Donated Projects (Land Development)

• The developer hires Engineer to design plans and submit to Charlotte Water for review/approval.
• CLT Water approved plans are permitted.
• Contracts are executed between CLT Water and Developer.
• CLT Water approved plans are released for construction.
• North Carolina Licensed Utility Contractor performs the construction of the water distribution and sanitary sewer systems.
• Charlotte Water Inspectors witness the construction and perform all necessary testing and authorize Charlotte Water to take over the project for ownership and maintenance upon acceptance of all required documentation.
• The water distribution and sanitary sewer systems then become the property of Charlotte Water.
• Developer/builder shall pay system development fees and request meters to be set through CLT Water Customer Service.

Plans shall be submitted through the City of Charlotte Land Development Accela electronic portal.

The following should be included if applying for public water/sewer through Donated Projects:

• Set of plans (24x36 – ARCH D size) unlocked pdf digital copy without any untitled viewports
• Land development grading plan with current and future topography.
• Check for plan review/inspection fees (these are collected up front and review will not begin until plan review fees have been paid)
• Self-Certified Donated Projects Plan Review Checklist signed and sealed by engineer
• Conceptual and/or pre-submittal meeting minutes, if applicable
  • Conceptual meetings are required for water main relocations 16” and larger, low-pressure sewer, pump stations and projects that have trunk lines outside the natural drainage pattern or the engineer is choosing between multiple options on how the property is served.
  • Pre-submittal meetings are required if any variances to CLTW design standards are requested. Please schedule a meeting with CLTW plan review staff to obtain approval. Must show constraints and alternate considerations before approval is granted.
• Copy of as-builts with tie-in location marked

Charlotte Water General Notes:

1. No public water or public sanitary sewer main construction may take place on this

   Project until the utility contractor has requested, scheduled, and attended a

   Preconstruction conference with the Charlotte Water Construction Inspector

   Assigned to the project. Any work performed prior to the pre-construction

   Conference shall not be accepted by Charlotte Water and shall be removed and

   Replaced with new materials.

2. Approval for backflow prevention requirements is not part of this review. Backflow prevention review entails plan submittal via Mecklenburg County’s code the enforcement permitting process at the time of building permit application. Backflow program requirements are available at Backflow Construction and Backflow Construction Guide please contact inspections and plan review at 704-432-5799 for more information.
3. Any revision to the water and sewer service configurations and/or meter locations after construction release will require an RTAP and/or resubmittal to backflow for review.
4. Construction and materials shall be in accordance with Charlotte Water standards and specifications (“design manual”) per website at Design Manual
5. All contractors working on Charlotte Water projects are required to have access to the design manual at all times while on the job site.
6. The contractor is fully responsible for contacting all appropriate parties and assuring that utilities are located prior to the commencement of construction. Call NC811 at 1-800-632-4949 or 811 for utility locating services 3 full working days prior to commencement of any work. Contractor shall verify the location and depth of all existing utilities prior to construction.
7. If the proposed water and/or sanitary sewer main is installed within 12” in any direction (vertically or horizontally) from natural gas mains, the contractor shall provide the gas utility owner with adequate notice.
8. Sanitary sewer lateral locations are subject to relocation due to field conditions, as determined by the charlotte water inspector.
9. Sanitary sewer laterals are to be installed at a depth no greater than five (5) feet where practical at the property line unless indicated on the plans to be installed at “minimum slope”.
10.  Minimum cover of 36” for water mains (as measured from edge of pavement / bottom of curb gutter / bottom of ditch if within 15’ of a road).
11. Ductile iron pipe (red brass for 2 inch pipe) required for both water & sanitary

    Sewer lines if the following clearances are not met:

• Water line crossing under sewer line (for any clearance).
• 18” vertical for water line installed above sewer line.
• 10’ horizontal separation for water line parallel to sewer line (or 18”

• Vertical separation in separate or benched ditches).
• For water lines 12” clearance with storm drains, gas mains, telephone ducts, and underground cables.
  
  

1. Recorded plats are required for activation of water mains, easements are not acceptable.
2.  All water mains and services shall be installed with solid copper 12-gauge tracer wire, 30 mils blue HDPE insulation. Conductivity test required during final inspection. Contractor shall provide all test equipment.
3.  All sewer mains and services shall be installed with solid copper 12-gauge tracer wire, 30 mils green HDPE insulation. Conductivity test required during final inspection. Contractor shall provide all test equipment.
4. Complete trench backfill shall be in place 30 calendar days prior to scheduling PVC pipe mandrel testing or 10 calendar days prior to scheduling ductile iron pipe mandrel testing.
5. Curb and gutter shall be constructed prior to water main installation.
6. Water main extensions without services shall include air release at all high points in water mains or every 1000 LF.
7. Existing manholes may have to be repaired or replaced, depending on the condition, as determined by the Charlotte Water inspector.
8. All valve assemblies shall not be installed in proposed driveways and shall be completely outside of ADA ramps.
9. All proposed water meters and blow-offs shall not be installed in proposed driveways or ADA ramps.
10. Fire hydrants shall be completely outside sidewalks and ADA ramps.
11. Net 15’ water main easement required unless approved by Charlotte Water.
12. any new meters or irrigation meters installed/relocated after the bacterial and pressure test shall require an additional bacterial test. A CLTWater inspector shall witness the tap uncovered under static conditions to verify if leaks are present.
13. Tapping sleeves & tees are required to use concrete thrust blocking unless noted otherwise.
14. Private MHs shall not utilize CLT water frames & covers.
15. Minimum spacing between sewer laterals and water services shall be 5 feet.

