislodge scale that builds up inside the pipe causing water to appear discolored. The best thing for homeowners to do is simply run the water from faucets in the home to flush out the color until it runs clear. If the discolored water does not clear after flushing, please contact Southgate.

    Southgate Water and Sanitation Intranet

  • Sometimes odors are coming from the surrounding area, such as drains or in-house water filters that need changing. If the odor persists and you do not think that the odor is coming from the surrounding area, please contact Southgate.

    Southgate Water and Sanitation Intranet

  • Denver Water provides water to Southgate. Information on water quality can be found on Denver Water's website

    Southgate Water and Sanitation Intranet

  • Southgate is responsible for the main lines and the immediate connections to the main line. The property owner is responsible for the service line. The responsibility for the service line does not end at the property line, asphalt edge, or sidewalk but extends to the connection to the main within the street, right-of-way, or easement.

    Southgate Water and Sanitation Intranet

  • Denver Water provides information on Xeriscape on their website.

    Southgate Water and Sanitation Intranet