West Covina Municipal Code § 23-266 Water system facilities

The purpose of this division is to establish minimum requirements for the design and construction of domestic water systems in the undeveloped hillside areas of the city and included in the hillside (H) overlay zone. This division shall apply to any proposed development in the hillside (H) overlay zone and to each increment thereof for phase development.

(Code 1960, § 7621; Ord. No. 1371, § 1, 2-27-78)

(a) General. All facilities and appurtenances of the water system shall be designed and constructed so that:

(1) They can withstand, with ample safety factors, the physical stresses to which they are likely to be subjected,

(2) They are free of structural and sanitary hazards,

(3) They are of adequate size and capacity in order to meet minimum pressure requirements specified in paragraph (c) of this section.

(b) Quantity of supply.

(1) The quantity of water available from all of the water sources and distribution storage reservoirs shall be sufficient to supply adequately, dependably and safely the total requirements of all customers under maximum demand conditions. The serving water utility shall certify to the city council as to the adequacy of the available water supply. Such certification shall contain statements concerning the source of water, adequacy of transmission system to the area to be served, adequacy of storage capacity and any other statements that may be deemed necessary by the city council. Maximum customer requirement may be determined from adequately supported and documented system record or by Chart 1, hereby adopted by reference as if set out in this Code. The flow requirement indicated on Chart 1, hereby adopted by reference and on file in the planning department, is for average demands not including fire flow. This flow shall be appropriately supplemented, as required by the fire department of the city to take into consideration such factors as climate, community type, kinds of customers, and past experience. This flow shall be available continuously for at least two (2) hours, one-third (⅓) must be provided from the water source and the remainder may be provided from distribution storage.

(2) A master meter, or other suitable measuring device, shall be provided for each source of water supply.

(c) System pressure.

(1) Normal operating pressure at the service connection shall not be less than twenty-five (25) pounds per square inch gauge, nor more than one hundred twenty-five (125) pounds per square inch gauge, except that during periods of hourly maximum demand at the time of peak seasonal loads the pressure may not be less than twenty (20) pounds per square inch gauge and that during periods of hourly minimum demand the pressure may be not more than one hundred fifty (150) pounds per square inch gauge. Variations in pressures under normal operation shall not exceed fifty (50) percent of the average operating pressure. The average operating pressure shall be determined by computing the arithmetical average of at least twenty-four (24) consecutive hourly pressure readings.

(2) If the enforcement of the foregoing pressure regulations would result in undue hardship in supplying customers at widely varying elevations, the utility may make application to the city council for an exception from these provisions in the following manner:

a. Written application shall be filed with the city council.

b. The application shall include all information necessary to properly apprise the city council of the circumstances existing which require the exception. A copy of the application shall be forwarded to the city engineer for his report and recommendation.

c. Within thirty (30) days after the filing of the application, the city council shall conduct a hearing thereon and may approve, amend and approve, or deny the application.

The city council shall only approve an exception where full compliance with the foregoing pressure regulations is impractical or unreasonable based upon current engineering practice and the public health, safety and welfare would be served by granting such exception.

No exception approved by the city council pursuant to this paragraph shall be effective for any purpose until the exception has been incorporated in a covenant running with the land to which the exception applies and the covenant is approved by the city attorney as to form and recorded in the office of the county recorder.

(3) New water systems, or new pressure zones in existing water systems supplying customers at substantially constant elevation shall be designed to maintain an operating pressure at the service connection of not less than thirty-five (35) pounds per square inch gauge nor greater than one hundred twenty-five (125) pounds per square inch gauge.

(4) Where the pressure in the mainline exceeds eighty (80) pounds per square inch gauge an approved type pressure regulator preceded by an adequate strainer shall be installed at each house and the pressure reduced to a maximum of eighty (80) pounds per square inch gauge.

(Code 1960, § 7622; Ord. No. 1371, § 1, 2-27-78)

(a) Wells. For systems with approved well sources, additional wells shall be constructed in accordance with all local and state regulations. Proposed well sites shall be investigated to determine the distance from sewage collection and disposal facilities, and any hazards therefrom shall be eliminated prior to well construction. If wells are a new source of supply, application shall be made to the state department of health for a new or amended permit.

(b) Storage reservoirs. Reservoirs and tanks from which water is delivered directly into the mains of a distribution system shall be adequately protected against pollution and shall be covered. Drains and overflows shall not be directly connected to sewers or storm drains without gradient breaks guaranteeing that no backflow can occur.

(c) Pumping plants. Booster pumping plants shall be designed by a properly qualified and licensed engineer or similarly qualified individual, except for minor modifications or planned additions.

(d) Security. All operating facilities shall be protected against unauthorized entry and vandalism.

(Code 1960, § 7623; Ord. No. 1371, § 1, 2-27-78)

(a) Length of run.

(1) The maximum length of run of each size of pipe shall be determined by a pressure and flow analysis to be submitted to the city engineer, and shall be designed by a properly qualified and licensed engineer or similarly qualified individual to meet the requirements of section 23-265 of this division. The minimum size pipe allowed shall be eight (8) inches except on cul-de-sac streets where no fire hydrant is to be served, in such case the minimum size allowed shall be six (6) inches.

(2) All dead end runs shall be provided with a means of flushing to prevent deterioration of water quality.

