1 Water and Sewer Main Design

Table of Contents

1.1 List of Basic References:.....................................................................................2

1.2 Knowledge of Basic Terms and Definitions........................................................2
1.3 Background..........................................................................................................3
1.4 Water Main Design..............................................................................................4
1.5 Sanitary Sewer Design.........................................................................................9

1.1 List of Basic References:

1.1.1 Standard Legend and General Notes & Water and Sewer notes

1.1.2 10 States Standards

1.1.3 AWWA

1.1.4 Sizing Water Service lines and Meters

1.1.5 Water Supply and Sewerage (Sixth Edition)

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1.1.6 Clow - Pipe Economy

1.1.7 Modern Sewer Design

1.1.8 Lift Station

1.1.9 Submersible Sewage Pumping Systems (Second Edition)

1.1.10 Needed Fire Flow (Note this document is also available on our network)

1.1.11 State standards for water

1.1.12 Miami – Dade County Water and Sewer Standards

1.1.13 Septic Tank Design

1.1.14 FDEP and Florida Administrative code

1.1.15 Section 6.B.f. and 6.B.g. Quality Assurance Manual

1.1.16 Permit Section

1.1.17 Cameron Hydraulics

1.1.18 Broward County Consulting Engineers Guide

1.1.19 Florida Building Code Chapter __

1.1.20 Seacoast Utility Web Site http://www.sua.com/

1.2 Knowledge of Basic Terms and Definitions

1.2.1 Average Day Demand

1.2.2 Average Day Rate

1.2.3 Design Flow

1.2.4 Maximum Day Demand

1.2.5 Maximum Day Rate

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1.2.6 Peak Hour Demand

1.2.7 Peak Hour Rate

1.2.8 Potable

1.2.9 Reclaimed Water

1.2.10 Bench

1.3 Background

1.3.1 Provides design services for extension of water mains, gravity sewer
mains, sanitary sewer force mains, vacuum sewer systems, and septic systems.
This office has historically, not performed environmental engineering i.e. design
water and sewer treatment plants or engaged in the design of large infrastructure
projects. This office has focused on providing water and sewer services to
privately developed projects.

1.3.2 This office also engages in computing (at a preliminary level) the
“Necessary Fire Flows” for various structures and analyzing system capacity.

1.3.3 The water systems commonly found in South Florida include wells, raw
water mains, water treatment plants, distribution mains and services. Potable
water needs are met by withdrawing high quality ground water from the Biscayne
Aquifer. The Biscayne Aquifer is recharged entirely by percolation of rainwater
through the porous soils of central and South Florida.

1.3.4 The water consumed in our office originates from the Coral Springs
Improvement District’s 12 wells scattered through the south half of Coral Springs.
These wells withdraw fresh, but not necessarily potable water from the Biscayne
Aquifer, several hundred feet down. The raw water is piped to the water
treatment plant where it is tested, treated and chlorinated to meet drinking water
standards and then stored in storage tanks to meet peak demands.

Water is then distributed via a network of progressively smaller, 24”, 12”, and 8”
diameter mains to the hydrants and services throughout the city. Once the water
is consumed it then returns to the treatment plant via the sanitary sewer collection
system.
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1.3.5 The Sanitary Sewer collection system operates by collecting sewage,

flowing in sanitary laterals from buildings to the gravity sewers. The gravity
sewers (typically owned and maintained by Utility) collect and convey sewage
from the multiple sources in the neighborhood to local lift stations. These lift
stations then pump the sewage into force mains. The force mains convey the
sewer to other gravity systems, to other lift stations and eventually into
transmission mains, large diameter force mains that convey large amounts of
sewage from multiple lift stations to the treatment plant.

Upon arrival at the treatment plant the sewage is subjected to secondary treatment
before being discharged to deep (3000 ft) injection wells (into the Floridian
Aquifer).

1.4 Water Main Design

1.4.1 Establish Water and Sewer Service area and regulatory agencies

Water and sewer areas typically, but not always follow municipal boundaries.
BCDPEP has a variety of maps (ref. BCDPEP Atlas and Web site) to help
identify the likely service provider. After identifying the service provider,
confirm that a project is within the service area. Beware projects may be in the
service area but in an underserved area. Two recent examples are a project in
the City of Fort Lauderdale Sewer Service area but in an un-sewered region, and
another project that was within BCOES service area but in a region with 4”
hydrant lines and 2” service lines!

1.4.2 Establish available treatment and distribution capacity

While water and sewer mains may exist in close proximity to the project,
nothing guarantees that the water or sewer demand can be addressed at the
treatment plant or in the distribution and collection systems. Larger projects
especially may trigger off-site improvements to sewer facilities, typically in the
form of upgrades to pumps.

Establish available capacity by requesting in writing from the service provider a

capacity confirmation letter, and verify sizes of the nearby main by referring to
the utility atlas and as-built survey.

