Sewer Line Replacement in Arvada, CO

Is the whole sewer line really mine in Arvada?

Yes. The City of Arvada says homeowners maintain their own sewer service line from the house to the city main, and the city will not cut, clean or televise residential sewer service lines. The city does maintain more than 450 miles of public sewer pipe, and wastewater goes on to Metro Water Recovery for treatment. A few areas inside city limits are on other districts, such as Clear Creek Sanitation District or Ralston Valley Water and Sanitation District, so check the city's district maps if you are unsure who serves you.

One detail matters for pricing: Arvada requires a General Municipal Contractor's license for water and sewer service work in the public right-of-way, while a plumbing license only covers private-property work. If your line has to be opened up in the street, ask whether the contractor holds that city license.

How old are the sewer lines in Arvada homes?

The median Arvada home dates to 1979, and about 52.5% were built before 1980, according to ACS 2019-2023 estimates. The city grew fast after World War II from its farming past, and many of those postwar houses were connected with clay or cast iron pipe. Clay lets roots in at its joints and cast iron corrodes from the inside, so after several decades a camera often finds problems along much of the line. Homes built since the 1980s generally have plastic pipe that fails less often, usually from settling or later digging.

What does the city require for a replacement?

Water and sewer service installation, repair or disconnection needs a City of Arvada permit. Contractors with an active city license apply online through Arvada Permits, and homeowners apply in person at City Hall, 8101 Ralston Road. Building Services can be reached at 720-898-7620. The plumber will normally arrange the inspection before the line is buried. It also helps to know that Arvada prohibits sump pump discharge into the sanitary sewer and that flushing wipes or paper towels violates city code, so a new line should not be connected to a sump or downspout.

A local note

If a backup seems to affect the street or several neighbors, call the city's utility line at 720-898-7070 before calling a plumber. A main break or blockage is the city's to fix. A problem limited to your house is almost always in the private line, and that's where a local plumber comes in, usually starting with a camera inspection.