§ 52-123. Water and sewer mains for development of property or newly subdivided property.

(a)

Definitions. The following words, terms and phrases, when used in this section, shall have the meanings ascribed to them in this subsection, except where the context clearly indicates a different meaning:

Capital improvements plan (CIP) means a prioritized list of capital improvements planned for construction in accordance with an approved time schedule.

Construction observer means the individual or company responsible for the observation of construction for the purpose of ascertaining compliance with design standards and specifications.

Developer means the owner or agent of the owner developing land and installing utilities to serve lot or tracts.

Licensed utility contractor means any contractor meeting the criteria set forth in the State of New Mexico Construction Industries Division Rules and Regulations, sections GF-9 or GF-98.

Master plan means the plan, which outlines the town's infrastructure improvements as it relates to future growth.

Moratorium means a legally authorized period of delay in the performance of legal obligations pertaining to utilities.

Off-site main means water and sanitary sewer mains totally outside a tract of land to be developed.

On-site main means water and sanitary sewer mains totally within a tract of land to be developed.

Pressurized sewer mains means sanitary sewer mains, which convey sewage under pressurized conditions.

Sanitary sewer means the public sewer portion of a wastewater facility, which transports wastewater and to which stormwater, surface water and groundwater are not intentionally admitted.

Standard utility specifications and drawings means a compilation of standard design requirements and drawings that have been approved for use in the construction of town water and sewer mains.

Town engineer means a person employed by the town for the purpose of overseeing town-engineering concerns. If none is available the utilities director will be considered the same.

Utility means water, sewer and other utility service furnished by the town to consumers thereof.

Wastewater means the used water of a community. Such used water may be a combination of the liquid and waterborne wastes from residences, commercial buildings, industrial plants and institutions.

Water delivery system means any system of pipes designed and constructed for the purpose of delivering potable water to residential and commercial consumers for both public and private use.

(b)

All mains and lines installed pursuant to this section shall become town property, free and clear of all encumbrances. Any contract entered into between the developer and contractor shall provide for a guarantee as set forth in the Land Use Code (article VI of chapter 8) or subsequent amendments thereto.

(c)

Notwithstanding any other provision of this section, in no event shall the town be obligated to proceed under the terms of this section if funds are not available or the council decides not to proceed based on impracticality or any other reason in its sole discretion based on majority decision.

(d)

Water delivery systems constructed by persons or entities other than the town will be considered for acceptance into the town's system according to the guidelines in this section. Meeting the following guidelines does not preclude the town from requiring additional conditions prior to an acceptance agreement or from declining to accept the system into the town's system:

(1)

Any water delivery system being considered for acceptance into the town's system must meet or exceed all state and federal environmental standards for a municipal water supply.

(2)

Any water delivery system being considered for acceptance into the town's system must perform a leak detection analysis. Leaks identified by the analysis must be adequately repaired prior to acceptance.

(3)

Water delivery systems constructed subsequent to the adoption of the ordinance from which this article is derived will be considered for acceptance into the town's system only when the new system has been developed and constructed in accordance with all the requirements and criteria specified in the ordinance from which this policy is derived and in accordance with the town's standard utility specifications and drawings.

(4)

Water delivery systems constructed prior to the adoption of the ordinance from which this article is derived will be required to meet the following minimum criteria prior to acceptance into the town's system:

a.

Fire protection will be installed to meet standards as set forth in the currently adopted fire code.

b.

Distribution mains will have valves spaced at not more than 500-foot intervals.

c.

A separate water meter must be installed at each dwelling or structure that receives water and is located within the area to be accepted into the town's system.

(e)

Pressurized sewer mains will be evaluated for acceptance into the town's sewer system on a case-by-case basis by the town engineer.

(f)

All water and sewer main extensions will be laid within the sidelines of dedicated streets, alleys or dedicated utility easements granted to the town in accordance with the town's master plan. Where water and sewer mains are constructed outside of a dedicated street or alley the minimum easement width shall be ten feet.

(g)

Where an individual property owner, water association or developer is extending a water and sewer main that is either not included in the town's capital improvement plan (CIP) or funding is not available, the individual property owner, water association or developer must abide by the following:

(1)

The individual property owner, water association or developer must obtain a utility main extension permit from the town's utilities department. The permit must be completed and returned to the town for final approval. No installation of the utility main shall occur prior to approval of the permit by the town engineer.

(2)

The individual, water association or developer must comply with all rules and criteria identified on the utility main extension permit.

(3)

The water and sewer main extension must be inspected and accepted by the town engineer prior to connecting the extension to the town's system.

(4)

All individuals, water associations or developers are responsible for all costs associated with the water and sewer main extension. Based on funding available and the added value to the town's infrastructure system, the town may opt to partner in the extension. The contractor may then be eligible to apply for pro rata compensation for extensions that improve the town's infrastructure and serve more than one development, individual or water association.

(h)

Individuals seeking to connect to the town's existing infrastructure are responsible for all costs associated with the extension of water and sewer mains that are not currently being extended through the town's capital improvement plan (CIP). Mains will be permitted only in accordance with the town's master plan or as approved by the town engineer upon review of written justification for the deviation by the town engineer, as submitted by the property owner.

