DEVELOPMENT HANDBOOK

INDEX TO DRAWINGS

 INTRODUCTION

 The purpose of this document is to provide technical and procedural guidelines for the construction of multiple service connections, water mains, and/or other water infrastructure or facilities to be dedicated to the Greater Pine Island Water Association, Inc. (GPIWA). The document should serve as a guideline for developers, engineers, contractors, and other design professionals. 

 The intent of this manual is to maintain consistency with all local, state, and federal regulations and does not preclude compliance with SFWMD, FDEP, USACOE, DNR, Lee County Development Standards, and the Lee County Utilities Manual.

 Technical specifications and details have been provided only in specific instances where GPIWA requirements differ from Lee County Standards. All other provisions of the Lee County manual apply. Design professionals should be aware of these minor differences before specifying water service in the GPIWA franchise area. Any deviations with the technical specifications and details or conflicts with local codes and ordinances should be noted prior to plan submittal.

PRELIMINARY PLANNING

 Developers, Owners, Contractors, and others (Developers) wishing to add infrastructure to the GPIWA water system should contact the Association’s Office Manager to confirm that water service is available from GPIWA and pick-up a copy of GPIWA’s “Application to Construct”.

 If the Developer wishes to move forward with his/her project, The Application to Construct (appendix “A”) should be filled out and submitted to the GPIWA offices with preliminary plans, drawings and/or specifications, along with a non-refundable $100.00 Plan Review Fee.  Plans at this stage will be considered 60% complete by GPIWA. 

Upon receiving the application the General Manager, (usually within two weeks) will have the application reviewed by GPIWA management and staff.  Once reviewed, comments and corrections shall be sent back to the Developer/Engineer. Plan corrections should be made based on the initial GPIWA plan review and a sent back to GPIWA.  Plans at this point shall be considered 90% complete. GPIWA will perform a final plan review at this point and forward any additional comments back to the developer. Incorporating these final comments into the development plans, will bring the plans to the 100% approval level.

 Three (3) copies of the Final Plans should be submitted to GPIWA with the developers request to have Florida DEP form 62-555.900(7), “Notice of Intent to Use the General Permit for Construction of Water Main Extensions. GPIWA requires up to 14-days to review the final plans and execute the Florida DEP form.   

Reservation of Capacity – Capital Charges

 The Developer shall pay to GPIWA fifty percent (50%) of the Capital Charges calculated for the Development prior to the execution of the FDEP form 62-555.900(7), which effectively reserves water system capacity for the development.  GPIWA’s Office Manager should be contacted for a determination of the actual dollar amount.  

Pre-Construction Meeting 

The Developer may schedule a pre-construction meeting with the GPIWA staff after FDEP has approved the ”General Permit to Construct” application (62-555.900(7).  A copy of the approved FDEP permit for general utility construction should be given to GPIWA at this time (if not previously forwarded). Appendix B is a listing of preconstruction topics and milestones that require notification and inspection during the course of construction. Following a successful pre-construction meeting, and payment of a $25.00 per unit Construction Inspection Fee, a “Notice to Proceed” will be issued.   

Construction

 The Developer shall be responsible for engineering, construction and permitting for all on-site infrastructure. This document shall be the controlling document for construction specifications. Upon completion of the project, ownership of all on-site water infrastructures shall be dedicated to the Association; such infrastructure shall have a one (1) year unlimited warranty for parts and labor.

 The Developer shall also be responsible for all off-site engineering, construction and permitting (up to and including the physical connection) needed to connect to the Association’s infrastructure to the Developer’s infrastructure. Upon completion of the project ownership of all off-site water infrastructures shall be dedicated to the Association.  Such infrastructure shall have a one (1) year unlimited warranty for parts and labor.  

Joint Participation Agreement

If during the planning process, GPIWA wishes to upgrade the Developer’s proposed infrastructure, and that upgrade will solely benefit GPIWA, the Developer shall negotiate in good faith and make available pricing that will allow the Developer’s contractor to make the upgrades at the expense of GPIWA.  

Inspections

Exposing, tampering with, including making connections to the GPIWA water system, without notifying a GPIWA representative to be on-site to observe, is a Federal Offense. The GPIWA General Manager must be notified at least two working days in advance so that arrangements can be made for an Association employee to be on-site whenever a physical connection is made to the GPIWA water system. No physical contact shall be made with existing GPIWA water system infrastructure unless supervised by an employee of GPIWA. In addition, the Association reserves the right to inspect any supplies, materials, appearances, construction technique, and/or installations for the project.  

