Wastewater Customer Service and Support

Billing & Payment 

The Customer Service section of Wastewater Management is responsible for accurately billing the agency's 160,000 customers for monthly sanitary sewer and annual storm drainage charges.

Storm drainage charges are billed separately, calculated annually and billed in semi-annual installments.

Pay Storm Drainage Charges Online

Directions for finding your account information to pay online

Sanitary sewer charges are billed in combination with Denver Water. Water and sanitary sewer charges appear on a single monthly bill.

Pay Water & Sewer Bill at DenverWater.org

Our goal is to respond to customer inquiries in a prompt, accurate, and professional manner at all times.

Review Sanitary Sewer Charges

Every time you take a shower or flush a toilet or do the dishes, you’re producing sewage, which is the wastewater generated from bathrooms, kitchens, laundry facilities, etc. It comes from homes, businesses, commercial properties and public institutions. Sewage runs through the sanitary sewer system and is treated through a variety of biological and chemical processes in the treatment facility at the Metro Wastewater Reclamation District, and rendered safe before it’s returned to the environment.

Request a Review

Request Form: Review Monthly Sanitary Sewer Charges (PDF)

Download and complete this PDF form and submit by email, mail, or fax. Please provide copies of receipts for repair work or other documentation that may help us process your request. 

Sanitary Sewer charges are billed monthly.

To reduce costs, and as a convenience to customers, we have developed a combination water-sewer bill in conjunction with the Denver Water Department. Denver Water is responsible for meter readings and for processing and sending out the combined bills. Sanitary Sewer charges are based on the water consumption metered by Denver Water.

Every residential sewer customer has a one-month winter billing period (February meter reading). Metered water consumption for this winter period establishes sanitary sewer charges (beginning with the March bill) for the entire year — until the next winter billing period. Even though your water use may increase during the summer, your sanitary sewer charges will remain constant.

The sanitary sewer charge for non-residential property is based on actual metered consumption, or minimum charge, in each billing period during the year.

Beginning on January 1, 2021, storm and sanitary rates will increase annually based on the percentage increase of the Consumer Price Index for Urban Consumers (CPI-U). 

Winter Billing Period

For residential users (both single family and multi-residential, such as duplexes or four-plexes) sanitary sewer charges (which are included in the monthly Denver Water bill) are calculated based on the metered volume of water into the premises during a winter billing period, usually the month of February. This time period is used because customers are doing little or no outside watering. Consequently, this should measure the lowest consumption of the year. This winter billing rate applies to sewer charges beginning with the March water/sewer bill and continues for the rest of the year. It will be re-determined the following year during the next winter billing period. 

If a residential customer has a water leak during the winter billing period, they are advised to call Wastewater Management / Customer Service at (303) 446-3500 once the leak is repaired to see if the sanitary sewer charges can be adjusted. 

If we determine that an adjustment is in order, we will credit the account for the billing period(s) after the leak was repaired. We cannot provide a credit for the month in which an inside leak (dripping faucet, toilet leak, etc.) occurred because the water from an inside leak enters the sanitary sewer system and must be treated. 

Customers are also encouraged to call us if they are a new homeowner or a new tenant and think their usage is less than what they are being billed for. If you are a tenant, your name must be on the Denver Water bill for us to process your request.

If it appears we will be able to adjust your account (for a leak or new tenant / homeowner) we will ask you to submit a written request giving us permission to review your account. Please provide copies of any receipts for repair work. You may use the PDF form linked on this page or write us a brief letter of request.

Commercial / Industrial Customers

Because water and sewer charges for commercial / industrial customers are based on actual monthly consumption, we do not adjust for inside leaks for commercial / industrial customers. However, we can adjust for outside leaks.  We need a written request from the customer. Please include repair receipts. If you don’t have receipts, we can send an investigator to verify the leak and subsequent repair. 

An adjustment cannot be made until consumption returns to the prior year’s usage for the same period and we will only adjust for the billing periods affected by the leak.

You may send us a request of your own via USPS, fax, or e-mail. You may also use the PDF form linked on this page.  

