Water

Please contact Water Utilities and a water representative will help you.

There are a few options to submit backflow reports:

• Complete the online form through ServiceWorks.
  • Select “Water” from the request menu.
  • Fill out the form and select “Water: Submit Backflow Test Results” in the Request Type drop down.
• Email the results to backflow@LongmontColorado.gov

If you need additional help or have any questions, please contact Water Utilities.

Water Utilities currently uses a database system to track backflow device installation and test results.

A survey of certified inspectors was done, and the average cost was $50 to $100.

Please contact Water Utilities and a water representative will help you.

The Safe Drinking Water Act and the State of Colorado mandate that water suppliers develop and maintain a Backflow Prevention and Cross-Connection Control program. Neither entities have developed specific programs, but the State has outlined requirements for the program.

Property owners own the backflow devices on their property.

In an effort to be in compliance with new backflow regulations from the State, the City is attempting to determine the responsible party for the maintenance and testing of backflow devices. Additionally, the City has changed a process in billing allowing customers to now be able to view their water consumption on their monthly water bill.

No, the City will continue to provide water at no charge for customers who maintain City arterial right-of-way areas as part of an effort to Keep Longmont beautiful.

Union Reservoir was constructed “on top of” a natural lake called Calkins Lake. The lake was named for or by Longmont’s first engineer, Benjamin Calkins. It was a natural depression that was presumably deepened and enlarged over time by bison herds that used the natural low spot for watering and wallowing in.

Other notable reservoirs constructed on top of natural lakes are found at McIntosh Lake, Burch Lake and McCall Lake. McCall Lake Reservoir was actually constructed over the top of two natural lakes, making the single reservoir.

Fluoridation of Longmont’s water supply was approved in 1958 and continues today. It is a safe and approved practice, and the City uses fluoride products that meet industry standards for drinking water treatment additives. Longmont and other water utilities in Colorado take guidance on treatment matters related to Fluoride from the agency that regulates potable water treatment –Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment (CDPHE).  Water utilities across the U.S. and state regulatory agencies such as CDPHE are advised by US Environmental Protection Agency and Centers for Disease Control on the use of Fluoride in potable water treatment.

For more information, visit CDPHE’s webpage on Community Water Fluoridation.

Learn more about the quality of Longmont’s drinking water in our annual Water Quality Report.

Water is a precious resource in Colorado and everyone needs to do their part to make sure that this resource is not wasted. The City of Longmont is concerned about wasting water and has an ordinance requiring all property owners to control the water use on their lot or building site. The ordinance reads: “Customers shall not cause or permit water to run to waste in any gutter or other impervious surface. Waste shall constitute the use of water serving no beneficial use, and not constituting an unavoidable consequence of the beneficial usage of water”. With proper attention to watering and other outside uses, all residents can do their part to make sure that water is used properly and efficiently. If you are aware of a property or building site where water is being wasted, you can report it to the City by calling Water Utilities . You can also call this number if you have questions about the City ordinance or general questions about wasting water.

A wastewater treatment plant:

1. Removes Solids – This includes everything from rags and sticks to sand and smaller particles found in wastewater.
2. Reduces Organic Matter and Pollutants – Helpful bacteria and other microorganisms are used to consume organic    matter in wastewater. The bacteria and microorganisms are then separated from the water.

For all metered residential users who irrigate lawn or other landscaping during the months of March, April, May, June, July, August, September, October and November, the sewer use charge on bills rendered during those months may be adjusted to the average monthly charges of the preceding January, February and March sewer utility billings. New residents, or residents moving to new premises, will be charged based upon either the city-wide, single-family residential winter quarter average (5,500 gallons) or their monthly usage, whichever is lower, until they establish their own winter quarter average (WQA) history.

In order to ensure that your tap water is safe to drink, the Environmental Protection Agency prescribes regulations which limit the amount of certain contaminants in water provided by Longmont and other public water systems. The City’s water treatment plants reduce any contaminants in the source waters to levels that meet, and usually surpass, all Federal and State requirements.

Learn more about Longmont’s drinking water and review the Annual Water Quality Report.

You can check whether or not your house lies in the floodplain by checking on the FEMA website at the Map Service Center. If you have further questions, please visit Flood Plain Development Permits.

When buildings are unoccupied for extended periods of time and water is not being regularly used, the water can sit and become stagnant. When this happens, such as during business shutdowns related to COVID-19, water quality may degrade over time.

The City of Longmont is sharing these guidelines for businesses on how to clear or flush the water in their internal water systems before reoccupying a building.

Longmont charges users of the City’s water and sewer systems rates and fees which are determined by the type of user. These rates and fees pay for the facilities and personnel that provide water and wastewater services to residents.  To learn more please visit out Rates and Fees webpage.

The City of Longmont operates two Conventional Filtration Surface Water Treatment Plants (WTP): The Nelson-Flanders WTP, which is rated to produce 40 million gallons per day, and the Wade Gaddis WTP, a peaking plant, rated to produce 14.75 MGD.

