A boundary you can cross on foot
Edgewater is a small city surrounded by Denver, Lakewood and Wheat Ridge, and the boundary lies just a short walk from many Wheat Ridge homes on the east side. Block to block, a house can be served by one city's public works and a neighbor across the street by another's. Water, sewer and storm drainage service areas do not always follow city lines either.
That means the first question in a water event is not always the obvious one. A quick look at a utility bill tells you who supplies water and who handles sewer, and the city's website tells you where to report a clogged storm inlet.
Who to contact by type of problem
- Water main break in the street
- The water provider named on your water bill
- Sewer main backup
- The sewer provider named on your bill, and the city if unclear
- Storm inlet or street flooding
- Public works for the city the street belongs to
- Emergency with electricity or gas
- 911 and the utility serving your meter
Finding your service provider in ten minutes
- Check the water bill.It lists the water provider and often a number for emergencies.
- Check the sewer charge.Sewer service may be on the same bill or on a separate district bill.
- Look up the street.City and county maps show which jurisdiction owns the road.
- Save the numbers.Write the provider numbers on a card near the main shutoff.
Border-area checklist
- Know which city's public works covers your street.
- Find your water and sewer providers on your bills.
- Ask whether your block has had repeated storm drain problems.
- Document street flooding with photographs and times.
- Report blocked inlets to the right city, not just the nearest one.
One more thing to keep in mind
During a street-level event such as a main break, utilities often post notices to affected addresses and ask neighbors to report what they see. Having your account number and service address ready, with a photograph of the water or the meter, speeds up the conversation. Keep that information in your phone along with the numbers for your water provider, the city office for your street and your insurer, so that nothing depends on a search at a stressful moment.
Common questions
Why might my neighbor use a different provider?
Service areas follow historical district lines that may not match city boundaries.
Who do I call for street flooding?
The public works office for the city that owns the street, which a map of the jurisdiction will show.
General information for Wheat Ridge, not a quote or professional advice. In an emergency, call 911.