(1)

All water and sewer main extensions to individual properties must be designed and constructed according to the town's standard utility specifications and drawings.

(2)

Water and sewer main extensions must be installed by a licensed utility contractor.

(i)

Water associations seeking to connect to the town's existing infrastructure are responsible for all costs associated with the extension of water and sewer mains that are not currently being extended through the town's CIP. Mains will be permitted only in accordance with the town's master plan or as approved by the town engineer upon review of written justification for the deviation by the town engineer, as submitted by the water association.

(1)

All water and sewer main extensions constructed for the purpose of supplying water or sewer service to a water association must be designed and constructed according to the town's standard utility specifications and drawings.

(2)

Water and sewer main extensions constructed for the purpose of supplying water to a water association must be installed by a licensed utility contractor.

(3)

Water and sewer systems constructed and owned by the water association must be completed in accordance with the town's standard utility specifications and drawings prior to connection with the town's extended water and sewer main.

(j)

Where extensions of water and sanitary sewer mains are required to serve property which has been subdivided, platted or planned for development, water and sewer facilities may be extended to such properties on the following basis in accordance with minimum standards described in the remainder of this subsection. The developer may lay, install or construct water and sanitary sewer mains on all of the subdivided or platted property at the same time or upon approval of a plan of performance, develop only part of the area.

(1)

Where water and sanitary sewer mains lie along one or more sides of a subdivision or planned area and serve the subdivision or planned area exclusively, such mains will be considered on-site mains.

(2)

On-site main extensions within property to be developed shall be the sole financial responsibility of the developer. Developers of such property will pay the entire cost of water and sanitary sewerage systems within their subdivisions. The town engineer, in accordance with the town's master plan, shall solely determine main size adequacy.

(k)

Water and sanitary sewer main extensions to serve an area planned for development may be authorized only after plans for development have been approved by the town in accordance with the requirements of the town's Land Use Code and regulations and shall be accomplished as provided in this article. Where the area planned for development is:

(1)

Within the town's capital improvement plan (CIP) for the current fiscal year the town will be responsible for the extension of the water and sewer mains to the extent possible with the available funding.

(2)

Not within the town's CIP for the current fiscal year or funding for the CIP is not available the developer will be responsible for the cost of extending the water and sewer mains to the subdivided property in accordance with the town's CIP and master plan.

(3)

Not within the town's master plan the developer will be responsible for the cost of extending the water and sewer mains to the subdivided property in accordance with the town's standard utility specifications and drawings.

(l)

Plans and profiles submitted by the developer's engineer shall be prepared on standard 24-inch by 36-inch sheets of Mylar. Plans and profiles shall be shown at scales of one inch to 50 feet horizontal and one inch to two feet vertical. The engineer submitting the plans and profiles must be a registered professional civil or sanitary engineer in the state, and he must affix his seal and signature to the originals of all plans and profiles. Three complete blueline sets of project drawings shall be submitted to the town for approval. One copy of the plat of the addition or subdivision that has been recorded in the county records and so stamped shall also be submitted with the project drawings. Upon final approval, these bluelines will be returned to the developer's engineer for the purpose of making any required changes to the original drawings after which one set of Mylar and three sets of bluelines of the completed project drawings shall be returned to the town to become the permanent property of the town.

(m)

All changes to and deviations from the approved plans shall be submitted to the town for approval. The prior approval of the town engineer is required for any changes or deviations from the approved plans to be constructed.

(n)

Upon approval of the water and sewer plans by the town, the developer may proceed to construct the system as planned and approved provided that the construction and installation of the water and sewer lines are observed and certified by an independent, town approved construction observer to insure installation in accordance with the said plans and the town's standard utility specifications and drawings which shall be included in all installation contracts. The developer will be responsible for retaining and paying the construction observer and all related costs. The construction observer shall not begin work until the developer receives written notice of approval of the particular construction observer.

(o)

A developer shall design and prepare construction plans for on-site water and sanitary sewer mains to serve a subdivision or area planned for development including any access or off-site mains that may be required. These plans shall conform in all details to the town's standard utility specifications and drawings, or equal as approved by the town engineer, for design, grade, location, size, quality of materials and construction. These standards are generally described, but are not limited, by the following:

(1)

Water main extension design criteria.

a.

The water main extensions shall be sized in accordance with the town's master plan. The minimum size for water main extensions shall be not less than six inches in diameter or as approved by the town engineer upon review of written justification for the use of smaller pipe by the town engineer, as submitted by the developer.

b.

All water main extensions shall be constructed using ductile iron pipe, joints shall be rubber-gasketed push-on or mechanical type in accordance with AWWA C111 or other similar approved materials.

c.

All pipe shall be bedded using town approved bedding sand, or other materials meeting the installation specifications of the pipe manufacturer, to a minimum depth of 12 inches above and below the pipe and in coordination with the town's standard utility specifications and drawings, or as otherwise approved by the town engineer.

d.

Selected backfill of sand or earth shall be used above the bedding sand for at least 12 inches with maximum size rock, cobble or stone not to exceed two inches diameter.

e.

