For use in the Denver Water Service Area |
The Board Of Water Commissioners
Denver Water
Engineering Standards
Chapter 2 – Main Extensions
2.01 Inside Denver:
The Board has complete charge and control of its distribution system inside the City and County of Denver under the provisions of C 4.14 of the Charter. The Board owns, operates, and maintains all facilities within Denver.
2.02 Outside Denver:
The Board supplies water to legal entities outside the territorial boundaries of the City and County of Denver through several contractual agreements. In Total Service Contract Areas, the Board operates and maintains all facilities in a manner exactly the same as those facilities within Denver. In Read and Bill Contract Areas, the Board delivers water into the supply or distribution system and reads customers meters and bills them accordingly. In Master Meter Contract Areas, the Board provides only for the delivery of water by Denver Water into the facilities of the Distributor Contract Area.
2.03 Extensions Defined:
System extensions within the City and County of Denver or Total Service Areas are referred to as "main extensions". System extensions in other Distributor Contract Areas are referred to as "private pipe extensions".
2.04 Engineering Standards To Apply:
All contracts for the receipt of water from Denver Water and, hence, the design and operation of all such systems are subject to all rules and regulations of the Board under the provisions of Section 14.01 of the Board's Operating Rules. These Engineering Standards, therefore, apply uniformly to both main extensions and private pipe extensions subject only to contractual and procedural variations.
2.05 Application Procedure:
Denver Water will establish, and may amend from time to time, procedures to be followed by applicants for extensions of mains or private pipe. These procedures will include all requirements for submittals, fees, engineering design, construction, inspection, acceptance, and warranty. The engineering design and construction portions of the extension applications shall include the following considerations:
For Main Extensions Only:
A. An initial submittal by the Applicant to the Water Sales Section, including an overall or master plan showing the area to be developed and any other adjoining proposed developments by the builder, a preliminary plat of the subdivision, lists of all properties to be served and all taps, if known, to be made on the proposed extension.
B. Denver Water returns to the Applicant its requirements for:
1. Points of connection to existing facilities.
2. Sizes of mains to be installed.
3. Locations of mains to be installed.
4. Special features such as control valves, pressure regulating valves, blowoffs, etc.
5. Acceptable main materials.
6. Participation requirements, if any, in existing facilities.
7. Requirements for easements and/or dedicated public right-of-ways.
For Both Main Extensions And Private Pipe Extensions:
C. The Applicant will submit to the Water Sales Section final plans prepared, stamped, and signed by a Professional Engineer licensed by the State of Colorado for review by Denver Water. This submittal will contain all of the items enumerated in the procedures as established by Denver Water including detailed plans and specifications, recorded plat, overall plan, with details on multiple sheets if necessary, fire department requirements for hydrants, and fire flow, easements, rights-of-way, permits, applications, and fees.
D. For Total Service and inside Denver main installations, the Applicant shall complete and sign Denver Water's Main Extension Application form.
E. Main extensions and private pipeline extensions within distributor districts may also require separate application, plan review fees and review in addition to Denver Water requirements. The Applicant is responsible for determining the requirements of the distributor district complying with those requirements concurrent to the application and review by Denver Water.
2.06 Construction Procedure:
Following final approval of the plans, specifications, and materials the Applicant may proceed with construction. In addition to all construction requirements contained in other portions of these Standards, the Applicant and the Applicant’s Contractor shall observe the following:
A. Construction shall commence within 6 months of the approval date shown on the plans, or the plans must be resubmitted for review and approval. If construction on the main installation is halted for more than 6 months, plans must be resubmitted for review and approval.
B. The Applicant shall secure and pay for all easements, licenses and permits required for the system extension and submit any recorded plats necessary to furnish proof of public street dedication.
C. The Applicant shall pay Denver Water’s inspection, reproduction and plan review fees.
D. If the construction involves main extensions within Denver or Total Service Areas, the Contractor shall be bonded to and pre-qualified by Denver Water.
E. The extension shall be accurately surveyed and staked in accordance with the approved plans. See 2.09 and 2.10.
F. Prior to the installation of water mains in dedicated streets and easements, construction must have progressed to at least sub-grade stage. Sub-grade is defined as an elevation of no more than 7 inches below the official street grade.
G. All valve boxes, fire hydrants, and all other related appurtenances shall be adjusted to the final finished grade by the Contractor.
