The purpose of this article is to outline the requirements for
the construction of water mains, water services, associated appurtenances
and all other miscellaneous accessories within the Town of Middletown.
Description. This section shall consist of installing new water mains,
including tapping sleeves and valves, hydrants, fittings, concrete
buttresses, and all other miscellaneous accessories as shown on the
plans and in accordance with these specifications and standard details.
The distribution system should be designed to promote loops and avoid
dead ends due to water quality issues. When dead ends cannot be avoided,
a flushing hydrant shall be installed on the dead end so the line
can be flushed. Blowoffs are only permitted on a temporary basis.
A standard fire hydrant may be used in place of a flushing hydrant
if installed in accordance with the State of Delaware Fire Marshal
Regulations.
All tees, bends, caps, plugs, hydrants or other fittings that change
the direction of flow shall be buttressed or anchored to prevent pipe
movement caused by surges, water hammer or unbalanced pressure which
could result in a water main break.
Concrete for water main buttresses shall be 3,000 psi, ready-mix
concrete using Type II Portland cement. Site-mix or bag-mixed concrete
will not be allowed without approval from the Town of Middletown.
Materials. Ductile iron pipe (DIP) used for water mains shall be
manufactured in accordance with ANSI/AWWA C151/A21.51, latest edition,
and shall be a minimum of Class 50.
The pipe shall be double-cement-mortar-lined with seal coat. Pipe
intended for buried installation shall receive an external standard
bituminous foundry coating in accordance with ANSI/AWWA C104/A21.4.
Buried ductile iron pipe shall be installed using push-on joints
such as "Tyton" joints or mechanical joint pipe as manufactured by
US Pipe and Foundry or approved equal. Rubber gaskets shall conform
to C111 and ANSI A21.11 for mechanical and push-on joints.
All fittings used to connect water main pipe shall be of the same
material as the water main. Ductile iron fittings shall be manufactured
in accordance with ANSI A21.10 and have a pressure rating of 250 psi.
Fittings shall be provided with mechanical joint ends furnished in
accordance with ANSI A21.11 except where noted on the plans.
Inside of fittings shall be double-cement-lined with a bituminous
seal coat in accordance with ANSI A21.4. Outside of fittings shall
also be bituminous coated.
Gate valves installed in the distribution system shall be resilient
wedge-type. Gate valves shall be installed in accordance with manufacturers
specifications and standard installation practices as defined by AWWA
for the application.
Operation of the valve shall be by two-inch square nut and shall
open by turning counterclockwise. Valves shall be furnished with mechanical
joint ends.
Valve boxes shall be cast-iron, three-piece screw-type installed
over the valve bonnet and operating nut. Valve boxes shall be capable
of being adjusted to reach the surface of the existing or proposed
ground surface, but shall not extend above the finished grade at any
time. If necessary, the water main depth shall be adjusted to allow
for the proper installation of the valve box.
Hydrants shall conform to AWWA C502, latest edition. The hydrant
shall be required to have a means of lubricating the operating threads
without disassembly. The hydrant seat shall be provided with bronze
connections, a five-and-one-fourth-inch main valve opening left, one
one-and-one-half-inch operating nut, one four-and-one-half-inch pumper
nozzle, two two-and-one-half-inch hose nozzles with National Standard
Threads and a six-inch mechanical joint inlet.
Drain mechanisms shall be bronze to preclude galvanic corrosion of
dissimilar metals and shall operate automatically with the opening
and closing of the main valve.
Hydrants installed in the Town of Middletown shall be yellow in color.
They shall receive prime and shop coats of paint at the factory. The
contractor shall be responsible for field touchup or repainting of
hydrants as required.
The entire hydrant assembly, including the valve seat and all
moving parts, shall be removable from the top without the need to
excavate and/or remove the hydrant.
Pipe and fittings shall be carefully handled and lowered into the
trench onto the pipe bedding material. No large rocks are other sharp
objects shall be allowed in the trench.
Special care shall be taken to ensure that the pipes are well-bedded
on a solid foundation, and any defects due to settlement shall be
made good by the contractor.
At the close of each workday the end of the pipeline shall be tightly
closed with an expansion-type stopper or plug so that no dirt or other
foreign substance may enter the line. This stopper or plug shall be
kept in place until pipe installation is resumed.
No pipe shall be installed upon a foundation into which frost has
penetrated, nor at any time when the Town of Middletown deems that
there is danger of the formation of ice or the penetration of frost
at the bottom of the excavation; unless all required precautions as
to the minimum length of open trench and promptness of backfilling
are observed.
