United Water and Sanitation District
United Water and Sanitation District is a Colorado special district that builds and operates 400+ miles of water infrastructure—including reservoirs, recharge ponds, and well fields—serving agricultural, residential, and municipal clients along the Front Range.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded1993
- HeadquartersGreenwood Village, United States
- Headcount1–10
- GTM typeB2B
- OfferingServices
What United Water and Sanitation District does
United Water and Sanitation District is a governmental special district organized under Title 32 of the Colorado Revised Statutes, with a statewide service area that distinguishes it from typical local special districts. Founded by Bob Lembke in 2003 (one source notes 1993), the entity is headquartered in Greenwood Village, Colorado, and does not levy taxes; infrastructure is financed through private capital and fees levied on properties served by its projects. The district finances, constructs, and operates water delivery and sanitation systems serving agricultural, residential, and municipal clients along Colorado's Front Range.
The core product is the Integrated Water System, a unified infrastructure platform spanning more than 400 miles that combines natural geologic features with pipelines, pumps, reservoirs, recharge ponds, and well fields. The system is organized into a Northern Tier (including 70 Ranch Reservoir at 5,500 acre-feet, Milliken Reservoir expandable to 10,000 AF, Serfer Reservoir at 280 AF, Haren Recharge Pond at 80 CFS, and Strohauer Recharge Pond) and a Middle Tier (United #3 Diversion at 750 CFS, United #3 Reservoir at 3,400 AF, Beebe Draw Well Field with 17 shallow alluvial wells at 14,000 GPM / 20 MGD, Highlands Reservoir at 4,200 AF, Tu and DeSanti Recharge Ponds). The district also sponsors the Subsurface Irrigation Efficiency Project (SIEP), a permanent research facility operated with Colorado State University focused on subsurface drip irrigation. Awards include the 2020 H2O Award (Colorado Contractors Association) and the 2020 NUCA Water Category award for the 70 Ranch Reservoir buildout.
The business model rests on direct infrastructure partnerships with municipal water districts (Denver Board of Water Commissioners, Town of Lochbuie, South Adams W&S District, East Cherry Creek Valley, Arapahoe County Water and Wastewater Authority), irrigation companies (Farmers Reservoir and Irrigation Company), and co-owned facilities with partner authorities WAWDA, CCWCD, PRWDA, and Ducks Unlimited. Revenue is generated through fees on properties served and transaction-based water rights acquisitions, supplemented by privately financed infrastructure development. The district explicitly avoids Western Slope diversions and interstate pipelines, instead providing Front Range communities access to renewable Platte River water sources.
United Water and Sanitation District firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- United Water and Sanitation District
- Legal name
- United Water and Sanitation District
- Website
- https://unitedwaterdistrict.com
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 1993
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 1–10 employees
- Short description
- United Water and Sanitation District is a Colorado special district that builds and operates 400+ miles of water infrastructure—including reservoirs, recharge ponds, and well fields—serving agricultural, residential, and municipal clients along the Front Range.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
United Water and Sanitation District industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Water Infrastructure Services
- NAICS
- Water Supply and Irrigation Systems (22131), Water, Sewage and Other Systems (2213), Water Supply and Irrigation Systems (221310), Utilities (22), Utilities (221)
- SIC
- Water Supply (4941), Water, Sewer, Pipeline, Comm & Power Line Construction (1623)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Water Supply & Wastewater Utilities Administration (BPAIACAG)
- akta.pro secondary industries
- Detention, Retention & Storage Systems (Ponds, Tanks, Vaults) (EUANAEAD), Onsite/Decentralized Reuse Utilities (District/Building‑Scale Reuse as a Service) (EUANAGAH), Storage & Conveyance Structures (Reservoirs, Tanks, Culverts, Tunnels) (IMAFAGAE), Pump & Well Services for Irrigation (Well Testing, Pump Sizing, Rehab) (AFACAFAG)
Keywords
Where United Water and Sanitation District is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Greenwood Village
- HQ country
- United States
- HQ region
- North America
Offices1 record
Markets served
United Water and Sanitation District business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Infrastructure, Operations, Personnel, Technology or R&D, Supply Chain
Revenue model
- Water Infrastructure Services: United Water and Sanitation District operates as a special district that does not levy taxes. Infrastructure projects are paid through a combination of private financing and fees levied on properties where projects are built. The district serves municipalities, agricultural operations, and special districts with water delivery systems.
- Water Rights Acquisition: The district has expertise in acquiring water rights and building efficient water delivery systems. They complete transactions with municipalities and water districts to help entities gain access to renewable water sources.
