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WATER SERVICE PIPE CONNECTIONS CODE FOR THE TOWN OF BLADES
Table of Contents
Section 1: Administration
(a) Title
(b) Scope
(c) Purpose
(d) Licensing, Bonding and Insurance
(e) Permits
(f) Application
(g) Permit Fees
(h) Installation by Homeowner
(i) Penalties
Section 2: Water Service Pipe
(a) Material and Construction
(b) Disinfection of Water Service Pipe
(c) Trenching, Installation and Backfill
Section 3: Protection of Potable Water Supply
Section 4: Backflow Protection
Section 5: Permanently Abandoned Wells
Section 6: Inspection and Testing
(a) Water Service Pipe
Section 7: Legal
(b) Invalidity
(c) Definitions
Section 1: Administration
(a) Title
This article may be cited as Interim Code for water service pipe connections in the Town of
Blades.
(b) Scope
The provisions of this code shall apply to every water service pipe connected to The Town
owned system including alterations, repairs, and replacements.
(c) Purpose
The purpose of this Code is to preserve the health, sanitation, safety and welfare of the public
regulating installation and maintenance of that plumbing in its scope and to promote an
installation of durable materials, free from defects in workmanship or material and sufficient to
provide adequate service for a reasonable life.
(d) Licensing, Bonding and Insurance
Before any person, firm or corporation shall engage in the business of installation, alteration or
maintenance of any plumbing under the scope of this code, he shall obtain a proper license from
the town hall. The license period shall be One (1) year beginning January 1st. To obtain a license
from the Town, the person, firm, or corporation shall:
1. Show proof that he has been duly registered as a plumber by The State Board of
Plumbing Examiners and that he is licensed to do business as a plumber in the State of
Delaware.
2. Obtain and deposit with the Town of Blades' Office a bond in the amount of Five
Thousand Dollars ($5000.00) conditioned that the person, firm or corporation engaged in
the plumbing business will faithfully observe all the laws and regulations pertaining to
that business and that The Town of Blades as the local governing body shall be
indemnified and saved harmless from all claims arising from accidents and damage of
any character whatsoever caused by the negligence of such person, firm or corporation
engaged in the plumbing business, or by any other unfaithful, inadequate work done
either by themselves or their agents or employees and that such person, firm or
corporation will maintain in a safe condition which may be opened in the performance of
any plumbing work, and further that all dirt and other material excavated will be replaced
in a good condition with similar materials.
3. Show proof that he has bodily injury liability and property damage liability insurance
to protect him from claims for damages for personal injury, including accidental death, as
well as from claims for property damage which may arise from operations under the work
whether such work is done by himself or by anyone directly or indirectly employed by
him. The insurance should so state that The Town of Blades Office will be notified Ten
(10) days prior to the expiration of the insurance. Such insurance shall not be less than:
I. Bodily injury liability insurance, in an amount not less than One
Hundred Thousand Dollars ($100,000.00) for injuries, including wrongful
death to any one person, and subject to the same limit for each person in
an amount not less than Three Hundred Thousand Dollars ($300,000.00)
on account of one accident.
II. Property damage insurance in an amount not less than Twenty-Five
Thousand Dollars ($25,000.00) for damages on account of any one
accident, and in an amount not less than Fifty Thousand Dollars
($50,000.00) doe damages on account of all accidents.
(e) Permits
Any duly licensed plumber who desires to install and connect any work covered under the scope
of this Code shall first make application to The Town of Blades and obtain the required permit.
(f) Application
Application for a permit shall be made in person and on application forms provided by the Town.
Such information as required shall be provided to complete the application. The application shall
be signed by the licensed plumber and the owner of the buildings to be connected.
If the Town of Blades or its authorized representative, is satisfied that the work described in the
application and attached exhibits conform to the requirements of this Code, and other pertinent
laws and Ordinances, he shall sign the application and in doing so grant a permit, which shall be
a license to proceed with the work as detailed and specified on the application.
When the application is approved and the permit granted one (1) set shall be returned to the
applicant and be kept at the job while work is in progress and one (1) set shall be retained by the
Town as a permanent record.
(g) Permit Fees
The permit fee for each water service pipe connection to the public main shall be Five Hundred
Dollars ($500.00).
(h) Installation by Home Owner
Nothing in this Code shall prevent any building owner or occupant from installing or maintaining
a water service pipe within his own property boundaries, providing such water service pipe
installation and maintenance is done by himself and is used exclusively by him or his family and
is installed and inspected in accordance with the requirements of this Code and providing also
that he shall:
1. Obtain a proper permit from the Town of Blades.
2. Have a plumber who is licensed by The State of Delaware install and connect the water
service pipe to the facilities of the Town of Blades to comment in the appropriate space
on the permit application on the suitability of the building's plumbing system and make
the final connection to the Town water meter.