1.4.3 Understand the importance of As-builts

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Accurate knowledge of existing conditions is essential to a successful project.

Often the best sources of as-built information are the Utilities and
Municipalities. When looking for as-builts consider the age of the project,
alternate names, and look at adjoining and nearby project records. Be persistent
and look everywhere. Suggestions are Utility Department, Building Department
owner records and previous consultants. Sometimes we need to rely on a
combination of proposed plans and utility atlas pages.

Always count on the information you find being incomplete. Consider the
information’s source. Compare dates. Was the as-built plan signed and sealed?
Does the information compare with the survey and personally observed
conditions?

Look for size, material, location, cover, and station and off set. As-builts
typically show the proposed construction and the actual location of the
construction. Look for information that is crossed out and replaced.

1.4.4 Reconcile As-builts with survey

Compare the information obtained. Check that valves, hydrants, manholes and
other features that should be visible on the surface are picked up on the survey
for the project. Verify all items in the field that do not reconcile.

If, after reviewing record drawings, utility atlases, and the survey, the locations
of facilities are unknown alert the project manager. The project may require the
services of a locating service. “No-cuts” is a statewide program that assists in
field locating existing underground utilities. There are also private services that
utilize ground radar or minimally invasive techniques to locate underground
facilities.

1.4.5 Establish current pipe size

Pipe sizes and materials are typically shown in the Utility Atlas but not always.
If the information is unclear track down as-built, proposed plans or plans from
adjacent projects.

1.4.6 Compute Water Demand

Domestic Consumption and Fire flows constitute water demand. Domestic

Consumption may be computed from using published rates based on use, or
from historical information

1.4.7 Fire Flows

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Some municipalities require computation of Fire Flows. The Insurance Services

Office (ISO) guide (Needed Fire Flow) was created to determine required flows
on un-sprinkled buildings. The fire protection engineer should be consulted for
required flows for buildings with sprinklers.
After establishing the required flows, domestic and fire, we must ensure that
our proposed size is able to provide the required flows at the required
pressures. Typically the fire flows control the size of the design. Hydrant
Flows
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Performance of a water system can be measured by Hydrant Flow Tests. These

tests involve attaching one 2.5” nozzle on a fireplug, determining the flow and
recording the drop in pressure in a nearby hydrant. From the flow, static and
residual pressure the ultimate flow is calculated using the following formula
(please see example1.4.8)

Q = Qa [(Ps – Pa)/ (Ps-Pr)] 0.54

1.4.8 Understand the importance of looping a water main system

Looped water systems provide for redundancy. The likelihood of being shut down due to
repairs in the system is reduced. Looping the system also improves the ability to deliver
the required fire flows by reducing the head losses.

1.4.9 Be able to select the appropriate water or sewer route

When selecting routes for water and sewer systems consider existing facilities.
Consider those being tied into and those crossing the proposed facilities.

Locate new facilities, where possible beneath asphalt areas. Consider which
utilities can be bent and those, which must be straight between structures.
Remember, water and sanitary force mains can bend while gravity sewers must
be straight between structures. Locate sanitary sewer manholes along the crown
of the road to minimize storm water infiltration. After locating the sanitary
sewer, route the water and storm around the sanitary.

Consider the location of the connections. Consider the number of connections

that are needed to make the system work. Taps and pavement restoration are
expensive. A tap in the street may be the same cost as running an additional 100
ft. of pipe.

1.4.10 Understand when to use DIP or PVC

Water mains from the main line to fire hydrants and fire protection systems are
DIP. Material selection for main lines is typically up to the utility. Even if the
utility allows for PVC consider the proximity of other utilities. In some
instances DIP is required where standard separations cannot be achieved.

1.4.11 Understand the importance of leaving blow offs in the system

1.4.12 Know how to locate gate valves in water mains

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Locate gate valves at sufficient intervals to reduce the length of mains that must
be shut down for repairs. Typically valves are installed at connections to
existing (by means of a Tapping Tee and Valve), branches off of the main line
and at 1000 ft. intervals.

1.4.13 Be able to detail conflicts

Conflicts and crossings must comply with standard separation requirements as

established by the state. (See current language attached.)

Crossing details may take two forms. The respective uses, materials, and
elevations can be noted on the plan (see sample from FPL Juno Beach) or a
crossing detail which includes all relevant information can be drawn (see sample
from La Preserve).

1.4.14 Be able to locate Fire Hydrant

Locations of hydrants are typically dictated by local code. Typically, no more

than 300 ft. of space is allowed between hydrants and no part of a building may
be further than 300 ft. from a hydrant (as the hose lies, not as the crow flies).
Additionally, hydrants should be located close to fire department connections
(25 ft. typical) and on the same side of the street. Some municipalities enforce a
danger or fall zone around the building, which must be kept clear of hydrants,
fdc’s and ddcv’s.

