General Information

Most of the water treated at Project 7 comes from the Blue Mesa Reservoir, the largest body of water in Colorado.

Chipeta’s service area is mainly Chipeta Rd on the east to Shavano Valley Rd on the west, Lasalle Rd on the north and Ranger Rd on the south. An area approximately 36 Sq. miles.

We have about 104 miles of water line ranging in size from 12” to 3/4”. The majority of our mainlines are PVC. Approximately 2 miles of the original Asbestos/Cement (A/C) lines placed in the 1960’s still remains. Since 2005, the District has replaced/upgraded 26952 feet of mainline of which 24105 was A/C.

Chipeta Water District is a member of: The American Water Works Association, The Rural Water Association and The Special District Association of Colorado.

About those Fees

As you may recall, Project 7 Water Authority started increasing their water rates back in 2021. Initially it was to be $0.15/1000 gallons over the next 10 years.  As costs have increased, Project 7 has determined that the small rate hikes were not going to be enough to pay for the planned treatment plant. Beginning January 1, 2024, they will be raising the cost of water by $0.50/1000 gallons.

Chipeta has been passing through the rate increases over the past few years but we have come to the determination that our aging infrastructure is in need of some upcoming major upgrades. While the upgrades are somewhat long term, the need to build the capital sufficient to accomplish the upgrades necessitates a rate increase in addition to Project 7’s.

The monthly service charges and tap fees are used for, system maintenance, pipeline upgrades/additions, and to make sure someone is available to answer questions and help solve problems.

Fee Schedule and Customer Class:

(A)          Standard Residential:                          5/8 x 3/4 Price: 5,500.00

Plus installation

Maximum Peak Flow Range                                             1-25 G.P.M.

Maximum Continuous Flow Range                                   1-20 G.P.M.

User Types:

Single Family Homes

Single Family home & business building combination

Small Business

Single Family Residential Condominiums

Small Business Condominiums

Agriculture use

(B)         Standard Commercial:

1″ Tap                                                       $13,750.00                                    $52.50

Maximum Peak Flow Range                   1/4 – 50  GPM

Maximum Continuous Flow Range         .5-70 GPM

1 1/2″ Tap                                                  $34,375.00                                  $57.80

Maximum Peak Flow Range                      125  GPM

Maximum Continuous Flow Range          .25-105 GPM

2″ Tap                                                       $45,375.00                                  $85.80

Maximum Peak Flow Range                     185  GPM

Maximum Continuous Flow Range          .25-160 GPM

3″ Tap                                                       $88,000

Maximum Peak Flow Range                    4-320  GPM                             $177.00

Maximum Continuous Flow Range          4-320 GPM

Any water usage in excess of the minimum will be charged according to the regular 3/4″ Rate Table.

Customer Types:

  • High use industrial and Commercial
  • RV Parks
  • Motels
  • Large Business Multiplex
  • Agriculture Production
  • Municipal

Uses and restrictions are specified in section 1-6.

Commercial Tap Fees include normal installation.  All road crossing costs will be billed extra.

  1. EACH HOUSE AND/OR LIVING UNIT SHALL HAVE ITS OWN METER AND SERVICE LINE.  ANY UNIT FOUND TO BE IN VIOLATION OF THIS REQUIREMENT, SHALL BE NOTIFIED TO PURCHASE AN ADDITIONAL TAP OR REMOVE THE SECOND UNIT.  SERVICE WILL BE DISCONTINUED UNTIL CORRECTED IF CUSTOMER IS NOT IN COMPLIANCE WITHIN 15 DAYS AFTER NOTICE IS MAILED TO CUSTOMER.
  2. OWNERSHIP OF TAPS SHALL BE TRANSFERRED ON DISTRICT RECORDS AT CLOSING BY COMPLETING AND SUBMITTING THE “TRANSFER FORM” SUPPLIED BY CHIPETA WATER, A COPY OF THE DEED, AND A FEE OF 20.00.  ALL CHANGES INCURRED FOR SERVICE ARE THE RESPONSIBILITY OF THE OWNER.  WE RECOMMEND THAT ACCOUNTS BE SETTLED AT PROPERTY CLOSING OR TRANSFER.
  3. RENTERS CAN BE BILLED DIRECTLY.  HOWEVER, THE OWNER IS RESPONSIBLE FOR ANY UNPAID CHARGES.
  4. THE WATER USE RIGHT OR TAP FEE FOR A 3/4″ TAP IS CURRENTLY $3, 500.00.  TAP INSTALLATION CHARGES ARE BILLED IN ADDITION TO THE TAP FEE.
  5. COMMERCIAL TAPS WILL BE CHARGED ACCORDING TO SIZE.  SEE COMMERCIAL TAP AND RATE SCHEDULE.
  6. EACH TAP OWNER WILL BE CHARGED THE MINIMUM WHETHER OR NOT THEY ARE RECEIVING WATER.

