III. Standards of Design and Construction
1. General
A. The system shall be adequate to deliver All systems must supply the water requirements offor all customers and meet the pressure requirements of paragraph II 3 a. of this General Order.
(1) A professional civil engineer registered in the State of California qualified in water supply engineering shall prepare all design and construction documents of a utility's water or sewer plant and must meet the design requirements of the Department (§64585).
(2) The design and construction must conform to the requirements of the Department with reference to sanitation and potability of water.
(3) All new mains, pumps, tanks, wells and other facilities for handling potable water and repaired mains and other facilities, shall be thoroughly disinfected before being connected to the system. The method of disinfection must be as approved by the Department.
B. For systems applying for federal funds (the Drinking Water State Revolving Fund or its successors), applicants must describe the design basis of all new facilities to be constructed using the criteria contained in the Technical, Managerial, and Financial requirements of the Department or its successor. See Appendix E for further information on these criteria.
[2. Distribution System, 3. Transmission Systems, and 4. Water Supply Requirements, are deleted.]
2. Application for Certificate of Public Convenience and Necessity
A. All applicants must follow the requirements in § 64552 of the Department's regulations, Permit for New Public Water System (or its successor).
B. No public water system that was not in existence on January 1, 1998, shall be granted a permit unless the system demonstrates to the Commission that the water supplier possesses adequate financial, managerial, and technical (TMF) capability to assure the delivery of pure, wholesome, and potable drinking water.
C. Criteria regarding adequate financial, managerial and technical capabilities shall also apply to any change of ownership of a public water system that occurs after January 1, 1998.
D. See Appendix E for further information on the TMF criteria. The major provisions to be included are the following:
(1) A map and description of the entire existing and proposed service area.
(2) The population, and number and type of residential, commercial, agricultural and industrial service connections in the projected service area of the water system.
(3) Design drawings of proposed facilities drawn to scale, showing location, size, construction material; and as-built drawings and year of installation of any water main or other facility that has already been constructed.
(4) The estimated MDD and PHD with the methods, assumptions, and calculations used for the estimations.
(5) A description of the sources of water proposed to meet the estimated MDD and information demonstrating that the sources are adequate to do so, such as, but not limited to, well pump tests, the capacities of all pumping facilities, and the hydraulic capacity of surface water treatment facilities.
(6) Information that demonstrates how the system proposes to reliably meet four times the PHD using, but not limited to, excess source capacity, distribution reservoirs, auxiliary power, and/or emergency source connections.
(7) Information that demonstrates how the system proposes to reliably meet two consecutive days of MDD through a combined flow from sources of supply and storage capacity.
3.5. Materials and Specifications
(1) Metallic and nonmetallic materials may be used separately and in combination to construct component parts of a water system including, but not limited to, conduits, pipes, couplings, caulking materials, protective linings and coatings, services, valves, hydrants, pumps, tanks and reservoirs; provided:
(1)(a)The material shall have a reasonable useful service life.
(2) The material shall be capable of withstanding with ample safety factors the internal and external forces to which it may be subjected in service.
(b)(3)The material shall not cause the water to become impure, unwholesome, unpotable or unhealthful.
(c) No person shall use any pipe, pipe or plumbing fitting or fixture, solder, or flux that is not "lead free" in the installation or repair of any water system, except when necessary for the repair of leaded joints of cast iron pipes.
(d) For the purposes of this section, "lead free" means not more than 0.2 percent lead when used with respect to solder and flux and not more than 8 percent when used with respect to pipes and pipe fittings. With respect to plumbing fittings and fixtures, "lead free" means not more than 4 percent by dry weight after August 6, 2002, unless the Department has adopted a standard, based on health effects, for the leaching of lead.
(4)(e)Materials and equipment shall be so selected as to mitigate corrosion, electrolysis and deterioration.
B.b. Specification. Materials and equipment shall be specified by a properly qualified person.
C.c. Newly Developed Materials and Equipment. It is not the intention to prevent the use of newly developed materials and equipment that otherwise meet the requirements of paragraphs a and b. above described above.
[Section d. deleted in its entirety. See section 5 below for its replacement]
4.3. Mains. Distribution System
(1) Water mains should be installed below the frost line or be otherwise protected to prevent freezing and shall not have less than 30-inches of cover over the top of the pipe in public streets or alleys except where it is necessary to avoid underground obstructions or rocky or hardpan conditions where such depth is not feasible.