The Wade Gaddis WTP is only used in case of an emergency. It will permanently decommissioned once the Nelson Flanders WTP is expanded to replace the Wade Gaddis capacity. That project is expected to be completed in 2023.

The City of Longmont operates an Activated Sludge Wastewater Treatment Facility rated at 14 million gallons per day (MGD) average day annual flow.

Summer presents the highest demands for the treated water supply. Demand from outdoor sprinkler systems and other seasonal use requires the water treatment plant to produce upwards of 30 million gallons per day. When irrigation is not in use, the typical plant production needed is around 7 to 8 million gallons per day.

Learn more about how you can conserve water year-round on our Water Conservation webpage.

The City of Longmont does not administer or regulate rain barrels. That is accomplished at the state level by the State Engineers Office.

A great resource Colorado State University’s website, which explains the entire process: https://source.colostate.edu/extension-offers-fact-sheet-on-how-to-harvest-rainwater-under-new-colorado-rules/

1. Homes – human and household wastes from toilets, sinks, baths, and drains.
2. Industry, Schools, and Businesses – chemicals and other wastes from factories, food-service operations, airports, shopping centers, etc.

On average, each person in the U.S. contributes 50-100 gallons of wastewater daily.

If you are experiencing sluggish drains or a sewer backup in your house or business, there could be a blockage in your service line or in the main sewer line. The City can check this to determine where the problem may be occurring and what action needs to be taken. Contact Water Utilities Monday through Friday, 8 am – 5 pm. After hours call, please call Longmont Police Dispatch, and they will notify a utility technician to respond to your call.

Learn more about sewer lines, who is responsible, and how you can prevent problems on our Sewer Lines webpage.

Chlorination is a necessary step in the treatment of potable water. Chlorine is applied to the filtered water at the water treatment plant to kill disease-causing pathogens, such as bacteria, viruses, and protozoans. At certain times of the year water conditions may cause chlorine odors to be more prevalent.

Learn more on our Drinking Water Treatment webpage.

Drinking water in your home or business may occasionally become discolored or cloudy because of changes in flow disturbing the sediment in the water pipes. These problems are often caused by water main breaks, fire hydrant use, or installation of new water lines. Even though the water may not look clear, it is safe to drink. In many cases, running the cold water tap for a few minutes will remove the discoloration from the water. If you have tried this and the problem persists, please contact Water Utilities between 8 am and 5 pm, Monday through Friday. After hours or on weekends you can call Longmont Police Dispatch. In addition to discolored water, you may notice seasonal changes in the taste or odor of the water. If you have concerns or questions about this, please call the Water Quality Lab.

• Water line tie-in:
  • Due to the involved nature of a water line tie-in these operations typically take a full working day up to 8 hours.

• Service tap:
  • 1 hour

Water services will be turned off for water line tie-ins or service taps. Each customer affected by the shutdown will receive a door hanger 48 hours in advance.

Your water line is being replaced as part of citywide water line replacement maintenance program. The maintenance program identifies pipes that are older or prone to failure and replaces them to ensure a safe and efficient treated water distribution system.

The contractor should only be digging in front your house for 1 or 2 days. Contractor or City personnel will knock before your driveway is blocked to give you time to move your vehicles.

Water service is only turned off for connections and is restored on the same day. Customers will have water service for the majority of the construction.

Trash, recycling and composting will be picked up at 7 a.m. on your regularly scheduled collection day.

All information on Longmont’s current drought status and response plan is located on the Water Resources & Supply page.

Each watershed area in the state is unique. Also, Colorado water law dictates have water rights can be used within the state. Longmont resides within the St. Vrain watershed area and is fortunate to own several senior water rights in that basin. Because of these facts Longmont, among others, the effect of a state-wide severe drought often impacts Longmont to a lesser extent than it does other communities. So in other words, it might be extremely dry in southern Colorado, however that does not directly impact Longmont’s ability to use its water rights. Alternatively, a neighboring community may not have developed its water rights portfolio to the same extent that Longmont has and therefore that community may require implementing more stringent water restrictions than Longmont. Longmont is fortunate to have had a history of City Council and staff that shared a long-term vision for the need for water to serve its community and residents who have helped provide the financial resources necessary to realize that vision.

To help support an ongoing water supply, even when we are at a sustainable conservation level, the City still works to promote and encourage water conservation. Learn more on the City’s water conservation page.

Depending on the severity of drought and other factors such as current reservoir water supplies, soil moisture content and temperature, the City will have different responses to drought. When the City is no longer at a sustainable conservation level, staff follows the City of Longmont Water Supply and Drought Management Plan. To learn what level of drought we are currently in visit the Water Resources & Supply page.

Even when we are not in a drought, we all can take steps to conserve water. Learn more on the City’s water conservation page.