Minimum ground cover for buried water mains shall be not less than 36 inches.

f.

Concrete thrust blocks, if needed, shall be constructed in accordance with the Town of Silver City Standard Drawings No. 2320 and 2340. Thrust blocks shall be used at all changes of direction, junctions, terminal ends and fire hydrant locations. Restrained joint fittings, such as Mega-Lug, may be used in lieu of concrete thrust blocks for the installation of terminal ends and fire hydrants.

g.

Valves shall be located in such a manner as to adequately control the water lines and shall be integrated into the system as follows:

1.

Four valves shall be installed at all four-way crosses at a distance of 18 inches from the cross intersection.

2.

Three valves shall be installed at all tee connections at a distance of 18 inches from the tee intersection.

3.

One valve shall be installed on each fire hydrant assembly.

4.

Straight runs of distribution mains shall have valves spaced at not more than 500 feet.

5.

All valve connections require the use of restrained joint fittings, such as Mega-Lug, and shall be installed in accordance with the town's standard utility specifications and drawings.

h.

Fire hydrants shall be of the freeze-proof traffic design type, constructed of cast-iron pipe assemblies, and shall be spaced at intervals of not more than 360 lineal feet along the right-of-way from each other. At least two cubic feet of crushed rock or gravel shall be used at each hydrant to provide free drainage. Water permeable filter fabric shall be placed above the gravel and around the hydrant for a radius of two feet.

i.

Service lines shall connect to the water main at right angles. Water service line locations shall be permanently referenced on the curb or property with a suitable marker or impression using a "W" to designate the water service lines.

(2)

Sanitary sewer main design criteria.

a.

The sewer main extensions shall be sized in accordance with the town's master plan.

1.

All pressurized force mains must be designed to meet immediate flow and future flow capacity requirements. Force mains shall be designed in accordance with the town's standard utility specifications and drawings. All force mains must be reviewed and approved by the town engineer on a case-by-case basis.

2.

The minimum size for gravity sewer main extensions shall be not less than eight inches in diameter or as approved by the town engineer upon review of written justification for the use of smaller pipe by the town engineer, as submitted by the developer.

b.

All gravity sewer main extensions shall be constructed using Schedule 40 PVC pipe, either standard or extra strength as required to be structurally sound beneath the height of backfill. Joints shall be the lubricated slip-on type or other similar approved materials.

c.

All pipe shall be bedded using town approved bedding sand, or other materials meeting the installation specifications of the pipe manufacturer, to a minimum depth of six inches above and below the pipe and in accordance with the town's standard utility specifications and drawings.

d.

Selected backfill of sand or earth shall be used above the bedding sand for at least 12 inches with maximum size rock, cobble or stone not to exceed two inches in diameter.

e.

Minimum ground cover for gravity sewer mains shall be not less than 36 inches unless otherwise approved by the town engineer.

f.

Infiltration of subsurface water into sewer mains shall not be more than 10,000 gallons per mile of main per day.

g.

Minimum grades for sewer mains and collectors shall not be less than the following:

Sewer Main Size	Minimum Grade (percent)
8-inch	0.40
10-inch	0.30
12-inch	0.25

 

h.

Grades shall be designed to furnish a minimum velocity of two feet per second at peak flow.

i.

Manholes shall be constructed at all changes of alignment or grade and constructed in accordance with the town's standard utility specifications and drawings. Manholes shall be not more than 350 feet apart.

j.

All gravity sewer mains (eight inches and larger) shall be terminated in a manhole, except mains of less than 100 feet in length may end in a cleanout, which rises to the surface of the pavement and is capped by a metal removable cover.

k.

In areas having substantial ground water, the exterior walls of the manholes shall be plastered or covered with an asphalt waterproof membrane. All covers in the roadways shall be of a class to withstand the anticipated wheel loads. Covers and rims shall be 250 pounds total weight and shall be ground to ensure full bearing for the entire circumference.

l.

Gravity sewer service lines shall be constructed for each dwelling unit and shall terminate at the property line.

m.

All sewer service connections shall join the gravity sewer mains with a wye connection or tapping saddle at a maximum 33 degrees from the horizontal and shall intersect the gravity sewer main at the 45-degree cast wye.

n.

Sewer service line locations shall be permanently referenced on the curb or property with a suitable marker or impression using a "S" to designate the sewer service lines.

o.

Inspection of new sewer pipe installation shall include checks on:

1.

Alignment and grade;

2.

Caulking and grouting of the entire circumference of each joint;

3.

Displacement of pipe during the backfilling of the operations; and

4.

Continuity of flow at manholes.

p.

The town engineer shall monitor the conditions, capacities and usage of the water and sewer systems. The town engineer shall notify the town council when conditions, as set forth in the town's policy, exist such that a moratorium on the extension of sewer and water mains may be necessary. Any moratorium must be approved by a majority vote of the council.

(Code 1979, § 30-83; Code 2005, § 54.085; Ord. No. 536, § 12, 11-6-1972; Ord. No. 904, 7-18-1994; Ord. No. 970, 11-25-1996; Ord. No. 1120, § 54.085(h), 9-11-2006)