Utilities

Always contact 811 for a line locate prior to digging. It is a free service and required by law.

Before starting any projects that involve digging, you must request a utility line locate by dialing 811 or by submitting a ticket through Colorado811.org. Projects such as removing trees or shrubs (potential of roots wrapped around utility lines) and leveling your yard in preparation for landscaping require line location.

The 811 locators will mark the location of:

• All utility main lines.
   
• Water service lines to private property from the water main to the shut off valve, also known as a curb-stop.  It is the property owner’s responsibility to locate their water service line from the shut off valve to the building/house; and
   
• Underground electric service lines to the private property from the electric main lines (typically from an electric transformer box) to the electric meter.  If the electric meter is not attached to the house/building, it is the property owner’s responsibility to locate their underground electric service line from the meter to the house/building.  It should be noted that in some of the City of Fountain electric service areas, the electric meter may be located in your neighbor’s yard.
   
• If you can’t find your electric meter, please call City of Fountain Electric Utility Operations at 719-322-2092 during normal work hours (7:00 am to 3:30 pm, Monday – Friday).

Planning for your landscaping project can go a long way, check out the following video to see how. A Little Planning

A utility easement is an area designated for infrastructure, which must remain accessible at all times for personnel and service purposes. Updating or installing your landscape will require a few more considerations, such as having a gate available for access purposes or changing your planting to maintain proper clearance around equipment.

RIGHT OF ACCESS
As a condition of service, customers provide access to the premises at all reasonable times for authorized employees of the City. Purpose for access includes, but is not limited to, reading meters and testing, inspecting, repairing or replacing infrastructure. If access to the property or any equipment is limited in any fashion, the customer shall take all steps, including the provision of keys where necessary, to provide access to the City.  All easement areas shall be maintained for adequate access to City equipment. The City shall have the right to remove any obstruction at the customer’s expense if the customer does not correct the access problem within 72 hours after notification of the problem.  In case of an emergency, the City may correct the access problem without notice.

It is important to provide proper clearance surrounding utility infrastructure located on your property:

TREE PLANTING

First and foremost, always look up before you plant a tree. If there are overhead lines above, you will want to choose a different spot for your tree or choose a tree that will only grow to a certain height. Failing to plan before you plant could result in power outages, safety hazards to children who may decide to climb the tree, create dangerous conditions, and may cause a power outage.  In addition, it's also important to ensure you are not planting a tree within 15’ of a pad mount transformer as the tree roots could impede service or maintenance to transformers.

Choose plants carefully when planning landscaping near any equipment. When choosing plants you wish to place near equipment, keep in mind that the area around the equipment must be kept accessible to employees for service purposes

PAD MOUNT TRANSFORMER CLEARANCE

Always provide an 8’ clearance path around the transformer. In order for our linemen to work on a transformer, an 8’ clearance must be maintained

METER CLEARANCE

Utility meter reading occurs remotely, reducing the number of times utility personnel need to access customer property. However, there are times when a meter needs to be repaired, replaced or tested.

• ELECTRIC - Provide four feet of clearance around electric meter banks located on your property. The roots of trees or plants located too close may damage infrastructure.
• WATER - Maintain a minimum one-foot

Lighten the Load provides utilities payment assistance to individuals and families throughout our community who is experiencing a financial emergency, regardless of income.

Fountain Utilities partners with local non-profit agencies to administer the Lighten the Load Program. Please contact one of the following agencies to schedule an appointment:

The Salvation Army of the Fountain Valley
208 Cunningham Drive
Colorado Springs, CO  80911
(719) 382-1182

Email

The next time you pay your utility bill, sign up to donate to Lighten the Load! Every dollar of your donation will go towards helping fellow community members. Download the Lighten the Load Donation Form or ask our Customer Service Specialists for assistance the next time you visit our office.

Donations may be tax deductible. Please refer to IRS rules or check with your tax professional.

The City of Fountain provides water and electric service within the city limits and electric service to portions of Security and Widefield. For other utility entities, please see below:

Electric (Rural El Paso County):

Mountain View Electric

(719) 495-2283

Natural Gas (Fountain/Widefield):

Black Hills Energy

(800) 303-0752

Natural Gas (Security):

Colorado Springs Utilities

(719) 448-4800

Wastewater (Fountain):

Fountain Sanitation District

(719) 382-5303

Water/Wastewater (Security):

Security Water and Sanitation District

(719) 392-3475

Water/Wastewater (Widefield):

Widefield Water and Sanitation District

(719) 390-7111