Title
Notice/Advertisement Title: Service Line Materials Upstream From Water Meter
Contact Name: Todd Pulsifer
Contact Telephone Number: (614) 645-7825
Contact Email Address: TFPulsifer@columbus.gov
Body
RULE AND REGULATION 24-03 October 2024
Division of Water
Department of Public Utilities
SUBJECT: SERVICE LINE MATERIALS UPSTREAM FROM WATER METER
Pursuant to the authority granted under Columbus City Codes Section 1101, the Director of the Department of Public Utilities hereby adopts, establishes and publishes this rule and regulation to be effective at the earliest date allowed by law. This rule and regulation rescinds the Division of Water Rule and Regulation 92-06 published November 7, 1992; and supersedes the Division of Water Rule and Regulations 03-02 published on December 13, 2003, and 06-04 published June 24, 2006, in the Columbus City Bulletin, Columbus, Ohio. This rule and regulation is in addition to any established requirements that have not been superseded or rescinded by this or any previous act.
APPLICATION:
This rule and regulation is for piping materials for the water service line upstream of the meter. Consult applicable Division of Water standard detail drawings for additional reference and; for piping downstream of the meter, applicable plumbing codes.
This rule and regulation shall apply to all premises served by the public water system of the City of Columbus, Division of Water, including those water distribution systems owned by other political subdivisions but operated, under contract, by the City of Columbus, Division of Water for which the Ohio EPA considers the City of Columbus, Division of Water to be the water purveyor. This rule and regulation does not apply to master-metered public water systems that purchase water from the City of Columbus and who are considered their own public water system by the Ohio EPA.
DEFINITIONS:
Water Service Line: All piping from the curb stop or gate valve, to where the meter setting begins. The Water Service Line is owned and maintained by the private property owner.
Water Service Tap: All piping from the water main line to the curb stop or gate valve and including the curb stop or gate valve. The Water Service Tap is owned and maintained by the public water system.
Repair: The installation of clamps, pipe or tubing which is less than the entire length of the water service line.
Replacement: New installation or any other installation of pipe or tubing that includes the entire length of the water service line.
GENERAL REGULATION:
All new, repaired, or replaced water service lines must be inspected by the Division of Water or a duly authorized representative, after work has been completed, but prior to backfilling.
Contractors performing a complete replacement of the service line shall identify the service tap material and make available to the City inspector or duly authorized representative during the Renewed Service Inspection.
Water Service Line repairs or replacements shall conform to the following requirements:
I. Two Inch (2”) and Smaller Water Service Lines
A. Approved Materials
Copper tubing shall be Type K, soft temper copper conforming to Section 805 of the City of Columbus Construction and Material Specifications (latest edition);
OR
Polyethylene tubing shall be PE4710 and be installed per the manufacturer’s installation specifications. All tubing shall be a product that has been previously approved by the Administrator of the Division of Water. Sleeving requirements shall apply to polyethylene tubing entering structures as described under separate rule and regulation.
B. Existing Lead
No connections to existing lead stubs will be allowed.
C. Water Service Line Repair
The following shall apply when repairing water service lines:
1. If the existing water service line material is copper, then the water service line shall only be repaired with copper tubing conforming to section I.A. “Approved Materials”.
2. If the existing water service line material is plastic, then the water service line shall only be repaired with polyethylene tubing conforming to section I.A. “Approved Materials”.
3. If the existing water service line material is galvanized, then the entire water service line shall be replaced according to section I.D. “Water Service Line Replacement”. No repairs to galvanized service lines are permitted; in exceptional circumstances, temporary repairs may be authorized by the Director of the Department of Public Utilities or their duly authorized representative.
4. If the existing water service line material is lead, then the entire water service line shall be replaced according to section I.D. “Water Service Line Replacement”. No repairs to lead service lines are permitted.
D. Water Service Line Replacement
For new water service lines or existing water service lines that require full replacement, the same material shall be used for the entire length of the water service line. The approved materials for replacement water service lines are listed in section I.A. “Approved Materials”. Service line replacements less than 100’ for copper and 300’ for polyethylene shall be one continuous piece of material with no breaks or connections.
Note: All new or replacement water service lines, sizes ¾” through 2”, on properties with an underground vessel being used or having previously been used for storage of a petroleum product or other health hazard material shall be constructed with copper tubing conforming to section I.A. “Approved Materials”. Any water service line to an adjacent property within fifty (50) feet of any such underground vessel shall also be subject to the same material requirements.
II. Three inch (3”) and Larger Water Service Lines:
A. Approved Materials
Ductile iron pipe conforming to Section 801 of the City of Columbus Construction and Material Specification (latest edition).
B. Water Service Line Repair
Any water service lines found to be leaking or needing repair can be repaired. Installation of repairs shall conform to the applicable ductile iron references in Section 801 of the City of Columbus Construction and Material Specification (latest edition).
C. Water Service Line Replacement
For new water service lines or water service lines that require full replacement, the installation shall conform to II.A. “Approved Materials” and Section 801 of the City of Columbus Construction and Material Specification (latest edition).