Frequently Asked Questions

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1. How can I pay my water bill?

Bills can be paid online by setting up an account. Options are also available to pay by phone, mail or drop box. Please visit the Pay My Bill page for more information, including setting up automatic payments and paperless options.

2. How can I report a water issue?

If you notice or suspect problems in the water system, such as main breaks, service line leaks, frozen meters, low pressure, bad taste or odor, or dirty water, please notify us at 720-898-7070.

To report a non-emergency water problem electronically, please use Ask Arvada.

3. How can I establish water and sewer service?

New Home Owners: If you are a new homeowner here in Arvada, the title company you worked with during the purchase of your home will contact the City of Arvada to set up water / sewer service in your name.

Renters: If you are a renter, your landlord will contact the City of Arvada to set up water/sewer service in your name.

4. How can I get help paying my water bill?

The Utility Billing Customer Service team is available to help customers navigate understanding and paying their bills. Payment plans are available to create equalized payments across a 12 month period. One time hardship credits are also available for qualifying customers. Please call the Utility Billing team at 720-898-7070 for more information.

Additionally, the state of Colorado has robust utilities support services through LEAP (Low-Income Energy Assistance Program). They have added additional federal funding for water assistance through a program called LIHWAP (Low-Income Household Water Assistance Program). Please visit the LEAP website to see if you qualify or call 1-866-432-8435 for assistance.

5. What steps can I take to reduce my water bill amount?

The City partners with Resource Central to offer several outdoor water saving programs:

• Low-water garden plants (Garden in a Box)
• Lawn replacement
• Smart Controller sprinkler system upgrade
• Waterwise yard seminars

Additionally, read these outdoor watering tips or watch this video.

6. Why do water rates increase?

Water rates increase year over year to keep up with inflation and general maintenance and repairs as needed. The City continually invests in our infrastructure to continue to deliver clean, reliable drinking water and dispose of wastewater after use. 

Just like homeownership, over time the City must make substantial investments to maintain, repair and replace parts of our water and sewer systems. Increases in rates and fees will help to fund the necessary reinvestment in these systems to ensure we continue to provide the level of service our customers have come to expect. 

Additional factors include: 

• Our partnerships with Denver Water for about 75% of our water supply and Metro Water Recovery for wastewater treatment. These organizations also increase rates each year which are passed along to customers.
• We also raise System Development Charges (SDC) to make sure growth pays for itself in Arvada.  SDCs are paid by new development to fund projects that add system capacity so our existing businesses and residents do not. 

7. What can I expect in 2024 compared to previous years?

In 2024, water and sewer rates are increasing by 12% with an additional $4 and $2 service fee increase respectively. Stormwater rates will increase 5%. For the average single family home, this comes to an increase of around $130 per year, $22 per bi-monthly bill, or $11 per month. 

As a reminder, the City uses a tiered rate system. Tier 1 covers the first 30,000 gallons of use in a two month period. The higher tiers come with an increased rate. This means the more you use, the more you will pay. Learn more about tiers on the Rates and Fees page. Watch this video for more information on Understanding Your Utility Bill.

8. When will I see increases on my bill?

Rate and fee increases will be reflected beginning with your first bill of the year. Customers across Arvada receive their bills at different times. Every customer pays for 365 days of water at the rate for that year. The bill reflects the 8 weeks of water use, prior to the bill date.

• Here is an example:
  • If you receive a bill in January for charges from Nov. 15, 2022 to Jan. 15, 2023. The January bill will reflect water usage between those dates. Since the meter is read in January, once the new rates are in effect, you will pay the new rate, same as you had the year before. 
  • Another customer may receive their first bi-monthly bill in February reflecting use in December and January. 
  • Both customers will have completed billing cycles for 365 days of water usage at the 2022 rate and will pay for 365 days of water usage at the 2023 rate. The date at which that usage is reflected is just slightly different. 

Many people may not notice much difference until the warmer months when water usage, and outdoor watering, increase.

Please watch the Understanding Your Utility Bill video or visit the Rates and Fees webpage for more information.

9. How do Arvada's rates compare to surrounding cities?

Even with recent increases, the diligent work of former and current City teams has helped maintain relatively low rates and fees for Arvada water customers! We are proud to remain in the bottom half of customer charges.

Here are some examples:

10. Are rate increases because of new development in Arvada?

No, the City of Arvada is committed to a philosophy that growth pays for itself. This means that customer rates and fees pay for the necessary reinvestment in the repair, replacement and maintenance of existing water and wastewater systems. Developers pay System Development Charges (SDC) when they connect new homes and businesses to our existing system. These charges help cover the investment in expanding the capacity of our water and wastewater system. Learn more on the Utilities Transparency webpage.

11. How can I pay my SDC or "tap fee"?

Developers pay System Development Charges (SDC) also referred to as tap fees to connect new water and sewer lines to our existing systems. These will be paid to the City by one of the following methods:

• Cash
• Cashier's check issued by a financial institution
• Official check issued by a financial institution

We do wait for a full 10 business days before the water meter can be set. SDCs paid by check can be dropped at City Hall at one of our two drop boxes. Please call 720-898-7070 with any questions. 

• Current SDC amounts (PDF)

12. When can I pay my SDC or "tap fee"?

Effective January 1, 2023, you can pay tap fees once an approved building permit is presented, but no later than the time the temporary certificate of occupancy or certificate of occupancy is issued. Please reference these documents for fee amounts:

• Current System Development Charges (PDF)