FAQs • Brighton, CO • CivicEngage

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Utilities Department

1. Can I pay over the telephone with a check?: At the present time, we can only take VISA or MASTERCARD payments over the telephone.

2. Why is the address on the return envelope for my utility bill a Denver address?: The City of Brighton Utilities Customer Service division recently activated a new feature for how we process check payments which are mailed in. All payments are now going to a centralized PO Box in Denver for processing. This added feature, called LockBox, will increase processing time and allow for payments to be applied to utility accounts in an expedited fashion. Also, if you pay through your financial institution through online bill pay, the payment may now be processed electronically instead of generating a check that is ultimately sent via USPS to the City.

Several factors can contribute to an increase:

If you have just purchased or live in a home with a grass lawn, check the run times of your irrigation zones. You may want to consider adjusting the length of time for each irrigation zone based on weather conditions, type of grass, and type of sprinkler head. Water use can significantly increase in the summer time due to hotter temperatures and increased evapotranspiration. An irrigation system can help conserve water if used efficiently. Check out this resource from Colorado State University Extension for more tips on watering established lawns: Watering Established Lawns (PDF)
Check for leaks! According to the US EPA WaterSense program, leaks from the average household can account for more than 10,000 gallons of water waste every year. Typical household leaks can come from faucets, toilets, and irrigation systems. Use this handy leak checklist from the US EPA WaterSense program to check for leaks in your household: Detect and Chase Down Leaks (PDF)
Late summer increases in usage are often the result of mower damage to irrigation systems. Mowers can crack sprinkler heads or completely break them, causing large amounts of wasted water if not fixed.
Evaporative Coolers, also known as swamp coolers, are another water hog because there is continuous water flow to cool the house. Be sure to properly maintain your cooler on an annual basis for efficiency.
During the winter months, water usage is generally consistent from month to month. Residential sewer usages are re-calculated in May based on the Winter Quarterly Average from December, January, and February. Your sewer fees are based on this average winter usage. This re-calculated sewer usage will remain at that volume until the following May. The initial re-calculated volume can potentially cause an increase in your bill.

The City of Brighton Utilities Department’s residential sewer/wastewater rates include both variable and fixed charges. The variable charges are calculated using winter quarter averaging (WQA) to determine the volume charged on residential wastewater bills for the 12-month period beginning in May of each year. The amount of water a household uses in the winter months is totaled and divided by the three months collected. This results in an average wastewater usage for each residential property.

The winter months are used calculate the WQA because indoor water usage is usually at its lowest during these months. These charges are calculated from usage in November, December, and January, but reflected on the December, January, and February statements. The WQA is calculated each April and will be seen on the May statements. This charge will remain until recalculated and applied the following May.

5. How is the Storm Drainage Maintenance Fee calculated?: The Storm Drainage Maintenance Fee is not a charge based on water consumption, but is a flat rate charge for all residential, commercial, industrial and institutional properties annexed to the City.

6. What is the charge if I am late on paying my bill?: Utility bills are automatically allowed a 5 calendar day grace period past the due date listed on the bill. A late charge of $10 will be added to your account if your payment is received after the grace period has passed. A courtesy letter is generated and sent to customers when late fees are incurred. If utility bills are not paid in full, shutoffs may occur.

7. I made a payment on line through my bank a week ago, why haven't you received it yet?: When you make a payment through your bank, they take the funds out of your account immediately, but the bank then processes a paper check and mails it to us. It can take up to 10 days for us to receive that payment.

8. I already paid my bill, why does my statement show a past due balance?: If you pay your bill later than the "Due Date" on the bill, your payment will not show up on the next bill. Call us and check to make sure that we did actually receive your payment.

9. I am a new customer, why do I have a $20.00 past due balance on my account?: The $20.00 past due balance is a one time set up fee for new accounts. We do not charge a deposit.

10. Why would the Storm Drainage Charge apply to my property if there is not a storm sewer directly in front of my property?: If your property is located within the City, storm water runoff from your property is being managed by some or all of the stormwater systems that are already in place. The runoff from your property (rain, snow, irrigation water, etc.) is transported to our waterways via the stormwater system. Storm inlets and ponds, as part of the stormwater system, are designed and built in low areas. If you follow the flow of water leaving your property, you will find a storm sewer inlet that is servicing your area. Further, the City is required to maintain the MS4 program (Municipal Separate Storm Sewer System), and we do a diligent job in ensuring stormwater regulations and quality standards are fully met.

11. What payment options are available for processing my utility bill?

Direct Pay: This program is for those citizens who prefer to have their water bills automatically deducted from their checking account. To sign up, call the Utility Billing Department at 303-655-2009 and request a Direct Pay form to be sent to you. Once the completed form is returned with a voided check, the process will begin. The first billing cycle, your routing and account numbers are verified. The automatic deduction of your full bill will begin in the second billing cycle. The deduction is taken out of your checking or savings account on the dude shown on your monthly statement.
Wells Fargo E-Bill Express: Utilities Online Payment and Electronic Billing with Wells Fargo E-Bill Express
Credit Card Payments: Call our office and pay by Visa or MasterCard.
Mail: Payment can be remitted by mail in the return envelope provided with your monthly statement. Drop Box - located on the west side of the small annex building located in our parking lot at the City Hall Building. Payments are picked up at 7:15 a.m. Monday thru Friday, and on Tuesday and Thursdays again at 10:00 a.m.

12. Do I have to receive a paper bill?: No, conveniently receive your water bill and reduce paper waste with E-statements. Statements will be sent directly to your email inbox, without the hassle of a paper bill. To receive your bill via E-statement, submit your email address to the Utility Billing Department in one of the three following methods:
1. Call us at 303-655-2009
2. Email us
3. Stop by to see us in person at City Hall (500 S. 4^th Avenue, Brighton, CO 80601)
Once we have your email address, your next bill will be generated as an E-statement.

13. Is there a way to make the amount of my water bill consistent every month?: Yes, sign up for Budget Billing. This option aims to keep your bill uniform for every billing cycle for the coming year. New homeowners may apply based on previous annual average consumption at their current address. Budget billing generally is re-adjusted every March and is calculated by using the previous 12-month average bill. Residents are encouraged to call to have their account added to the Budget Billing list. Accounts must be added by Dec. 31 and bills will be re-adjusted March of the following year