(2) All non-ferrous pipe and service lines shall be installed with continuous tracer tape installed 12" to 18" under the final ground surface. The marker tape shall be 4" or wider non-biodegradable plastic with metal core or backing, marked and color coded corresponding to the utility to be marked and detectable by a standard metal detector. Tape shall be Terra Tape "D" or approved equal. In addition to tracer tape, force mains and curved mains shall also have a 14 gauge coated copper wire, wrapped around the pipe, brought up, coating stripped, and tied off at the valve stem or manhole ring.
[Section IV. 3. b. through d. removed and the following substituted]
Water mains should be laid out only in segmented grids and loops; and should be located within streets. Dead-end water mains shall be installed only if:
(1) Looping or gridding is impractical due to topography, geology, pressure zone boundaries, unavailability of easements or locations of users; or
(2) The main is to be extended in the near future and the planned extension will eliminate the dead-end conditions.
C. Minimum Water Main Diameter and Length of Run
(1) Water mains shall have a nominal inside diameter of at least four inches.
(2) Dead-end water mains exceeding 1,000 feet (300 meters) in length shall be constructed of pipe with a nominal inside diameter of at least 6 inches.
(3) Dead-end water mains exceeding 2,000 feet (600 meters) in length shall be constructed of pipe with a nominal inside diameter of at least 8 inches.
(4) The above length requirements may be deviated from if the installations designed under the direction of a qualified registered engineer meet the pressure requirements set forth in GO 103 or if the installation is approved by the Department.
(1) The distribution system shall be of adequate size, and so designed in conjunction with related facilities to maintain the minimum pressures requirements of G. O. 103 this General Order.
(2) In no event, however, should the minimum pipe size for new mains be less than six inches in diameter when used in conjunction with a fire protection system. Otherwise, no minimum pipe size for new mains shall be less than four inches in diameter.
The minimum separation distances set forth in this section separating pipes shall be measured from the nearest outside edge of each pipe or the distances specified separating pipes from other facilities shall be measured from the nearest edges of the facilities.
(1) Water Main Separation
(a) New water mains shall be installed at least 10 feet horizontally from, and one foot vertically above, any parallel pipeline conveying:
(1 Untreated sewage,
(2) Primary or secondary treated sewage,
(3) Disinfected secondary-2.2 recycled water (defined in section 60301.220),
(4) Disinfected secondary-23 recycled water (defined in section 60301.225), and
(5) Hazardous fluids such as fuels, industrial wastes, and waste water sludge.
(b New water mains shall be installed at least 4 feet horizontally from, and one foot vertically above, any parallel pipeline conveying:
(1) Disinfected tertiary recycled water (defined in section 60301.230),
(2) Raw water, and
(3) Storm drainage.
(c) New raw drinking water supply lines shall be installed at least 4 feet horizontally from, and one foot vertically above, any parallel pipeline conveying a liquid.
(d) New water mains crossing lines conveying sewage or recycled water shall be constructed perpendicular to and at least one foot above the sewage or recycled water line. No connection joints shall be made in the water line within eight horizontal feet of the waste water or recycled water line.
(e) New water mains shall not be installed within 100 horizontal feet of any sanitary landfill, waste water disposal pond, or hazardous waste disposal site, or within 25 feet of any cesspool, septic tank, sewage leach field, seepage pit, or groundwater recharge project site.
(f) The minimum separation distances set forth in this section shall be measured from the nearest outside edge of each pipe.
(2) Where the above requirements cannot be met due to topography, inadequate right-of-way or easements or conflicts with other provisions of these regulations, lesser separation is permissible if:
(a) The water main and the sewer are located as far apart as feasible within the conditions listed above.
(b) The water main and the sewer are not installed within the same trench.
(c) The water main is appropriately constructed to prevent contamination of the water in the main by sewer leakage.
(3) Water mains shall be disinfected according to AWWA Standard C601-81 before being placed in service.
(4) Installation of water mains near the following sources of potential contamination shall be subject to written approval by the Department on a case-by-case basis:
(a) Storage ponds or land disposal sites for waste water or industrial process water containing toxic materials or pathogenic organisms.
(b) Solid waste disposal sites.
(c) Facilities such as storage tanks and pipelines where malfunction of the facility would subject the water in the main to toxic or pathogenic contamination.
(1) Sufficient valves shall be provided on water mains to minimize inconvenience and sanitary hazards during repairs.
(2) In general, valves on water mains of 12 inches and smaller diameter should be located such that water main lengths of not more than 1,000 feet can be isolated by valve closures.
