Emergency Water Supply
Town of Nederland and Areas of Unincorporated Boulder County
The adopted fire code (2024 edition of the International Fire Code) requires every structure have adequate emergency water supply based on fire flow duration and the size of the home or structures to be protected. Most areas in the Town of Nederland meet this requirement with the Town's hydrant system, as long as the hydrant is within the required distance from the home. In other areas this requirement can be met by installing a local cistern or making a contribution to the Community Cistern Fund.
If your building site is located in a remote area, or in an area with poor access to a water supply for firefighting, the Fire District may require you to install a local cistern.
In other cases it is permissible to either install a local cistern or contribute to the Fire Department's Community Cistern Fund, at the developer's discretion. Each option has its own pros and cons. If you choose to install a cistern it cannot be used for livestock, agricultural, domestic storage or other uses.
Here are the cistern size and/or Community Cistern Fund contribution requirements:
You can now make payments online! Please make sure you have all of the documents required and carefully check information provided on the application and during the payment process.
Online Payments - this online service is provided by a 3rd party working in partnership with the State of Colorado.
*you will need your invoice number to complete the payment transaction, please verify fees entered as processing fees are not refunded due to incorrect payment information*
If you have multiple permits to submit, you can pay for all fees at the same time in the portal by choosing "add another service" prior to checking out.
- Credit Cards: The price includes a service fee of $0.75 plus 2.25% of the order calculated upon check-out.
- Electronic Check: The price includes a $1.00 service fee calculated upon check-out.
ONLINE PAYMENT PORTAL
Having trouble using the online payment portal? Watch this short video!
Make sure you have submitted an online application as you need an invoice number associated with your application in order to make payment.
Online payments can take from 2-5 business days to post to the account. Permits will not be placed into the plan review queue until this time.
Check Payments
*make sure to include invoice number in memo section*
- In-Person: Monday - Thursday from 7:00 AM thru 5:00 PM at Nederland Fire Station #1 located at 650 W. 4th St., Nederland, CO 80466
- Mail: PO Box 155, Nederland, CO 80466
On June 1, 2023, the NFPD Board of Directors approved using NFPA 1142 to determine fire flow duration, and to allow those requirements to match the cistern size requirements for the District.
NFPA 1142 - Calculating Minimum Water Supplies in Rural/Suburban Areas
WSmin = minimum water supply in gallons
VStot = total volume of structure in ft3 (sq footage x 10 for use in NFPD; includes covered decks and porches)
OHC = occupancy hazard classification number
CC = construction classification number
1.5 = exposures factor required for NFPD
Example, 1,575sqft residence:
WSmin = [(1,575 x 10)/7](1.5) = 3,375 gallons
Some thoughts to consider:
1) Do you have physical room to place the cistern approximately 50-75 feet from your house and garage? Too close and the Fire Department cannot use it if the house is on fire, and too far and our initial attack lines will not reach all of the house. Our pre-connected hose lines are 200' and optimally need to reach the rear, basement, or top floor of the house without adding additional hose. The access requirements state the distance from the fire engine to the far side of the structure shall be 150' or less. Cistern placement is vital to a successful initial fire attack.
Local cistern shall have approved fittings for connection. NFPD uses 6" NH Male with a strainer and cap. Most cistern suppliers are familiar with these requirements and where to obtain the fittings. The cistern will also need an appropriately sized vent and fill, ensure the vent is covered with wire mesh or a similar protective covering.
2) Is there adequate space for an all weather turnaround or pullout adjacent to the cistern?
3) Generally, the cost to install a 7,000 gallon cistern is roughly equal to the $15,000 donation to the community cistern fund. If blasting is required to get adequeate burial depth (at least 4 feet of dirt on top of the tank) the cost to install a local cistern may be significantly higher.
4) The Fire District will prioritize which locations will receive community cisterns. It is likely that the money you contribute towards the cistern fund will not result in a community cistern directly in the area you are building. The placement is based on existing infrastructure, WUI impact, access, and risk, amongst other considerations.
Click here for the Boulder County Emergency Water Supply for Firefighting requirements.
