The City of Greeley has a multi-part tap fee structure that encourages developers to incorporate efficiency from the start. In Greeley, tap fees are charged for all new water connections and may also be charged for modifications to existing connections.

There are four components to the Greeley tap fee that must be satisfied for all new taps:

• Water meter
• Cash-in-lieu of raw water
• Water plant investment fee
• Sewer plant investment fee

A separate tap is required for each single-family detached and attached unit and for each multi- family and non-residential building. Buildings with mixed residential and commercial uses require separate taps for the residential and non-residential components of the building. Importantly, all landscaping requires a separate irrigation tap, except residential buildings of four units or fewer.

Water Meter and Tap Sizing

In Greeley, the water meter charge is based on the meter size selected for the development. Residential single-family detached and attached houses normally have a ¾” tap and water meter. Multi-family and non-residential water taps and meters are sized based on the water use, which is determined by the number of fixtures, types of appliances, and other water demands.

Cash-in-Lieu of Raw Water

Historically, the City of Greeley required developers to dedicate raw water rights to the City when a new development joined the system, however now the City accepts Cash-in-Lieu fees if the developer does not have enough acceptable raw water or raw water credits associated with the existing taps on the property being developed.

The amount of raw water or Cash-in-Lieu fees due depends on a customer’s service commitment, or annual expected volume of water use. This provides an incentive for developers or builders to reduce the water requirement. For residential single-family detached and attached homes, the service commitment is standardized based on the type of residential unit. For non-residential projects, service commitment is calculated based on the type of business, the square footage of the business area, and the square footage and type of landscaping. Including the landscaping square footage and landscape type provides an incentive for developers or builders to install waterwise landscaping. Greeley records the service commitments with the Weld County Clerk and Recorder. If water use in a non-residential, mixed use, or multi-family building (greater than 4 units) exceeds its service commitment in a calendar year, the owner will be required to pay a raw water surcharge for the volume of water exceeding the service commitment. This surcharge is waived in the first calendar year of water service to acknowledge the additional water required to establish healthy landscapes. If water use in a non-residential, mixed use, or multi-family building exceeds its service commitment in any two consecutive years, the owner will be required to purchase additional water through a Cash-in-Lieu payment.

Water Plant Investment Fee

In Greeley, the water plant investment fee (PIF) is charged based on the size of the water tap. For a dedicated landscaping water tap, a reduced PIF will be owed if at least 75% of the landscape is xeriscape and the tap is 1” in diameter or smaller. This provides a significant incentive for waterwise landscaping. If the landscaping does not meet Greeley’s 75% threshold of waterwise landscaping, then the full PIF is owed. The sewer plant investment fee is charged based on the size of the domestic water tap.

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