H. All materials needed to complete the work shall be on hand so that the project may proceed without delay.
I. Adequate provisions for notification of customers who may suffer outages shall be developed. Outages shall be kept to a minimum in compliance with 8.23.C.
J. For main extensions inside Denver and Total Service Area, the Contractor shall be responsible for scheduling a pre-construction meeting to include at least the Contractor, the Professional Engineer who has designed the main extension, a representative of Denver Water, and the Applicant. The purpose of the meeting shall be to discuss the construction project, scheduling, and to define responsibilities for the personnel involved in the project. The Contractor shall give at least 48 hours notice to Denver Water (303-628-6627) prior to the pre-construction meeting and prior to commencing construction in private pipe systems. A representative from the distributor district must be present at the pre-construction meeting on private pipe extensions.
In case of an emergency after working hours, call Denver Water's West Side Dispatcher, 303-628-6390.
K. For main extensions, Denver Water shall be notified whenever it becomes necessary to open or close a valve on the existing water system. Only the appropriate Denver Water personnel are authorized to operate valves in Denver or in Total Service Areas. See 8.23.B. The Distributor will operate valves in Master Meter or Read and Bill Areas.
L. Mains shall not be installed unless they can be extended from an approved permanent water source, which can supply sufficient water for chlorinating, flushing, and hydrostatic testing.
M. Denver Water shall verify payment of all fees, prepare final documents for main installations and authorize the tapping of the main by Denver Water.
N. All service taps up through 2 inch diameter on both main extensions and private pipe extensions shall be made by Denver Water, except if contractually provided otherwise. All large taps or tee connections made on private pipe extensions shall be inspected by Denver Water. Mains will be tapped only after the conditions and tests outlined in 8.27 are met, including having been released by the local health authority having jurisdiction. No tapping of dry mains shall be made or allowed, except on PVC pipe.
O. Only one connection is allowed until all testing is completed.
P. For all Distributor Contract Areas, applications for taps must be received and approved by the Distributor and Denver Water before any taps are made on the main.
2.07 Plans And Specifications:
All Plans and specifications submitted shall be in strict compliance with the Engineering Standards contained herein and shall meet any special conditions that may be reasonably required. The submittal shall clearly present only the required information. The design and installation of all facilities shall insure development of an integrated water system. No work shall commence on any facilities until the Plans and specifications are approved in writing by Denver Water. Plans and specifications should not be submitted for work that will not be installed within 6 months of the approval date.
A. Two sets of detailed Plans and specifications for system extensions shall be submitted to Denver Water’s Water Sales Section for approval. Prior to Denver Water’s review of the water plans, the appropriate review fee must be paid. The copies will contain the plan requirements as stated below:
1. Water main in plan view showing:
a. Location and dimensions of dedicated streets, easements, and rights-of-way.
b. Lots to be served.
c. All existing or proposed curb and gutter.
d. The proposed alignment of the water main and the location of all proposed water facilities such as valves, fire hydrants, fittings, etc.
e. The profile shall also be required on this plan for all water mains 16 inches in diameter and larger.
f. Proposed elevation, upstream and downstream hydraulic gradient line, and pressure on PRVs.
g. Indicate that Denver Water has the right to verify PRV settings for Master Meter and Read and Bill areas and Denver Water owns all PRVs connected to Denver Water conduits. In Master Meter and Read and Bill areas, Distributors own all PRVs connected to their lines.
h. Show meter location for all domestic connections.
2. Combined utilities plan view (separate from the water main plan) containing or showing:
a. Location and dimensions of dedicated streets, easements and rights-of-way.
b. Lots to be served.
c. All existing or proposed curb and gutter.
d. All existing or proposed utilities. Sewer information may be submitted on a separate sheet.
e. All existing or proposed obstructions such as vaults, catch basins, traffic islands, etc.
f. The proposed alignment of the water mains and the location of all proposed facilities such as valves, fire hydrants, fittings, etc.
g. Show meter location for all domestic connections.
3. Typical street cross-sections showing:
a. Property/easement lines.
b. Street, curb and gutter, and existing or proposed utilities complete with dimensions to property lines.
4. Profile of Centerline of the Pipe showing:
a. Official street grades.
b. Existing ground line.
c. Any proposed or existing utility crossing the proposed water main.
d. Top of pipe profile of proposed 16 inch and larger water mains, and top of pipe profile of 12 inch water mains if requested by Denver Water.
