CONSTRUCTION STANDARDS

I. PURPOSE

The purpose of these standards is to define the minimum requirements for public water and sanitary sewer construction within the jurisdiction of Fort Bend County WC&ID No. 2, in conjunction with the District's "Rules and Regulations Governing the Construction of District Facilities."

These standards supersede all prior construction standards and are effective July 6, 1995. The District Rate Order and other orders may contain construction procedures and remain in effect.

II. SPECIFICATIONS

Current City of Houston Standard Specifications with the latest amendments, addenda and revised drawings are to be followed within the jurisdiction of Fort Bend County WC&ID No. 2, except as noted in these Construction Standards:

Variations from these construction standards will be allowed only with written permission of the District Engineer, the General Manager of the District, or the Board of Directors.

All water and sanitary construction shall conform to the latest revision of the Southern Standard Plumbing Code. All plumbers must register with and be approved by the District in accordance with the District's Rate Order.

For utility construction within State, County, or City roadway, railroad right-of-way, or pipeline easement, the specifications of the appropriate agency may supersede the minimum requirements shown in these standards.

III. BONDS

Fort Bend County WC&ID No. 2 requires the assignment of any payment and performance bonds issued in connection with construction of facilities, the assignment of any manufacturer's warranties, as well as a one-year maintenance bond from all owners or developers who build public facilities. The one-year maintenance bond period shall begin once the District has conditionally in writing accepted the project for operation. Procedures regarding bonds are outlined in the District's "Rules and Regulations Governing the Construction of District Facilities."

The City of Missouri City, The City of Stafford, and Fort Bend County may require performance or maintenance bonds for work within public right-of-way or easements. All applicants are directed to consult with Missouri City, Stafford, and Fort Bend County as applicable regarding building permits and bonds before beginning construction.

IV. APPLICATION FOR CONSTRUCTION OF UTILITY IMPROVEMENTS

A. Application to construct District facilities must be filed prior to construction of the facilities. An inspection fee of two percent (2%) of construction cost must be paid before beginning construction. A sample of the application is shown as Appendix A on Page 11 and may be obtained from the District's offices. Construction must not begin until authorized by the District in writing.

B. Three (3) copies of as-built plans are required to be delivered to the District office before service connections will be made and before the District will begin maintenance of the public water and sewer main.

V. INSPECTION PROCEDURES

A. A representative of the District shall have the right to monitor periodically the construction of the District facilities. 24-hour notice BEFORE beginning construction is required. 48-hour notice BEFORE working on weekends or holidays is required. Work done without advance notice to the District may be required to be removed and replaced.

B. Waterline pressure tests and tie-in of new waterlines to existing District lines will be monitored by a representative of the District and Engineering Representative.

C. Sanitary sewer and force main pressure tests and tie-in of new sanitary sewers and force mains to existing District lines will be monitored by a representative of the District and Engineering Representative.

D. Start-up of public lift station shall be witnessed by the District's operator and Engineer's representative. Proper function of lift station controls shall be verified by the Contractor BEFORE demonstrating the lift station operation to the District.

E. Backfilling of public line trench must be accomplished within 24-hours of inspection and approval. No debris will be permitted in the trench.

F. The District will require that the public line be uncovered at the Owner's cost if it is backfilled without District inspection and approval.

G. The contractor shall comply with all laws applicable to Trench Safety. OSHA standards shall be followed at all times.

VI. WATER MAINS

A. Layouts.

1. Loops. All water mains shall be looped whenever possible. Dead ends shall not exceed 600 feet. A blow-off valve in box, flush with grade, or fire hydrant is required on all dead ends.

2. Fire Protection. A grid of six-inch (6") and larger mains is required. Eight-inch (8") and larger mains shall be used when more than one (1) intermediate flushing valve or fire hydrant is required.

If fire protection is planned, piping must be approved by Underwriter's Laboratories or Factory Mutual.

Approval of the construction drawings is not warranty by the District that adequate fire protection is provided. Calculations of fire flows and on-site flow tests are the Owner's responsibility.

Fire mains in public right-of-way or easements do not need metering. Private fire lines must have detector check valves/Backflow Prevention Assemblies installed in accordance with the District's "Construction Standards for Private Service Connections."

3. Water Main Location.

a. In street right-of-way, as close to five feet (5_) as possible to edge of public right-of-way, but not under sidewalk.

b. In easement 10 feet wide adjacent to right-of-way. No paved parking in easement without District approval.

B. Pipe for Water Mains.

1. Minimum Diameter. Minimum of 4-inch (4") mains.

Special Minimum Diameter Within Missouri City. For projects within Missouri City city limits, minimum water main size is eight inches (8").

2. Depth. For 12-inch (12") and smaller lines, provide four-feet (4_) of cover below final grade. For 16-inch (16") and larger mains, provide five feet (5_) of cover below final grade.

