Chapter 15.16 DESIGN AND CONSTRUCTION

In applying the minimum requirements found in this Division 1 for design and construction of a water system, consideration shall be given to the quantity of water pumped and stored, the adequacy and dependability of all waterworks facilities, the physical conditions known to exist at the time and place of installation, and the probable operating requirements. (Ord. 90-18, 7/24/90)

15.16.015 p.s.i.g. Defined.

As used in this chapter, the letters “p.s.i.g.,” mean “pounds per square inch gage.” (Ord. 90-18, 7/24/90)

Part 2. Design

15.16.020 Design Principles Generally.

All facilities of the water system shall be designed and constructed to withstand, with ample safety factors, the physical stresses to which they will be subjected, and shall be free from structural and sanitary hazards. All equipment shall be of adequate size and capacity, and shall be correlated with available supply from the source facilities and storage to meet the requirements of Section 15.16.030, on flow requirements. (Ord. 90-18, 7/24/90)

15.16.030 Water Flow—Total Requirements Designated.

The required total water flow for any given service area under consideration, or unit water system, shall be the sum of the minimum fire flow plus the maximum daily water flow requirements. The maximum daily water flow requirement shall be either two times or four times the average daily water flow requirement, depending on whether the water system is to be metered or unmetered.

Qt equals Qf plus 2Qd for metered service;

Qt equals Qf plus 4Qd for unmetered service.

Qt equals the required total water flow in gallons per minute.

Qf equals the minimum fire-flow water requirement in gallons per minute.

Qd equals the average daily water flow requirement in gallons per minute, which is the sum of the residential or domestic water flow requirements plus the commercial, industrial, irrigation or other uses. (Ord. 90-18, 7/24/90)

15.16.040 Water Flow—Residential or Domestic Uses.

The average daily water flow requirement in gallons per minute in the water system described in the application for water utility authorization shall be obtained by multiplying the estimated daily water consumption in gallons per capita, times the total estimated population to be served and dividing by 1,440. In no case shall the average daily design flow consumption per capita be less than 100 gallons per day at a normal operating pressure of not less than 35 p.s.i.g. Supporting data shall be submitted with the application for water utility authorization. (Ord. 90-18, 7/24/90)

15.16.050 Water Flow—Commercial, Industrial, Irrigation and Other Uses.

The average daily flow requirement in gallons per minute in the water system described in the application for water utility authorization shall be determined and supporting data thereon shall be submitted with the application. (Ord. 90-18, 7/24/90)

15.16.060 Minimum Fire Flow and Fire Hydrant Requirements.

The minimum fire flow and fire hydrant requirements shall be set by the Fire Department within Regulation 8 and the Fire Code Standard No. 10.207(A) and 10.207(B), as may be amended from time to time. (Ord. 90-18, 7/24/90)

15.16.080 Circulating System.

All water systems shall be designed to permit circulating water flows except where impractical because of cul-de-sacs and like conditions or the incomplete development of the grid system. (Ord. 90-18, 7/24/90)

15.16.090 Transmission Pipelines.

The transmission pipelines from sources of supply shall be designed to deliver, in combination with related storage facilities and to the limits of the capacity of those sources of supply, the maximum requirements of that portion of the system which is dependent upon such transmission pipelines. These lines may be gravity lines from source facility to terminal storage, in which case they cannot be used to deliver water to customers. Otherwise, the lines shall be designed under the same qualifications as any line in the distribution system. (Ord. 90-18, 7/24/90)

15.16.100 Water Main Sizes.

The minimum size for use in the distribution shall be nominal six (6) inch diameter on which fire hydrants are located, except where a smaller size will deliver the flow requirements of Section 15.16.030, and except where total flow requirements on cul-de-sacs and similar cases are satisfied. (Ord. 90-18, 7/24/90)

15.16.110 Water Pipe and Fittings.

All water pipe and fittings used in distribution mains shall be designed to withstand the maximum internal and external forces to which they may be subjected under normal operating conditions, with an ample safety factor. (Ord. 90-18, 7/24/90)

15.16.120 Service Pipe Sizes.

In no case shall the diameter of the water service connection be less than the service pipe required by the Plumbing Code for the building to be served thereby. The service pipe shall be equipped with a valve at the inlet to the meter, or at the property line if unmetered. (Ord. 90-18, 7/24/90)

15.16.130 Valves—Location.

All mainline valves on distribution mains shall be installed on not less than a three-valve pattern at street intersections having single intersecting mains. (Ord. 90-18, 7/24/90)

15.16.140 Fire Hydrants—Size, Type and Location.

A. The size and type of fire hydrants shall be designated by the Fire Department and the location shall be approved by the Fire Department.