GPIWA personnel shall be present during all hydrostatic testing (Form Appendix “D”) of pipe and/or fittings if the test is to be considered valid.  The Developer shall also be responsible for all required bacteria testing and/or main line clearances.  In addition, GPIWA reserves the right to enter the construction area at anytime during construction to inspect the placement of appurtenances to be dedicated to the Association.

Easements

 Through the dedication process, the Developer will grant and convey to the Association, its successors and assigns the non-exclusive right or privilege to maintain water facilities in, under, upon, over, and across those portions of the Developer’s Property.  In accordance therewith, the Developer agrees to execute specific easement agreements to be recorded in the public records.  

For dedicated easement contained on private property, repair/replacement maintenance of any water infrastructure associated with the project shall be limited to the excavation, repair/replacement, backfilling and/or compaction within the easement repair site.  Repair/replacement of any disturbed, broken or removed concrete, asphalt, landscaping, irrigation, signs, parking structure, lighting, stanchions, mail boxes, and like structure shall be the responsibility of the Developer or the owner/successor. 

Rights of Ingress and Egress

The foregoing grants include the necessary right of ingress and egress to any part of Developer’s Property upon which Association is operating, or maintaining water facilities. 

Dedication of Water Facilities  

Upon project completion, the Developer will dedicate the constructed water lines, facilities, and/or infrastructure to the Association. Items to be submitted by the project Engineer are included in Appendix D. Water service will not be provided until all items are complete.

Application for Service

Once the facilities are dedicated, the Developer or its successors or occupant(s) of Developer’s Property, shall make written application through the Associations Office Manager for the opening of an account(s) for service. At the time of application for service, the applicant must become a member of the Association and pay all requisite service charges.

TECHNICAL SPECIFICATIONS

GENERAL:

 Plans must show proposed lines (location, size, type of pipe, etc).  They must also show location of valves, fire hydrants, etc.

  Upon approval, the plans will be returned to the developer, one (1) set will be retained by GPIWA.

 Standard details included in this manual must be included in Engineer's plan sets. 

 A licensed Contractor shall be utilized for all water main extensions to be dedicated to GPIWA. 

MATERIAL:

 All materials must used must meet or exceed the appropriate NSF/ANSI 60 (chemicals), NSF/ANSI 61 (Drinking Water Components), NSF/ANSI 14 (Plastic Piping Components and Materials). In addition, AWWA, GPIWA, and/or Lee County specifications, for materials and construction, where appropriate, must be observed. 

WATER MAINS: 

Minimum water main size will be dictated by Lee County Development Standards.  Minimum main size for feeding a fire hydrant in the GPIWA system is six inch (6").  

Water mains shall be AWWA C‑900, DR18, Class 150, rubber-gasketed pipe with bell and spigot ends.  3" and smaller lines shall be Class 200 psi, PVC rubber-gasketed pipe with bell and spigot ends.  

        NOTE:   A two-inch (2") water line may serve a maximum of five (5) residential lots.

ROAD CROSSINGS:  

All water mains that are placed under concrete or asphalt must be sleeved. Carrier pipe may be DIP, PVC or HDPE.

 Casing shall extend a minimum of five (5) feet past roadway edges.

DIP – shall meet the requirements of ASTM A 139, Grade B, with the following wall thickness: 

                               4” – 20”   .250 inches

                             20” – 30”  .312 Inches

PVC – DR 14, C-900 

HDPE –  SDR - 11    

At a minimum, all casing pipe shall be twice the diameter of the carrier pipe.

PIPE MATERIAL ‑ GENERAL:

No D.I.P.  pipe shall be used to transmit water in the GPIWA System

 All pipe used to carry water shall meet NSF/ANSI-14 standards.

 PVC pressure pipe for main lines four(4) inches in diameter and greater shall conform to AWWA C-900 and be pressure class 150 psi (DR-18). All PVC pressure pie smaller than four (4) inches in diameter shall be PVC 1120 (SDR 21, PR200) and shall conform to ASTM D2241.  Elastomeric bell-end pipe or elastomeric-gasket couplings are to be I=used for all joints. Solvent cement joints shall not be used on any mainline.  All materials shall be in accordance with AWWA C-900 and ASTM D2241.