Go-to-market motion1 record
Distribution channels1 record
Marketing channels3 records
United Water and Sanitation District product offering
Product offeringCore offering
United Water and Sanitation District is a governmental special district under Colorado Revised Statutes Title 32 that finances, constructs, and operates integrated water delivery and sanitation systems. The district builds and maintains modern water infrastructure spanning more than 400 miles across Colorado's Front Range, serving agricultural, residential, and municipal clients. It acquires water rights and develops customized water solutions using reservoirs, recharge ponds, well fields, pipelines, and pumping facilities, financed through private capital and fees on properties served rather than tax levies.
Product overview
United Water and Sanitation District is a governmental special district that provides water and sanitation infrastructure services across Colorado's Front Range. The company operates the Integrated Water System—a unified platform combining water delivery and sanitation systems that span more than 400 miles. The system comprises two main tiers (Middle Tier and Northern Tier) that incorporate reservoirs (70 Ranch Reservoir, Highlands Reservoir, Milliken Reservoir, Serfer Reservoir), recharge ponds, well fields, diversion structures, pipelines, and pumping facilities. Services include financing, construction, and operation of water delivery systems serving agricultural, residential, and municipal clients. The company also sponsors the Subsurface Irrigation Efficiency Project (SIEP), a research initiative focused on subsurface drip irrigation technology.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Products and services
- Water Delivery Systems
Quantifiable outcome
- 70 Ranch Reservoir filled to 5,500 acre-feet capacity in less than one year after grand opening in May 2019
- +2 more outcomes
Companies that use United Water and Sanitation District
Customer profileNamed customers8 records
Segments3 records
Ideal customer profiles3 records
United Water and Sanitation District technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Feature4 records
United Water and Sanitation District partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Ten partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.
- Colorado State UniversitycoreColorado State University partners with United Water through the Subsurface Irrigation Efficiency Project (SIEP), a permanent research facility on 165 acres of land donated by 70 Ranch in Weld County. CSU students assist with subsurface irrigation experiments and water education tours. United helps fund weather stations that enhance CSU's weather-monitoring system.
- Platte River Water Development AuthoritycoreThe Platte River Water Development Authority (PRWDA) works with United Water on water infrastructure projects. PRWDA built the 70 Ranch Reservoir (owned) which United Water operates. Both are main sponsors of SIEP. Bob Lembke serves as president of WAWDA (Weld Adams Water Development Authority), a related entity.
- Weld Adams Water Development Authority (WAWDA)coreWAWDA and United Water co-own and operate key infrastructure including Milliken Reservoir and various recharge facilities. WAWDA owns the 70 Ranch Reservoir while United operates it. Drew Damiano serves as project manager for both entities.
- Ducks UnlimitedminorDucks Unlimited collaborated with United Water on the design of the Haren Recharge Pond, a recharge facility in Platteville, CO with 80 CFS capacity, completed in May 2012.
- East Cherry Creek Valley Water and Sanitation District (ECCV)coreECCV encompasses 8,772 acres in unincorporated Arapahoe County and the City of Centennial. Partner with United Water on shared infrastructure including the Beebe Draw Well Field (17 wells, 20 MGD) and Tu Recharge Pond.
- Arapahoe County Water and Wastewater Authority (ACWWA)coreACWWA covers roughly 5,000 acres in southern Arapahoe County serving approximately 3,000 residential and commercial accounts. Partners with United Water on shared infrastructure including the Beebe Draw Well Field and Tu Recharge Pond.
- 70 Ranchcore70 Ranch is a 14,000+ acre historic ranch in Weld County owned by Bob Lembke. The ranch partners with United Water and SIEP for subsurface irrigation research. A 165-acre parcel was donated for SIEP research facility. The ranch also supports community programs including donating $5,000 to Kersey seniors meal program.
- Central Colorado Water Conservancy District (CCWCD)minorCCWCD co-owns and operates the Haren Recharge Pond with United Water, located at County Road 44, Platteville, CO with 80 CFS recharge capacity.
- Colorado State Land Board of CommissionersminorColorado State Land Board leased the 70 Ranch Riverside Recharge Pond & Illinois Ditch site to United Water, with the agreement completed in December 2014.
- Denver Board of Water CommissionerscoreUnited Water has completed transactions with Denver Board of Water Commissioners to help Denver gain access to renewable water sources as part of the broader water infrastructure network.