(C) Monthly installment plans will not be authorized.

(D) All customers within the Chipeta Water District boundaries shall pay the following charges:

UNINSTALLED                             $13.50 minimum charge
Tap Right                                      (Class 2 no minimum charge when not turned on.)

3/4″ Water Tap:

BEGINNING JANUARY 1, 2024

0 – 3,000 gallons                             $21.00 minimum charge
All usage over 3000 gallons           $ 5.90 per thousand

1″ Water Tap:

0 – 6,000 gallons                             $37.00 minimum charge
all usage over 6000 gallons            $ 5.90 per thousand

1 1/2″ Water Tap:

0 – 9,000 gallons                             $59.15 minimum charge
All usage over 9000 gallons           $ 5.90 per thousand
10,100 – and over                           $3.30 per thousand

2″ Water Tap:

0 – 18,000 gallons                             $88.50 minimum charge
18,000 and over                                $ 5.90 per thousand

3″ Water Tap:

0 – 36,000 gallons                             $177.00 minimum charge
36,000 and over                                $3.30 per thousand

  1. TAPS ARE BILLED MONTHLY ACCORDING TO THE FOLLOWING SCHEDULE:

A FEW DAYS PRIOR TO MONTH END, USUALLY 27TH TO THE 29TH METERS ARE READ.

STATEMENTS ARE MAILED THE FIRST OF EACH MONTH.  PAYMENTS ARE DUE TH 20TH OF EACH MONTH.

ACCOUNTS ARE CONSIDERED DELINQUENT 60 DAYS AFTER THE PAYMENT IS DUE. NOTICE OF DELINQUENCY WILL BE SENT TO TAP OWNER AND IF PAYMENT IS NOT MADE WITHIN 14 DAYS, WATER SERVICE WILL BE DISCONTINUED.

A $30.00 RECONNECT FEE PLUS ALL DELINQUENT AMOUNTS MUST BE PAID IN FULL TO RESUME WATER SERVICE.  ANY CUSTOMER RECEIVING A DELINQUENCY NOTICE WILL BE CHARGED A $20.00 DELINQUENCY FEE.

  1. EACH CUSTOMER IS FULLY RESPONSIBLE FOR ALL WATER THAT RUNS THROUGH THE METER AND IS RESPONSIBLE FOR THE INSTALLATION, OPERATION AND MAINTENANCE OF ALL WATER LINES AND PRESSURE REGULATING DEVICES AFTER THE LINE LEAVES THE METER PIT.
  2. THE DISTRICT SYSTEM HAS SUCH GREAT CHANGES IN ELEVATIONS THAT THE MAIN LINES ARE SUBJECT TO PRESSURE VARIATIONS BETWEEN 20 AND 200 POUNDS.  THE DISTRICT IS NOT LIABLE FOR ANY DAMAGE OR WATER LOSS ATTRIBUTABLE TO PRESSURE FLUCTUATIONS OF THE SYSTEM CAUSED BY ITS WORKING CYCLE OR MALFUNCTION AND BREAKDOWN OF THE FACILITIES.
  3. A METER TAMPERING CHARGE OR $200.00 PLUS REPAIR COSTS WILL BE CHARGED.
  4. CHIPETA WATER DISTRICT IS DESIGNED FOR DOMESTIC WATER SERVICE.  THEREFORE, THE DISTRICT MAKES NO GUARANTY WHATSOEVER RELATING TO WATER AVAILABILITY FOR FIGHTING FIRES.
  5. THE COLORADO DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH REQUIRES THAT ALL WATER LINES SERVED BY CHIPETA WATER DISTRICT BE TOTALLY SEPARATED FROM ANY PRIVATE WATER SOURCE.
  6. THE BOARD OF DIRECTOR MEETINGS ARE HELD THE SECOND WEDNESDAY OF EACH MONTH.  PLEASE CALL THE OFFICE IF YOU WISH TO ATTEND FOR TIME AND SCHEDULING OF THE AGENDA.

REVISED OCTOBER 6, 2023