Section 360. Water quality and public health and welfare protection

A. Design integrity. The tops of all sewers entering or crossing streams shall be at a sufficient depth below the natural bottom of the streambed to protect the sewer line. In general, one foot of suitable cover shall be provided where the stream is located in rock and three feet of suitable cover in other material. Less cover will be considered if the proposed sewer crossing is encased in concrete and will not interfere with future improvements to the stream channel. Reasons for requesting less cover shall be given in the application. Below paved channels, the crown of the sewer lines should be placed under the channel pavement. Sewers shall remain fully operational during the 25-year flood/wave action. Sewers and their appurtenances located along streams shall be protected against the normal range of high and low water conditions, including the 100-year flood/wave action. Sewers located along streams shall be located outside of the streambed wherever possible and should be sufficiently removed therefrom to provide for future possible channel widening. Reasons for requesting sewer lines to be located within streambeds shall be given in the application.

1. Sewers entering or crossing streams shall be constructed of watertight pipe. The pipe and joints shall be tested in place and shall exhibit zero infiltration. Sewers laid on piers across ravines or streams shall be allowed only when it can be demonstrated that no other practical alternative exists. Such sewers on piers shall be constructed in accordance with the requirements for sewers entering or crossing under streams. Construction methods and materials of construction shall be such that sewers will remain watertight and free from change in alignment or grade due to anticipated hydraulic and physical loads, erosion, and impact.

2. Depressed sewers or siphons shall have not less than two barrels, with a minimum pipe size of six inches and shall be provided with necessary appurtenances for convenient flushing and maintenance; the inlet and outlet chambers shall be designed to facilitate cleaning; and, in general, sufficient head shall be provided and pipe sizes selected to secure velocities of at least three feet per second for average flows. The inlet and outlet details shall be arranged so that normal flow is diverted to one barrel and so that either barrel may be removed for service or cleaning.

B. Water supplies. No general requirement can be made to cover all conditions. Sewers shall meet the requirements of the appropriate reviewing agency with respect to minimum distances to structures and pipelines utilized for drinking water supplies. There shall be no cross connection between a drinking water supply and a sewer, or appurtenance thereto.

1. The requirements of the Virginia Waterworks Regulations (12VAC5-590) shall be satisfied.

2. The requirements of the Virginia Sewage Handling and Disposal Regulations (12VAC5-610) shall be satisfied.

3. No sewer line shall pass within 50 feet of a drinking water supply well, source, or structure unless special construction and pipe materials are used to obtain adequate protection. The proposed design shall identify and adequately address the protection of all drinking water supply wells, sources, and structures up to a distance of 100 feet of the sewer line installation.

4. Sewers shall be laid at least 10 feet horizontally from a water main. The distance shall be measured edge-to-edge. When local conditions prohibit this horizontal separation, the sewer may be laid closer provided that the water main is in a separate trench or an undisturbed earth shelf located on one side of the sewer and the bottom of the water main is at least 18 inches above the top of the sewer. Where this vertical separation cannot be obtained, the sewer shall be constructed of water pipe material in accordance with AWWA specifications and pressure tested in place without leakage prior to backfilling. The hydrostatic test shall be conducted in accordance with the most recent edition of the AWWA standard (ANSI/AWWA C600-82) for the pipe material, with a minimum test pressure of 30 psi.

5. Sewers shall cross under water mains such that the top of the sewer is at least 18 inches below the bottom of the water main. When local conditions prohibit this vertical separation, the sewer shall be constructed of AWWA specified water pipe and pressure tested in place without leakage prior to backfilling, in accordance with the provisions of this chapter. Sewers crossing over water mains shall:

a. Be laid to provide a separation of at least 18 inches between the bottom of the sewer and the top of the water main.

b. Be constructed of AWWA approved water pipe and pressure tested in place without leakage prior to backfilling, in accordance with the provisions of this chapter.

c. Have adequate structural support to prevent damage to the water main.

d. Have the sewer joints placed equidistant and as far as possible from the water main joints.

6. No water pipe shall pass through or come into contact with any part of a sewer manhole. Manholes shall be placed at least 10 feet horizontally from a water main whenever possible. The distance shall be measured edge-to-edge of the pipes or structures. When local conditions prohibit this horizontal separation, the manhole shall be of watertight construction and tested in place.

Historical Notes

Former 12VAC5-581-420 derived from Volume 18, Issue 10, eff. February 27, 2002; amended and adopted as 9VAC25-790-360, Virginia Register Volume 20, Issue 09, eff. February 12, 2004.

Statutory Authority

§ 62.1-44.19 of the Code of Virginia.