(i) Penalties
Whoever willfully makes any misrepresentation in any application or makes or maintains any
connection with any water main contrary to the authority granted by permits issued therefore by
The Town of Blades, or without a permit therefore in accordance with the provisions of this
Code, shall be fined not less than One Hundred Dollars ($100.00) nor more than Five Hundred
Dollars ($500.00) and shall pay the cost of prosecution.
Section 2: Water Service Pipe
(a) Material and Construction
The water pipe shall be either:
1. Ultra high molecular weight polyethylene tubing per ASTM D-2737 (SDR-9) meeting
the requirement of Type III CLASS C Category p34 Polyethylene as defined in ASTM
D-1248 and rate at 160 psi at 73.4° F. and approved by the National Sanitation
Foundation for use as a carrier of potable water.
2. The polyethylene tubing joint system shall be equal to The Ford Meter Box Company
"Pack Joint", the Hays Manufacturing Company ("Hays-Tite") or the Mueller Company
("110 Compression Connection".) The connection shall be brass and assembled with a
stainless steel pipe line as specified and furnished by the connector manufacturer.
3. Type K or L copper water tube per ASTM B88-66. The copper water tube joint system
shall be bronze fittings for flared copper tube per ANSI B-16.26.
Size - The water service tubing shall be 1 inch, 1-1/2 inch or 2 inch as required for the service
and not less than the water meter outlet connection.
(b) Disinfection of Water Service Pipe
The Town or its authorized representative shall require that the water service piping be
disinfected before it is place in service. One of the following disinfecting methods shall be used:
1. The water service pipe shall be filled with a solution of 50 ppm available
chlorine and allowed to stand 6 hours before flushing and placing in service.
2. The water service pipe shall be filled with a solution of 100 ppm available
chlorine and allowed to stand 2 hours before flushing and placing in service.
(c) Trenching, Installation and Backfill
The water service pipe shall not be less than Five (5) feet horizontally apart from the building
sewer and shall be separated by undisturbed or compacted earth unless all of the following
conditions are met:
1. The bottom of the water service pipe at all points shall be at least Twelve (12)
inches above the top of the sewer line at its highest point.
2. The water service pipe shall be placed on a shelf excavated at one side of the
common trench.
3. The number of joints in the water service pipe shall be kept to a minimum.
Where the water service pipe must cross the sewer line the bottom of the water service pipe,
within Five (5) feet of the point of crossing, shall be at least Twelve (12) inches above the top of
the sewer line. Joints shall not be used within Five (5) feet of the sewer line.
The building sewer shall be at least Ten (10) feet removed from all wells unless such wells are
permanently abandoned.
Excavate to desired depth and tamp to a uniform surface. When mud or water are encountered in
the trench, such as may be found by excavation below ground water, additional precautions shall
be taken appropriate to the trenching conditions encountered to insure that the pipe has a uniform
and continuous support from a firm base. Where excessive ground water conditions exist the
Town may require trench pumping, well pointing or other trench stabilizing methods.
The pipe shall be uniformly supported throughout the trench by tamped fill. Plastic pipe shall be
snaked into the trench to allow for expansion and contraction.
Backfill with a pipe at a temperature approximating normal operating temperatures of 40 to 60°
F. run cool water through pipe if necessary; backfill with clean fill free of sharp stones, objects
or heavy material.
Section 3. Protection of Potable Water Supply
The potable water shall be protected from contamination from any source.
There shall be no cross connection between the potable water service pipe and distribution
system and any source of water.
Any building supplied with water from The Town of Blades supply shall have no other source
outlet located within the building.
Section 4: Backflow protection
A backflow prevention device shall be installed in the water service pipe to every building
served by the Town of Blades water district. The device shall be located immediately as the
water service pipe enters the building and shall be accessible for service. As a minimum
requirement, the backflow prevention device shall consist of a manual shut off valve followed by
a spring loaded check valve and a pressure relief valve on the downstream side of the check
valve. The pressure relief valve drain shall be piped full size with no valve or trap, to a location
where emergency water spillage will create no problem.
Section 5: Permanently Abandoned Wells
Permanently abandoned wells shall be filled and sealed in accordance with the regulations of the
State of Delaware Division of Environmental Control.
Section 6: Inspection and Testing
All plumbing work installed under the scope of this code shall be inspected to insure compliance
with the Code and assure that the installation is in accordance with the approved plans and
permit. It shall be the duty of the installing plumber to give reasonable advance notice to the
Town of Blades when plumbing work is ready for inspection and test. The plumbing shall be
deemed ready for inspection and test when the pipe is laid on proper fall and bedded ¼ to 1/3 of
its diameter, with joints properly made and connected to the building. Prior to inspection and test
the service water pipe shall not be connected to the water meter house connection. The
equipment, material and labor necessary for the inspection and test shall be furnished by the
installing plumber. The plumbing shall not be covered until it has been inspected, tested and
approved, it shall be uncovered upon direction.
Upon the satisfactory completion and final test of the plumbing, a certificate of compliance will
be issued to the owner by the Town.
