Click on the categories below to find additional information in those topic areas. If you can't find the information you're looking for, we always encourage customers to get in touch by calling 303-693-3800 or email info@eccv.org.
Billing & Account Management
Understanding your water bill
Access the “Understanding Your Water Bill” fact sheet by clicking here. You can also find this resource and several others by visiting our Customer Conservation Center.
How do I pay my water bill?
There are several options available for you to pay your bill, including:
- Pay your bill online. Either use your online login or Quick Pay.
- Pay by phone with our automated system. Call 303.693.3800 and press option 6 (you will need your account number).
*Please note: In order to protect your privacy, Customer Service representatives cannot take payment information directly. - Sign-up for AutoPay. Payments are withdrawn or charged to your card on your payment due date. Customers will need to create an account or log in to our online payment system to set up AutoPay.
- Submit a check by mail or in-person at our office.
- Please note: While ECCV can accept payments from third party payment apps, it can take up to ten days for these apps to issue payments. This may result in late fees if payment is received after the scheduled due date.
How do I register for an online account?
Register for an account at https://payments.eccv.org/Account/Login?ReturnUrl=%2F.
*Please note: ECCV does not have access to your password. If you forget your password, we can provide you with your username and send you a link for a password reset.
How does a water meter work?
Access the “How Does a Meter Work?” fact sheet by clicking here. You can also find this resource and several others by visiting our Customer Conservation Center.
What are renter/tenant responsibilities?
Since water is a lienable utility in the State of Colorado, all water accounts stay in the property owner’s name. We do not put renters’ names on accounts. Per the owner's request, we will send a copy of the bill to the owner’s billing address. A bill can be sent to the service address in the name of the RENTER/TENANT if the owner sets this up for the account. It is up to the owner and the renter to determine start and/or end dates for responsibility of the water bill, including any proration in the event of a tenant moving in/out.
How do I transfer or close my account?
Title companies are solely responsible for all transfers and closings.
Sellers: Sellers do not need to stop service to the property; we do not turn off water service when ownership changes. Service is instead transferred to the new owner. Confirm with your title company that it has requested a final bill and the transfer of service at your time of closing. The title company will pay the final bill with funds withheld in an escrow account.
Buyers: Buyers do not need to request a start of service, it will be transferred by the title company. Buyers should contact ECCV to confirm contact information such as phone number, email, etc. to ensure we can reach you in urgent situations.
Changing the name on an account: ECCV can change the name on an account/billing statement as long as the information matches the property owner’s name on file with Arapahoe County records http://www.co.arapahoe.co.us/1084/Residential-Commercial-Ag-and-Vacant-Lan. We would be happy to add your spouse as a secondary name on the account.
Renters – please review the renter/tenant responsibilities on this page.
What services does ECCV provide to customers?
- Ensure delivery of safe, reliable water
- Sanitary sewer service - this is paid as part of your monthly flat fees each month
- Read water meters monthly for billing purposes
- Respond to Water Quality concerns
- Education, support and access to helpful resources for customers with high bill concerns
- Courtesy leak checks at customer meters to determine IF a customer has a leak and the leak rate. ECCV can oftentimes assist customers in determining the source of the leak (inside the home, outside the home, toilets, etc.)
- Free water use assessments at your property
What services are NOT provided by ECCV?
- Recommendations or referrals to businesses, individuals, or contractors
- Repairs of any kind to lines and equipment NOT maintained or owned by ECCV. The graphic below outlines what lines and equipment are the property owner’s responsibility.
Water & Your Home
How can I tell if my water usage is high?
Typical water usage varies based on family size and individual needs. Generally, 1,500 gallons per person, per month in winter is considered efficient indoor use. Outdoor use varies according to the size of your yard, type of sprinklers, and watering schedule. If your water usage seems higher than normal, you may have a leak. You can access the “Fix a Leak Checklist” by clicking here.
For more information about water use, how to spot a leak, sprinkler tips, and resources, and how to find possible causes of a higher bill, visit our Customer Conservation Center.
How can I reduce my water usage?
There are several informational fact sheets about water conservation, tips, and tricks on reducing water usage and many more resources on our Customer Conservation Center.
What can I do about water pressure issues?
Access the “Water Pressure and Your Home” fact sheet by clicking here. You can also find this resource and several others by visiting our Customer Conservation Center.