Minimum spacing between sewer laterals shall be 7 feet.

Minimum spacing between water services shall be 3 feet.

DEFINITIONS:

Applicant - Entity seeking water/sewer contract with Charlotte Water

CDOT - City of Charlotte Department of Transportation

Charlotte Water Chief Engineer – Charlotte Water Planning and Land Development Chief Engineer or Designated Representative

CLTWATER – City of Charlotte – Charlotte Water Department

Contractor – Utility Contractor performing water and sewer installation for Developer possessing the PU designation as a NC General Contractor Licensee.

Consultant Engineer – Consultant Engineer responsible for plan design and permitting for Developer

Construction Supervisor – Charlotte Water Inspector’s Supervisor

Developer – Applicant under Contractual Agreement with Charlotte Water to install water and/or sewer mains for acceptance into public system

Director – Charlotte Water Utility Director

Donated – Water and sewer infrastructure installed by Developer under contractual obligation that will be dedicated to Charlotte Water for ownership and maintenance

Engineer – Charlotte Water Donated Project Senior Engineer

Inspector – Charlotte Water Inspector responsible for project under contract

NCDEQ – North Carolina Department of Environmental Quality

NCDOT – North Carolina Department of Transportation

Plans – All drawings, or reproduction of drawings, that pertain to the construction under contract; these have been approved for construction by CLTWATER

Subcontractor – Utility Contractor providing a defined service for the Contractor.

SCOPE:

The work to be performed under these Specifications shall be the completed work as shown on the Plans and/or described herein. The Developer/Contractor shall furnish all machinery, tools, equipment, materials, and labor necessary to complete the work. The Developer/Contractor shall also be required to furnish proof of acquisition of all necessary rights‐of‐way, survey staking, and cut sheets. All of these must be furnished to the CLTWater Engineer prior to requesting startup on any project.

OBSERVANCE OF LAWS:

The Developer/Contractor shall at all times observe and comply with all Federal, State, and Local laws, ordinances, regulations, and all such decrees that exist at present or which may be enacted during the period of construction, by bodies or tribunals having any jurisdiction or authority over the work, in any manner affecting the conduct of the work or those employed on the work. No plea of misunderstanding will be considered on account of his/their ignorance thereof.

PERMITS AND LICENSES:

The Developer/Contractor shall procure all permits and licenses, shall pay all charges and fees, and shall give all notices necessary and incidental to the due and lawful prosecution of the work. The Contractor shall be currently licensed by the NORTH CAROLINA LICENSING BOARD FOR CONTRACTORS as a ‘Public Utility (Water Lines & Sewer Lines)’ or an Unclassified License to perform water and/or sewer construction associated with CLTWATER Approved Plans.

All contractors working on Charlotte Water projects are required to own a copy of the design manual and shall always keep a copy on the job site.

Donated Projects Activate/Final Projects Requirements - Field Work Required To Activate/Final Projects:

SEWER:

1. Construction completed including but not limited to: pipe, backfill, manholes

including inverts, frames and covers, vents, laterals, etc.

1. Pavement and on-site restoration completed
2. Off-site right-of-way restored (seed, mulch, rip-rap, etc.)
3. Air pressure test completed
4. Mandrel test completed
5. Manhole test completed
6. Manhole step pull-out test completed by manufacturer and paperwork submitted to

   inspector

7. Main line infiltration test completed (if applicable)
8. Mains flashed
9. Final Inspection performed
10. Punch list items resolved
11. Existing street/highway restoration completed (including seed, mulch, pavement,

concrete work, etc.)

WATER:

1. Construction completed, including but not limited to: pipe, backfill, valve boxes, fire

   hydrants turned, water services, etc.