B. The waterway from street main to hydrant riser shall be not smaller than the street main, up to a nominal six (6) inch diameter, and shall be gated. (Ord. 90-18, 7/24/90)

15.16.150 Source Facility Pumping Equipment.

Pumping equipment delivering water to the distribution system shall, in conjunction with the storage facilities, be so designed as to meet the requirements of Section 15.16.030. Each pumping unit shall be driven by a separate power unit of adequate size. A master meter or other suitable measuring device shall be provided for each source facility to register accurately the quantity of water delivered to the distribution system. (Ord. 90-18, 7/24/90)

15.16.160 Storage Capacity.

Storage capacity shall be so designed in conjunction with source facilities as to meet the flow requirements of Sections 15.16.030 and 15.16.060. (Ord. 90-18, 7/24/90)

15.16.170 Electrical Control Equipment.

All electrical control equipment shall be so designed that there will be adequate protection of all motors and other electrical equipment. (Ord. 90-18, 7/24/90)

15.16.180 Fencing Required Where.

All property containing source or storage facilities shall be adequately fenced to prevent unauthorized entry. Further, such property shall be adequately landscaped pursuant to a landscaping plan approved by the City Parks, Recreation and Community Services Director. (Ord. 90-18, 7/24/90; Ord. 05-1 § 2, 1/25/05)

15.16.183 Standard Drawings.

For the purposes of this division, the City shall use the Los Angeles County Water Works Standard Drawings W-1 through W-50, as they now exist and may be amended from time to time as a guide in approvals of design and construction. (Ord. 90-18, 7/24/90)

15.16.186 Utility Manual.

For the purposes of this division, the City shall use the Los Angeles County Utility Manual Section 1.0 through 15.0 as they now exist and may be amended from time to time as they relate to minimum acceptable standards of materials and methods used in the construction of water mains and water systems. (Ord. 90-18, 7/24/90)

Part 3. Construction

15.16.190 Conformance With Standard Engineering Practices.

The construction of the water utility shall conform to standard acceptable engineering practices. (Ord. 90-18, 7/24/90)

15.16.200 Utility Manual for Standards and Materials.

If the City Engineer finds that in order to comply with the provisions of this Division 1 it is necessary to conform to certain standards of materials or construction, or both, the City Engineer shall promulgate such standards and publish the same in a utility manual and keep such manual on site and available to the public. All construction and materials should conform to the utility manual described in this section. (Ord. 90-18, 7/24/90)

15.16.210 Materials—Standards Generally.

All materials, pipes, valves, fittings and other appliances shall be of such strength and durability as to be free of structural hazards. (Ord. 90-18, 7/24/90)

15.16.220 Metallic and Nonmetallic Materials.

Metallic and nonmetallic materials may be used separately and in combination to construct component parts of a water system, including, but not limited to, conduits, pipes, couplings, caulking materials, protective linings and coatings, services, valves, hydrants, pumps, tanks and reservoirs. (Ord. 90-18, 7/24/90)

15.16.230 Newly Developed Materials and Equipment.

This Division 1 does not prohibit the use of newly developed materials or equipment if such materials and equipment meet the requirements of this division and the utility manual described in this chapter. (Ord. 90-18, 7/24/90)

15.16.240 Materials—Service Life.

The material shall have a reasonable useful service life and be capable of withstanding, with ample safety factors, the internal and external forces to which it may be subjected in service. The materials and equipment shall be so selected as to mitigate corrosion, electrolysis and deterioration. (Ord. 90-18, 7/24/90)

15.16.250 Quality of Work.

All work shall be performed by competent workers experienced in the trade involved. Such work shall be done in a manner to avoid imperfections which might impair the stability of the physical structure. All work and equipment shall comply with applicable codes. Installation shall be made by or under the direction of qualified personnel. (Ord. 90-18, 7/24/90)

15.16.260 Location of Distribution and Transmission System.

All water mains located in the public rights-of-way shall be located as specified by the engineer at time of obtaining the excavation permit. (Ord. 90-18, 7/24/90)

15.16.270 Housing of Equipment and Facilities.

Housing for all equipment, appurtenances and other facilities shall provide adequate ventilation and protection against unauthorized entry, and ample space for the performance of all operating, maintenance and repair functions. Further, such property shall be adequately landscaped pursuant to a landscaping plan approved by the City Parks, Recreation and Community Services Director. (Ord. 90-18, 7/24/90; Ord. 05-1 § 2, 1/25/05)

15.16.280 Pumping Equipment—Foundations.

Adequate foundation, considering soil conditions, shall be provided to prevent vibration of any rotating equipment. (Ord. 90-18, 7/24/90)

15.16.290 Pump Installations.

Pump installations shall be such as to provide cutting the unit out of service for overhaul and maintenance, and piping shall have flexible couplings to prevent strain on pump cases in case of settlement of foundation or piping. (Ord. 90-18, 7/24/90)

15.16.300 Pumping Equipment—Piping.

All piping shall be installed to provide free flow of water and prevent turbulence. (Ord. 90-18, 7/24/90)

15.16.310 Prevention of Defects or Sanitary Hazards.

Construction shall be such as to prevent sanitary hazards or structural defects whether the pumping unit is handling raw or treated water. (Ord. 90-18, 7/24/90)

15.16.320 Storage—Foundation Requirements.

Adequate foundation, considering soil conditions, shall be provided. (Ord. 90-18, 7/24/90)

15.16.330 Storage—Protective Coatings for Tanks.

All steel tanks shall be provided with adequate protective coatings. (Ord. 90-18, 7/24/90)

15.16.340 Storage—Ventilation Requirements.

Adequate ventilation shall be provided in all storage reservoirs or tanks. (Ord. 90-18, 7/24/90)