5. Detail sheets showing all relevant information such as: pipe and fitting restraint, hydrant installations, blow-off installations, proposed crossings, etc.
6. Additionally, all plans shall:
a. Be made from actual field surveys by a Land Surveyor licensed by the State of Colorado, referenced to land corners or other official survey control points and be of sufficient accuracy so that the facilities can be accurately staked for installation and can be readily located after installation for maintenance, tapping, and control.
In Denver and Total service areas, identify all surface features of the water facilities (i.e. valves, hydrants, manholes, meter pits, etc.) in a coordinate system readily equated to NAD83 State Plane Coordinates, in NAD83 State Plane Coordinates, or Denver Water’s Metro Grid Coordinate System with survey accuracy standards by GPS or other survey methods and equated to a unique value for each; such values presented in tabular format as part of the drawings, and submitted to Denver Water by acceptable electronic media. If submittal is in system to be converted to NAD83 State Plane Coordinates, detailed and complete instructions for conversion shall accompany plan submittal. Values on valves, manholes, meter pits, etc. shall be given at the radial point of the feature and on the center of the operating nut of hydrants.
b. Show the approved permanent water source, which can supply sufficient water for chlorination, flushing, and hydrostatic testing and the anticipated water demand for this purpose.
c. Show sufficient adjacent area to give the relation of new facilities to existing facilities.
d. At the time of submittal and prior to Denver Water’s review of the water plans following statement and appropriate signature must appear on the cover sheet of the plans (insert the name of the fire department having jurisdiction):
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All fire hydrants shall be installed according to Denver Water Standards. The number and location(s) of fire hydrant(s) and fire flow as shown on this water main installation is correct as specified by the _____________ Fire Department. _____________ _____________ gpm fire flow |
e. Contain the signature and stamp of the Professional Engineer licensed in the State of Colorado responsible for the design of the system extension.
7. The specifications shall:
a. State that the trench shall be excavated and the pipe exposed for inspection at any location on the project if so requested by Denver Water.
b. State that sterilization and flushing of all mains shall be inspected and certified by the health department having jurisdiction and that one copy of the certification shall be sent to Denver Water. The certification shall state the location of the main that the main has been inspected by a representative of the health department having jurisdiction and was found to comply with the procedures set forth by that department.
B. Submittals shall include the acknowledgment letter described in 2.08.
C. Submittals for PUD/PBG complexes shall additionally show all existing and proposed structures, driveways, and parking facilities, on both the water main plan and the combined plan.
D. Submittal shall include all of the items outlined in Chapter 4 when the granting of easements is required. Partial submittal of those items outlined in Chapter 4 will result in return of the items received.
E. After final approval and prior to construction, the final water main Plans and specifications, per 2.07.A.1. and conforming to the requirements listed below, shall be delivered to Denver Water.
1. An AutoCAD drawing file using the layers, line types, colors, templates, and pen sizes for water facilities as defined on Denver Water’s AutoCAD disk, available ROM Denver Water. Drawing submitted on an AutoCAD disk shall be made in model space, not paper space.
2. Overall size of plan submittal shall be 22 inch x 34 inch.
3. The drawings shall be one of the following type and must be legible and of sufficient quality to meet the needs of Denver Water (suitable for microfilming):
All shall be single matte.
An original ink on polyester film.
A photographic polyester film duplicate reverse reading matte front side ("silver slicks" are acceptable).
A wash-off polyester film reverse reading matte front side.
Electrostatic copies on polyester film (reverse reading and coated with clear spray).
Please note: Diazo, polyester film, and sepia are not acceptable.
4. A title block on each sheet in the lower right hand corner, containing pertinent information concerning the map, including the project title, scale, and date. A one inch space shall be left clear under the title block to enable Denver Water to assign each sheet a drawer and number.
5. Lettering shall be mechanical or legible equivalent. Original drawings shall be in ink.
6. Horizontal scale shall not be smaller than one inch equals 40 feet.
7. Aerial photography of the plan view will not be acceptable.
When a conflict occurs between or within standards, specifications and drawings, an interpretation shall be made by the Director of Engineering or an appointed representative pursuant to 1.05.
Addenda and modifications to the drawings and specifications take precedence over the original documents. In the drawings, calculated dimensions shall take precedence over scaled dimensions and noted material over graphic indication.
