Englewood Utilities supplies the city's water and requires backflow assemblies at every cross-connection on commercial and multifamily properties, with yearly test results due by August 15. Much of Englewood's building stock is decades old, and the Building Division permits water heater and line work. Call the number on this page to be connected with a local plumber in Englewood.
Englewood's water, sewer and building age
Englewood runs its own water utility, separate from Denver Water. It draws South Platte River water through the City Ditch and the Union Avenue Pump Station, stores it in McLellan Reservoir and treats it at the Allen plant with free chlorine, UV and chloramines. Sewer is a city service for most addresses, with treatment at South Platte Renew, the plant Englewood shares with Littleton. Some Englewood-area addresses fall in other sanitation districts such as South Englewood Sanitation, so check the city's district finder.
The city owns the water service line from the main to the curb stop, and the owner has the rest. Englewood's Lead Reduction Program replaces lead and older galvanized service lines with copper zone by zone, excluding galvanized lines at homes built after 1960. Housing data shows how old the city is: the median home dates from 1964 and about 68% were built before 1980 (ACS figures). Commercial buildings along Broadway and in older corridors can carry the same aging cast iron drains and galvanized supply lines.
Repair or plan a larger job?
| Issue | Often a repair | Consider a bigger project |
|---|---|---|
| Building drain | A single clog that clears cleanly | Repeat backups or cracked cast iron seen on camera |
| Supply piping | One leaking joint | Galvanized pipe with low pressure and rusty water |
| Service line | A leaking fitting past the curb stop | A line flagged in the city's inventory |
| Water heater | A thermostat or valve failure | A leaking tank or one too small for demand |
Signs to watch for
- Brown or rusty water after the building sits overnight
- Drains in an older storefront that slow down again soon after clearing
- Sewer smell in a basement or stairwell
- Restroom fixtures that run constantly
- An Englewood Utilities notice about an overdue backflow test
Timing and seasons
Backflow results are due to Englewood Utilities by August 15, so test in late spring to leave time for repairs; extensions can be requested at backflow@englewoodco.gov. Freezing weather is the other seasonal risk, especially for older buildings with piping in exterior walls. The Building Division requires permits for water heater replacement, water or drain line changes and new plumbing, filed through the city's online system, while a direct toilet or lavatory swap doesn't need one.
Commercial Plumbing questions in Englewood
Does a business here need its backflow assemblies tested every year?
Where does the utility's share of the water service line end?
Does the water utility's lead service line inventory affect older commercial buildings?
Which office issues plumbing permits for a commercial property?
More plumbing services in Englewood
Commercial Plumbing nearby
Helpful guides
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