water main sewer main conflict 1

[gjeppesen]

I have a project currently under construction that included a gravity sewer extension across 2 adjacent properties to get to the subject property. This gravity sewer main is (will be) located in an appropriate easement adjacent to a road right of way. The right of way did not have room to accomodate the new main which is why we went the easement route.

This construction is on the outside of a curve and a 6" water main is on the same side of the street. Well, unforturnately the water main hugs the right of way line (3" from outside of pipe to R/W line) instead of being 5' inside the R/W like I thought. Because of this the sewer main does not conflict but does not meet State horizontal clearances of 3' from outside pipe to outside pipe.

The problem is the constractor did not pot hole the water main before he started and just installed the gravity main per plan. I have notes on my plan to the effect that the "contractor shall field verify actual locations and depths of existimg utilities prior to excavation". There's also a note "Any discrepancies on the drawings shall be brought to the attention of the engineer before commensing work" Well, he didn't. Now he's pointing fingers at me saying that I designed it wrong.

Any thoughts?

 

[ptmoss]

Whether digging test holes was called for or not, a contractor who keeps working like that is just plain wrong. And when you unearth a problem like that that wasn't picked up during the planning process then the potholes, as you all call them, should have been done to determine the extent of the problem.

 

[coloeng]

The question that hasn't been answered is did this subcontractor know that there was a requirement for the 3-ft separation?