 One-inch pipe shall be polytubing with Pack Joint compression fittings, all N.S.F. approved.

 PIPE JOINTING:

 Materials and methods shall be in strict accord with the recommendations of the respective pipe manufacturer. 

VALVES:

 Gate valves 2" to 3" shall be resilient seat iron body, bronze mounted, non‑rising stem type with 0‑ring stem seals.  Gate valves 4" and larger shall be Tyler DRS 250 or approved equal iron body, resilient seat type in accordance with AWWA C509, with non‑rising stem and 0‑ring stem seals. All valves shall have a 2" square nut operator.

 All valves and stops shall have ends suited, or adapters shall be provided, for proper installation in the lines in which they are located.  Valves shall meet applicable AWWA Standards.

VALVE BOXES: 

Valve boxes shall comply with the following requirements:

 For 2" and larger valves, boxes shall be approved standard Buffalo type, cast iron, adjustable shaft boxes having a minimum shaft diameter of 5‑1/4".  The castings shall be coated with two coats of coat‑tar pitch varnish.  The lids of all boxes shall bear the word "Water" or the letter "W".   Lids shall be painted blue, except for hydrant valves which shall have the lids painted red.

WATER SERVICES – GENERAL  (DWG 15 & 16)

 The Developer shall be responsible for the placement of a water service and meter box at each location at which a water meter will be needed.  Detail w-15 and 16 include the specifications for water service taps and associated appurtenances. 

 Service lines shall be run to all lots and installed in such a manner so that two lots may be serviced from one location.                                                                 

Water Services shall consist of the following: pipe, pipe saddle, corporation stop, angle stops, service line, angle stop/gate valve and meter box. Owner shall be responsible for relocation in the event of grade changes.  The minimum size water service line shall be 1". No more than 2 - 5/8” meters may be served by a 1" service line.

Water service lines located under a asphalt or concrete shall be sleeved. Carrier Pipe  specifications are defined in “Road Crossing” section.

WATER SERVICES – SPECIFICATIONS

LOCATION: 

Services shall be placed in the utility easement 1-foot inside property corner and extend a minimum of 2’ above finish lot grade placed in meter box.  DPW Model D1200, or approved equal. 

TAPPING SADDLES:

 Tapping saddles shall be stainless steel sleeves, Ford Model FS 303, or approved equal.  (DWG W-15)

 Hot taps for 1½” services shall be 2” with a 2” operation nut on the valve and then reduced to 1½”.

 All services for 1½" or 2" meters shall be 2" service lines with resilient seat iron body gate valve. Angle stops will not be accepted.

BALL CORPORATION STOP

 Ball Corporation stops shall be Ford FB-500, or approved equal.

CURB STOPS:

Curb stops will be Ford B43-332W  with padlock wings.

SERVICE LINES: 

Service lines will be polytubing. Pipe will be capped and marked from the main to the cap with blue tape. Pipe will be staked with a two-by-four, 2’ above finish grade and left staked until meter box or vault is installed to finish grade. All  service lines will have detection tape.  Detection tape will tie back to main line detection tape. 

 NOTE: The above items are specified exactly in order to maintain standardization throughout the system.

FIRE HYDRANTS:  (DWG W 2 thru 4) 

Hydrants will have a valve between the hydrant and the main.  Fire hydrants will have to be approved by the Matlacha-Pine Island Fire Control District.  Please refer to standard details for manufacturer.  Two valves shall be required if distance from hydrant to main exceeds fifty feet.  Hydrant services will be subject to HRS bacteriological testing.  See Appendix C.

 FIRELINES:  (DWG W-12) 

Fire lines are to be tapped directly into water main before the meter and a backflow preventer is to be installed. (See Page 9 - Backflow preventers). The fire line tap fee is listed in GPIWA’s Schedule of Fees and Water Rates and GPIWA personnel are required to be present at time of tap.   All fire lines will be bacteriologically tested (by Lee County Health Department) from main valve on utility main to the backflow preventer. Fire line backflow preventers must be tagged UL approved.

.JACK & BORE:

 All jack & bores are to be performed to Lee County Department of Transportation specifications.

RESTRAINTS:

 Restraints will be Mega lug, Tyler MJR glands or approved equal.  All threaded rod and nuts will be stainless steel.