Dedicated streets, easements, and planned development complexes shall conform to the requirements of other sections of these Standards. The copy of the recorded subdivision plat furnished in the final submittal, or a recorded copy of the deed for the property involved, or a recorded copy of a easement shall be furnished to Denver Water as evidence of conformance with 5.09.
2.08 Engineering:
All plans and specifications submitted to Denver Water for review, comment, and approval of a system extension or modification shall be prepared by, or under the direct supervision of a Professional Engineer licensed by the State of Colorado. Said Professional Engineer shall be responsible for the design, the plans, determining the material specifications and conducting the field survey. All submitted plans and specifications shall bear the Professional Engineer's seal prior to approval for construction.
The Applicant, Contractor, and Professional Engineer associated with said plans shall be responsible for the adequacy and satisfactory performance of the designs and the installation of all items therein, and any failure or unsatisfactory performance of the system, so constructed, shall not be a cause for action against Denver Water. Denver Water does not perform engineering services for any person or entity in connection with its review of plans. Approval of plans by Denver Water signifies only that the plans meet the minimum requirements of these Engineering Standards based upon the information provided to Denver Water by the Professional Engineer and/or Applicant/Contractor and makes no finding, representation, or warranty that the system and associated components such as pumps, motors, valves, and meters will perform any certain function.
If the Professional Engineer responsible for the plans disagrees with any changes made to the submitted plans that may be required by Denver Water as a result of Denver Water's review of the plans, such disagreement must be brought to the attention of Denver Water in writing for resolution prior to the construction of the project set forth in said plans. The seal of the Professional Engineer on plans so corrected and approved for construction will signify that he/she has reviewed, approved and authorized said corrected plans for construction.
A signed letter acknowledging that the provisions of this section have been read and understood by the Applicant, Contractor, and Professional Engineer shall be sent to Denver Water along with other submittals required in 2.07.
2.09 Surveying:
Line and grade for water mains shall be established under the direct supervision of a Land Surveyor licensed by the State of Colorado. All work shall be done in a workmanlike manner.
Correct alignment and elevation of the water mains as shown on the approved drawings is the responsibility of the Professional Engineer. Approval of the staked alignment and elevations by Denver Water does not relieve the Professional Engineer in any manner from the responsibility for field errors. Sufficient pipe shall be staked to ensure continual work progress. Under no circumstances shall pipe be installed without line and grade stakes set by the Professional Engineer or Land Surveyor and approved by Denver Water.
Exception: If a main is to be extended in an existing street and if the Professional Engineer who prepared the plans can show that the finished grade of the street is to remain unchanged, no grade stakes need be set. The main shall be installed with a minimum of 4-1/2 feet of cover.
2.10 Placing Survey Lines:
Hubs, stakes, or appropriate survey control markers shall be set on an offset line to mark the location of the centerline of the water main. Centerline hubs and stakes may be used in addition to the offset hubs and stakes; however, they may not be set in place of the offset hubs and stakes. Normal practice is to set offset hubs and stakes 5 to 10 feet off the centerline of the water main.
Offset line points shall be set a maximum distance of 100 feet apart. All valves, crosses, tees, horizontal and vertical bends, and fire hydrants shall be staked for location and grade. Points of curvature and points of tangency of curves, as well as points on the curve, shall be staked for location and grade. All stakes shall be suitably visible.
Stakes shall be positioned so that the offset hub is between the stake and the water main. The side of stake facing the water main shall be marked to show the point being referenced and the distance from the hub to the centerline of the water main. The back side of the stake shall be stationed. Grade stakes shall be set at each hub and shall state the vertical distance from the top of the hub to the top of the pipe. This vertical distance will be based on the fact that the distance from the official street elevation to the top of the pipe shall be a minimum of 4-1/2 feet.
Denver Water shall not supervise nor set out work or give line and grade stakes.
2.11 Inspection:
Installation of all new facilities in the City and County of Denver, in Total Service Areas, and in Distributor Contract Areas shall be inspected and approved by Denver Water.
Denver Water personnel are not responsible for Contractor work site safety compliance or enforcement of applicable safety regulations and standards, including OSHA compliance regulations at or on the work site.
Denver Water shall ensure that the provisions of the Engineering Standards are carefully complied with, especially with regard to the quality of workmanship and materials. Problems, which may require sound field judgment, in lieu of strict interpretation of the Engineering Standards, shall be resolved by the Professional Engineer and the Contractor to the satisfaction of Denver Water.
