Denver Water’s Lead Reduction Program was approved in December 2019, and customers who are part of the program will be receiving mailed information and water filters through summer 2020 and beyond. We’ve provided this page as a resource to download and access program materials.
In Denver Water’s experience, homes and buildings built before 1951 are more likely to have a lead water service line, the customer-owned pipe that brings water from Denver Water’s delivery pipes in the street into the home or building. Customers who have or may have a lead service line are enrolled in the Lead Reduction Program. Our interactive map will tell you if your property is one of the estimated 64,000 to 84,000 properties with a possible lead service line.
General program information
Resources |
---|
Lead Reduction Program Overview (customer mailer) |
Lead Reduction Program FAQs |
History of Lead in Drinking Water |
Infographic — Sources of lead in drinking water |
Learning about lead (CDPHE) |
pH adjustment scale (customer bill insert) |
Video — What is the Lead Reduction Program? |
Video — How does lead get into water? |
Video — Simple steps to reduce the risk of lead exposure while waiting for lead service line replacement. |
Filter program information
Resources |
---|
Picture of water filter and filter kit box |
Filter Program FAQs |
Filter kit pamphlet (delivered to customers inside filter kit box) |
Filter kit pamphlet (for homes built between 1983-1987) |
1983-87 homes FAQs |
Early Childhood Development Service Providers – FAQ |
When do I need to use the water pitcher filter?(chart) |
Video — How to use a filter to reduce the risk of lead in water |
Service line replacement information
Resources |
---|
Flushing Instructions — Step-by-step guide (customers will receive in person) |
Flushing Instructions for multifamily and commercial properties — Step-by-step guide |
Graphic — Where is my service line? |
Graphic — Water service line replacement timeline |
Infographic — Lead sampling |
Infographic — Service line before replacement |
Infographic — Service line after replacement |
Infographic — Pull through technique |
Infographic — Directional boring |
Booklet — Your guide to lead service line replacement |
Map — Lead service line replacement areas |
Map — 2020 to 2023 lead service line replacement areas |
Map — 2023 lead service line replacement areas |
Fact sheet — How we are identifying when and where to replace lead service lines? |
Video — How do they replace lead service lines at Denver Water |
Video — How to clean faucet aerators and flush pipes after construction to improve water quality |
Video — How does Denver Water schedule lead service line replacement? |
Federal Funding
Resources |
---|
Federal funding providing a big boost to lead service line replacements |
2023 Work Area Map |
Preguntas frecuentes sobre los fondos federales
What is the amount of money that Denver Water applied for and received and when were these funds approved?
On Oct. 7, 2022, the Colorado Water Resources and Power Development Authority (CWRPDA) Board approved $76 million for Denver Water to use for lead service line replacements. Specifically, this includes a $36,123,628 loan with a 30-year term, two payments annually at an interest rate of 2.75%, which will cost Denver Water approximately $1,776,146 in debt service annually. The funding Denver Water received is a low-interest loan that the utility will repay, with $40 million of the loan’s principle forgiven immediately as allowed by the legislation.
How many lead service lines can be replaced with these funds?
The $76 million in federal funding was requested to help accelerate the Lead Reduction Program in 2023-2025. The funds collected from the funding loan will go directly to replacing more lead service lines, ultimately saving ratepayers money as it will fast-track the program by roughly 1.5 years and result in an estimated 7,600 lead service line replacements.
Will this make the program shorter?
Federal funds allow the Lead Reduction Program to be accelerated and completed in less time. For every 4,500 additional lead service lines replaced using these funds, the overall length of the program will be one year shorter.
How do the federal funds save customers money?
The Lead Reduction Program cost is not just covered through water rates, but also bonds, cash reserves and hydropower generation, which is in line with other large capital improvement projects undertaken regularly by Denver Water. It’s important to note that the amount of money recovered from rates for the Lead Reduction Program varies based on the level of service required for each of our customer types, as our capital program costs are recovered via a cost-of-service model. That means the amount a customer’s rate may increase based on the Lead Reduction Program will vary depending on where the customer lives in Denver Water’s service area, the type of water user and how much water they use.
Testing information
Lead Reduction Program approval documents
Variance order from CDPHE and EPA (2022)
Variance Appendix (2022)
Denver Water Variance Letter (2022)
Variance Responsiveness Summary (2022)
Lead Reduction Program Plan proposal to CDPHE and EPA (2019)
Variance order from CDPHE and EPA (2019)
Public comment summary (2019)
Reports
2022
Lead Reduction Program — Learn by Doing — 2022
Lead Reduction Program — Annual Report — 2022
Lead Reduction Program — Semi-Annual Report — S1 2022
2021
Lead Reduction Program — Learn by Doing — 2021
Lead Reduction Program — Annual Report — 2021
Lead Reduction Program — Semi-Annual Report — S2 2021
Lead Reduction Program — Semi-Annual Report — S1 2021
2020
Lead Reduction Program — Quarterly Report — Q1 2020
Lead Reduction Program — Quarterly Report — Q2 2020
Lead Reduction Program — Quarterly Report — Q3 2020
Lead Reduction Program — Quarterly Report — Q4 2020