Backflow Testing in Elizabeth, CO

Is my Elizabeth home on Town water?

Only if it's inside Town limits. The Town of Elizabeth produces, treats and distributes groundwater from its own wells to homes inside town, disinfected with chlorine. Many properties with Elizabeth addresses sit outside town limits in the larger 80107 area, and the Town points residents to its boundary map to confirm service. If you're outside, the Town's backflow program doesn't apply to you, and your water arrangement may be different.

What does the Town's backflow program require?

The fact sheet confirms the basics: Public Works runs a Cross-Connection Control program under a Town ordinance and publishes a list of certified backflow testers. It doesn't spell out which properties must test or how often, so call Public Works at 303-646-0916 and ask what applies to your connection. Businesses on historic Main Street and homes with irrigation are the usual candidates. If the Town tells you a test is required, choosing a tester from its list keeps the paperwork simple. Ask Public Works, too, where the passing report should be sent and whether there's a due date, so you can plan the test around it.

Do I need a permit to replace a device?

Inside Town limits, the Town requires a building permit whenever plumbing systems are involved, with permits and inspections handled by SAFEbuilt for the Town (303-646-4166 x4). Outside Town limits, Elbert County issues permits. A like-for-like device swap may be simple, but ask before the work starts.

When you call, tell the plumber whether you're inside Town limits, what the device protects and whether Public Works has contacted you. If the device is leaking, close the irrigation shutoff that feeds it. Having the make and size from the device body helps the plumber bring the right rebuild kit and avoid a second trip.

Local note

Elizabeth has grown into a commuter town since the 1990s, with a median build year of 1999, so many homes have relatively new sprinkler systems. Running Creek country still gets hard freezes, though, and outdoor devices need draining in fall. For after-hours water emergencies that threaten life or property, Public Works has a line at 303-284-1709.