Water Service Line Installation and Regulations

Water Service Regulations

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Apply for Water Service

Download Application

Water Service Installation and Regulations
(Revised 5/10/18)

Applications for water service must be submitted with a certified Plot Plan, Sewerage Disposal Plan, a copy of the Building Permit and the appropriate fees.

New water services require a System Development Charge (SDC). The minimum  (SDC) is $1300.00 for a “standard” 5/8 inch meter is required at the time this application is submitted to the OBWD.

• The SDC has been established to offset future debt and interest expenses and system expansion items such as gravel packed wells and pumping stations.
• The SDC is a one-time application fee that will not include any charges for work done in association with the project.
• Larger sized meters will require a higher SDC charge.
• A separate service line is required for each free standing building on the property.
• The applicant must have authority on behalf of the property owner to apply for water service.

A water main must abut the owner’s property to be eligible for municipal water service.

• If a main does not exist adjacent to the property, the owner requesting service will be responsible for all costs associated with the main extension.
• A street service is pipe, valves and fittings that lay in public or private right of way to the property line. A property service is pipe, valves and fittings that lay beyond the Districts curb stop.
• Ownership of property service lines will remain with the property owner. An on-property water valve must be installed on the owner’s property.
• All pipes and valves must be buried a minimum of 4 1⁄2 to 5 feet.
• Tracer wire (12 AWG) must be laid on the pipe the entire length of the trench and brought to the top of the on property water valve (jereky box) and tied off, and also brought to the curb box with enough wire to tie off at the top of the box.
• Blue water tape must be laid the entire length of the trench and buried to a depth of 18”.
• Fittings must be no lead (NL) brass compression type.
• No Radiator clamps, nylon fittings or soldered joints (on copper) are allowed on buried water lines.
• No other utilities will be allowed in the water line trench.
• The water line trench must be separated by a minimum of 5 feet in all directions for utilities, 10 feet in all directions for septic systems and/or sewer pipes.
• Utilities crossing each other must be sleeved or encased for protection of water supply. In extreme cases, trench separation regulations will be waived at the discretion of the Water Superintendent.
• All street service lines will be installed by the OBWD or its’ designee. All property service installations must comply with the OBWD requirements.
• Residential services will be limited to 1” Class 250psi / C901 polyethylene, copper tube size water tubing or K- type copper. A larger size line would need prior approval by the OBWD.
• New services must have a plastic sleeve for protection if being poured in foundation floor or wall. Commercial services will be limited to 1, 1 1⁄2, 2, 3, 4, 6, 8 and 12 inches with sizing and materials to be determined by the OBWD.
• All on property service lines must be inspected by a representative of the OBWD prior to back filling, with a minimum of twenty four hours notification. If a trench is backfilled prior to inspection, it will need to be re-exposed for inspection. NO EXCEPTIONS!

A licensed plumber will install a water meter upon approval of the service line installation.

• The plumber is responsible for flushing the water line prior to meter installation.
• All residential, commercial and fire service lines will be required to install OBWD approved backflow devices. All meter installations will require a check valve (NL) & meter ball valve (NL).
• The owner will be responsible to provide adequate protection for hot water tanks by providing relief valves as per State Plumbing Code.
• All costs incurred for a service line installation must be paid in full before water is turned on to the property.
• Service lines will be installed on a first come, first served basis with a minimum of two weeks time after application is submitted.

The Oak Bluffs Water District is an equal opportunity provider and employer.

Download: Regulations

Download:
Application for Water Service

Developers of Subdivisions or Building Projects

If you are a developer of a subdivision or project in the Town of Oak Bluffs which proposes to connect to the Town’s public water supply, you will need to fill out and submit an application for a Water System Impact Study.