Denver Water offers permitted water connections for special events on a case-by-case basis
- All event-permit hydrants will be tested for water quality and set up as if for potable use.
- Denver Water technicians and plumbers will provide all service connections and certified equipment.
- Denver Fire Department and Denver Water need unimpeded access to the permitted hydrant. To allow adequate space for emergency and public use access, 10 feet of clearance around each hydrant must be provided. The hydrants must not be blocked off, barricaded or hidden from general view.
- Denver Water will continue to guarantee water quality to the outlet side of the backflow devices on each hydrant.
Permit applications for event hydrants must be turned in at least 30 full business days in advance of the event. No on-site, post-application connections of any kind will be allowed. - Denver Water staff will inspect hydrants daily for compliance.
Options for hook-ups
Drinking Fountain: Drinking fountain for public use. This option allows for a safe, convenient access to water during an event. Drinking fountain cannot be altered, blocked, disconnected or tampered with. Fountain must be accessible at all times.
Meter and Backflow Prevention Assembly Unit: Option allows for a 2” outlet for use. It is a large piece of equipment that cannot be blocked, altered, fenced or tampered with. Extra care is required by the permit holder to ensure public safety while this equipment is in use.
Special event hydrant permit requirements
Advance notice requirements
- Permit applications and letter of request (on event letterhead) must be submitted to Denver Water at least 30 full business days in advance of the event.
- Email request details or call Water Sales at 303-628-6100.
- A request for a nonprofit permit fee must be received at least 60 days prior to the event date.
- Permits are required for each hydrant to be used during an event. Rates are calculated from the day the equipment is hooked up, until the day the equipment is removed. Please be aware that our hours of operation may not coordinate with your event dates and may require additional days.
- Set up and removal of equipment is done Monday through Friday between the hours of 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. Permit holder is responsible for any damage, or theft of equipment or hydrant during the dates listed on the permit. Permit holder is responsible for contacting Denver Water to turn on and shut off hydrant when not in use. It may be possible to accommodate events outside of these hours, but may incur additional fees.
Hydrant use specifications
- Moving equipment from a tested hydrant to an untested hydrant after the testing/sampling process is prohibited and will result in immediate hydrant shutdown and the issuance of a hydrant violation.
- Denver Water’s existing hydrant disinfection practices will be sufficient for the event hydrant policy.
Backflow device requirements
- All hydrants set up for events must use a Denver Water-supplied, certified reduced pressure zone backflow device and stand.
- For events at Civic Center Park, existing deck/yard hydrants and Eclipse hydrant hookup(s) must be used whenever possible in lieu of fire hydrants.
On-site access and inspection requirements
- Denver Water agrees with Denver Fire code, which requires at least 10 feet of clearance around all hydrants to allow adequate space for emergency access, maintenance and repair during the event.
- Denver Water needs unimpeded access to the hydrant for personnel and members of the public. It cannot be blocked off or barricaded or hidden from general view.
- Denver Water will need guaranteed, reasonably close short-term parking on the day of event for inspection and/or repair.
- Denver Water Emergency Service personnel will inspect permitted hydrants once during each day- and swing-shift during operating hours of the event.
Downstream limitations
- Denver Water can only guarantee good water quality at the time of collecting a bacterial sample.
- Pending final approval by both agencies, Denver Water will offer a list of required materials (NSF- and ASTM-approved polybraid hose, isolation cross-control devices, etc.) to be included in Environmental Health’s operating standards and Cultural Affairs’ Event Planning Guide.
- Pending final approval by the city, Cultural Affairs will include a Denver Water-provided page specific to water requests and required equipment in its Events Planning Guide.
- In cases that involve for-profit vendors who sell food and use potable water in the course of their operations, Environmental Health will enforce compliance downstream of Denver Water’s final point of responsibility.