Pipe bells. It is important that pipe bells do not have any undue
weight placed on them. Bell holes shall be dug for each pipe bell
to cradle the joints and evenly support the pipe. Gasket lubricant
specified by the pipe manufacturer and approved for water service
for proper pipe joint installation shall be used.
In general, horizontal and vertical separation shall be per 10 State
Standards. Water mains shall be laid at least 10 feet horizontally
from any existing or proposed sewer main. The distance shall be measured
edge to edge. Separation between sewer and water laterals shall be
a minimum of three feet measured outside edge to outside edge, or
as required in the latest plumbing code adopted by the Town of Middletown,
whichever is stricter.
Water mains crossing sewer mains shall be laid to provide a minimum
vertical distance of 18 inches between the outside of the water main
and the outside of the sewer.
When a sewer main crosses an existing water main, the crossing
shall be arranged so that the sewer joints will be equidistant and
as far as possible from the water main joints.
Where a water main crosses under a sewer, adequate structural
support shall be provided for the sewer to maintain line and grade
and prevent damage to the water main.
When it is impossible to obtain proper horizontal and vertical
separations stipulated above, the Town of Middletown may allow deviations
on a case-by-case basis, if supported by data from the design engineer.
Alternate design shall meet 10 State Standards.
Pipeline detectable tape shall be installed continuously along all
water mains. The tape shall be installed directly above the water
main and 12 to 18 inches below the ground surface. The tape shall
be a minimum of two inches wide, blue in color, imprinted with the
words "Caution-Water Line Below," and be capable of being detected
with inductive methods.
Water mains shall have trace wire installed continuously along its
length. Trace wire shall be installed in accordance with the Town
of Middletown "Supplemental Trace Wire Specification."[1]
All pipe and fittings shall be installed according to the applicable
requirements of AWWA, the manufacturer's guidelines, as specified
herein, and as indicated in the standard details.
When a pipe is to be placed either partially or completely in a fill,
the embankment shall be compacted to an elevation of one foot above
the top of the proposed pipe installation for a minimum of 36 inches
on each side of the pipe.
Trench or ditch bottoms containing bedrock, soft areas such as muck
or refuse, or other material unable to provide long-term support to
the pipe are unacceptable. Remove rock and other unyielding material
one foot below the pipe bottom and six inches on either side of the
pipe unless otherwise directed by the Town of Middletown. Excavate
soft areas to a depth of two feet below the pipe bottom and three
times the width of the pipe unless otherwise directed by the Town
of Middletown to excavate deeper or wider. If a firm foundation is
exposed, replace the excavated material with acceptable backfill material
and compact to 95% Modified Proctor density.
If the soft area remains after excavation, and if approved by the
Town of Middletown, synthetic fabric (geotextile) shall be used to
separate the native soil from the backfill. After the fabric has been
laid on the native soil, replace the excavated material with acceptable
backfill material and compact to 95% Modified Proctor density.
When rock, hardpan or other unyielding material is encountered, the
trench shall be excavated as shown on the plans for bedding in rock,
or as directed by the Town of Middletown in the absence of a detail,
and shall be backfilled with materials meeting the requirements of
this section.
All trench backfill shall be compacted. Backfill of pipe shall be
compacted with equipment in a manner which is capable of producing
the required results. Backfill material shall be placed and graded
in uniform horizontal lifts, which may not exceed eight inches. Compaction
will not be performed by jetting or water settling. If during the
compaction of the trench, any soft, yielding, or spongy areas are
observed, backfilling operations will cease until stability of these
areas is achieved. The Town of Middletown has the authority to request
field moisture/density control tests to document compliance of work
as per DelDOT's specifications. Failed areas shall be compacted
again and retested. A geotechnical consultant approved by the Town
of Middletown shall perform moisture/density tests at the expense
of the owner/developer.
Where the pipes are under the roadway pavement or shoulders, the
backfill material shall be compacted in a maximum of eight-inch lifts
to 95% of the Modified Proctor density.
The length of restrained joint piping and details of joint restraint
glands, rodding, clamps, friction slabs, or other anchors shall be
as specified by the Town of Middletown.
Tools. Proper and suitable tools and appliances for the safe and
convenient handling and installation of pipes and fittings shall be
used. Great care shall be taken to prevent the damage to the pipe,
and bell and spigot ends. Any damaged pipe shall be replaced to the
satisfaction of the Town.
Cutting. Whenever a pipe or fitting requires cutting, to fit into
the line or to bring it to the required location, the work shall be
done in a satisfactory manner to leave a smooth beveled end, and without
extra compensation.
