# Tap Process in Aurora

Aurora runs its own municipal water and wastewater utility, so the tap process there is not the Denver process. Denver Sewer and Water is a private contractor licensed to work in the metro. We are not Denver Water, the City and County of Denver, or the City of Aurora.

- Aurora operates its own utility.
- Separate applications and fee schedule.
- Different inspection expectations.
- Spans multiple counties.
- Private contractor, not the city.

## What Is Different About Aurora

Aurora is not served by the same water provider as central Denver. The city operates its own water and wastewater utility, which means its own applications, its own fee schedule, its own construction standards, and its own inspectors.

Aurora also spans multiple counties, and portions of the area are served by separate districts rather than the city utility. Two neighboring properties can fall under different authorities.

The practical consequence is that nothing about a Denver project transfers automatically. Requirements are confirmed against Aurora's current standards for the specific address.

- Whether the address is served by the city utility or a separate district.
- Current construction standards and approved connection details.
- Applicable permit and inspection requirements.
- Right of way requirements for work in city streets.
- Contractor licensing and registration status for the work type.

## 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 City of Aurora, or the district serving the address, authorizes the tap, sets fees, and inspects the work. We do not represent them and we do not set any part of their process.

Denver Sewer and Water performs the construction under their authorization.

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

- Authority: Approves the connection and issues the permit.
- Authority: Publishes construction standards and required details.
- Authority: Sets fees and performs inspections.
- Denver Sewer and Water: Confirms the serving authority for the exact address.
- Denver Sewer and Water: Builds to the current published standard for that authority.
- Denver Sewer and Water: Submits the contractor side of applications.
- Denver Sewer and Water: Performs excavation, connection, and restoration.
- Denver Sewer and Water: Attends inspections and closes the permit.

## General Sequence for an Aurora Tap

1. **Verify the Serving Authority** Aurora addresses are not uniformly served by the city utility. This is confirmed first.
2. **Pull Current Standards** We work from the authority's current published detail rather than a previous project's drawings.
3. **Permit and Schedule** Applications go in and excavation is scheduled against the inspection window.
4. **Construct, Inspect, Restore** Work is completed to the approved detail, inspected, and restored to the required standard.

## Aurora Fees in General Terms

Aurora maintains its own fee schedule for tap, capacity, permit, and inspection charges. Those amounts are set and collected by the authority, not by us.

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

**Is the Aurora process the same as Denver's?**

No. Aurora operates its own utility with its own standards, applications, and fees. Nothing carries over automatically.

**Do you work in Aurora?**

Yes. Aurora is within our regular service area for tap, sewer, and water line work.

**Who serves my Aurora address?**

Either the city utility or a separate district depending on location. We confirm this before quoting or applying.

**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

- [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.
- [Tap Process in Lakewood](https://www.denversewerandwater.com/taps/tap-process-lakewood) Lakewood properties are served by separate water and sanitation districts.
- [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.
- [Sewer Tap Installation](https://www.denversewerandwater.com/taps/sewer-tap-installation) Connecting a property to a sanitary sewer main, from permit through inspection.
- [Sanitary Sewer Connection for New Construction](https://www.denversewerandwater.com/taps/sanitary-sewer-connection-new-construction) Sequencing the sewer connection inside a new build schedule.
- [Abandonment and Cut-and-Cap Requirements](https://www.denversewerandwater.com/taps/abandonment-cut-and-cap-requirements) Properly killing an old service at the main during demolition or replacement.

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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/tap-process-aurora
