Chapter 13.14
WATER MAIN EXTENSIONS, REPLACEMENTS AND OTHER SYSTEM IMPROVEMENTS
Sections:
13.14.010 General requirements.
13.14.020 Water system improvements – Installation method.
13.14.030 Preparation of plans and specifications – Surveys and engineering.
13.14.040 Pipe size and location.
13.14.050 Other appurtenances.
13.14.070 Construction of improvements – Testing/certifications.
13.14.080 Acceptance of improvements.
13.14.010 General requirements.
A. When Required. A main extension, main replacement, or other system improvement (e.g., hydrants, valves, appurtenances) may be required for any of the following reasons to mitigate the direct impacts of the proposed development:
1. Whenever a customer requests service and the premises to be served does not abut a water main;
2. Whenever the existing water main(s) is not adequate to provide the necessary water pressure or flow requirements (including fireflow);
3. Whenever system looping is necessary or where other components of the water system are inadequate to handle the increased water demands;
4. Whenever necessary to protect public health and safety; or
5. Where indicated by the city’s water system plan.
B. Extension Requirements Where Customer Owns Multiple Contiguous Lots or Parcels. Multiple lots or parcels which meet the definition of “premises” set forth in PTMC 13.01.020 and which do not fall under subsection (A)(1) through (A)(5) of this section will not require a main extension; provided, that the following conditions are met. First, some portion of the property to be developed must abut a main, which may require binding the lots or parcels with a restrictive covenant to run with the land. Any such restrictive covenant must be in a form acceptable to the city attorney and must ensure that, in the event of any further development of the lots or parcels, all premises to be served will abut a main. Second, the customer/developer must be able to meet all Uniform Plumbing Code, fireflow, engineering design standards and/or Health Department requirements without a main extension.
C. Right-of-Way Acquisition. When sufficient right-of-way does not exist, the customer shall provide sufficient right-of-way or utility easements where necessary to serve the needs of the development and for the maintenance and orderly growth of the system.
D. Hydraulic Modeling. The developer shall perform, or pay for the cost of the city to perform, any water system hydraulic modeling necessary to determine the adequacy of the existing system and size of proposed improvements. The director shall determine when modeling is required.
E. Mitigation Costs.
1. The customer shall be required to bear the full costs of all main extensions, replacements, hydrants, valves and other system improvements required by this chapter where reasonably necessary to mitigate the direct impacts of the development.
2. Development Occurring in Tier 1 Areas. Where the installation of these facilities will benefit existing structures and customers already connected to the system, the developer will only be required to pay a proportionate share of the cost of the utility system improvements, defined as that portion fronting the lot(s) owned by the developer and any lots currently unserved and not participating in the construction of the improvements. It will be the city’s obligation to fund a pro rata share of utility improvements based on the percentage of lot frontage properties already connected to the system. Undeveloped lots may be included in a benefit assessment area subject to a utility latecomer agreement pursuant to Chapter 13.04 PTMC. However, in the case of developed properties, there is no duty on the part of the city to make connections to the new system.
3. Development Occurring in Tier 2 Areas. Where the installation of these facilities will benefit existing structures and customers already connected to the system, the city will contribute to the cost of the improvements consistent with the city’s currently adopted six-year capital improvement plan (“CIP”). In determining proportionate share, the developer will only be required to pay a proportionate share of the cost of the utility system improvements, defined as that portion fronting the lot(s) owned by the developer and any lots currently unserved and not participating in the construction of the improvements. It will be the city’s obligation to fund a pro rata share of utility improvements based on the percentage of lot frontage of properties already connected to the system. Undeveloped lots may be included in a benefit assessment area subject to a utility latecomer agreement pursuant to Chapter 13.04 PTMC. However, in the case of developed properties, there is no duty on the part of the city to make connections to the new system.
4. Development in Tier 3. The developer shall pay for the full costs of the installation of these facilities.
5. Oversizing Costs. Oversizing costs must be paid in accordance with the criteria established in PTMC 13.14.060. (Ord. 2609 § 4, 1997; Ord. 2579 § 1, 1997).
13.14.020 Water system improvements – Installation method.
A. Whenever an applicant requests water service to premises with no main in the adjacent street, a main must be installed as a prerequisite to connection to the city water supply system. The main must conform with the water system plan and city engineering design standards manual.
B. Water mains or other water system improvements may be installed by any of the following methods or as specified in PTMC Title 18 for subdivisions:
1. At the expense of the owner, with the improvements installed by a licensed and bonded contractor. Eligible property owners may apply to the city for a utility latecomer agreement pursuant to Chapter 13.04 PTMC.
2. If the premises lies within the corporate limits of the city, the owner may also elect to have the improvements installed by the formation of a local improvement district (LID) as prescribed by state law and the ordinances of the city.