Why does my water appear milky or cloudy?
A milky or cloudy appearance is usually caused by air bubbles in the water, which pose no health risk. If the water is allowed to sit, the air will dissipate and the water will clear. If the cloudiness does not disappear, please contact us so that we may investigate.
What causes the spots on my dishes?
Spots are caused by hard water, or minerals that remain after the water has evaporated. Spots can be eliminated through the use of a dishwasher rinse agent.
Should I buy a water softener?
The hardness of water varies with the water’s source. The choice to buy a softener is an aesthetic one, since hard water is not harmful to health. However, water softeners typically increase the sodium content of the water, a factor that should be considered by people on low-sodium diets.
Should I buy a home filtration unit?
According to the United States Environmental Protection Agency, home treatment units are rarely necessary for health reasons. Most often, water treatment units are used to remove substances that affect the aesthetic qualities of the water. If you do choose to install a home treatment unit, it is important to follow the manufacturer’s maintenance instructions, because improperly maintained units can actually cause water quality problems.
What causes odor in the hot water?
The most common cause of odor in hot water is the water heater. If your cold water smells fine, check your water heater to ensure that the temperature setting is correct. Water heaters also need to be maintained (see manufacturer’s instructions). Please contact us if the odor persists or if it is present in both the hot and cold water.
What causes some water to be discolored?
Color in water is usually caused by naturally occurring organic matter, minerals, or mineral build-up in the pipes. We flush our water system regularly to clean mineral build-up and other sediments from the pipes. If you receive discolored water, you should let your faucets run until the water is clear. Such substances typically do not pose a health hazard; however, we ask that you please report any instances of discolored water so that we may investigate.
Is bottled water higher quality than tap water?
Tap water providers and bottled water providers must meet the same water quality standards. In fact, tap water providers are required to conduct more frequent water quality testing and reporting than bottled water providers. Some consumers prefer the taste of bottled water, and some choose bottled water because they have special health needs. But tap water is a much better deal at costs of 1,000 times less than bottled water.
Why do our employees open fire hydrants?
We conduct regular water system flushing to remove any mineral build-up and sediment from the pipes and also to ensure that water circulates adequately throughout the system. Fire hydrants may also be opened to conduct fire-flow capability tests.
Why does water need to be disinfected?
Disinfectants are required because they prevent the spread of germs that cause diseases. Years ago, before disinfectants were used for drinking water, diseases such as cholera, typhoid fever, and dysentery were common. Drinking water disinfection has vastly improved the quality and safety of drinking water.
Why does my water have a chlorine taste (or smell)?
We disinfect your water to ensure that it is free of harmful bacteria. To reduce any chlorine taste or smell, try refrigerating your water before drinking.
Why is there dirt or sand in my water?
Dirt or sand can occur naturally in groundwater. We try to reduce the instances of dirt or sand in the water through regular flushing, which improves water quality by increasing the circulation of water in the pipes and removing most of the sediment from the water.
Why does the taste of my water change?
Water sources change at certain times of the year due to the availability of supplies. Surface water, or water that comes from sources like rivers and lakes, tends to taste slightly different than water pumped from underground aquifers.
Why do I have a blue register on the side of my house?
The blue register on the side of your home was used by ECCV when we read water meters manually. We have since moved to automated reading technology and no longer use this register. Please feel free to remove this box from your home.
How do I dispose of fats, oil, and grease?
The best way to prevent blockages to your home and the sanitary sewer system is to keep fats, oil, and grease out of the drain line system. Below is a list of best practices that will help to prolong the life of your drain line system and reduce the inconvenience and cost of line blockages.
DON'T:
- Don’t put grease or fryer oil down any sink or floor drain
- Don’t dispose of food or food scraps in sinks.
- Don’t take out sink strainers or drain covers. Empty scraps into the trash, not down the drain.
- Don’t use cleaning chemicals improperly. Follow the instructions on the label, for your safety as well as the safety of the environment.
DO:
- Do throw all solids including waste food into the garbage.
- Do run a LOT of water if you must use the garbage disposal.
- Do compost food scraps or scrape them into the trash, not into the drain.
- Do wipe pots, pans and dishes with dry paper towels to remove grease before rinsing or washing them.
- Do deposit used fryer oil in the appropriate container.
- Do recycle cooking oils when possible.