The district continues to have an exceptional amount of utility locate requests. The majority is still attributed to fiber optic installation while there is also electric main replacement projects, ground rod replacements, and other various utility projects in the area.
Water and sewer utility locates refer to the process of identifying and marking the underground water and sewer infrastructure, including pipes, valves, and manholes, to prevent accidental damage during construction or excavation activities. District staff only locate water and sewer lines that are owned and maintained by the district. The district does not mark private utilities, such as customer-owned water and sewer lines on private property.
The district has three days to respond to locate tickets that are generated through Colorado 811(opens in new window)(opens in new window)(opens in new window). Locate tickets can be submitted by homeowners that are completing jobs as small as installing a new mailbox or garden. Locates performed throughout the entire neighborhood are submitted by contractors that plan to excavate in the area.
The American Public Works Association (APWA) has established a color code system for utility markings. Water lines are marked in blue, while sewer lines are marked in green. These color codes help workers easily identify the type of utility they are encountering.
The following colors for underground facilities are used:
- RED – Electric Power Lines, Cables, Conduit and Lighting Cables
- YELLOW – Gas, Oil, Steam, Petroleum or Gaseous Materials
- ORANGE – Communication, Alarm or Signal Lines, Cables or Conduit
- BLUE – Potable Water
- PURPLE – Reclaimed Water, Irrigation and Slurry Lines
- GREEN – Sewers and Drain Lines
- WHITE – Proposed Excavation
- PINK – Temporary Survey Markings
If you have questions pertaining to district locate markings, (blue and green only as pictured), contact our office at 303-979-2333.
If you have questions pertaining to locates that are not blue and green, please contact Colorado 811(opens in new window)(opens in new window)(opens in new window) for more information.