WATER FOR CONSTRUCTION:

Contractor shall install an inline meter for metering all water used for construction.  Meter to be furnished by GPIWA at a cost to the Contractor of $20.00 per month rental fee and $3.30 per 1000 gallons used. A $50.00 deposit on the meter will be required.  Deposit will be refunded when the meter is returned to GPIWA in proper working condition and final bill paid.

MISCELLANEOUS INFORMATION:  

Movement of Traffic (MOT) shall be set up in accordance with State and/or County D.O.T. regulations, whichever one has jurisdiction of right‑of‑way being worked in.  

GPIWA approval does not over-ride the need for obtaining applicable State, County, or health department permits.  

All water lines shall be flushed at 4 fps. 

All water lines will be pressure tested at 150 PSI for two (2) hours.  Leakage allowed will be calculated as per AWWA C600-82.       

Mains shall be disinfected in accordance with AWWA and FDEP standards; testing and certification for bacteria shall be by, or in accordance with the Lee County Health Department Standards.  

If the road is a private road, a utility easement must be granted to GPIWA and properly recorded in the public records of Lee County.  The size of the easement will be determined by GPIWA.  

Upon final acceptance of water lines by GPIWA , all pipe will become the property of Greater Pine Island Water Association, Inc.  Contractor will warrant all installations for one year from date of final acceptance. 

LOCAL STANDARDS:  

The term "local standards" as used in connection with the water distribution system, means the standards set by the Greater Pine Island Water Association, Inc., Lee County   Prior to any construction, the Contractor shall contact the General Manager of Greater Pine Island Water Association, Inc. and arrange a pre‑construction meeting.  

EXISTING IMPROVEMENTS:  

Maintain in operating condition all active utilities, sewers, gutters and other drains encountered in the utility installation.   Repair to the satisfaction of the owner any surface or sub‑surface improvement damaged during the course of the work (unless such improvement is shown to be abandoned or removed), whether or not such improvement is shown on the drawings.

INTERRUPTION OF SERVICE 

Residential customer’s whose water service must be discontinued due to development construction/tie-ins shall be notified by the Developer/Contractor at least 48-hours in advance; Five (5) days notice shall be required for commercial customers.  Non-business hour construction may be needed if it is determined by the General Manager that the workflow of the commercial would be overtly affected.  

The Developer/Contractor shall be responsible for issuing the appropriate “Boil Water Notices” and subsequent “Rescindion Notices” as required by FDEP and the Lee County Environmental Health Unit. The Developer/Contractor will also be responsible for obtaining the appropriate bacteriological tests and approvals for service as required by FDEP and the Lee County Environmental Health Agency. 

In extreme cases as defined by the General Manager, a by-pass to maintain water service to large areas or critical commercial accounts may be necessary. 

PROTECTION OF PIPING LAID IN AREAS OF FILL:  (DWG C-4) 

The underground utilities specified in this document shall not be laid in areas of fill prior to the actual performance of the grading operation, unless the depth of the cover over such utilities below existing ground surface is at least 30 inches for 10" and under and 36" for all pipe larger than 10".  Such depth of cover requirement may be reduced provided the pipe is protected by concrete cradling, encasement or other manner satisfactory to GPIWA.    Lines in excess of 48" deep require specific approval and shall be restrained.  

TRENCHING AND BACKFILLING 

GENERAL    

A.     In all cases, it is the Developer/Contractor’s responsibility to follow Florida’s regulations (Sunshine State One-Call of Florida, Inc.) for locating utilities in easements. 

B.     Pipe should be laid in an open trench except unless written permission is obtained from the General Manager for tunneling in advance. The trench should be opened sufficiently ahead of pipe‑laying to reveal obstructions.  Appropriate trench crossings should be used as necessary to accommodate public travel. 

C.    WIDTH OF TRENCH:  The minimum width of the trench shall be equal to the outside diameter of the pipe at the joint plus 8 inches for unsheeted trench or 12 inches for sheeted trench.  The maximum width of trench, measured at the top of the pipe, shall not exceed the outside pipe diameter plus 2 feet, unless otherwise shown on the drawing details or approved by GPIWA.  Trench walls shall be maintained vertical from the bottom of the trench to a line measured one foot above the top of the pipe.  From one foot above the top of the pipe to the surface the trench walls shall be approximately vertical, or as specified to conform with OSHA Regulations. 