(3) A valve box shall be installed over each valve stem to aid in locating and operating the valve.
Type of Valve |
Construction Standard |
Gate |
AWWA C550-80 |
Butterfly |
AWWA C504-80 |
Ball |
AWWA C507-73 |
Swing Check |
AWWA C508-82 |
5. Materials Standards for Water Mains
All new water main materials used in the distribution system shall comply with the standards of the AWWA pursuant to the table shown below (or its successor):
Type of Material Diameter of Main Applicable Standard
PVC 4 in. through 12 in. C900-97,C900a-92
PVC 14 in. through 36 in. C905-97
Polyethylene (HDPE) 4 in. through 63 in. C906-99
Fiberglass All sizes C950-95
Ductile Iron All sizes C150/A21.50-96
Ductile Iron, Centrifugally cast All sizes C151/A21.51-96
Steel 6 inches and larger C200-97
Concrete
Reinforced steel-cylinder All sizes C300-97
Prestressed steel-cylinder All sizes C301-99, C304-99
Reinforced noncylinder All sizes C302-95
Bar wrapped/steel cylinder All sizes C303-95
PVC, Molecularly oriented PVC All sizes: C909-98
[IV. Standards of Construction, 1, 2 and 3 are deleted in their entirety]
6.4. Service Connections pipe and fittings
(1) Service connection pipe and fittings shall be designed for cold water working pressures of not less than 150 psi.
(2) Copper tubing shall be commercial designation of type K or L. Plastic tubing and fittings shall be products tested and certified as suitable for use in potable water piping systems by any testing agency acceptable to DHS, such as the National Sanitation Foundation Testing Laboratory the National Foundation Testing Laboratory, the Canadian Standards Association Testing Laboratory or another testing agency acceptable to the Department.
B. Conditions for Adding Service Connections and Pipes
A new service connection may be added to a water distribution system only if the water system will comply with all other sections of this General Order and, after the new service connection is added and adding the new service connection will not cause pressure at an existing service connection to be reduced below the standards set forth in paragraph 3 this General Order.
C.a. Size of Service Pipe User Service Line
(1) The size, design, material and installation of the user service line shall conform to the reasonable requirements of the utility, provided, however, that the minimum size of the pipe shall not be less than ¾-inch nominal size. The utility may require the customer to provide such data as may be necessary for the utility to properly size a service larger than ¾-inch nominal size consistent with the requirements of fire flow, the utility in installing ¾-inch and 1-inch services may use the following formula as a guide provided the requirement of paragraph II 3 a are met:.
¾-Inch Service |
Residential Lot Area - Metered Service - 8,000 square feet |
Flat Rate Service - 10,000 square feet |
Business - Not over 10 outlets and only one flush-o-meter toilet. |
1-Inch Service |
Residential Lot Area - Metered Service - 8,000 to 20,000 square feet |
Flat Rate Service - 10,000 to 25,000 square feet |
Business - From 10 to 30 outlets and from 1 to 2 flush-o-meter toilets. |
D.b. Depth of User Service PipeLine
Except in unusual conditions all service pipes shall be laid at a depth sufficient to prevent freezing, except where services are not intended for use during freezing weather and are actually drained prior to such weather, and at a depth of not less than 18 inches except at its termination in connecting with the meter or customer's piping.
7. Distribution Reservoirs
A. A distribution reservoir is a reservoir directly connected to the distribution system of the water system, used primarily to compensate for fluctuations in demand which occur over short periods of from several hours to several days, or as local storage in case of emergency such as a break in a main supply line or failure of pumping plant.
B. Each distribution reservoir shall meet the following:
(1) Any reservoir coatings or linings shall be installed in accordance with manufacturer's instructions;
(2) Vents and other openings shall be constructed and designed to prevent the entry of rainwater or runoff, and birds, insects, rodents, or other animals; and
(3) At least one sampling tap shall be available to enable representative sampling of the water in the reservoir that will be entering the distribution system; the tap shall be protected against freezing.
