# Sewer and Water Line Services in Centennial, Colorado

Centennial was incorporated in 2001, but its housing dates back decades earlier since the city was formed from existing unincorporated Arapahoe County neighborhoods. That means the underground infrastructure predates the city government itself, and it spans everything from 1960s and 70s cast iron and Orangeburg to newer PVC in the subdivisions built closer to incorporation.

Because Centennial absorbed dozens of pre-existing neighborhoods rather than being built out from a single plan, pipe material and condition vary block by block in a way that a city built on one development timeline would not show. A 1960s ranch neighborhood near Arapahoe Road can sit blocks away from a 1990s subdivision with completely different underground infrastructure.

Arapahoe County's soils include the same expansive clay found across much of the south metro, and Centennial's older tracts, laid out before soil conditions were as well understood as they are now, show a fair number of grade problems in laterals that were graded correctly at installation but have since moved.

We approach every Centennial job as its own investigation rather than assuming the city's relatively recent incorporation means uniformly modern infrastructure. The camera tells us what era we are actually dealing with.

## Permits and Authority in Centennial

Centennial is a city built from previously unincorporated Arapahoe County land, and it does not operate its own water or sewer utility. Water service is typically provided by Denver Water's suburban customers or by independent water districts depending on the specific neighborhood, and sanitary sewer service usually runs through a separate metro district or sanitation district. Both must be confirmed by address.

Right-of-way permitting for streets within Centennial goes through the city's public works department, which is separate from whichever water or sewer authority actually serves the property.

- Water authority: varies by neighborhood among several districts and suburban water providers, confirmed by address.
- Sewer authority: typically a separate metro district or sanitation district, confirmed by address before permitting.
- Right-of-way and street cuts: City of Centennial public works.
- We verify the correct authority for each address before applying for any permit.

## Tap and permit notes

- Tap applications go to whichever water or sewer authority serves the specific neighborhood, which we confirm before submitting.
- Older neighborhoods absorbed into Centennial at incorporation sometimes have less consistent record-keeping than the newer planned subdivisions.
- Street cuts on Centennial's collector roads may require a traffic control plan.
- Sanitary connections require inspection before backfill regardless of which district governs the address.

## Typical pipe era

- 1960s to 1970s neighborhoods near Arapahoe Road: cast iron and clay sewer, early copper water service.
- Orangeburg present in some mid-century repair sections and postwar tracts.
- 1980s to 1990s subdivisions: PVC sewer, copper water service.
- Post-2000 development near the city's newer edges: PVC sewer, PEX water service.

## Common failure modes

- Bellies and grade loss from expansive clay soil movement in the older tracts.
- Orangeburg deformation restricting flow in mid-century neighborhoods.
- Root intrusion at clay joints near mature landscaping in older subdivisions.
- Settlement cracks in newer construction near the city's growth edges.
- Cast iron corrosion at low points in the line.

## Areas served

- Southglenn
- Ken Caryl-adjacent areas
- Willow Creek
- Piney Creek
- Walnut Hills
- Homestead

## Response time

Centennial is a regular part of our service area, and scheduling for scopes and repairs there runs on our normal timeline.

## Frequently asked questions

**Does the City of Centennial have its own water utility?**

No. Centennial was formed from previously unincorporated Arapahoe County neighborhoods and does not run its own water or sewer utility. Service depends on which district or provider covers the specific neighborhood, and we confirm that before doing tap work.

**Are you the same company as any Centennial municipal utility?**

No. We are a private, family owned contractor, not a city or district utility. We work on the private lateral and service line and coordinate with whichever authority serves your address when a job needs a permit.

**Why do neighboring Centennial neighborhoods have such different pipe conditions?**

Centennial was incorporated from existing unincorporated neighborhoods built across several decades, so a 1960s tract and a 1990s subdivision can sit right next to each other with completely different underground infrastructure. We scope each property rather than assuming based on the surrounding area.

**Can a Centennial sewer line with a belly be repaired without full replacement?**

It depends on the severity. A minor low spot can sometimes be managed, but a significant belly caused by ongoing clay soil movement usually needs to be replaced to properly correct the grade, since lining over a belly does not fix the slope problem.

## Nearby service areas

- [Littleton](https://www.denversewerandwater.com/locations/littleton-co)
- [Greenwood Village](https://www.denversewerandwater.com/locations/greenwood-village-co)
- [Highlands Ranch](https://www.denversewerandwater.com/locations/highlands-ranch-co)
- [Lone Tree](https://www.denversewerandwater.com/locations/lone-tree-co)
- [Cherry Hills Village](https://www.denversewerandwater.com/locations/cherry-hills-village-co)

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Denver Sewer and Water is a privately owned, licensed and insured plumbing contractor. We are not affiliated with, endorsed by, or connected to Denver Water, the municipal water utility, or any government entity. To pay a municipal water bill or reach the public utility, visit denverwater.org.

Source: https://www.denversewerandwater.com/locations/centennial-co