Joining pipe and fittings. In joining pipe and fittings, the contractor
shall exercise particular care to insure that the outside of the spigot
and inside of the bell is entirely free of oil, tar and greasy substances
to insure a tight fit. All concrete required to construct buttresses
behind plugs, tees, hydrants, bends and other fittings and anchorages
beneath vertical bends shall be placed in accordance with the standard
details or as shown on the plans.
Install fittings and valves where indicated on the plans, or as directed
by the Town of Middletown. Where valves occur on the end of the pipeline,
place a cast-iron plug and secure in the exposed bell before backfilling
the trench. Buttress the valve.
A valve box shall be carefully placed over the bonnet of each gate
valve with the top at the finished surface of the street sidewalk
or at such other elevation, as the Town of Middletown shall direct.
It shall be set plumb. In tamping the backfill around the box, special
care shall be taken to keep the box plump and to have it firmly supported
to avoid settlement. Any box which is found out of plumb, or which
is not firmly supported, shall be excavated and reset in a satisfactory
manner.
There shall be as many valves installed as there are pipes entering
and leaving any pipe intersection, typically three valves at each
tee, and four valves at each cross.
All main line valves and hydrant valves installed in grass, asphalt
or concrete shall have a twelve-inch-by-twelve-inch-by-twelve-inch
concrete collar measured from the outside edge of the valve box. The
collar shall be installed to an elevation equal to the proposed final
grade.
Location of tapping sleeves and valves shall be as indicated on the
plans or as directed by the Town of Middletown. Installation shall
be as per the manufacturer's recommendations.
The contractor shall notify the Town of Middletown at least 72 hours
prior to tapping the water main. The contractor shall install the
tapping sleeve and valve in such a manner so as not to disrupt the
existing water service.
As-builts drawings. Upon completion of all water mains, and prior
to acceptance, as-built drawings shall be submitted to the Town of
Middletown for review and approval. One electronic copy in pdf format
shall be submitted bearing the signature and seal of a Delaware-registered
surveyor or engineer with the same scale as the original approved
drawings.
Description. This section shall consist of disinfecting all newly
laid water mains, including valves, fittings, fire hydrants, and all
other miscellaneous accessories which carry potable water for use
for domestic consumption or fire suppression in accordance with these
specifications. The procedure to be used for disinfecting shall be
in accordance with the latest edition of AWWA C601.
All new sections of water main must be thoroughly flushed, disinfected
and tested for bacteriological quality before the water main can be
put in service.
Flushing of the main shall be performed to remove any mud and debris
left in the pipe from the installation. All flushing activity must
be coordinated with the Town of Middletown.
The contractor shall disinfect the new water system by placing in
each length of pipe, hydrant, hydrant branches and other appurtenances,
a sufficient amount of calcium hypochlorite tablets to insure adequate
disinfection. Tablets shall be fastened to the inside top of every
length of pipe, hydrant and appurtenance, using a food-grade adhesive
or glue that is nonharmful to human consumption. All adhesives or
glues used to secure tablets must be approved by the Town of Middletown
prior to use.
The contractor shall be entirely responsible for achieving minimum
residual chlorine content of five ppm at the extremities of the water
mains after 24 hours or more contact with the full water pressure
on the main.
Water for filling the mains shall be introduced at a velocity of
less than one foot per second in order to permit the tablets to completely
dissolve and have a reasonably uniform distribution throughout the
mains. Introducing water to the main at this velocity will help keep
the tablets from becoming dislodged and washed to the end of the system.
After the chlorine has been in contact with the mains for 24 hours
or longer, samples collected from the extremities of the mains shall
indicate residual chlorine content of five ppm or more.
The contractor will be held entirely responsible for securing a minimum
residual chlorine content of five ppm at the extremities of the mains
after 24 hours or more contact with the full water pressure on the
main.
If samples collected at the extremities indicate a residual chlorine
of five ppm or more, the system shall be flushed until there is only
a normal chlorine residual (1.0 ppm or less) present, as determined
by the DPD Method Test.
After a new pipe has been disinfected and flushed, it shall be refilled
with water from the distribution system and tested for bacteriological
quality.
Samples of water shall be collected from various points along the
lines. The contractor is responsible for having the samples tested
by either the State Health Department or a laboratory approved by
the Town of Middletown.
If satisfactory bacteriological results are obtained, the lines may
then be allowed to be placed in service. A copy of all test results
shall be submitted to the Town of Middletown.
