Arvada Sewer Fees & Discharge Limits - City Guide

Utilities and Infrastructure Colorado 3 Minutes Read ยท published March 01, 2026 Flag of Colorado

Arvada, Colorado maintains local rules for sewer connections, service charges, and prohibited discharges to protect public health and the municipal collection system. This guide explains where to find the city rules, how connection fees and discharge limits are applied, who enforces them, and practical steps to apply, pay, appeal, or report a suspected violation. Official city resources include the utilities division and the Arvada municipal code online; consult those sources for statutory text and current fee schedules. City of Arvada Utilities - Water & Sewer[1] and the municipal code. Arvada Code of Ordinances[2]

Check official fee schedules before submitting an application.

Understanding Connection Fees and Discharge Limits

Connection fees typically cover capital recovery for new or expanded service, while monthly sewer charges reflect consumption and treatment costs. Discharge limits restrict the chemical, biological, temperature, and solids content of wastewater entering the public sewer to prevent damage, interference, or pass-through to downstream treatment.

  • Connection fees: amount and methodology are set by the city and published in the utility fee schedule; see the utilities page for the current schedule.[1]
  • Permit or approval: some commercial or industrial connections require sewer use permits or pretreatment agreements; check municipal code for applicability.[2]
  • Discharge limits: specific numeric limits for pollutants or parameters are described in code or implementing regulations; where the code is silent, the utilities department sets operational limits.

Penalties & Enforcement

The city enforces sewer use, connection, and discharge rules through the Utilities Division together with code enforcement and the city attorney as needed. Exact penalty amounts and schedules are not always summarized on one page; when a numeric fine or fee appears it is set in the ordinance or fee schedule referenced below.[2]

  • Fines: specific dollar amounts for violations are not specified on the cited page and must be confirmed in the municipal code or current fee schedule.[2]
  • Escalation: first, repeat, and continuing offences and any per-day continuing penalties are not specified on the cited page; consult the code for ranges and repeat-offence language.[2]
  • Non-monetary sanctions: enforcement can include orders to cease discharge, corrective actions, permit suspension, repair or replacement orders, seizure of equipment, and court injunctions.
  • Enforcer & complaints: Utilities Division handles inspections and complaints; submit concerns via the city utilities contact channels listed in Resources.
  • Appeals & review: the municipal code or administrative rules describe appeal routes and time limits for filing appeals; if a time limit is not shown on the cited page it is not specified and must be verified with the department.[2]
If you face enforcement action, request appeal instructions from the Utilities Division immediately.

Applications & Forms

The city publishes application forms and fee schedules for sewer connections and for commercial pretreatment where required. If a specific form number or submittal packet is needed, it is available from the Utilities Division or the city website; the cited municipal pages include links to contact the utilities office to obtain current forms.[1][2]

Common Violations and Typical Remedies

  • Unauthorized connection or tapping into the public sewer: corrective reconnection, permit retroactive approval, and fines.
  • Discharging prohibited wastes (e.g., high-strength industrial wastes) without pretreatment: stop-work orders, required pretreatment, monitoring, and penalties.
  • Failure to repair customer-side defects causing sewer backups or infiltration: repair orders and possible cost recovery.

How-To

  1. Determine whether your project requires a sewer connection permit by contacting Utilities or reviewing the municipal code.
  2. Gather required documentation: site plans, plumbing permits, industrial pretreatment data (if commercial), and any application fees.
  3. Submit the connection application and pay the applicable connection fee to the Utilities Division; retain proof of payment.
  4. Schedule inspection(s) and comply with any pretreatment or monitoring requirements before final acceptance.
Begin early: permitting and inspections can add weeks to project timelines.

FAQ

Who enforces Arvada sewer rules?
The Utilities Division enforces sewer connections and discharge rules, supported by code enforcement and the city attorney; contact details are in Resources.[1]
How much is a sewer connection fee?
Connection fee amounts and calculation methods are published in the city fee schedule or utility rate documents; the cited pages should be checked for current figures.[1][2]
What should I do if I receive a notice of violation?
Follow the corrective actions in the notice, contact Utilities immediately to discuss deadlines and appeals, and document remediation work and payments.

Key Takeaways

  • Always verify the current fee schedule with the Utilities Division before paying.
  • Report spills or illicit discharges to Utilities promptly to reduce enforcement exposure.

Help and Support / Resources

  1. [1] City of Arvada Utilities - Water & Sewer
  2. [2] Arvada Code of Ordinances - Municipal Code Library

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