D.    SHORING AND BRACING: Shore and brace trenches as required by State Statutes to protect workmen and adjacent structures.  Comply with local regulations or, in the absence thereof, with the "Manual of Accident Prevention in Construction" of the Associated General Contractors of America, Inc. Do not remove shoring until trench is backfilled sufficiently to protect pipe and prevent injurious caving.  

E.     WATER REMOVAL:    Keep trenches free from water while construction is in progress.  Under no circumstances lay pipe or appurtenances in water.  Pump or bail water from bell holes to permit proper jointing of pipes.  Conduct the discharge from trench dewatering to drains or natural drainage channels.  Contractor is responsible for all applicable state and local regulations regarding offsite discharge of water and turbidity control per Engineer's instructions.  If sub‑surface water is encountered, the Contractor shall use approved means to dewater the excavation.  A well point system or other approved equipment shall be installed if necessary to maintain the excavation in a dry condition for placing of concrete and setting pipe lines.  

F.     DISPOSITION OF UTILITIES:    Rules and Regulations governing the respective utilities shall be observed in executing all work under this heading.  Active utilities, if encountered, shall be protected in accordance with written instructions of the Engineer. Inactive and abandoned utilities encountered in trenching operation shall be removed, plugged or capped.  In absence of specific requirements, plug or cap such utility lines at least 3' from utility line to be installed or as required by local regulations.  

G.    GRADING TRENCH BOTTOM: 

1.         As an alternate method, optional with the Contractor, excavate trenches to at least 6" below the required bottom levels and refill to the proper grade with sand or gravel firmly compacted. 

2.         In rock, cemented gravel, old masonry, or other hard material, excavate to at least 6" below the pipe at all points and refill to grade with sand or gravel firmly compacted.  

3.         In fill containing refuse, organic matter or similar substances, remove such material to a depth of at least 6" below the pipe at all points and refill to grade with sand or gravel firmly compacted.  

H.     TREE PROTECTION: Exercise care to protect the roots of trees to remain.  Within the branch spread of such trees, perform all trenching by hand.  Open the trench only when the utility can be installed immediately; prune injured roots cleanly and backfill as soon as possible.  Perform all this work under direction of the Engineer.  

I.         BACKFILLING: Backfill trenches only after piping has been inspected by GPIWA and locations of pipe lines and appurtenances have been recorded.  

1.         For a depth of at least 12" above the top of the pipe,   with earth or granular material free from large stones, rock fragments, roots and sod; exclude cinder, junk, refuse, scrap iron and unused portions of welded rods from trenches in which metal pipes are to be laid; tamp this  backfill thoroughly in layers not exceeding 4" in thickness, taking care not to disturb the pipe or injure the pipe coating.   

2.         For the remaining trench depth, backfill with material as specified in the preceding sub‑paragraph, except the material may contain stones, or rock, but no cinders, with a maximum dimension of 4" provided the voids in such coarse material are completely filled with earth or granular material.  Compact to 95% maximum density with mechanical tampers in layers not more than 12" thick measured loose.  

BACKFLOW PREVENTION:  (DWG W-12) 

Greater Pine Island Water Association, Inc. has adopted the regulation of Backflow Prevention and Cross Connection to eliminate actual or potential cross connections between potable and non-potable sources. 

A double check backflow preventer should be used on all connections subject to backpressure, where there is a low potential health hazard or nuisance which is under continuous pressure. 

Double check backflow preventers approved by GPIWA include: 1) FEBCO - ¾" - 1" (810), 1½" - 2" (825Y-BV),  2½" - 10" (805Y)  (806YD-DCDA-fireline); or 2) WATTS - 1½" - 2" (709/007 series) 2½" - 10" (709) 3" - 10" (709DDC-fireline).  All backflow preventers ¾" to 1" will be FEBCO. 

A reduce pressure principle backflow preventer will be used for all potable connections subject to back pressure or back-siphonage, where there is a high potential health hazard from contamination which is under continuous pressure. 

All test cocks must be plugged to insure proper testing. 

Reduced pressure principle backflow preventer approved by GPIWA include: 1) FEBCO - ¾" - 1" (810), 1½" - 2" (825Y-BV) 2½" - 10" (825YD)  2½" - 10" (826YD-fireline) or  2) WATTS - ¾" - 2" (909)  2½" - 10" (909)  3" - 10" (909RPDA-fireline).

All firelines must be bacteriologically cleared.

Fireline backflow preventers must be tagged UL approved per M-PIFCD.

