Public Works
The Public Works department encompasses the city's water, wastewater, streets, trash, recycling, engineering and capital improvements divisions.
Rates and billing are handled by the city's Finance department.
Water and sewer plant investment fees
Plant Investment Fees, sometimes referred to as tap fees or 
development fees, are paid for new buildings or residential unit connecting into the city's water and sewer system.
Resolution No. R-2015-57 - Effective January 1, 2016
Resolution No. R-2015-58 - Effective January 1, 2016
Costs
Water (residential)
| Meter Size | Cost |
| Single Unit Dwelling | |
| Up to 0.75(3/4") | $6,039 |
| 1" | $10,092 |
| 1 1/2" | $19,496 |
| Multi Unit Dwellings (including duplexes) | $6,039 for the first dwelling unit in each building, $3,019 for each additional unit within same building. |
| Second Detached dwelling unit - 600 square feet or less | $3,019 |
Water (non-residential)
| Meter Size | Cost |
| Up to 0.75 (3/4") | $6,093 |
| 1" | $10,183 |
| 1 1/2" | $19,671 |
| 2" | $32,399 |
| 3" | $60,956 |
Sewer (residential)
| Dwelling Unit(s) | Cost |
| Single - Family Residential | $2,131 |
| Multi Unit Dwellings (including duplexes) | $2,131 for the first dwelling unit in each building, $1,065 for each additional unit within same building. |
Sewer (non-residential)
| Water Meter Size | Cost |
| Up to 0.75 (3/4") Meter | $2,311 |
| 1" Meter | $3,814 |
| 1 1/2" Meter | $7,244 |
| 2" Meter | $11,034 |
| 3" Meter | $18,784 |
Questions regarding the cost of a commercial Water PIF should be referred to the Engineering Division of Community Development, 970-375-4810, as those tap sizes are calculated on "fixture count" formulas.
Water Plant investment fees may be reduced by 10% when property owners can demonstrate to Director of Public Works a reduction of 20% of the typical water demand during summer months through use of water saving fixtures and landscaping efficiencies.
Tapping fees
- 3/4 Inch Tap $334
- 1 Inch Tap $340
* All other Taps shall be performed by a qualified contractor
Please contact the Community Development Department at 970-375-4850 for payment and the Utilities Department at 970-375-4801 for scheduling. Tap fees are not collected with PIFs fees.
*Meters shall be sized so that 80% of their AWWA rated capacity is not exceeded by the maximum demand of the proposed use, exclusive of demand for fire protection. Maximum demands shall be determined on a fixture-unit basis as described in the "Uniform Plumbing Code, 1991 Edition" or as revised or supplemented.
Property outside city limits
If a property owner desires water service to property located outside the city limits, but within the city's service area, the owner must secure an Implied Consent Agreement requires the property owner to petition the City of Durango to annex the subject property when the property becomes eligible for annexation. The agreement also required the developer to develop the property in accordance with city development standards. The owner must obtain a La Plata County building permit prior to his payment of plant investment fees to the City of Durango.
On October 15, 2013 the Durango City Council approved changes to the City Code Chapter 25 Section 3 Ownership and Maintenance of Utilities. In accordance with this section, the city has prepared a document outlining property owner’s responsibility (PDF).
Some frequently asked questions regarding responsibility:
My plumber informed me the city is responsible for my sewer backup? What will the city do?
- The Utilities Department will come out and check the main lines to ensure flow. If the main is not flowing, the Crews will resolve that issue. If it is found to be a service line (the mains are functioning) it is up to the property owner to show that the blockage is not root intrusion, oil/grease buildup or other blockage and a break has occurred within the City right-of-way (generally past the sidewalk). To determine the location and responsibility of a service line break, request from your plumber a video recording of your sewer line with measurements to provide to the City Utilities Department. The Department will evaluate the video and discuss responsibilities and options for repair.
My water line is frozen, what do I do?
- It is the responsibility of a property owner to keep water service lines from freezing. If freezing is suspected, Utilities crews may arrive to determine if the meter and associated items are functioning. It is up to the property owner to thaw the entire length of the service line if the line has frozen.
The city came out and repaired my water service line in the right-of-way. Will they complete my line into my property?
- Any line replacement outside of the public right-of-way is the responsibility of the property owner (this includes across other owners property). In some cases where the Utilities Crew finds the service line in disrepair on the property owners side of responsibility, the owner may be directed to repair or replace the line within a set time frame.
To view the Chapter 25-3 (PDF) Ordinance presented to City Council and Approved by City Council
Be Safe and Call Before you Dig!
Utility lines, including water, sewer, gas, electrical and fiber utilities are running underground all around the City of Durango.
The Utility Notification Center of Colorado (UNCC) generally known as Colorado 811 (colorado811.org) should be contacted either via phone (dial 811) or through their online portal at least two business days prior to the time of planned excavation (the day of the notice does not count for calculation of required response times).
When creating a locate ticket, be sure to describe completely the area to be located as omitted areas tend to be the most frequent cause of delay in locates or damage to utilities.
The City of Durango has contracted with US Infrastructure Company Locating Services LLC (USIC) to perform locating services for City owned water and sewer utilities. This includes all water and sewer assets within the City right of way (generally from sidewalk to sidewalk) and where a water main crosses private property. Service lines to individual properties are not located by USIC, accordingly it is the customer responsibility to have locates of service lines completed where work may occur. Locating companies which may provide the service are listed on the Colorado 811 website.
STEPS
Call 811or use the Online Ticketing System to input a ticket. This is the easiest way to make sure you keep your communities safe and connected. Data shows that when you call 811 the appropriate amount of time before digging, you have a less than 1% chance of striking a buried utility line.
After entering a ticket you need to Wait. Utility owners have two days (not including the day the ticket was entered) to respond to a ticket request.
Review your ticket online and Confirm that all affected utility operators have responded to your request and located accurately. It may also be necessary to locate private utilities in the work area by engaging a private locator. It is worth the time to document with photographs the locates that have been made. Further, if you see clear evidence of a utility, such as an above ground marker, manhole cover or utility box, but no marks, call 811 and request a second notification and discuss any issues so that utility can be notified.
Respect the marks. The marks provided by the affected utility operators are your guide for the duration of your project.If you are unable to maintain the marks during your project, or the project will continue past your request’s expiration date (30 days), please call or contact 811 to ask for a re-mark.
Dig carefully. State laws generally prohibit the use of mechanized equipment within 18-24 inches of a marked utility, which is called the “tolerance zone”.If you must dig near the marks, hand dig or use vacuum excavation to expose the facility. After exposing the facility, avoid using mechanized equipment within the same tolerance zone.