# Sanitary Sewer Connection for New Construction

On a new build, the sewer connection is a schedule item, not just a trade item. Denver Sewer and Water is a private contractor. The authority permits and inspects the connection. We sequence and build it around your construction schedule.

- Sequenced with the build schedule.
- Coordination with water and dry utilities.
- Inspection windows planned in advance.
- Grade verified before foundation work.
- Private contractor, not the city.

## What the Connection Involves on a New Build

The sanitary connection on new construction covers the tap at the public main, the service line to the building, the required cleanouts, and the stub the plumbing contractor ties into.

The single most important item happens before construction: verifying that there is workable fall from the planned building elevation to the main. Discovering a grade problem after the foundation is poured is expensive to solve.

The second is sequencing. Trenching for sewer competes with water, gas, electric, and site access, and the authority's inspection window has to line up with the trench being open.

- Main depth, location, and available fall to the building pad.
- Approved connection type at the main.
- Route conflicts with water, gas, electric, and communications.
- Cleanout locations required by the authority.
- Inspection timing relative to backfill and site work.
- Whether the street cut requires separate right of way approval.

## Who Authorizes the Tap and Who Performs the Tap

Denver Sewer and Water is a private, family owned and operated contractor. We are not Denver Water or the City and County of Denver. We do not issue permits, set fees, own the mains, or approve service. The utility or municipality with jurisdiction does all of that.

The wastewater authority issues the tap permit, approves the connection detail, and inspects the work. The building department handles plumbing permits and inspections on the building side.

Denver Sewer and Water performs the underground work and coordinates the inspection sequence with your general contractor's schedule.

The authority authorizes. The licensed contractor performs. Below is the split for this type of work.

- Authority: Issues the tap permit and approves the connection detail.
- Authority: Inspects the connection and the service before backfill.
- Authority: Accepts the service into the public system.
- Denver Sewer and Water: Verifies main depth and available grade before the pad is set.
- Denver Sewer and Water: Coordinates the underground sequence with other trades.
- Denver Sewer and Water: Taps the main and installs the service and cleanouts.
- Denver Sewer and Water: Holds the trench for inspection and backfills to compaction requirements.
- Denver Sewer and Water: Provides as-built information for the project record.

## How the Connection Fits the Build Schedule

1. **Pre-Construction Grade Check** We confirm fall from the proposed building elevation to the main before the foundation is committed.
2. **Permit and Utility Coordination** Tap permits and right of way approvals are secured while other utility applications are moving.
3. **Underground Phase** The tap and service go in during the underground window, coordinated so trenches are not opened twice.
4. **Inspection and Backfill** The authority inspects the open work, then we backfill to compaction requirements so site work can continue.

## New Construction Fees

Authority side commonly includes tap or connection fees, capacity charges, permit fees, inspection fees, and right of way fees where a street cut is involved.

Contractor side is driven by depth, service length, soil and groundwater conditions, traffic control, and restoration.

We do not publish fee amounts. Tap fees, plant investment fees, permit fees, and inspection fees are set by the authority with jurisdiction and change on their schedule, not ours. We confirm the current figures in writing with that authority for your address before work is scheduled.

## Frequently asked questions

**When should the sewer connection be scheduled?**

The grade verification belongs at design stage. The physical connection belongs in the underground phase, before site work closes the route.

**What if there is not enough fall to the main?**

Options include re-elevating the building, rerouting, or a pumped system. Finding this early is what keeps it solvable.

**Do you coordinate with our GC?**

Yes. Inspection windows and trench timing are scheduling problems as much as construction problems.

**Are you Denver Water?**

No. Denver Sewer and Water is a private, family owned and operated company. We are not Denver Water or the City and County of Denver. We are the licensed contractor who performs the physical work after the authority with jurisdiction issues the permit.

**Can you tell me my tap fee amount over the phone?**

We can tell you which fees apply to your project type and who charges them. The dollar amounts come from the authority with jurisdiction, and we confirm them for your specific address rather than quoting from memory.

## Related Tap Services and Municipal Process Pages

- [Sewer Tap Installation](https://www.denversewerandwater.com/taps/sewer-tap-installation) Connecting a property to a sanitary sewer main, from permit through inspection.
- [Denver Water Tap Installation](https://www.denversewerandwater.com/taps/denver-water-tap-installation) Who authorizes a water tap, who physically makes the connection, and how the two fit together.
- [Storm Drain Connection](https://www.denversewerandwater.com/taps/storm-drain-connection) Connecting site drainage to a public storm system and why it is a separate approval.
- [Denver Wastewater Tap Fees Explained](https://www.denversewerandwater.com/taps/denver-wastewater-tap-fees-explained) What each fee category on a wastewater tap project is for and who charges it.
- [Tap Permit Process in Denver](https://www.denversewerandwater.com/taps/tap-permit-process-denver) How a tap moves from application to authorized construction in Denver.
- [Fire Line Tap and Installation](https://www.denversewerandwater.com/taps/fire-line-tap-installation) Dedicated fire service taps, backflow requirements, and fire authority sign-off.

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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/taps/sanitary-sewer-connection-new-construction