Whether it’s water unexpectedly surfacing in a street crack or a small leak between a main and a home, the Fort Collins-Loveland Water District (FCLWD) is quick to investigate and act. These are the kinds of calls the District handles regularly, many of them invisible to the average customer.
Responding quickly is only part of the job. Every repair is carefully evaluated for safety, budget impact and potential customer disruption. Behind the scenes, a lot has to happen to keep your water flowing and to keep costs down while doing it.
TL;DR Summary
- When a water issue is reported, the FCLWD determines whether or not the water is coming from our system. If it is, we begin the logistical process of coordinating the fix.
- The two operations crews, overseen by our Operations Superintendent Chris Dash, complete 80-90% of repairs and maintenance in-house.
- Recent major repairs primarily involved water transmission lines or valves that corroded over time and developed leaks. Our teams got them repaired and back online as quickly and efficiently as possible.
How It Works: From the First Call to the Final Turn of the Wrench
Most customer-facing issues start with a call or report about something out of the ordinary, such as water on the ground, an unusually active sump pump or a suspected leak. The first step is to assess whether the water is part of the District system or a separate issue, such as groundwater. District water contains chlorine, so if a field test comes up chlorine-free, it’s probably not ours.
If the issue does trace back to something the District can control, that’s when the coordination begins. Staff check water system maps and historical data to pinpoint the problem and determine if the repair can be made in-house or if contractors need to be involved. Crews coordinate with city, county or CDOT officials to secure roadway permits if required. Traffic control vendors are brought in to develop and execute safety plans. Materials and equipment are sourced, and internal communications are triggered.
If customer service may be interrupted, team members go door-to-door and leave doorhangers with helpful instructions and contact information. The business office is looped in to respond to phone calls and provide updates. Then, the repairs can begin.
Meet the Team Behind the Fixes
Chris Dash, Operations Superintendent at FCLWD, leads the largest department in the District. With more than 30 years of industry experience and three years with the District, Chris oversees all things distribution, from water quality and backflow prevention to emergency repairs and routine maintenance. He also leads field services, which is the department responsible for water meters, utility locating, customer service lines and water quality.
His crews handle emergency repairs, valve operations, seasonal hydrant flushing and maintenance on everything from pressure-releasing valves to reservoir tanks. Thanks to the District’s use of durable PVC pipe and careful system pressure management, full water main breaks are rare. More often, the team responds to minor service line leaks, specifically the portion of pipe between the main and the curb stop, which is the District’s responsibility.
Chris and his teams also focus on saving money where they can. Parts, clamps and pipe are sourced at government pricing. Crews plan and stage work to avoid costly overtime, even on weekend or overnight calls. Most importantly, FCLWD has worked hard to build up two full-time operations crews of four members each. These crews are able to do 80-90% of repairs and maintenance in-house. This provides significant savings compared to outsourcing the labor. In-house crews also result in quicker response to issues, which results in the best possible customer service for district water users. Generally, if we pull in third-party crews, it’s due to the need for specialized equipment. It’s a combination of experience and efficiency that helps protect your wallet and your water.
Top 3 “It Broke and We Fixed It” Incidents from 2025
14″ Ductile Water Main Repair
A 14-inch ductile iron water main developed a corrosion leak, caused by electrolysis, which is when minerals in the soil react with the pipe material. After exposing the pipe, crews installed a repair clamp to seal the hole. Due to the depth of the pipe and the location of the repair, the fix took approximately 10 hours to complete.
4” Concrete/Asbestos Main Replacement
A 4-inch concrete/asbestos water main developed a split due to a combination of age, shifting ground and system pressure. To repair it, crews cut out the damaged section and installed a new piece of pipe using fittings on both ends. This repair was completed in about six hours.
Valve Replacement Due to Corrosion
A leaking valve, worn down by corrosion over time, was replaced with a new one. Water service was temporarily shut off during the repair, which took approximately four hours to complete.
Keeping Things Running Quietly, Reliably and Responsibly
While most customers never see the work that happens behind the scenes, it’s a key part of how FCLWD delivers on its promise: sustainable, high-quality, secure, reliable and cost-effective water service. The District’s crews take pride in solving problems quickly, efficiently and safely, so you don’t have to think twice when you turn on the tap. Whether it’s a significant repair or a routine fix, every action is driven by the same goal: doing right by our customers and our community.