 WATER DISTRIBUTION SYSTEM INSTALLATION  

CONNECTIONS TO EXISTING MAINS:        (DWG W-14) 

Contractor shall make all required connections to existing water mains, arranging therefore, with Greater Pine Island Water Association, Inc.  to have supervision during the tap.  All such connections will be pressure taps and subject to HRS sampling/testing and pressure tested according to AWWA standards.  

HANDLING AND STORING MATERIALS: 

Unload cast iron pipes by joists or skidding so as to avoid shock or damage.  Handle and store all pipe in such a manner as to avoid deformation or other injury thereto.  Store pipe and fittings on sills above storm drainage level and place wood stringers between layers of pipe.  Place no pipe within pipe of a larger size.  Deliver pipe for laying after the trench is excavated. 

IDENTIFICATION: 

When PVC is to be installed, tracer wire (#10 copper, magnetic tape, or equivalent) shall be placed along the entire pipe length. After backfill, detection tests will be conducted every 1000 feet.  In all cases, marking tape shall be installed 24" (61.0 cm) above the water/sewer main during backfill operations per standards outlined in the Utility Location and Coordinating Council's Uniform Color Code.  Tape should be tied to provide continuity.  Any previously installed tape damaged during excavation should be re-tied and repaired or replaced.  Double tape - first on the pipe and second 18” below finish grade. 

PIPE LAYING ‑ GENERAL:  

The interior of the pipe shall be clean and joint surfaces brushed and wiped clean and dry when the pipe is lowered into trench.  Lower each pipe, fitting and valve into the trench carefully and lay true to line and without objectionable breaks in grade.  The depth of cover below finished grade shall be not less than 30" and as much deeper as necessary to give proper clearance from other utilities and structures.  Under no circumstances drop or dump pipe or appurtenances into the trench.  Give all pipes a uniform bearing on the trench bottom.  Allow no trench water or dirt to enter the pipe or joints space during laying.  Insert a water‑tight plug in the open end of the piping when laying is not in progress.  Cut pipe as necessary to locate fittings and valves in the positions shown on the Drawings, cut the pipe squarely and neatly and without damage to the pipe.  Set plugs in openings left for branches to be installed later.   

        A.      Pipe Laying and Jointing:  Perform this work in full accord with the pipe manufacturer's published directions or specifications, a copy of which shall be furnished to GPIWA.  

        B.      Fittings and Branch Connections: Install proper fittings at all changes in direction, dead ends, and intersections of lines.      

        C.      Setting Valves:  Before setting each valve, make sure the interior is clean and test opening and closing.  Set valves and stops with stems plumb and at the exact locations shown.  Provide a cast iron stop cock holder and a brick laid flat or other similar foot‑piece under each curb box.  Valve and service boxes shall be plumb, centered over valves, and with tops at finished grade.  Tamp trench backfill thoroughly for a distance of 3' on each side of boxes. (DWG W-13) 

        D.      Blocking:  When shown on the plans or when settlement or vibration or water hammer is likely to occur;  including all bends, tees, valves, plugs, and hydrants, thrust blocks or approved megalugs or restraining glands shall be provided.  No thrust blocks are to be installed between mains.  Total restraint required using  GPIWA specifications.  (DWG C-2 and C-3) 

       E.    Tests:  Provide the necessary material, equipment and labor necessary to perform a hydrostatic test and a leakage test on all water lines. 

             1.   Hydrostatic Test: After the pipe has been laid, it shall be subjected to a hydrostatic test pressure of 150  PSI.  When local conditions in the opinion of the  Engineer are such that the trenches must be backfilled  immediately after laying the pipe, the pressure test may  be made after backfilling has been completed but before  placement of permanent paving.  Tests shall not be made  for at least 36 hours after the last concrete thrust  block has been poured.  Each pressure test shall be  maintained for the duration of  two (2) hours  unless  otherwise directed by the Engineer.  During filling of the pipe and before the test, all air shall be expelled from the lines.  If necessary, air release valve shall be installed in the points of highest elevation to eliminate the air.  After the test, these taps shall be tightly plugged to the satisfaction of the Greater Pine Island Water Association, Inc.  During the test all pipe fittings, couplings, joints, valves and hydrants shall be closely examined for leaks  and defects.  If any are found, they shall be repaired or replaced.  The test shall be repeated until  satisfactory to the Engineer.  Allowable leakage will be as indicated on the “Hydrostatic Test Results” form  located in Appendix D. 