If the test results are not satisfactory, the system shall be sampled
again. If the results from the second sample are still positive for
the presence of bacteria, the contractor will be required to repeat
the disinfection and bacteriological testing of the pipeline until
the bacteriological testing is satisfactory.
Description. This item shall consist of simultaneous pressure and
leakage testing all newly installed water mains, including valves,
fittings, fire hydrants and all other miscellaneous accessories which
carry potable water for use for domestic consumption or fire suppression
in accordance with these specifications.
Prior to acceptance, all new pipes and appurtenances shall be tested
as specified herein. The contractor shall be responsible for furnishing
all labor, tools, equipment, materials, including water, pumps, compressors,
pressure gauges, meters, and stopwatch subject to the approval of
the Town of Middletown.
Any defective work, which shows up while conducting tests or before
acceptance, shall be replaced or repaired by the contractor at his
own cost and expense. Any leaks due to either blown joints or cracked
pipe or fittings, shall be repaired by the contractor at his own expense.
All new water mains and appurtenances shall undergo a simultaneous
hydrostatic pressure and leakage test prior to acceptance by the Town
of Middletown.
Valves shall not be operated in either direction at a differential
pressure exceeding the rated valve working pressure. The test pressure
shall not exceed the rated pressure of the valves when the pressure
boundary of the test section includes closed, resilient-seated gate
valves or butterfly valves.
After the pipe has been laid, all newly laid pipe or any valved
section thereof, including hydrants, shall be subjected to a hydrostatic
pressure of 150 psi. Each valved section of pipe shall be slowly filled
with water, and the specified test pressure (based on the elevation
of the highest point of the line or section under test and corrected
to the elevation of the test gauge) shall be applied by means of a
pump connected to the pipe. Valves shall not be operated in either
the opening or closing direction at differential pressures above the
rated pressure. It is good practice to allow the system to stabilize
at the test pressure before conducting the test.
Before applying the specified test pressure, air shall be expelled
completely from the section of piping under test. If permanent air
vents are not located at all high points, corporation cocks shall
be installed at such points so that the air can be expelled as the
line is filled with water. After all the air has been expelled, the
corporation cocks shall be closed and the test pressure applied. At
the conclusion of the pressure test, the corporation cocks shall be
removed and plugged or left in place as directed by the Town of Middletown.
All exposed pipe, fittings, valves, hydrants, and joints shall
be examined carefully during the test. Any damage or defective pipe,
fittings, valves, hydrants, or joints that are discovered following
the pressure test shall be repaired or replaced by the contractor
with sound material, and the test shall be repeated until satisfactory
results are obtained.
The allowable leakage will be defined as the maximum quantity of
water required to be supplied into the water main upon completion
of the two-hour test to maintain the water pressure within five psi
of the specified test pressure after the pipe has been filled with
water and air expelled. No pipe installation will be acceptable if
the leakage is greater than the maximum allowable leakage as calculated
by the Town of Middletown. The contractor shall be responsible to
repair all defects in the event the pipe is unable to maintain pressure.
Description. This section shall consist of installing new fire hydrants
and associated valves, fittings, concrete buttresses, and all other
miscellaneous accessories as shown on the plans and in accordance
with these specifications and standard details.
Hydrants shall be installed on a bed of crushed stone extending the
full width of the trench, covering the area beneath the shoe, and
extending upward to a point six inches above the drain rings in accordance
with the standard details.
Hydrants shall be installed so there are 20 inches of clearance as
measured between the finished grade and the center of the operating
nut on the steamer nozzle.
Fire hydrants shall not be placed closer than two feet six inches
or more than seven feet from the face of the curb or edge of pavement
on streets without curb. Any other distance shall require approval
from the Town of Middletown.
This section shall consist of installing new water services between
the main line and the customer's property within the right-of-way
using copper pipe, and associated fittings as shown on the plans and
in accordance with these specifications and the standard details.
Water service replacement of existing service shall be accomplished
by boring, tunneling or jacking into place in lieu of open cutting
unless the service is outside of a paved area. Water service replacement
shall be coordinated with the Town of Middletown.
Water service pipes between the distribution main and the curb stop
of the property shall be soft copper tubing, Type K in accordance
with ASTM B-88, for water service lines up to one inch diameter maximum.
For water service lines greater than one inch in diameter, pipe material
shall be HDPE CTS.
All fittings used to connect service lines shall be compression-type
fittings manufactured by Mueller or approved equal unless specifically
listed otherwise in this section.
Corporation stops shall not be less than 3/4 inch with AWWA standard
inlet threads, suitable for connection to K-copper service piping
as specified herein. Stops shall be ground key design with compression
connection (Model H-15008N) for CTS OD tubing as manufactured by Mueller,
or approved equal.
