Most people don’t really think about their water until there’s a problem—either it’s not coming out of your faucet or it’s coming back up the drain. However, learning about Westminster’s water and wastewater systems are a good idea. This knowledge could help you identify the type of problem you’re having, so you know which department can help you.
Let’s start with the basics. Water that flows from your kitchen tap is known as clean or potable water. It’s also the metered water that you’re billed for every month. After you’re done washing the dishes, the water that then flows down the drain is called wastewater. Clean water and wastewater use different pipes, so your drinking water stays fresh and never crosses paths with wastewater.
The brief, temporary stop at your home is just part of our water’s fascinating lifecycle. Westminster’s Wastewater Collections system consists of about 411 miles of sanitary sewer piping, 11,000 manholes, and six lift stations, which are pumps that help keep the water flowing. Most of our water flows from the force of gravity, but sometimes gravity needs a little help, which is why we have lift stations. City crews are always out and about inspecting our pipes, making sure they’re not blocked, rusted or otherwise damaged.
The water that flows into your home comes from a variety of sources, including groundwater, rivers, and reservoirs. Westminster's water treatment plant treats the water to ensure it meets state and federal standards for safe drinking water.
Once the water is treated, it is distributed through a network of water mains and service lines that run underground throughout the city. The water main is the large pipe that runs down the center of the street, and the service line is the smaller pipe that connects the water main to the meter then to your home.
The water main and service line up to the meter are both owned and maintained by the City of Westminster. If you have a problem with your water service, such as low pressure or a leak, you can contact the City's Water Division for assistance at 303-658-2500.
Wastewater, on the other hand, is the water that goes down your drains, toilets, and other plumbing fixtures. It is collected by the City's sewer system and transported to the wastewater treatment plant, where it is treated before being released back into the environment.
If you have a problem with your wastewater service, such as a clogged drain or sewer backup, you can contact the City's Wastewater Division for assistance at 303-658-2500.
Despite the name, flushable products aren’t actually designed to be flushed. Sure, they might go down the toilet and out of sight—but certainly not out of mind. Those so-called flushable products don’t disintegrate like toilet paper does. So instead of breaking down and safely making its way through the pipes to one of the City’s treatment plants, it gets stuck along the way. Those flushable wipes could build up in your pipes, costing you money to fix. Or, they could build up in the City’s pipes, resulting in expensive repairs, which could in turn make your taxes go up.
It’s not just flushable wipes—there are plenty of other items that should stay out of your drain.
Flushing anything other than human waste and toilet paper down the toilet can cause clogs and backups in your pipes and in the city's sewer system. Other items to avoid flushing include feminine hygiene products, cotton swabs, dental floss, paper towels, diapers, and medications. When these products get stuck in pipes, they can cause clogs that can lead to backups in your home, overflows, and costly repairs. It's important to dispose of these items properly by throwing them in the trash.
If you have questions about Wastewater Collections or need to report an issue, please call (303) 658-2500. You can also submit a service request through Access Westminster.
To report an issue with your sewer system or have further questions, you can call Wastewater Collections at (303) 658-2500. They will be able to assist you and send a crew member out to assess the situation if necessary. You can also submit a service request through Access Westminster, the city’s online service portal. This is for non-emergency questions only. Simply go to the website, create an account, and submit a request for the issue you’re experiencing.
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