Review Storm Drainage Charges

The stormwater system is separate from the sanitary sewer system. Runoff from rain, snowmelt, excess lawn watering and similar activities is transported via the stormwater system to our waterways. This system and our storm drainage facilities require continuous operation, maintenance, renewal and replacement to try to prevent runoff, which can flood streets and damage property. 

There isn’t a treatment facility for stormwater like there is for the wastewater from the sanitary sewer system. But the City and County of Denver does maintain many sustainable stormwater management facilities such as grassy swales and retention ponds that help remove some impurities before the water is discharged to major waterways. The City is also researching potential stormwater treatment options to ensure future environmental standards are met.

Request a Review

Request Form: Review Storm Drainage Charges (PDF)

Download and complete this PDF form and submit by email, mail, or fax.

Impervious Surfaces

Developed properties have impervious surfaces (buildings, sidewalks, parking lots, etc.) that prevent water from permeating into the ground. Thus, all developed properties have an impact on the storm drainage system. Therefore, in 1981, Denver City Council determined that each and every owner of a lot or parcel of developed property within the city should pay for the availability, use, and maintenance of our storm drainage system. As stated in the Denver Revised Municipal Code (DRMC) 56-112, the Storm drainage fee shall be calculated by determining the ratio of impervious surface measurements to parcel or lot size. This calculation is applied in the same manner whether the property is residential, commercial or industrial. 

The DRMC does not allow for the fee to be based upon the quantity of storm water runoff that actually enters into the city’s drainage system. Such a method would be too expensive and cumbersome to implement and maintain. 

To ensure that everyone is billed equitably, we try to keep pace with the construction changes throughout the city and update our impervious area measurements accordingly.  To meet this goal, inspections are performed on properties throughout the City and County of Denver. These inspections are done using aerial photographs and GIS, site plans for new construction, and site inspections when deemed necessary. An inspection will update an account, and based on the data, may result in changes to the annual charge. Customers are encouraged to contact our office at 303-446-3500 if there are any questions regarding their account and how the charge was determined.

• More information and Frequently Asked Questions

If you think the impervious surface measurements for your property are incorrect, please call us at (303) 446-3500.  We will be glad to explain the measurements and resulting storm drainage fees or changes between prior charges and current charges. If after this conversation you are sure the measurements are incorrect, please write us or submit the PDF form linked on this page to initiate an impervious surface re-measurement.  

StormPay Online Bill Payment 

You can pay your storm drainage bills online using DenverGov's StormPay. You will need your Account Number and Impervious Area which are listed on your invoice. Major credit and debit cards are accepted, and there are no additional fees for using online payments. 

Find the account number and impervious area on the top right of your printed invoice (highlighted on the sample invoice shown here). 

Enter the account number only (do not enter the two-digit account code). Do not enter dashes or commas.

When you have your information ready, click the Pay button to go to the next screen.

 Pay Bill Now

Sign up for e-Billing

To receive your storm invoices electronically in the future, you can sign up to for e-Billing online. You must create a Denvergov account.

 e-Billing

About Online Billing

Steps for making an online payment

1. Go to www.denvergov.org/stormpay (found on your Storm Drainage Service Charge invoice) on a supported internet browser to review the example of the Storm Drainage invoice showing the information you need to access your account.
2. Click Pay Storm Drainage Charges Online.
3. On the Online Payment form, type in the Account Number and the Impervious area as previously shown in the example. Click Next.
4. The current balance and account information are displayed.  If this information is correct, click Continue. This will add the account total to the Shopping Cart.
   • To change the Base Amount and pay a different total, click Edit, delete the amount and enter the amount you wish to pay.
   • Add additional accounts to pay with the same credit card information by clicking Add More.
   • Return to the previous screen by clicking Back.
5. Proceed to complete the transaction by clicking Checkout Now.
6. Complete the required fields: Payor Name, Phone, Credit Card information. If you wish to receive an e-Mailed copy of the receipt, enter in the e-Mail address. Once all information is entered, click Complete Transaction.
7. You will see the receipt.  To print from this page, click Print Receipt. Your payment is now posted to your account.

Which credit cards are accepted?

The major credit and debit cards accepted are VISA, MasterCard, and Discover.

Is my credit card information secure?