        F.    Flushing Mains:  Upon completion of the water distribution system, test all valves to insure their full opening and flush out the system progressively by opening blow offs and building outlets, and before final acceptance of the work, make further tests from blow offs and outlets to ascertain if the lines are clear.  All mains or service lines 6” or larger must be scheduled with prior approval from GPIWA.  Jumper assembly will be installed within 24 hours of full bore flush.  (DWG W-9) 

     G.  Sterilization of Water Distribution System:  As soon as the water distribution system has been flushed out as above specified, it shall be sterilized in accordance with the requirements of the Health Department.   

              1.      Introduce chlorine or a solution of calcium or sodium hypochlorite, filling the lines slowly and applying the sterilizing agent at a rate of 50 parts per million of chlorine, as determined by residual chlorine tests at  the ends of the lines.  Open and close all valves and  hydrants while the system is being chlorinated.  

               2.      After the sterilizing agent has been applied for 24 hours, test for residual chlorine at the ends of the  lines.  If less than 5 p.p.m. is indicated, repeat the sterilization process.  

               3.      When tests show at least 5 p.p.m. of residual  chlorine, flush out the system until all traces of the chemical used are removed.                        

GPIWA reserves the right to test the water again at any time prior to final acceptance of the work and, if found unsafe bacteriologically to require the Contractor to re-chlorinate the system until the water is proven equal to that supplied by the public system.  

        H.      Obstructions: All water pipes, storm drains, force mains, gas or other pipe, telephone or power cables or conduits, curbs, sidewalks, all house services and all other obstructions, whether or not shown, shall be temporarily removed from, or supported across utility line excavations.  Underground sprinkler system piping encountered within the work area and interfering with swale grading or other work requirements, shall be capped-off and removed by the  Contractor in such a manner as to not render the system unusable, if possible.  Prior to sod placement, affected property owners shall be notified by the Contractor in sufficient time to allow the property owner to repair the system.  Existing materials in the work area are to remain the property of the affected property owner(s) and if removed, shall be surrendered to same.  Where it is necessary to temporarily interrupt house services, the Contractor shall notify the house owner or occupant, both before the interruption and again immediately before service is resumed.  Before disconnecting any pipes or cables, the Contractor shall obtain permission from their owner, or shall make suitable arrangements for their disconnection by their owner.  The Contractor shall be responsible for any damage to any such pipes, conduits or cables, and shall restore them to service promptly as soon as the work has progressed past the point involved.  Approximate locations of known water, sanitary, drainage, power and telephone installations along the route of new pipelines or in the vicinity of new work are shown, but must be verified in the field by the Contractor.  The Contractor shall uncover these pipes, ducts, cables, etc., carefully, by hand, prior to installing new utility lines.  Any discrepancies or differences found shall be brought to the attention of the Owner in order that necessary changes may be made to permit installation of new pipe.  These conditions are supplemental to general requirements elsewhere in these specifications.  Where fences, walls, or other man made obstructions exist illegally in the public right-of-way, the Owner shall have them removed upon adequate prior notice by the Contractor. 

        I.      Damage to Existing Structures and Utilities: The Contractor shall be responsible for and make good all damage to pavement, buildings, telephone or other cables, water pipes, sanitary pipes, or other structures which may be encountered, whether or not shown on the Drawings. 

Information shown on the Drawings as to the location of existing utilities has been prepared from the most reliable data available to the Engineer.  This information is not guaranteed, however, and it shall be the Contractor’s responsibility to determine the locations, character and depth of any existing utilities.  He shall assist the utility companies by every means possible to determine said locations.  Extreme caution shall be exercised to eliminate any possibility of any damage to utilities resulting from his activities. 

J.  Contractor to notify GPIWA inspector 24 hours prior to flushing. 

K.  Punchlist and final walk-through will include GPIWA representative, design Engineer and Contractor. 

L.  The Contractor shall record during water line installation the location of all valves, couplings, services, tees, etc. and the water line at a maximum spacing of 300 feet. 

FINAL INSPECTION: 

At the time of final inspection of the work performed under the contract, the utilities covered by this Division shall be complete in every respect and in perfect operating condition.  All surplus materials of every character resulting from the work of this Division shall be removed.   Any defects discovered in the utilities subsequent to this inspection shall have been corrected.

GREATER PINE ISLAND WATER ASSOCIATION, INC.