Property owners are responsible for the entire length of the water service line from the water main into their home or building. This includes the shut off (curb stop) valve and the connection into the water main.

Property and business owners should know how to shut off their water in an emergency. There is a water meter where the water line enters the building, which should have a shutoff valve on each side. The water line and water meter are usually located in a mechanical room, boiler room or crawl space. It is the owner’s responsibility to maintain access to the curb valve and to protect it from damage from plows, vehicles, etc.

Water Meter

• Every property in the Town of Silverthorne has a water meter.
• The Town's water system must be protected by a backflow prevention device appropriate for the degree of hazard present.
• The Town owns the water meter, register and transponder. 
• The Utility department maintains the radio transmitter components on all the water meters in the Town.
• Any connections, parts, or other plumbing issues inside the building are the owner’s responsibility.
• Modifications or repairs should be made by a licensed plumber.
• If the meter is leaking, let the Utility department know as soon as possible.

Leaks

Signs of a possible water service line leak outside include:

• Obvious water surfacing.
• Unusual amount of water running in nearby ditch or low area.
• A depression or sinkhole.

Signs of leaks inside include:

• Obvious running water noise in pipe or walls.
• Water meter running without any water faucets on.
• A vibration or noticeable sound coming from the line or the water meter.
• A constant drop in pressure is a possible indication of a leak.

Small leaks are most common in toilets (flapper or fill ports) but can also come from the hot water heater release valve (T&P/Temp and Pressure relief valve), hot tubs, large aquariums with auto fill systems, irrigation systems, etc.  Remember that even a small leak of one gallon per minute can equate to 1,440 gallons a day or 43,200 gallons a month. That’s over $65 a month per leak.

All buildings and homes have a service line for their sanitary sewer. These service lines are the responsibility of the property owner to protect and maintain. Most homes have a clean out (4” vertical pipe) within 5 feet of the building. These pipes need to be capped and protected from damage and debris, as well as from infiltration from entering the pipes.

Sewer Leaks

Sewer services have a limited life expectancy that varies with grade of materials used, quality of work performed, site and soil conditions, proximity to rocks and trees, etc.

The most common sign of a possible sewer service line leak is the lowest toilet or floor drain in building backing up. While most sewer backups are usually on the service line itself, please inform the Town of this problem so we can verify that the Town’s sewer mains are functional.

Backups

A sewer backup occurs when water or sewage overflows from a toilet, tub, sink, or any other drain in your home. These events are more common in older homes, homes with basements and are more likely to occur on lower floors. Common causes of sewer backups include separated joints, clogged pipes, root damage, cracks in the pipe or main line backups. If a sewer backup occurs in your home due to an issue with your service line, you are responsible for the cleanup and damage. In most cases a sewer service backup is centralized to just that building and service line.

Help prevent backups by:

• Don’t put any trash or food waste down the drain.
• Don’t pour grease down drains.
• Use grease-fighting dish detergents to break up blockages.
• Never flush foreign objects down your drain.
• Don’t plant trees on or within 10' of the service line.

Medications

Don’t flush your old medications. Local organizations have established a pharmaceutical take-back program to properly dispose of unwanted medications. Wastewater treatment plants are not designed to process pharmaceutical medications and these drugs can enter the waterways and cause adverse environmental problems.

The Town’s Streets Department maintains the storm water collection system in Town. Please do not throw trash, chemicals or anything else down the system. These inlets collect water and flow directly into our rivers and water ways. Remember “The Drain is Just for Rain."

Silverthorne residents are encouraged to help remove snow from fire hydrants and sidewalks adjacent to their property. It is important to keep fire hydrants clear of snow and debris so that they are readily available in the event of an emergency, as well as to maintain safe, accessible sidewalks that are free from snow.

Town staff assist with snow removal as time allows, but it is the responsibility of residents to keep fire hydrants and sidewalks adjacent to their property clear of snow. If you contract with a private snow removal service, please alert your plow drivers to avoid piling or pushing snow onto sidewalks or against fire hydrants.

The Town of Silverthorne owns and maintains approximately 500 fire hydrants. Town staff does their best to keep snow clear from hydrants, but snow accumulation can make it difficult.

The Town appreciates voluntary efforts of residents who “Adopt a Hydrant” and clear their neighborhood fire hydrant of snow. The more accessible a hydrant is, the faster crews can respond. To operate a fire hydrant, fire crews need 7 feet on each side and a minimum of 4 feet to the back and 10 feet to the front. The Town reminds contractors that snow removal activities must not obstruct access to fire hydrants. Snow may not be stored within 5 feet of a fire hydrant.

It is very important to the Town of Silverthorne and Summit Fire and EMS that all fire hydrants are in good working condition. Please email us to report any damage to a fire hydrant. Please include an address and the number painted on the hydrant if possible.

Use low flow toilets and shower heads.

Only water early in the morning and at night, avoiding the middle or the "heat” of the day.

Get a rain barrel. Colorado allows private homeowners to collect water from their roof and collect for gardening and landscaping uses. Learn more at Conservation Colorado.