C. Each new distribution reservoir shall be:
(1) Constructed of an impervious material that prevents the movement of water into or out of the reservoir;
(2) Covered with
(a) A rigid structural roof made of impervious material; or
(b) Floating cover designed, constructed, and maintained in conformance with the AWWA California-Nevada Section "Reservoir Floating Cover Guidelines," April 1999;
(3) Equipped with at least one separate inlet and outlet designed to minimize short-circuiting of the water flow through the reservoir;
(4) Drainage facilities shall allow the tank to be completely drained, and the reservoir shall be equipped with an overflow device. The reservoir drainage facilities shall not be connected directly to a sewer or storm drain and shall be free of cross-connections;
(5) Equipped with controls to automatically maintain and monitor reservoir water levels;
(6) Equipped to prevent access by unauthorized persons;
(7) Designed to allow authorized access for inspections, cleaning or repair;
(8) Equipped with isolation valves, and a by-pass line sized to allow continued distribution of water to enable the reservoir to be removed from service. The isolation valves shall be located within 100 feet of the reservoir. For a reservoir used to meet CT requirements of chapter 17 (Surface Water Treatment), the bypass line shall be blind-flanged closed during normal operations;
(9) Designed and constructed to prevent the entry of surface runoff, subsurface flow, or drainage into the reservoir;
(10) Designed to prevent corrosion of the interior walls of the reservoir;
(11) Sited not less than 20 feet from any tertiary treated recycled water reservoir;
8. Subsurface Distribution Reservoirs
A. The reservoir and vents shall be protected against flooding;
B. Equipped with underdrain facilities to divert any water in proximity to the reservoir away from the reservoir; and
C. Sited a minimum of 50 feet from a sanitary sewer and 100 feet from any other waste facilities.
9. Recycled water and reservoirs.
A. No utility may use a reservoir as a source of supply that is directly augmented with recycled water unless the utility documents that the Department has completed all of the following:
(1) Performed an engineering evaluation that evaluates the proposed treatment technology and finds that the proposed technology will ensure that the recycled water meets or exceeds all applicable primary and secondary drinking water standards and poses no significant threat to public health; and
(2) Held at least three duly noticed public hearings in the area where the recycled water is proposed to be used or supplied for human consumption to receive public testimony on that proposed use. The Department shall make available to the public, not less than 10 days prior to the date of the first hearing held pursuant to this subdivision, its evaluations and findings pursuant to subsection (1) above.
10. Reliability Factors for Surface Treatment Plants and Energy Supplies.
A. Alternatives to the requirements specified herein shall be accepted provided the water supplier demonstrates to the satisfaction of the Department that the proposed alternative will assure an equal degree of reliability.
B. The following reliability features shall be included in the design and construction of all new and existing surface water treatment plants:
(1) Alarm devices to provide warning of coagulation, filtration, and disinfection failures. All devices shall warn a person designated by the supplier as responsible for taking corrective action, or have provisions to shut the plant down until corrective action can be taken.
(2) Standby replacement equipment available to assure continuous operation and control of unit processes for coagulation, filtration and disinfection.
(3) A continuous turbidity monitoring and recording unit on the combined filter effluent prior to clearwell storage.
(4) Multiple filter units which provide redundant capacity when filters are out of service for backwash or maintenance.
C. Each public water supply and waste water utility first must determine the local probabilities of any type of electric utility power outages expressed in terms of frequency, duration, and percentage of requirements, and second, assess its own capabilities to provide water and waste water utility service from storage, alternate supply, or other source, similarly expressed in terms of frequency, duration, and percentage of requirements, when there is an electric power interruption.
(1) Should a comparison of such indicate that water and waste water utility service interruptions could be expected when there is an electric power interruption, standby electric service facilities or capabilities must be provided. In general, two separate and independent sources of electric power must be provided to the system; from either two separate substations or from a single substation and a works-based generator.
(2) In lieu of constructing their own standby facilities, public water and waste water utilities may properly contract with the electric power utility for alternate electric service from a separate power supply source.
(3) If such service requires unusual facilities or effort not supported by the water utilities regular tariffs, the water utility may be justified in charging special rates or use other regulatory accounting methods as an incentive to meet this requirement.
[3. Pressures. and 4. Water Supply Measurement. have been moved to the Operations Section]
11. Sewer Systems
(1) Sewer mains shall be sized for the ultimate development of the area. They should be designed for an average daily per capita flow of sewage of not less than 100 gallons per day.
(2) The minimum size for mains and submains is eight inches in diameter.
(3) Submains should be designed to carry, when running full, not less than 400 gallons daily per capita contributions of sewage.
(4) New sewer mains shall be installed at least 10 feet horizontally from, and one foot vertically below, any parallel pipeline conveying potable water.
(1) Service laterals and submain sewers shall be designed to carry, when running full, not less than 400 gallons daily per capita contributions of sewage.
(2) The minimum size for a service lateral shall be 6 inches.
(3) The depth at the property line shall be five feet minimum.