3. Material.

a. For larger than 12-inch (12") pipe:

(1) Ductile iron pipe conforming to AWWA C-151, electrical conductivity and corrosion protection required. Wrap in 8 mil black polyethylene.

(2) Polyvinylchloride (PVC) pipe conforming to AWWA C-905, DR-26.

b. For a six-inch (6") to 12-inch (12") pipe:

(1) Ductile iron pipe conforming to AWWA C-151. Electrical conductivity and corrosion protection required. Wrap in 8 mil black polyethylene.

(2) Polyvinylchloride (PVC) pipe conforming to AWWA C-900, DR-18.

c. For four-inch (4") pipe:

(1) Ductile iron pipe conforming to AWWA C-151, electrical conductivity and corrosion protection required. Wrap in 8 mil black polyethylene.

(2) Polyvinylchloride (PVC) pipe conforming to AWWA C-900, DR‑14.

d. Hydrostatic test - to conform to AWWA C-600 (using 125 psi pressure). Test must be witnessed by a representative of the District.

e. Manufactured within the United States.

C. Valves.

1. Locations.

a. At fire hydrant wye - one (1) valve on the stem.

b. At other tees - two (2) valves.

c. At crosses - three (3) valves.

d. At connection to existing system - one (1) valve.

e. In the right-of-way, on extended lot lines and not under pavement, driveways, or sidewalks.

f. The maximum distance between water main valves shall not exceed 1,000 feet. Valves shall be planned so that no more than four (4) valves must be closed to isolate any portion of the water main.

2. Type.

a. Gate valves [12-inches (12") and smaller]: Furnish gate valves with gray or ductile cast iron body, resilient seated, non-rising stem, O-ring seal with two-inch (2") square operating nut. Gate valves must conform to AWWA C-509, Resilient Seated Gate Valves for Water and Sewerage Systems. Provide a mechanical joint or a hub-end, gasketed valve to match the pipe selected. Provide a valve stem which turns counterclockwise to open.

b. Butterfly Valves [Larger than 12-inches (12")]: Furnish butterfly valves with gray or ductile cast iron body, O-ring seals with two-inch (2") square operating nut. Butterfly valves must conform to AWWA C-504, Rubber Seated Butterfly Valves. Provide a mechanical joint or hub-end, gasketed valve to match the pipe selected. Provide a valve stem which turns counterclockwise to open.

3. Brand. Mueller, Kennedy, American Darling, or Dresser M & H.

4. Joints.

a. Water mains - push-on.

b. Fire hydrant stem - mechanical joint and flanged, or mechanical joint.

5. Boxes. Cast iron box and stack.

D. Fire Hydrants.

1. Location.

a. Curb-and-gutter streets: three feet (3_) behind face of curb.

b. Open ditch streets: One-foot (1_) from edge of and within public right-of-way.

c. At each street intersection and at each cul-de-sac longer than 300 feet.

d. Single-family areas: 500 feet (500_) interval, maximum.

e. Multi-family or commercial areas, including reserves, 300-foot (300_) interval, maximum.

2. Type. Three-way, counterclockwise opening, Mueller, Kennedy, or American Darling. Fire hydrants must conform to AWWA C-502, Dry-Barrel Fire Hydrants.

3. Joints. Flanged.

4. Nozzles. Two (2) 2½-inch (2½") National Standard; one (1) 4_-inch (4_") City of Houston Standard.

5. Pipe Lead. ductile iron Schedule 51 or C900.

6. Painting.

a. Paint cap of hydrant per City of Houston code for size of water main in the roadway.

Size Color

6" Yellow

8" White

10-20" Green

24-60" Orange

b. Paint barrel of hydrant silver.

7. Depth of Bury. The centerline of the 4_" nozzle shall be 16 inches (16") above finished grade after lot grading is complete.

E. Fittings.

1. PVC Pipe. Rubber gasketed fittings conforming to applicable provisions of AWWA C-900, AWWA C-905, and ASTM C-111. Same material and pressure class as the water main.

2. Ductile Iron Pipe. Rubber gasketed fittings conforming to AWWA C-111. Same material and pressure class as the water main.

F. Concrete Thrust Blocking. Thrust blocking is required for all valves, fire hydrants, and fittings.

G. Excavation, Bedding, and Backfill.

1. Excavation.

a. Lines crossing existing streets, driveways, and similar obstructions are to be bored and jacked or tunneled. All other excavations are to be by the open cut method.

b. The excavation shall provide a minimum of six inches (6") between the pipe and the sides of the trench. The depth of the excavation shall be six inches (6") lower than the grade shown for the pipe.

2. Bedding.

Sand bedding is required around the pipe with a minimum compacted depth of six inches (6") above and below the pipe across the width of the trench. Excavated soil may be used for backfill above the sand backfill.

3. Backfilling.