3. City crews or contractors for projects and repairs initiated by the city. (Ord. 2579 § 1, 1997).
13.14.030 Preparation of plans and specifications – Surveys and engineering.
A. All applicants shall furnish design and construction plans and specifications for all proposed water system improvements. All design and construction plans and specifications shall be prepared in accordance with the city’s engineering design standards manual. If base maps prepared by a licensed land surveyor are available, the design and construction plans shall be submitted on such maps. If base maps are unavailable, and the public works director determines that a survey is necessary to avoid conflicts with existing facilities, to determine contours, and/or to determine the limits of the right-of-way for utility placement, the applicant shall have the right-of-way surveyed, including elevations along the proposed utility route, by a licensed land surveyor and the plans shall be prepared and submitted on such surveyed base maps.
B. All plans required under this section must be prepared, signed and stamped by a Washington State licensed civil engineer. All plans shall be prepared at the developer’s sole cost and expense.
C. All plans prepared or required under this subsection must be reviewed and approved by the director prior to proceeding with construction of the proposed improvements. (Ord. 3051 § 1 (Exh. A), 2010; Ord. 2579 § 1, 1997).
13.14.040 Pipe size and location.
A. Size. Every new water distribution main placed into service shall be eight inches in diameter, unless a larger size is indicated by the water system plan or city engineering design standards manual; provided, however, that a four-inch or greater diameter pipe extending not more than 200 feet beyond a fire hydrant may be installed in a dead-end street if there is no foreseeable need for extending the water main to connect to other water mains or for improvement of water service or other hydraulic needs. Taps off existing four-inch or greater diameter lines may be allowed when fire flow requirements can be met off sufficiently sized mains and hydrants that can serve the property and if the customer signs a no-protest agreement for future formation of an LID.
B. Location. Water mains shall be installed along the complete frontage of the premises and shall be extended to the next street intersection beyond the property; provided, however, that this requirement may be waived pursuant to Chapter 13.01 PTMC. (Ord. 2579 § 1, 1997).
13.14.050 Other appurtenances.
Main extensions and replacements shall include all valves, fittings, hydrants, blowoffs and other appurtenances as required by the engineering design standards manual and as determined to be necessary by the director for the integrity and orderly growth and needs of the water system. (Ord. 2579 § 1, 1997).
13.14.060 Oversizing.
A. The director shall determine the size of supply and transmission mains, guided by the water system plan. For the purpose of determining oversizing, the standard-sized main which is be required of the customer is eight inches, unless the hydraulic demand of the customer necessitates a larger size, as determined by the director, in which case the customer shall bear the full cost of the main.
B. If oversizing is required for a project in Tier 1 areas (as identified in the Port Townsend Comprehensive Plan – see Chapter 13.01 PTMC, Definitions), the city will pay for the difference in the cost of oversizing the pipe and appurtenances. Oversizing costs shall be submitted for approval prior to the beginning of construction, and a bill of sale and deed of conveyance shall be submitted prior to reimbursement.
C. If oversizing is required for a project in Tier 2, the city will reimburse the oversizing costs consistent with the city’s currently adopted six-year capital improvement program (“CIP”). Oversizing costs shall be submitted for approval prior to the beginning of construction, and a bill of sale and deed of conveyance shall be submitted prior to reimbursement.
D. Consistent with the policy directive in the comprehensive plan, if oversizing is required for a project in Tier 3, the developer shall bear the full cost of the oversizing. (Ord. 2579 § 1, 1997).
13.14.070 Construction of improvements – Testing/certifications.
A. All main extensions, replacements and other system improvements must be situated in public rights-of-way or utility easements. When determined necessary by the director, construction stakes shall be placed for the installation of the improvements.
B. Private Contractors Must Be Licensed and Bonded. Any main installations done other than by city forces shall be performed by a licensed and bonded contractor of the state of Washington.
C. Connections to a Live Main. All connections to a live main shall be by the city or its designee and all costs for such connection shall be reimbursed to the city by the customer.
D. Testing/Certifications. All new mains and other water system improvements must be tested and disinfected in accordance with city and Department of Health standards. Testing and disinfection shall be performed by the city and all costs shall be reimbursed to the city. (Ord. 2579 § 1, 1997).
13.14.080 Acceptance of improvements.
A. The city reserves the right to reject any installation not inspected, tested and approved by the department. Upon satisfactory completion of all required tests and acceptance of the improvements, the department shall cause the improvements to be connected to the city system. All costs incurred in such connection(s) shall be the responsibility of the customer. As a condition of acceptance of the improvements by the city, the permit holder shall provide the city with (1) a statement of the actual cost of design and construction of the water improvements (2) a properly executed bill of sale for all improvements; and (3) as-built drawings prepared in accordance with the engineering design standards manual.
B. No main shall be energized other than for test purposes by duly authorized personnel until the main has been accepted by the city and all fees and charges have been paid. (Ord. 2579 § 1, 1997).