2. Pavement and on-site restoration completed
3. Right-of-Way, valves, fire hydrants, water services, and blow-offs must be in a

   condition that maintenance staff can access

4. Current backflow device certification turned into an inspector
5. Water Main Pressure/leakage test completed
6. Chlorination completed

8 inch Sewer (Lateral) Permitting Process

Permitting 8-Inch Sewer Laterals (Main Line Extensions) - Sewer (Lateral) Permitting Process (8” And Larger Serving More Than One Structure)

• Applies to Donated Projects and New Service Projects
  • Review Fees will not apply for New Service Reviews
  • Review Fees will apply for Donated Projects
• Donated Projects to permit additional LF and include in total LF

  Pre-Construction:

• For New Services: Developers Engineer submits New Service Site Plan for review (10 business day review cycle)
  • Includes 8” sewer main extension (lateral) from existing sewer to site in question
    • Includes private MH (installed by CLT Water to allow for testing)
  • Includes sewer permit
  • Includes CLT Water title block – similar to cover sheet title block
  • Includes all associated new services
• Upon approval of the site plan:
  • Permit Plan
  • Assign sewer extension/new services, including the approved permitted plan, to the Contractor
  • CLT Water contractor completes installation(s)
  • Test sewer main extension after installation while the contractor is still on site
    • Air Test
    • Mandrel Test

  Post Construction:

• Developer's Engineer submits As-Builts of sewer main extension for review
• Perform Final Inspection upon As-Built approval and passing tests
• Prepare Final Acceptance Letters upon completion of final inspection punch lists
• Certification Letter provided by CLT Water

Charlotte Water is participating in the City of Charlotte Land Development enhanced review program, allowing customers to pay fees in addition to standard review fees for an enhanced plan review. Additional information may be found on the City of Charlotte Land Development website.

• Current Fee Schedule

All fees are to be paid when plans are submitted for review.

Fees are collected at:

Charlotte Water
Installation and Development Services
600 East 4th Street, Suite 020
Charlotte, NC 28202

If you have a question about the fees, please email your inquiry.

Please contact us for further assistance with Plan Submittals, Water/Sewer Encroachments, CO Holds, Water Meters at IDSplansubmittals@charlottenc.gov or call 704.336.1421.

DONATED PROJECTS:

• CAP required (1.5” meters and larger)
• Buildings shall remain 15’ from Water Mains
• Tree locations to be coordinated with CLT Water in relation to water lines
• No permanent structures within 10’ of publicly maintained water/sewer infrastructure (minimum, new easement width criteria will be released with new design manual)
• No tree pits directly over water main or sewer main.
• If adding pavement over water/sewer infrastructure, soft digs are required to verify depth to ensure it meets NCDEQ and CLTWater’s Design Standards.
• No private infrastructure (water/sewer) is allowed to cross a Public R/W.
• Any grading inside our easement will be approved on a case-by-case basis. A profile showing the proposed/existing grades will be required.
• No utility nor utility structure is permitted to be above water mains or sewer mains
• Min 12” vertical separation between all utilities
• Min 5’ horizontal separation between all utilities
• Traversable slope is required above Charlotte Water utilities
• No underground BMP within 15’ of Water Main or sewer mains
• No BMP easement within Charlotte Water easement
• Utility pole locations must follow Duke’s excavation guidelines for horizontal distance.

NEW SERVICES:

• Service line/meter vault locations shall be designed for the following:
  • Design space to account for full meter assembly, including valves in front of and after meters.
    • Reference CLT Water design manual for meter vault sizes
  • Provide adequate spacing between trees (including planters) to avoid conflict
  • Installation of meter vaults to remain outside of sidewalks unless all options have been exhausted.
  • Meter vaults may not straddle sidewalks/planting strips
• Service lines to remain outside of radius points and ADA ramps
• Proposed sidewalk locations conflicting with existing water/sewer infrastructure (i.e. meter vaults, fire hydrants, etc.) to be coordinated with CLT Water.
• No permanent structures within 10’ of publicly maintained water/sewer infrastructure
• Confirm sewer lateral installation will not conflict with existing utilities
• Confirm water service installation will not conflict with existing utilities

BACKFLOW PREVENTION:

• Backflow Prevention compliance is enforced via the County Code Enforcement Department’s permitting and plan review processes – not the City or County land development permitting processes.
• Submittals for Backflow Prevention plan approval must include a completed Backflow Prevention Service Application and civil plans that conform to the requirements listed at the following link: Backflow Construction Guide Charlotte Water
• Backflow Prevention compliance is generally enforced on a tax parcel basis. When enforced, compliance must be met for all water services remaining on the property. Projects that entail new construction, any addition, any outdoor underground piping work (water, sewer, or fire protection), any interior fire protection piping work, the installation of more than 19 new fire sprinkler heads, or certain changes-of-use (typically residence to commercial) “trigger” enforcement of CLTWater BP requirements.

• The location of a meter drives the required location of backflow prevention assembly

• If the location proposed for a new meter is non-standard or involves construction of a new water main (incl. extensions), documentation of its approval by the IDS division will be required for Backflow Prevention approval
• BP’s are required to be located outside on the private property, opposite the water meters, and just after the Zoning-required setback line. Side yards, rear yards, and buffers may also apply. If Charlotte Water determines there is no room outside to install a BP, refer to the following link for guidance on the criteria for an indoor installation: Backflow Construction Charlotte Water.