Glendale buys all its water from Denver Water but maintains its own mains and bills customers, and the city tracks annual backflow tests, with a 120-day retest requirement for assemblies that fail. The City of Glendale Building Department, not Denver or Arapahoe County, issues plumbing permits. Call the number on this page to be connected with a local plumber in Glendale.
How Glendale's system works
Glendale is a small Arapahoe County city completely surrounded by Denver, along Colorado Boulevard and Cherry Creek, and it's the most densely populated municipality in Colorado. That density means a lot of restaurants, retail, offices and multifamily buildings packed into a small area. All of Glendale's water comes from Denver Water's treated mountain snowmelt, with average hardness of about 89 ppm in Denver Water's report, but the city maintains its own mains and bills customers directly. Main breaks and billing questions go to Glendale Public Works at 303-639-4500, not Denver Water.
The city tracks annual testing of the backflow assemblies in its water system. If an assembly fails, its water page notes a 120-day retest requirement. Restaurants with soda systems and dish machines, buildings with fire sprinklers and properties with irrigation all typically have assemblies to keep current.
Permits come from the City of Glendale Building Department. Its main building permit application covers all project types except signs, plumbing included. Inspection requests are due by 3:30 p.m. the day before, and there are no Friday inspections, which matters when you're planning a weekend water heater swap or a tenant finish.
Repair or bigger project?
| Issue | Usually a repair | Plan a bigger job |
|---|---|---|
| Backflow assembly | Replacing worn checks or seals | An assembly that fails again after repair |
| Kitchen drains | Clearing one grease clog | Repeat backups that need jetting or a camera look |
| Water heater | A valve, sensor or element | A tank leak or demand beyond its capacity |
| Restroom fixtures | Flush valve parts | Fixtures in a busy space that fail repeatedly |
Signs to watch for
- Kitchen or bar drains slowing down between cleanings
- A failed or overdue backflow test
- Running toilets in a high-traffic restroom
- Sewer odor near floor drains
- Low hot water during peak hours
Scheduling and seasons
Since Glendale doesn't inspect on Fridays, plan permitted work early in the week. Keep the 120-day retest window in mind after a failed backflow test so the repair doesn't slip. In cold weather, watch piping near loading doors and exterior walls, and drain irrigation before the first hard freeze. Gas is Xcel Energy; for a gas smell, evacuate, then call 911 and Xcel at 1-800-895-2999.
Commercial Plumbing questions in Glendale
Does a business here need its backflow assemblies tested every year?
Who do we call if a water main or meter problem shuts down the building?
Which office issues plumbing permits for a commercial property?
How should a restaurant keep grease out of the sewer?
More plumbing services in Glendale
Commercial Plumbing nearby
Sources
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