Water and Sewer Availability Letter 1

[msquared48]

I was asked by an Architect today that I am working with on a Civil project (Storm, water, sewer) if I had written my Water and Sewer Availability letter yet.

In all the years I have been doing this, over 30, I have never heard of such a thing. Have I been missing something is this something new, or is this BS?

Mike McCann
MMC Engineering
Motto: KISS
Motivation: Don't ask

 

[beton1]

Not sure. Maybe a new term or BS. Sounds to me as if the architect wants a confirmation of available site services for the project, ie as opposed to well and septic systems?!

 

[bimr]

You probably have not worked in a region where this is the practice,

The local Water and Sewer Authority issues availability certificates to certify that water, sanitary and storm sewer services are available to the applicant.

Some places want a payment or tapping fee in advance.

http://www.ci.bainbridge-isl.wa.us/documents/Water_Sewer Availability.pdf

http://www.dcwasa.com/business/permits/service_water_sewer_avail.cfm

http://www.jea.com/business/services/devandbuild/avail_instructions.asp

http://ftp.bocc.co.st-johns.fl.us/utility/Development/Avail Request Form 1-7-08 (2).pdf

 

[civilman72]

I think bimr got it right - this is standard practice, BUT normally the w/s district issues the letter, not the design engineer.

 

[beej67]

I have worked in some municipalities that required a fire flow test as part of the permit, and some others who required a water distribution model for the development, such as in the case of condos or a large commercial development, showing adequacy of the private system to meet the needs of the development. Then they'd review one or both documents before issuing a letter of availability. Typically though, they just check to make sure your property is on their service map, and then issue you a letter saying water and/or sewer is available. Then you keep the letters to show to other agencies when they ask for proof that your utilities are handled.

I have never seen a "letter of availability" for storm sewer in the south east region, even in places like South Florida. You need to get your water use permits and your environmental resource permits, but there's no "letter of availability" for it. They would, however, want to see your letter of availability for domestic water service and sewer, as proof that you're not going to need to do any well withdrawals.

When your architect asked if you'd written a letter of availability, he probably meant to say, "have you gone to get a letter of availability yet?"

Hydrology, Drainage Analysis, Flood Studies, and Complex Stormwater Litigation for Atlanta and the South East -

http://www.campbellcivil.com

 

[bank]

I would contact the City or whoever owns and operates the utility systems in your area, and find out what their procedures are.

Down here, the agency owning or maintaining the utility will issue Availability Letter(s) stating that, based on the information you provided them, they have sufficient water supply or wastewater collection and treatment capacity to serve your project. What that does is gives you permission to tie into their system. The letters also tell you how many service units have been allocated to your project, where to tie into their facilities, and how much in impact fees must be paid, if any.

If the utilities are privately owned, e.g., by a Utility District, the City, County, or local permitting authority will ususlly require a letter from them before issuing you a building permit.

They do issue storm water letters of availability down here in Houston. Those letters basically tell you if detention is required for your project and at what rate, whether the project will require a Storm Water Quality Management Permit, if there are flood plain issues, and if additional approvals are needed from other jurisdictions before you get your permit.

Bottom line though, contact the entity that owns the utilities.

 

[msquared48]

bimr appears to be correct. Checked with the local water/sewer district and they normally require one (even though they have never given me one yet - maybe the owner never showed it to me).

However, it is in a sewer moratorium area, so that form is not required, but a different one is. Oh well... life goes on .. into the sewer.

Thanks bimr and all.

Mike McCann
MMC Engineering
Motto: KISS
Motivation: Don't ask

 

[beej67]

If your project is under sewer moratorium, and you didn't realize it until now, it's time to start looking at alternative sewer options. Quickly.

Hydrology, Drainage Analysis, Flood Studies, and Complex Stormwater Litigation for Atlanta and the South East -

http://www.campbellcivil.com

 

[msquared48]

No. It's just a matter of a few months as the new treatment plant is 60% complete. The moratorium will not last past 2011, and the plan review process alone will push contruction into next year anyway. The project will have sewers. No worries.

Mike McCann
MMC Engineering
Motto: KISS
Motivation: Don't ask