(a) Water Service Pipe
The water service pipe shall be tested and proved tight under pressure not less than the
working pressure under which it is to be used. The water used for test shall be potable
water from the house service connection and shall be supplied to the water service
pipe only in the presence of and at the direction of the authorized Town inspector.
If the water service pipe is approved, the pipe shall be covered.
1. The Town, or its duly authorized employee bearing proper credentials and
identification shall be permitted to enter all properties for the purpose for
inspection, observation, measurement, sampling, and testing in accordance with
the provisions of this Ordinance.
2. While performing the necessary work on private properties , the Town or its
duly authorized employee shall observe all safety rules applicable to the premises
established by the company and the company shall be held harmless for injury or
death to the Town employee and the Town shall indemnify the company against
loss or damage to its property by Town employees and against liability claims and
demands for personal injury or property damage asserted against the company and
growing out of the gauging and sampling operation, except as such may be caused
by negligence or failure of the company to maintain safe condition as required.
3. The Town, its duly authorized employee bearing proper credentials and
identification shall be permitted to enter all private properties through which the
Town holds a duly negotiated easement for the purpose of, but not limited to,
inspection, observation, measurement, sampling, repair, and maintenance of any
portion of the water works lying within said easement. All entry and subsequent
work, if any, on said easement, shall be done in full accordance with the terms of
the duly negotiated easement pertaining to the private property involved.
Section 7: Legal
Any person violating any of the provisions of this Ordinance shall become liable to the Town for
any expense, loss, or damage occasioned the Town by reason of such violation.
(a) The invalidity of any section, clause, sentence, or provision of this Ordinance shall not affect
the validity of any other part of this Ordinance which can be given effect without such invalid
part or parts.
(b) Definitions:
Approved: Accepted or acceptable under an applicable specification cited in this Code, or
accepted as suitable for the proposed use under procedures and powers of the Town.
Backflow: The flow of water or other liquids, or substances into the distribution pipes of
potable supply of water from any source or sources.
Backflow preventer: A device or means to prevent backflow.
Back Siphon age: The flowing back of used, contaminated or polluted water from a
plumbing fixture or vessel into a water supply pipe due to a negative pressure in such
pipe.
Building: A structure built, erected and framed of component structural parts designed for
the housing, shelter, enclosure or support of persons, animals or property of any kind.
Building sewer: That part of the drainage system which extends from the end of the
building drain and conveys its discharge to a public sewer, private sewer, individual
sewage disposal system or other point of disposal.
Cesspool: A lined and covered excavation in the ground which receives the discharge of
domestic sewage or other organic wastes from a drainage system, so designed as to retain
the organic matter and solids, but permitting the liquids to seep through the bottom and
sides.
Code: When used alone shall mean these regulations, subsequent amendments, or any
emergency rule or regulation which the Town may lawfully adopt.
Cross Connection: Any connection or arrangement between two otherwise separate
piping systems, one of which contains potable water and the other water of unknown or
questionable safe, whereby water may flow from one system to the other.
Customer: Any person, firm, corporation or organization supplied with water by The
Town of Blades.
Drainage System: Drainage system includes all the piping within public or private
remises, which conveys sewage or other liquid wastes to a point of disposal. It does not
include the mains of a public sewer or sewage treatment plant.
May: May is a permissive word.
Person: Any individual, firm, company, association, society, corporation, or group.
Potable Water: Water which is satisfactory for drinking, culinary and domestic purposes,
and meets the requirement of the Health Authority having jurisdiction.
Sanitary Sewer: A sewer which carries sewage and to which storm, surface, and
groundwater are not intentionally admitted.
Septic Tank: A watertight receptacle which receives the discharge if a drainage system
and is designed and constructed so as to separate solids from the liquid, digest organic
matter through a period of detention, and allow the liquids to discharge into the soil
outside of the tank through a system of open-joint or perforated piping or disposal pit.
Sewage: A combination of the water carried wastes from residences, business buildings,
institutions, and commercial and industrial establishments.
Sewer: A pipe or conduit for carrying sewage.
Shall: "Shall is a mandatory term."
Town: Town of Blades.
Water Main: A water supply pipe for public use.
Water Service Pipe: The pipe from the water main or other source of potable water
supply to the water distribution system of the building served.
HUD GUIDELINES - WATER AND SEWER CONNECTION:
Sewer-
1. Must conform to County specs. And be inspected by County.
2. All Lines must be connected to one main line and then connected to the sewer.
3. Vents must be installed if necessary for proper functioning-exterior venting is
permissible.
Water-
1. Must conform to the Amended Town Water Code.
2. The owner has the option to retain their outside hydrants on their pump for car
washing or gardening. The cost of this re-piping would be included in the bid. At
least one outside hydrant must be connected to the town supply.
3. The contractor must certify that there is no cross connection between the well
and the public water system.
4. Water service pipe must be insulated where exposed.
It is suggested that any bid that is not a direct hook-up be accompanied by a break-down
with HUD funds.