Chaz
Well-known member
I'm bringing sewer and waterlines into my basement from the street. Can they share the same ditch, or is there a code that says they have to be separated by a given distance?
Sewer/ water question
- Thread starter Chaz
- Start date
Zeke
Well-known member
Here is a partial quote from the CA Health Dept.:
"Section 64630.(Title 22 CA Code of Regulations) Water Main Installation“
(c) Water mains shall be installed at least:
(1) Ten feet (3 meters) horizontally from and 1 foot (0.3 meters) higher than
sanitary sewer mains located parallel to the main.
(2) One foot (0.3 meters) higher than sanitary sewer mains crossing the main.
(3) Ten feet (3 meters), and preferably 25 feet (7.5 meters), horizontally from
sewage leach fields, cesspools, seepage pits and septic tanks."
This is their reasoning:
"When buried water mains are in close proximity to non-potable pipelines, the water mains
are vulnerable to contamination that can pose a risk of waterborne disease outbreaks. For
example, sewers (sanitary sewer mains and sewage force mains) frequently leak and
saturate the surrounding soil with sewage due to structural failure, improperly constructed
joints, and/or subsidence or upheaval of the soil encasing the sewer. If a nearby water
main is depressurized and no pressure or negative pressure occurs, that situation is a
public health hazard that is compounded if an existing sewer is broken during the
installation or repair of the water main. Further, failure of a water main in close proximity to
other pipelines may disturb their bedding and cause them to fail. In the event of an
earthquake or other disaster, simultaneous failure of all pipelines could occur.
The most effective protection against this type of drinking water contamination is adequate
construction and separation of non-potable pipelines and water mains. The Waterworks
Standards (Title 22, Chapter 16, Section 64572) provide separation criteria for new
construction. However, when these criteria cannot be met, the risk of contamination can
be reduced by increasing the structural integrity of pipe materials and joints, and ensuring minimum separation requirements are met. Therefore, the following guidance details construction criteria for the installation of water mains and non-potable pipelines to minimize the risk of contamination of drinking water"
Your requirements may be different but common sense is universal.
"Section 64630.(Title 22 CA Code of Regulations) Water Main Installation“
(c) Water mains shall be installed at least:
(1) Ten feet (3 meters) horizontally from and 1 foot (0.3 meters) higher than
sanitary sewer mains located parallel to the main.
(2) One foot (0.3 meters) higher than sanitary sewer mains crossing the main.
(3) Ten feet (3 meters), and preferably 25 feet (7.5 meters), horizontally from
sewage leach fields, cesspools, seepage pits and septic tanks."
This is their reasoning:
"When buried water mains are in close proximity to non-potable pipelines, the water mains
are vulnerable to contamination that can pose a risk of waterborne disease outbreaks. For
example, sewers (sanitary sewer mains and sewage force mains) frequently leak and
saturate the surrounding soil with sewage due to structural failure, improperly constructed
joints, and/or subsidence or upheaval of the soil encasing the sewer. If a nearby water
main is depressurized and no pressure or negative pressure occurs, that situation is a
public health hazard that is compounded if an existing sewer is broken during the
installation or repair of the water main. Further, failure of a water main in close proximity to
other pipelines may disturb their bedding and cause them to fail. In the event of an
earthquake or other disaster, simultaneous failure of all pipelines could occur.
The most effective protection against this type of drinking water contamination is adequate
construction and separation of non-potable pipelines and water mains. The Waterworks
Standards (Title 22, Chapter 16, Section 64572) provide separation criteria for new
construction. However, when these criteria cannot be met, the risk of contamination can
be reduced by increasing the structural integrity of pipe materials and joints, and ensuring minimum separation requirements are met. Therefore, the following guidance details construction criteria for the installation of water mains and non-potable pipelines to minimize the risk of contamination of drinking water"
Your requirements may be different but common sense is universal.
For OP is this city or rural setting??
Is this for house, with primary use of that water and the initial connection to service provided from city??
Zeke is right that "best practice" is what CA would do given the earthquate risk of mixing water and sewer IF the lines were in proximity to each other.
Any house I've owned so far, they are MORE than 10 ft away from each other. My water often came in from curb area water service then water meter before it entered house. Sewer often went out back from house to alley / easement area at back property line.
I sure would NOT skimp and save a few bucks that might cause me major problems later if sewer line had to be dug up. Do it right the first time.
Is this for house, with primary use of that water and the initial connection to service provided from city??
Zeke is right that "best practice" is what CA would do given the earthquate risk of mixing water and sewer IF the lines were in proximity to each other.
Any house I've owned so far, they are MORE than 10 ft away from each other. My water often came in from curb area water service then water meter before it entered house. Sewer often went out back from house to alley / easement area at back property line.
I sure would NOT skimp and save a few bucks that might cause me major problems later if sewer line had to be dug up. Do it right the first time.
joe_padavano
Well-known member
Which is meaningless since the OP is in Montana...
Bottom line is that ONLY the local codes where the OP lives matter. CA, IA, wherever do not apply to MT.
TOOL_MONGER
Well-known member
The 10ft separation is for "Mains" not services... most, but not all services are in the same ditch... but your best info would be to call the city/county involved
Pat Brady
Banned
My water line comes in at one end of the house and the sewer goes around the opposite side of the house. I guess I'm OK?
Higgins
Well-known member
Ditto! Can't be in the same trench. Need to call the local water Co. / Sewer Co. or talk to the Code Enforcement Group for your town/city as they will be able to site you chapter and verse......
AL
AL