Scale indicators4 records
Recent moves4 records
Expansion highlights5 records
United Water and Sanitation District competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- Northern Water (Northern Colorado Water Conservancy District): Colorado special district operating the Colorado-Big Thompson Project and delivering water across the northern Front Range. Closest structural analog to United Water as a multi-county Colorado water conservancy district with similar financing and water-rights playbook.
- South Adams Water & Sanitation District: Adams County special district providing water and wastewater services to Commerce City. Directly comparable operating model (Colorado special district, residential/commercial/industrial customers) and an existing United Water partner and customer.
- Farmers Reservoir and Irrigation Company: Historic agricultural irrigation company serving farmers along the Front Range. Existing United Water partner in water-rights transactions; closest peer on the agricultural-customer side of United's customer base.
- East Cherry Creek Valley Water and Sanitation District (ECCV): Arapahoe County special district serving 8,772 acres and the City of Centennial. Co-develops Beebe Draw Well Field and Tu Recharge Pond with United, making it a near-clone peer in size, customer base, and infrastructure approach.
- Central Colorado Water Conservancy District (CCWCD): Colorado special district that co-owns and operates infrastructure with United (e.g., Haren Recharge Pond) and serves similar municipal and agricultural customers along the Front Range with recharge and storage assets.
- Arapahoe County Water and Wastewater Authority (ACWWA): Southern Arapahoe County water/wastewater authority serving ~3,000 accounts. Co-develops Beebe Draw and Tu Recharge Pond with United; a near-identical special district peer in geography, customer type, and infrastructure model.
Regional players
- Colorado River Water Conservation District: Special district on the Western Slope managing river and reservoir operations. Comparable Title 32 special district structure but focused on a different basin; useful analog for special-district governance and water-rights management outside the Front Range.
- Southwestern Water Conservation District: Colorado special district providing water information, planning, and project support across the San Juan/Dolores basin. Comparable Title 32 governance and district service model, though operating in a different geographic region.
Broad incumbents
- Denver Water: The largest municipal water utility in Colorado and a named transaction counterparty of United Water. Operates a much larger treatment/distribution system serving metro Denver but overlaps in geography, customers, and renewable-Platte sourcing strategy.
- Aurora Water: Municipal water utility serving the City of Aurora with Prairie Waters and other reuse-focused infrastructure. Comparable in renewable sourcing and treatment focus, but operates as an integrated city utility rather than a multi-county special district.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses4 records
Competitive moat5 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
United Water and Sanitation District social profiles
Digital presenceUnited Water and Sanitation District financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
United Water and Sanitation District leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles3 records
United Water and Sanitation District funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
United Water and Sanitation District M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about United Water and Sanitation District
What does United Water and Sanitation District do?
United Water and Sanitation District is a governmental special district under Colorado Revised Statutes Title 32 that finances, constructs, and operates integrated water delivery and sanitation systems. The district builds and maintains modern water infrastructure spanning more than 400 miles across Colorado's Front Range, serving agricultural, residential, and municipal clients. It acquires water rights and develops customized water solutions using reservoirs, recharge ponds, well fields, pipelines, and pumping facilities, financed through private capital and fees on properties served rather than tax levies.
Is United Water and Sanitation District a public or private company?
United Water and Sanitation District is a private company. It is classified as state government owned and is currently operating.
When was United Water and Sanitation District founded?
United Water and Sanitation District was founded in 1993. It employs 1 to 10 people.
Where is United Water and Sanitation District based?
United Water and Sanitation District is headquartered in Greenwood Village, United States, in the North America region.
How does United Water and Sanitation District make money?
Two revenue lines are on record. Water Infrastructure Services are the primary driver. The others are water Rights Acquisition.
Who are United Water and Sanitation District's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are Northern Water (Northern Colorado Water Conservancy District), South Adams Water & Sanitation District, Farmers Reservoir and Irrigation Company, East Cherry Creek Valley Water and Sanitation District (ECCV), Central Colorado Water Conservancy District (CCWCD) and Arapahoe County Water and Wastewater Authority (ACWWA). Regional players are Colorado River Water Conservation District and Southwestern Water Conservation District. Broad incumbents are Denver Water and Aurora Water.
Does United Water and Sanitation District have an API?
No public API is recorded for United Water and Sanitation District.
What industry is United Water and Sanitation District in?
United Water and Sanitation District's product category is Water Infrastructure Services. Its primary akta.pro industry code is BPAIACAG, Water Supply & Wastewater Utilities Administration, with a secondary code of EUANAEAD, Detention, Retention & Storage Systems (Ponds, Tanks, Vaults). Its NAICS code is 22131 and its SIC code is 4941.