N.J. Admin. Code § 7:10-11.10

Current through Register Vol. 56, No. 12, June 17, 2024

Section 7:10-11.10 - Permit requirements and standards for the construction of distribution systems; master permits

(a) Except as otherwise directed by the Department under (a)3 below, a supplier of water may apply for a master permit, including all proposed routine water main extensions and/or replacements, transmission mains and interconnections for the emergency transfer of water, covering a set maximum number of service connections for a period not exceeding five years. At the time of application for such master permit, the supplier of water shall submit specifications and an engineer's report demonstrating that the water system can meet the requirements of this subchapter, as well as a system distribution map that differentiates between existing and proposed water mains. The following shall apply to master permits:

1. Each master permit shall be renewed annually;

2. A master permit is available only to public community water systems; and

3. A supplier of water shall apply for a master permit within six months from the date of notification by the Department that the system has submitted, over the three years preceding the Department's notice, an average of four or more applications for permits for water main extensions and/or replacements and/or transmission mains per year.

(b) For any distribution system improvement, such as water main extension and/or replacement, transmission main, or interconnection not covered by a master permit issued pursuant to (a) above, the supplier of water shall comply with the following:

1. For any water main extension or connection to an existing water main, which includes new residential service to more than 30 realty improvements, but less than 50 new service connections, or generates a new non-residential average demand of more than 12,000 gallons per day determined pursuant to Table 1 at N.J.A.C. 7:10-12.6(b), submit a completed permit Standard Application Form pursuant to N.J.A.C. 7:10-11.5(c)1, the Simplified Water Main Certification Form, available from the Department in accordance with N.J.A.C. 7:10-2.6(a), the permit application review fee specified at N.J.A.C. 7:10-15.3(d)2, and a plan showing the location of existing and proposed water mains. The Simplified Water Main Certification Form includes the following information:

i. The name and address of the supplier of water;

ii. The diameter and length of water mains;

iii. The anticipated water demand; and

iv. A certification by the supplier of water that the proposed water main extensions will be constructed in conformance with the requirements of this subchapter.

2. For any water main construction which includes 50 or more new service connections, or is 3,000 or more feet in length, or includes an interconnection with another public community water system, submit a water distribution map depicting locations of existing mains and proposed extension(s) of water mains, and a complete permit application pursuant to 7:10-11.5(b), including the permit application review fee specified at 7:10-15.3(d)3 or 4, as applicable.

3. The requirement to obtain a permit under (b)1 or 2 above applies to the entire site to be served by a water main extension or other water system connection. A realty improvement or group of realty improvements on a site shall not be segmented for the purposes of this section if, upon completion, the realty improvements to be served by the proposed water system would meet the permit requirements at (b)1 or 2 above.

4. A permit pursuant to this section is not required for water main extensions other than those specified at (b)1 and 2 above; however, a connection to or extension of a water system shall not be undertaken if:

i. The anticipated demand associated with a project or activity to be served by the connection or extension would exceed the applicable firm capacity or water allocation limits; or

ii. The project or activity to be served by the connection or extension conflicts with the applicable adopted Areawide Water Quality Management Plan pursuant to N.J.A.C. 7:15.

(c) The Department shall deny a permit application under this section for any proposed distribution main extension if the source, treatment, transmission or storage capacity does not meet the requirements of 7:19-6.7 and 7:10-11.6(a), or the public community water system is unable to meet its historical peak daily demand as well as the additional demand anticipated from the proposed expansion calculated in accordance with 7:10-11.5(e) through (g).

(d) Regulations for the capacity and size of water mains are as follows:

1. Design capacity of water mains shall be such as to maintain a minimum pressure of 20 pounds per square inch (psi) at street level under all flow conditions.

2. The minimum diameter of all distribution mains shall be six inches for systems with an average demand of less than one MGD and eight inches for larger systems. The Department shall approve deviations from this minimum requirement if justified by hydraulic analyses submitted by the applicant, taking into consideration future water usage. The Department shall not approve a water distribution main of less than six inches in diameter if it is intended to supply a fire hydrant(s) or if there is a reasonable possibility that it will be extended to serve additional properties or areas.

(e) General design requirements for water mains are as follows:

1. So far as is practicable, distribution mains shall be laid in a loop system to eliminate dead ends. The distribution system shall be equipped with hydrants or other flushing devices to permit water main flushing. Each dead end shall be provided with an adequately protected fire hydrant, flushing hydrant, or a valved outlet to which a temporary pipe may be affixed, to discharge flushed water above-ground. Flushing devices should be capable of providing a minimum pipe flushing velocity of 2.5 feet per second.

2. Water mains shall be designed to provide a maximum flow velocity (excluding fire service flow) of five feet per second for mains up to 16 inches in diameter and 10 feet per second for mains greater than 16 inches in diameter.

3. All distribution mains shall be covered with a minimum of 3.5 feet of earth or other suitable cover to prevent freezing.

4. Each newly constructed water main shall be disinfected before being placed in service in accordance with American Water Works Association Standard AWWA C651-86, as amended and supplemented, incorporated herein by reference and available as provided at 7:10-11.6(d).

5. All water mains and sanitary or industrial sewer lines shall be separated by a horizontal distance of 10 feet. If such lateral separation is not possible, the water and sewer lines shall be in separate trenches (step trenches are prohibited) with the top of the sewer line at least 18 inches below the bottom of the water main or with such other separation expressly approved by the Department. At crossings of sewer lines and water mains, the top of the sewer lines shall be at least 18 inches below the bottom of the water main (sewer service laterals are not subject to this requirement). If such vertical separation is not possible, the sewer line shall be of watertight construction (that is, ductile iron or reinforced concrete pipe), with watertight joints that are a minimum of 10 feet from the water main.

6. Water distribution mains shall be equipped with sufficient numbers of valves to minimize service interruption and safety hazards during repairs. The appropriate number of valves at each water main intersection shall determined using an n-1 formula (for example, at a four-way intersection, a minimum of three valves is required). Straight pipe runs such as transmission mains shall be equipped with valves at intervals of a minimum of 2500 feet. The Department shall approve deviations from the minimum valve interval for larger transmission lines if justification therefor is provided, but in no case shall the interval between valves exceed one mile.

7. Water services and plumbing shall conform to the requirements of the Plumbing Subcode of the New Jersey State Uniform Construction Code, 5:23-3.15.

(f) Where water mains must be constructed to cross surface waters, the supplier of water shall discuss the appropriate design with the Department at a preapplication conference before submitting an application for a permit under this section.

(g) Regulations for distribution system maintenance are as follows:

1. Chambers or pits containing gate valves, air-relief valves, blowoffs, meters, or similar appurtenances to a distribution system shall be drained to ensure access and their functioning and shall not be directly connected to a storm sewer or sanitary sewer. Drainage may be discharged above ground or to dry wells.

2. Blowoffs, air-relief valves, flushing devices, and hydrant drains shall not be directly connected to a storm sewer or sanitary sewer.

3. The open end of an automatic air-relief pipe shall be extended from the manhole or enclosing chamber to a point at least one foot above the surrounding ground, and shall be provided with a downfacing elbow or mushroom cap and an insect screen. Manual air-relief pipes shall extend only to the highest point in the enclosing chamber, unless a high water table necessitates that the air relief pipes extend above ground.

4. Except as provided at N.J.A.C. 7:10-10, physical connections between a public community water system distribution system and any unapproved water supply are prohibited.

N.J. Admin. Code § 7:10-11.10

Amended by 49 N.J.R. 3505(b), effective 11/6/2017