All work shall be performed in accordance with these Engineering Standards. Any work not accepted by Denver Water shall be redone until compliance with these Engineering Standards is achieved.
All appropriate permits shall be on the jobsite and shall be checked by Denver Water before starting construction.
Orders given by Denver Water relating to quality of materials and workmanship shall be obeyed at once by the Contractor.
All materials used shall be subject to the inspection and approval of Denver Water at all times, and shall not be used before being inspected and approved by Denver Water. Denver Water has the right to perform any testing deemed necessary to ensure compliance of the material with these Standards. Failure or neglect on the part of Denver Water to condemn or reject work or materials not in accordance with these Engineering Standards, shall not be construed to imply their acceptance should their inferiority become evident at any time. Materials rejected by Denver Water shall be immediately removed from the jobsite.
After receipt of approved plans from Denver Water, the Contractor shall give at least 48 hours notice to Denver Water (303-628-6627) immediately prior to starting construction. No construction shall commence within 48 hours after receipt of approved plans.
2.12 Contractors:
No work shall commence until the pre-construction meeting 2.06.J has been conducted and the Contractor has an approved set of plans and specifications in his possession. All work shall be performed in strict compliance with the approved plans and specifications.
Contractors or sub-contractors performing all work for both main extensions and private pipe extensions shall be competent, licensed firms with adequate manpower and equipment to accomplish the work in accordance with these Engineering Standards and applicable OSHA Standards. A representative of the Contractor shall be present at the jobsite whenever work is being conducted by sub-contractors.
Contractors installing main extensions within the City and County of Denver and Total Service Areas must meet additional requirements with regard to qualification, bonding, and guarantees.
A. Qualification: Contractors desiring to construct water main systems inside the City and County of Denver or for Denver Water's Total Service Districts must be pre-qualified. Pre-qualification forms may be obtained from, and returned to, Denver Water. Following evaluation of the completed form, written notice of acceptance or denial will be transmitted to the Contractor. Pre-qualification is subject to yearly application and renewal.
B. Bonding: Contractors pre-qualified by Denver Water shall post a $5,000 maintenance bond with Denver Water for each main installation. The bond shall be in effect for the period of one year. At the end of the period of one year, the Contractor's work shall be reviewed and evaluated. The Contractor's bond may be revoked or renewed for an additional year depending upon the evaluation.
The purpose of the bond is to provide protection to Denver Water for any expenses it may incur as a result of:
1. Repairs or work performed by Denver Water caused by the Contractor.
2. Necessary repairs caused by the installation of defective material.
3. Necessary repairs caused by poor installation techniques.
4. Material and mechanic's liens against Denver Water.
5. Costs incurred by Denver Water due to the Contractor's failure to perform in accordance with the Engineering Standards.
The surety for bond shall be acceptable to Denver Water.
C. Guarantee of Workmanship, Materials, and Equipment: The Contractor and Surety on the Maintenance Bond shall be jointly responsible for a period of one year following the final acceptance of all work performed for the satisfactory repair or replacement of all work, material, services, and equipment which becomes defective during this period, as a result of faulty materials, faulty installation, or improper handling of material and equipment installed by the Contractor.
2.13 Points Of Delivery:
Denver Water will deliver water from a point on its facilities that is the nearest available, adequate, and feasible for the connection. Denver Water's determination of this point shall be final.
2.14 Special Conditions:
When applying for a main extension, special conditions that involve another agency, such as crossing a railroad, ditch or a highway, may exist. All conditions of the other agency must be satisfied. All designs, drawings, and calculations submitted to another agency shall also be submitted to Denver Water for approval. Should a conflict in the plans and specifications occur between Denver Water and the other agency, the more stringent plans and specifications yielding a higher quality product, as determined jointly by Denver Water and the other agency, shall prevail.
2.15 Exceptions Under Chapter 2:
Inside the City and County of Denver and Total Service Areas, notwithstanding these procedures, Denver Water reserves the right to install mains when to do so is in the best interest of Denver Water. This determination is solely at the discretion of Denver Water.
The Applicant shall pay all costs for extending mains whether installed by the Applicant’s Contractor or by Denver Water.
Engineering Standards - Chapter 2:
Revised 07-04, Previous Revision 05-02
End