# Water Line Tap Installation and Replacement in Denver Water line tap installation and replacement covers first-time water service connections and the full re-excavation of a tap that has failed and cannot be repaired at the main. Denver Sewer and Water handles both, from locating the main through pressure testing and clearance before the new service goes live. - First-time water taps for new construction and service splits. - Full tap replacement when the existing connection has failed. - Correct sizing verified against intended use before the tap is made. - Pressure testing and disinfection before activation. - Inspection coordinated with the water authority. ## Installation Versus Replacement on a Water Tap Installation applies to new construction, a property adding a service where none exists, or splitting a shared water service into individual connections. The main design question is correct sizing for the intended use now and reasonably into the future, since undersizing a tap creates pressure problems that are expensive to correct later. Replacement applies where an existing tap has failed at or near the main, commonly discovered through unexplained water loss, low pressure that traces back to the curb stop area, or visible water surfacing at the tap location. Corrosion at the connection, particularly on older galvanized or lead services, is a frequent cause on older Denver metro properties. - Water surfacing at or near the curb stop with no other explanation. - Unexplained increase in water usage or bill. - Persistent low pressure traced back to the service connection. - Corroded or failing curb stop or corporation stop hardware. - A shared tap needing to be split into separate metered services. ## How Water Tap Installation and Replacement Runs 1. **Locate the main and verify main size and material** Depth, diameter, and material at the main are confirmed and matched against the service size needed. 2. **Coordinate with the water authority having jurisdiction** Sizing, connection type, and permit requirements are confirmed with the utility before excavation. 3. **Right-of-way and traffic control permitting** Street cut and traffic control permits are secured where the tap sits in a public right of way. 4. **Potholing and utility locates** The connection area is exposed carefully and other utilities are located first. 5. **Tapping sleeve and valve or direct tap, with thrust restraint** The connection is made to the approved detail with restraint set at the fitting. 6. **Pressure test, disinfection, and clearance** The new or replaced service is pressure tested, disinfected, and cleared before it is activated. ## What Drives Tap Installation and Replacement Cost Service size, main depth, distance from the building, and whether restoration is in lawn, driveway, or street pavement are the leading factors. Replacement can add cost where old hardware at the connection is corroded and needs careful removal before the new tap goes in. Tap fees and system development charges are set by the water utility with jurisdiction over your address, not by us, and we confirm current figures with the utility rather than publishing amounts here. Call (720) 935-6221 to get the scope confirmed before you budget. ## Frequently asked questions **How is the correct tap size determined?** Sizing follows the intended use, including current fixture count and any planned additions, rather than simply matching whatever was there before. The water utility's minimum size requirements also apply. **How do I know my water tap has failed rather than something downstream?** Water surfacing right at the curb stop, or a leak that traces back to that location during locating, points to the tap itself. A leak further along the service line, closer to the building, is a different problem. **Is disinfection required on a replacement tap, not just a new one?** Yes. Any new piping introduced into the potable system, whether it is a first-time installation or a replacement, has to be disinfected and cleared before use. **Can a water tap be upsized during replacement?** Yes, if the property's needs have changed. Replacement is often the practical time to upsize, since the connection is already being excavated. **Does Denver Water install or replace the tap itself?** 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. The utility or municipality with jurisdiction owns the main, sets fees, and inspects the work. We are the licensed contractor who performs the physical tap. ## Related Water Tap Services - [Water Line Tap Connection](https://www.denversewerandwater.com/water-line-tap-services/water-line-tap-connection/denver-co) Making the physical connection between a service line and the water main. - [Water Line Tap Repair](https://www.denversewerandwater.com/water-line-tap-services/water-line-tap-repair/denver-co) Repairing a failed, leaking, or corroded water tap connection. - [Water Line Tap Services](https://www.denversewerandwater.com/water-lines/water-line-tap-services/denver-co) Water line taps to the public main, installed and repaired. - [Water Lines in Denver](https://www.denversewerandwater.com/water-lines/denver-co) The full water line lane: repair, replacement, and tap work. --- 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/water-line-tap-services/water-line-tap-installation-replacement/denver-co