Where required and approved by the Town, saddles shall have a bronze
body, double stainless steel straps with AWWA taper threads Mueller
part number BR-2-S or approved equal.
Curb stops are to be of brass construction, closed-bottom body. The
top shall be configured to allow the attachment of a stationary rod
to allow the valve to be turned off or on without the use of curb
box key.
The stationary rod shall be of sufficient height so that it
is not less than six inches from the top of the installed curb box
to allow the curb stop to be shut off or turned on without the use
of a valve key.
The curb box shall be cast iron, arch pattern compatible with the
curb stop and be manufactured by Mueller or approved equal as shown
on the standard details.
Before installation, pipe shall be carefully inspected for cuts,
punctures, and excessive abrasion. Damaged areas shall be cut out
and the pipe recoupled to form a continuous length.
Pipe, curb boxes and fittings shall be carefully handled in and out
of the trench. Special care shall be taken to ensure that pipe is
well bedded on a solid foundation and any defects due to settlement
shall be corrected by the contractor.
Proper and suitable tools and appliances for the installation of
pipe fittings shall be used. Pipe damaged in any way shall be replaced
by the contractor.
Whenever pipe or fittings require cutting to fit in the line or to
bring it to required location, the work shall be done in a satisfactory
manner to leave a smooth end.
Corporation stops should be located at least two feet from the
pipe ends. If two insertions are made, one on each side of the main,
they should be separated (measured along the pipe length) by at least
two feet. Multiple insertions made on the same side of the main should
be staggered 30° around the circumference as well and separated
by at least two feet.
No couplings are allowed between the corporation stop and the
curb stop. Couplings to connect terminal ends of copper tube shall
be Mueller H-15403N three-part union, or approved equal.
Individual service lines (laterals) shall be made at a 45°
angle down from the top of the main. The service line shall be laid
in a S curve down from the tap so there is plenty of slack to allow
for earth settlement and pipe expansion and contraction.
After installation of the water service pipe and appurtenances has
been completed, but prior to backfilling of the trench and connecting
to the house, each water service line shall be flushed out for a minimum
of three minutes. The contractor shall be responsible for disposal
of the flushed water.
The pipe shall then be plugged at the house and the corporation stop
reopened to fill and pressurize the service line. The line shall be
kept at the Town of Middletown residual water pressure for a period
of two hours.
Should the test show any leakage of the service pipe, corporation
stop, curb stop or fittings, the contractor shall immediately remedy
the defects causing the leakage. The pressure test shall be repeated
until the service pipe and appurtenances withstand the Town of Middletown
pressure for a full two-hour period.
Description. This section shall consist of installing water meters,
fittings, and all other miscellaneous accessories as shown on the
plans and in accordance with these specifications and standard details.
All meters, vaults, fittings and miscellaneous accessories installed
within the Town of Middletown's water service territory shall
be purchased by the owner/developer from the Town of Middletown. For
meters up to two inches the purchase includes all required remote
water meter reading devices. For meters greater than two inches, only
the meter is supplied by the Town.
Meter installation. The meter shall be installed in a location approved
by the Town of Middletown. The Town of Middletown requires the meter
to be located outside in a meter pit or meter vault with suitable
means of access.
Shutoff valves. All meters, regardless of location, shall have two
valves installed, one upstream and the other downstream on each meter
installed at that location. The upstream valve must be a ball-type
valve and the downstream valve may be a ball valve.
Meter pits/vaults and meters. Meter pits and vaults in residential
districts shall only be permitted upon written approval from the Town
of Middletown. Meter pits and vaults are required in commercial and
industrial districts unless written approval is given by the Town
of Middletown to allow the installation of the meter inside the building.
The owner/developer shall be required to purchase all pits and vaults
in accordance with these specifications and standard details.
Meter service for apartments/condominiums. The metering of apartments
and condominiums shall be reviewed with the Town of Middletown Meter
Department and Water Department prior to construction.
Description. This item shall consist of installing backflow preventers
in the water distribution system between the Town of Middletown water
mains and water service to private property to prevent contamination
of the Town of Middletown's water system in accordance with these
specifications and the standard details and as shown on the plans.
Installation. Backflow preventers shall be installed outside the
building in accordance with the latest plumbing code adopted by the
Town of Middletown, or as required by the State of Delaware. Any backflow
prevention proposed inside of the building will be reviewed and approved
by the Town of Middletown on a site-specific basis. All cost associated
with the purchase and installation of backflow preventers shall be
the responsibility of the owner/developer.