Cancellation policy
- To cancel a permit application, a written notification (on company letterhead) is required. If cancellation occurs within 7 business days of scheduled event, a cancellation fee of $150.00 will be required.
- Denver Water reserves the right to require a deposit or additional charges in cases of work above and beyond our standard policy. Applicants will be provided an itemized quote prior to commitment.
Suspension of water service and fines for violations
If the service connection is not in compliance with the above stated requirements, suspension of water service will be immediate and a violation fine will be charged to the permit holder. The fine will be the same as fines for other Denver Water hydrant violations. Any damages or theft of the equipment will be billed as necessary.
Standard permit fees
Qualifying nonprofit organizations are eligible for 50 percent off the hydrant fees listed below.
| 2013 standard permit fee schedule for water fountain connections | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Number of fountain locations | ||||||
| Number of Days | 1 Location | 2 Locations | 3 Locations | 4 Locations | 5 Locations | 6 Locations |
| 1 day permit | $260.00 | $400.00 | $540.00 | $680.00 | $820.00 | $960.00 |
| 2 day permit | $310.00 | $450.00 | $590.00 | $730.00 | $870.00 | $1,010.00 |
| 3 day permit | $360.00 | $500.00 | $640.00 | $780.00 | $920.00 | $1,060.00 |
| 4 day permit | $410.00 | $550.00 | $690.00 | $830.00 | $970.00 | $1,100.00 |
| 5 day permit | $460.00 | $600.00 | $740.00 | $880.00 | $1,020.00 | $1,150.00 |
| 6 day permit | $510.00 | $650.00 | $790.00 | $930.00 | $1,070.00 | $1,200.00 |
| 7 day permit | $560.00 | $700.00 | $840.00 | $980.00 | $1,120.00 | $1,250.00 |
| 8 day permit | $610.00 | $750.00 | $890.00 | $1,030.00 | $1,170.00 | $1,300.00 |
| 9 day permit | $660.00 | $800.00 | $940.00 | $1,080.00 | $1,220.00 | $1,350.00 |
| 10 day permit | $710.00 | $850.00 | $990.00 | $1,130.00 | $1,270.00 | $1,400.00 |
| 2013 permit fee schedule for hydrant-only connections (2" female outlet for wash down) | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Number of 2" outlets |
||||||
| 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | |
| Daily Fee Per Adapter | $180.00 | $360.00 | $540.00 | $720.00 | $900.00 | $1,080.00 |
Permit fees for nonprofit organizations
Denver Water no longer provides free water service to any special event (including “grandfathered events”). A cost-of-service fee will be charged for all water fountain and hydrant connection permits for special events.
The standard permit fee may be reduced by 50 percent for applicants with proof of a nonprofit beneficiary or 501(c)(3) status. The applicant must meet the following criteria to be considered for a reduced permit fee.
Criteria checklist to be considered for hydrant and/or drinking fountain permit fee reduction:
- A request for a nonprofit permit fee must be received at least 60 days prior to the event.
- The event must be in the City and County of Denver.
- A nonprofit organization will benefit from a portion of the event proceeds.
- The number of estimated attendees must be greater than 10,000 people.
- There is no admission fee to attend the event.
- The event producer must sign and abide by service agreement requirements for hydrant and/or fountain connections.
- In exchange for a nonprofit permit fee, the event producer will provide public recognition and/or other promotional benefits to Denver Water. Promotional or sponsorship benefits will be based on the value of cost-of-service to connect hydrants or fountain.
- Denver Water will consider any of the following promotional opportunities at the event:
- Denver Water-supplied yard signs promoting conservation or water quality at strategic event locations
- Banner(s) at event entrance
- Denver Water’s Fill it at the Tap water trailer at event
- Denver Water logo and/or fountain locations on event Web site and on printed maps
For more information about nonprofit permits, contact Sandra Reinhold, Community Relations Marketing Specialist, at 303-628-6195.
For more information about standard permits, call Water Sales at 303-628-6100.