The Wastewater Management Division of the City and County of Denver Department of Transportation & Infrastructure does not store or retain credit card information and email addresses after payments are processed. To ensure a secure online payment, we provide 128-bit-SSL encryption.

Is there a fee for using the online bill payment service?

No. Denver Mayor Michael B. Hancock eliminated convenience fees in 2014 for paying city taxes, fees, bills and fines with a credit or debit card. Paying online is faster, more convenient, saves postage and helps the environment through reduced paper and waste costs. And now it’s cheaper too.

Can I set up my account for automatic payment for the yearly billing?

No. Automatic bill payment is not available

Will I get a receipt as proof of payment?

There are two ways to get a payment receipt:  (1) Enter an email address on the Payment Information screen to receive a receipt via email.  (2) Click on Print Receipt after the transaction is completed successfully.

What if I make a payment but don’t receive an email confirmation?

Email confirmations are only generated if you enter an email address on the Payment Information screen.  The receipt will go to the email address that you provide in that field.  If you entered a correct email address and did not receive a receipt, contact Wastewater Management Division Customer Service at (303) 446-3500 or wmdcustomerservice@denvergov.org

Is there a minimum amount I can pay?

No, there is no minimum amount.

Can I make a partial payment or pay in advance?

Yes, partial and advance payments are accepted.

When using StormPay, first add the current account and balance to the Shopping Cart. Then click Edit, delete the balance and type in the amount you wish to pay.

If you choose to remit payment(s) by U.S. mail, please be sure and write your account number in the memo line of your check and send it to:

Wastewater Management Division
P.O. Box 734145
Dallas, TX  75373-4145

You will not receive another invoice from us until your next six-month billing cycle. We do not send out delinquent notices or interim invoices for remaining balances due between cycles.  

PLEASE NOTE: Non-Payment may result in a lien filed against the property served.

If you opt to pay your bill online, your current balance is always available. 

Wastewater Rates

Beginning on January 1, 2021, storm and sanitary rates will increase annually based on the percentage increase of the Consumer Price Index for Urban Consumers (CPI-U).  For 2023, this increase is 8.20%. 

This will fund projects to update aging infrastructure, including projects to address citywide storm drainage maintenance which will help protect against serious drainage problems that may result in flooding.  Larger projects are selected in places most prone to flooding and smaller projects are determined based on local issues. 

For information about specific projects, please visit the Current Transportation and Infrastructure Projects page and scroll down to Storm/Sanitary Sewer Infrastructure projects.

Storm Drainage Rates

Sanitary Sewer Rates

Meter Minimums (monthly)

Outside City Rate

Calculate Storm Drainage Bill

Storm Drainage charges are calculated annually and billed semi-annually; every property — commercial and residential — will be billed twice a year. Each property owner's Storm Drainage bill is based on a formula using the lot size, the total impervious (or impermeable) surface area, and our billing rates.

Impervious surfaces are areas in which runoff does not soak directly into the ground. These surfaces may include building roof tops, sidewalks, driveways, patios, swimming pools, etc. The higher the percentage of impervious area on your property, the higher the likelihood for runoff to our system, and the higher your rate per 100 square feet of impervious surface. Conversely, the lower the percentage of impervious area, the less potential for runoff, and the lower your rate per 100 square feet of impervious surface.

Note: per city ordinance, we always use impervious area measurements to calculate storm drainage charges; we never attempt to measure the actual amount of water that runs off any property.

Contact Us for Assistance

Sewer Backup Emergencies

Emergency Contact Number
Wastewater Management Division
(303) 446-3400

Smell Sewer Gas

Emergency Contact Number
Wastewater Management Division
(303) 446-3400

Billing: Sanitary sewer or storm drainage

Customer Service Phone Representatives: (303) 446-3500
Email:  wmdcustomerservice@denvergov.org
TDD for Hearing Impaired: Customer Service: (303) 446-3750
Fax: (303) 446-3506
Mail:  Wastewater Management Division
Attn: Customer Service
2000 W. 3rd Avenue
Denver, CO 80209

Denver Water Service

Questions/Customer Care
(303) 893-2444
www.denverwater.org

Click here to view form.