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Denver Water Fountain and Hydrant Connections for Special Events

Partial summary of connection requirements

  • All event-permit hydrants will be tested for water quality and set up as if for potable use even if the connection is intended for nonpotable uses. Nonpotable (wash down) event-related permits are no longer available.
  • Denver Water technicians and plumbers will provide all service connections and certified equipment.
  • Denver Fire Department and Denver Water need unimpeded access to the permitted hydrant. To allow adequate space for emergency and public use access, 10 feet of clearance around each hydrant must be provided. The hydrants must not be blocked off, barricaded or hidden from general view.
  • Denver Water will continue to guarantee water quality to the outlet side of the backflow devices on each hydrant.
  • Permit applications for event hydrants must be turned in at least 15 full business days in advance of the event. No on-site, post-application connections of any kind will be allowed.
  • Denver Water staff will inspect hydrants daily for compliance.

Standard Permit fees

Fees for connecting hydrants and water fountains at special events were revised in 2009 to reflect Denver Water’s actual cost-of-service. There is no fee for connecting lawn (deck) hydrants in Civic Center Park.

Qualifying nonprofit organizations are eligible for 50 percent off the hydrant fees listed below.

2010 standard permit fee schedule for water fountain connections
  Number of fountain locations
Number of Days 1 Location 2 Locations 3 Locations 4 Locations 5 Locations 6 Locations
1 day permit $260.00 $400.00 $540.00 $680.00 $820.00 $960.00
2 day permit $310.00 $450.00 $590.00 $730.00 $870.00 $1,010.00
3 day permit $360.00 $500.00 $640.00 $780.00 $920.00 $1,060.00
4 day permit $410.00 $550.00 $690.00 $830.00 $970.00 $1,100.00
5 day permit $460.00 $600.00 $740.00 $880.00 $1,020.00 $1,150.00
6 day permit $510.00 $650.00 $790.00 $930.00 $1,070.00 $1,200.00
7 day permit $560.00 $700.00 $840.00 $980.00 $1,120.00 $1,250.00
8 day permit $610.00 $750.00 $890.00 $1,030.00 $1,170.00 $1,300.00
9 day permit $660.00 $800.00 $940.00 $1,080.00 $1,220.00 $1,350.00
10 day permit $710.00 $850.00 $990.00 $1,130.00 $1,270.00 $1,400.00

Note: Beginning in 2010, Denver Water will no longer honor “grandfathered complimentary permits” for any special event (including Cinco de Mayo, People’s Fair, Black Arts Festival, Juneteenth and Taste of Colorado).

2010 permit fee schedule for hydrant-only connections (3/4” adapter for wash down)
  Number of 3/4" adapters
  1 2 3 4 5 6
Daily Fee Per Adapter $180.00 $360.00 $540.00 $720.00 $900.00 $1,080.00

Special event hydrant permit requirements

Advance notice requirements

  • Written requests for event hydrants must be turned in at least 15 full business days in advance of the event.
    • E-mail request details or call Water Sales at 303-628-6100.
  • A request for a nonprofit permit fee must be received at least 60 days prior to the event date.

Hydrant use specifications

  • Nonpotable event-related hydrant permits will no longer be a category. All event permit hydrants will be tested and set up as if for potable use.
  • No on-site, post-application untested hydrant connections will be allowed. All connections must be applied for and tested in advance.
  • Moving equipment from a tested hydrant to an untested hydrant after the testing/sampling process is prohibited and will result in immediate hydrant shutdown and the issuance of a hydrant violation.
  • Denver Water’s existing hydrant disinfection practices will be sufficient for the event hydrant policy.

Backflow device requirements

  • All hydrants set up for events must use a Denver Water-supplied, certified reduced pressure zone backflow device and stand.
  • For permits requesting water for potable use, Denver Water also will provide a drinking fountain unit with anti-siphon hose bibs for additional supply.
  • Denver Water may also require meters.
  • For events at Civic Center Park, existing deck/yard hydrants must be used whenever possible in lieu of fire hydrants.

On-site access and inspection requirements

  • Denver Water agrees with Denver Fire code, which requires at least 10 feet of clearance around all hydrants to allow adequate space for emergency access, maintenance and repair during the event.
  • Denver Water needs unimpeded access to the hydrant for personnel and members of the public. It cannot be blocked off or barricaded or hidden from general view.
  • Denver Water will need guaranteed, reasonably close short-term parking on the day of event for inspection and/or repair.
  • Denver Water Emergency Service personnel will inspect permitted hydrants once during each day- and swing-shift during operating hours of the event.

Downstream limitations

  • Denver Water will continue to guarantee water quality to the outlet side of the backflow devices at the hydrant, whether it is a drinking fountain or manifold adaptor used for wash down.
  • Pending final approval by both agencies, Denver Water will offer a list of required materials (NSF- and ASTM-approved polybraid hose, isolation cross-control devices, etc.) to be included in Environmental Health’s operating standards and Cultural Affairs’ Event Planning Guide.
  • Pending final approval by the city, Cultural Affairs will include a Denver Water-provided page specific to water requests and required equipment in its Events Planning Guide.
  • In cases that involve for-profit vendors who sell food and use potable water in the course of their operations, Environmental Health will enforce compliance downstream of Denver Water’s final point of responsibility.

Suspension of water service and fines for violations

If the service connection is not in compliance with the above stated requirements, suspension of water service will be immediate and a violation fine will be charged to the permit holder. The fine will be the same as fines for other Denver Water hydrant violations.

Permit fees for nonprofit organizations

Denver Water no longer provides free water service to any special event (including “grandfathered events”). A cost-of-service fee will be charged for all water fountain and hydrant connection permits for special events.

The standard permit fee may be reduced by 50 percent for applicants with proof of a nonprofit beneficiary or 501(c)(3) status. The applicant must meet the following criteria to be considered for a reduced permit fee.

Criteria checklist to be considered for hydrant and/or drinking fountain permit fee reduction:

  1. A request for a nonprofit permit fee must be received at least 60 days prior to the event.
  2. The event must be in the City and County of Denver.
  3. A nonprofit organization will benefit from a portion of the event proceeds.
  4. The number of estimated attendees must be greater than 10,000 people.
  5. There is no admission fee to attend the event.
  6. The event producer must sign and abide by service agreement requirements for hydrant and/or fountain connections.
  7. In exchange for a nonprofit permit fee, the event producer will provide public recognition and/or other promotional benefits to Denver Water. Promotional or sponsorship benefits will be based on the value of cost-of-service to connect hydrants or fountain.
  8. Denver Water will consider any of the following promotional opportunities at the event:
  • Denver Water-supplied yard signs promoting conservation or water quality at strategic event locations
  • Banner(s) at event entrance
  • Denver Water’s Fill it at the Tap water trailer at event
  • Denver Water logo and/or fountain locations on event Web site and on printed maps

To request a special event nonprofit permit, complete this online application.

For more information about nonprofit permits, contact Teri Chavez, Community Relations Marketing Specialist, at 303-628-6170.

For more information about standard permits, call Water Sales at 303-628-6100.