Residential Waterline Installation
Standard Procedure
It is the responsibility of the homeowner or their contractor to install and maintain the water line from the District’s service connection to the residence. The owner is also responsible for understanding and abiding by VAID’s Bylaws and Policies. These are available on the VAID website or at the office.
The following District standards are to be followed during installation and repair:
Permission
The property owner must apply for and receive written permission from the Van Anda Improvement District (VAID) before installation of waterline or additional connections.
Number of Connections
Only one single family residence is to be supplied with water for each legal lot, unless under specific circumstances where prior approval from the District must be obtained.
Construction and Repair
Water service line shall be:
- Constructed of the following materials that meet AWWA standards:
- Municipal grade 160 psi potable poly service water tubing (HDPE)
- Compression fittings rated for 200 psi.
- Buried a minimum of 1 metre (3ft) in depth, and at least 610 mm (2ft) away from any other service.
- Protected (sleeved) where it passes through foundations and/or footings.
- Connected directly to the service valve with a straight run to the building, with no couplings (unless specifically permitted by water operator).
- Provided with an accessible shut-off valve located as soon as the water service pipe enters the building.
- Supported so sagging and misalignment cannot occur, with bedding sand that is solid and firm along entire length of pipe.
- After inspection, buried with backfill material that shall not contain rocks, boulders, organics, frozen material, rubble, or debris.
Materials
The piping material, joints, and fittings must be approved for use in potable water applications, CSA approved as listed on the Permitted Potable Water Pipe Applications, Underground – Outside Building, as found in the National Plumbing Code of Canada’s latest revision.
Pipes and fittings meeting standards are available from VAID at wholesale cost.
Inspection
All waterline installations, extensions, replacements, and major repairs must be inspected by a VAID water operator.
- Lines must not be concealed, covered, or put into use at time of the inspection.
- If an internal dwelling isolation valve is not already installed, a hose bib/ball valve must be affixed to the end of the service pipe to allow for attachment of a pressure gauge.
- The operator will open the main service valve and pressure test the line, while performing a visual inspection to confirm there are no leaks/pressure loss.
Maintenance
The property owner shall be responsible for all service pipes and plumbing systems from the outlet of the District’s curb stop or standard waterworks valve at their property line, including:
- safekeeping, maintenance, and repair
- protection from frost or other damage
- prompt repair of frozen, leaky, or imperfect pipes or fixtures
- all water used on their property.
Service Connection
Service connections are the property and responsibility of the District. Only the District’s representatives may alter or repair the Service Connection, even if located on private property.
Service Connection on Private Property
In some circumstances, such as watermain placement or terrain conditions, service connections may be located on private property. These connections are the property and responsibility of the District. Only the District’s representatives may alter or repair the Service Connection,
It is the Districts current policy to install new connections only on road allowance.
Shut Off Valve
It is an offence under the Safe Drinking Water Act and District Bylaw for anyone other than the District’s representative to operate the shut off valve.