1.4.15 Be able to locate FDC

Locate FDC’s along the fire department’s accessible route. Owners typically
like to keep these items at the rear or sides of the building. Remember to
maintain clear areas around hydrants and FDC’s in accordance with the Florida
Fire Protection Code.

1.4.16 Calculate Head loss using Hazen-Williams equation.

Refer to example calculations in standard hydraulics books.

1.4.17 Know the minimum ground cover over water mains for different
materials

Minimum ground cover for DIP water mains is typically 30”, PVC 36”. In
Miami – Dade County the minimum cover is 48”.

1.4.18 Know the minimum separation between water main, sewer mains and
drainage pipes.

1.4.19 Know when to use Tapping Tee or Sleeve and valve.

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Tapping tees are used when connections to existing pressure pipe must be made
without interrupting the flow. Many, but not all municipalities accept size on
size taps.

Use caution when specifying Tapping Tee for ACP. ACP is brittle. Many
municipalities require the removal and replacement of ACP within the project
limits.

1.4.20 Know when to use corporation stops and curb stops

Corporation stops are used at the connection of services to the main. These are
typically kept in the open position. Curb stops are located immediately before
the meter and may be used to shut off service to the building.

1.4.21 Understand the use of air release valve and location.

Air release valves are utilized at high points in a water system to eliminate
trapped air and blockage / reduction in capacity they cause.

1.4.22 Know where to locate sample points.

Sample points are utilized to demonstrate the new water mains are free of
contamination before connecting. Sample points are located at the beginning
and end of a system, at the ends of service (typically more than 50 ft. long), and
approximately every 1000 ft. along the system.

1.4.23 Know the difference between BFP and DDCV

1.4.24 Understand why we use pressure reducing valves

1.4.25 Understand why we use pressure relief valves

1.4.26 Understand why and where we use casing sleeves

Casing sleeves are utilized to provide additional protection to the water main or
adjacent facilities. Casing may be required when running a water main beneath
a decorative masonry wall, when standard separation cannot be achieved, and to
resolve a conflict such as in a Conflict manhole.

1.4.27 Know where to locate a water meter

Locations of water meters are dependent upon the utility district. Meters are located on
the boundary between public and private.

1.4.28 Know how to size a water meter.

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Water meter sizing should be left up to the mechanical engineer. When

necessary we can estimate the size of the service by calculating the number of
fixtures and utilizing tables in the Florida Building Code. Use caution when
applying to multistory buildings; remember to account for the change in
pressure head to elevation head.

1.4.29 The importance of a water main profile

Water profiles are useful on large systems in identifying crossings and conflicts
and locating air release valves.

1.5 Sanitary Sewer Design

1.5.1 Understand when do we use PVC and when do we use DIP

PVC is the sewer pipe of choice. Some utility districts require DIP where the
depth of cover exceeds a predetermined amount or in industrial zoned areas.

1.5.2 Know what’s the minimum separation between sewer main and other
utilities

Refer to the Standard Separation Statement

1.5.3 Understand why Easements are utilized.

Easements document rights to install, operate and maintain various facilities.

Easements are needed where other means of dedication do not convey the means
to operate and maintain. Easements are not generally restricted to Private
Property.

1.5.4 Minimum cover for a sewer main

The minimum depth from grade to invert on sanitary sewer manholes is 4 ft.
The minimum depth of cover over PVC laterals is 36”

1.5.5 Know how to size a sewer main

1.5.6 Know the min and max. slopes

Reference the 10 States Standards.

1.5.7 Know the location and spacing of Manholes.

Manholes should be spaced as specified in the 10 States Standards.

1.5.8 Know when to use a Drop Manhole

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Drop manholes should be used as a last resort. They are expensive and difficult
to construct. They must be used where there is no other alternative to locating
an incoming pipe within the bottom 18” of a manhole.

1.5.9 Know the difference between Public and Private Systems

Public systems are designed and constructed in accordance with the Utility’s
standards and will be operated and maintained by the utility. Private systems
will be maintained by a private entity.

1.5.10 Know how to design a lift station

Please refer to the attached sample calculation / design

1.5.11 Know how to design a septic tank

Please refer to the attached sample calculation / design.

1.5.12 Know when do we use a Force Main

Force mains are utilized where insufficient fall exists to extend gravity sewers to
existing facilities. Lift stations are also utilized along transmission mains to
maintain flows to the plant.

1.5.13 Know how to size a force main

Force mains should be sized to attain a 2 fps min velocity to prevent settling of
solids.

1.5.14 Know the importance of a sewer profiles

Sewer profiles are required for Gravity systems. Properly constructed profiles
also identify crossings.

1.5.15 Understand when we use a sewer lateral and how to size it.

Sewer laterals are utilized on runs less than 300 ft. serving one owner and are
less than 8” in diameter. The slope of a sewer lateral and the number of fixtures
determines the size of the lateral based on charts in the Florida Building Code.