(b) Design. Pipelines having a nominal inside diameter greater than twelve (12) inches shall be designed by and installed under the general supervision of a properly qualified licensed engineer or similarly qualified individual. Pipelines having a diameter of twelve (12) inches or less shall meet the applicable standards shown in Table I.

Table I

Pipe Standards

(c) Asbestos-cement pipe. Asbestos-cement pipe shall be selected in accordance with AWWA Standard C401-77 "Standard Practice for the Selection of Asbestos-cement Water Pipe," and shall be installed in accordance with AWWA Standard C603-65.

(d) Cast iron pipe. Cast iron pipe shall be selected in accordance with AWWA Standard C101-67 and shall be installed in accordance with AWWA Standard C600-77. Cast iron pipe shall be cement mortar lined.

(e) Ductile iron pipe. Ductile iron pipe shall be selected in accordance with AWWA Standard C150-76 "American Standard for the Thickness Design of Ductile Iron Pipe," and shall be installed in accordance with AWWA Standard C600-77. Ductile iron pipe shall be cement mortar lined.

(f) Plastic pipe. Plastic pipe and couplings shall be approved by the National Sanitation Foundation and listed in the National Sanitation Foundation Manual "Plastic Materials, Pipe, Fittings and Appurtenances for Potable Water Supplies." Pipe shall be installed according to manufacturer's recommendation and care shall be observed not to damage pipe with backfill material. The pressure rating of all plastic piping components for water service at seventy-three and four-tenths (73.4) degrees Fahrenheit shall not be less than the sum of the maximum static pressure and a special allowance for surge pressure. The static design pressure shall be the actual static pressure, and in no case shall it be less than one hundred (100) pounds per square inch gauge. The special allowance for surge pressure shall be at least equal to the maximum anticipated surge pressure, but the allowance shall not be less than one hundred twenty (120) pounds per square inch gauge for pipe sizes four (4) inches through ten (10) inches and not less than one hundred ten (110) pounds per square inch gauge for twelve (12) inch pipe. The minimum wall thickness requirement for pipe shall be calculated on the basis of a system design pressure which complies with the above provisions. The wall thickness of fittings shall be adequate to withstand internal pressures equal to or greater than that of the pipe component of the joint.

(g) Steel pipe.

(1) Steel pipe shall be selected and installed in accordance with AWWA Manual M-11 (1964) "Steel Pipe-Designed and Installation." Design shall comply with sections 6.1 and 6.2 of Manual M-11, except that minimum allowable steel thickness shall be seventy-five thousandths (0.075) inches (fourteen (14) gauge). The minimum design pressure shall be at least the maximum anticipated system pressure, but in no case shall be less than one hundred sixty (160) pounds per square inch gauge.

(2) All steel pipe shall be adequately protected from internal and external corrosion. Table 2 lists various protective coatings and linings. The selection of the appropriate coating or lining system shall be made by a properly qualified licensed engineer or based on satisfactory experience with a particular coating in the same or similar environment as that being considered. Cathodic protection installations shall be designed and installed under the direction of a properly qualified and licensed engineer or similarly qualified individual.

Table II

Steel Pipe Coatings and Linings

(h) Service connection. Service pipe and fittings shall be designed for cold water working pressure of not less than one hundred fifty (150) pounds per square inch gauge. Copper tubing shall be commercial designation type K or L. Plastic tubing shall bear the approval and marking of the National Sanitation Foundation.

(i) Valves.

(1) Gate valves shall conform to the American Water Works Association Standard Specification C500-71 for double disc type.

(2) Butterfly valves shall meet or exceed the American Water Works Association Standard Specification C504-74 for rubber seated valves.

(j) Pits. Chambers or pits containing vacuum or air-relief valves shall be protected against flooding. Drains shall not be directly connected by pipe or other closed conduit to sewers or storm drains.

(k) Joints. Pipe joints and appurtenances of all types shall safely withstand the same working pressures for which the pipe is designed. Where backup gaskets are required, rubber or asbestos shall be used.

(l) Mains installation.

(1) Water mains shall be installed below the frost line or be otherwise protected to prevent freezing and shall not have less than thirty-six (36) 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) Water pipes shall be laid at least ten (10) feet horizontally from and at a higher level than sanitary sewers.

(3) All pipe or conduits, before being placed in service, shall be disinfected according to the American Water Works Association Standard Specification C601-68 for disinfecting water mains. Water samples shall be collected from new or repaired pipe for bacteriological examination following disinfection.

(m) Fire hydrants.

(1) Fire hydrants shall conform to AWWA Standard Specification C503-75 for wetbarrel fire hydrants and be Jones J-3700 type or approved equal.

(2) Location of fire hydrants shall be as specified by the city fire department.

(Code 1960, § 7624; Ord. No. 1371, § 1, 2-27-78)

(a) Consumption rates. The consumption rates for the design of the system shall be as follows:

(1) Population based upon three and two-tenths (3.2) persons per household.

(2) Average day consumption, two hundred thirty (230) gallons per capita.

(3) Maximum day consumption, four hundred sixty (460) gallons per capita.

(4) Peak hour rate, one (1) gallon per minute per person.

(b) Fire flow. The fire flow requirements for this area shall be: Two thousand (2,000) gallons per minute for two (2) hours. The area to be served by a single fire hydrant is one hundred fifty thousand (150,000) square feet.

(Code 1960, § 7625; Ord. No. 1371, § 1, 2-27-78)