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WATER & SEWER UTILITY SERVICES INSTALLATION STANDARDS Application, Scheduling, Fees & General Installation Standards

Revised 4/1/19

CITY OF TOPEKA WATER & SEWER UTILITY SERVICES INSTALLATION STANDARDS

Applications

Contact the City of Topeka Engineering Division at 785-368-3842 to obtain application forms for

Water (domestic, fire line & irrigation services) & Wastewater (sewer) connections, or you may

download them at https://s3.amazonaws.com/cot-wp-uploads/wp-

content/uploads/engineering/WaterWastewaterServiceApplication.pdf.

Applications for Water & Wastewater must include tabulation of the total connected Water Plumbing

Fixture Units connected, or to be connected to the service line & must be provided to Engineering in

order that the proper meter size and type can be determined. This is identical to the one provided to

Development Services for building permits. Compound & HPT meter types will be located in a

properly sized vault constructed of concrete. Displacement meters are installed in a pre-packaged

meter kit, supplied by the Utilities Department. Irrigation meters must have the flow requirement

in (gpm) of the largest zone in order to determine if the meter size is a pre-packaged kit or will need

to be in a vault. The proper meter size and type must be determined to complete the application.

Completed applications, along with the Fixture Unit Schedule, Water and/or Water/Sewer Service applications, must be submitted to the City of Topeka Engineering Division by one of the following methods:

Call: 785-368-3842

In Person: 620 SE Madison St., 2nd floor, East

Fax: 785-368-3881

E-mail: [email protected]

Completed Building Fixture Unit Schedules MUST accompany applications for new or renewed

services. Material charges, system fees, inspection fees & cross connection backflow fees will be the

responsibility of the Applicant.

Technical Questions?

Water Facilities Engineer: (785) 368-2448

Waste Water Engineer: (785) 368-4251 Cross Connection Inspector: (785) 368-3905

Hours of Operations for Scheduling Taps, Inspections & Material Pickup

Water Services – 1901 SW Western Ave. o Monday – Friday 7 a.m. to 3 p.m.

o Inventory Specialist: (785) 368-2533 or (785) 368-3687

Water Pollution Control (WPC) – 1115 NE Poplar St. o Monday – Friday 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. o Call Center: (785) 368-1111

Cross Connection – 620 SE Madison, 3rd Floor, Development Services o Monday – Friday 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. o Current Inspector: (785) 368-3905

https://s3.amazonaws.com/cot-wp-uploads/wp-content/uploads/engineering/WaterWastewaterServiceApplication.pdf

https://s3.amazonaws.com/cot-wp-uploads/wp-content/uploads/engineering/WaterWastewaterServiceApplication.pdf

mailto:[email protected]

Scheduling Procedures of Taps & Inspections for Installations of Water

Services, Irrigation Sytems, Firelines & Sewer Systems

After Engineering approval, an appointment can be made for a tap & inspection.

Contact the Utilities Call Center at 785-368-3111.

24 hours advance notice must be given to schedule taps. All materials not furnished are the responsibility of the applicant to supply according to

Water Service Standards. The excavated area must meet OSHA safety standards or the tap & inspection will have to be

rescheduled and an additional service charge will be added to the costs.

The water main needs to be visible & clean for the Inspector to make the tap.

All materials for water services must be installed, minus the tap, so the system can be charged and backfilled to city code after the tap and the water inspector approves the installation. Ensuring proper inspection of installation, the whole process shouldn’t take more than 1 hour.

A one hour notice must be given if area will not be ready at scheduled appointment time. If job site is not ready upon arrival, the Inspector will leave & a new appointment will have to be scheduled with an additional fee added to the costs.

If the Inspector needs to return for any reason, there will be additional charges.

After approval of installation, the final restoration can be completed to city code.

Installation Standards, Definitions & General Conditions

Definitions:

"City" shall mean City of Topeka; respectively the Water or Waste Water Utilities.

"Customer" shall mean the party responsible for water usage or waste water discharge.

"Applicant" shall mean the second party or parties entering into contract for the

performance of the work covered by these specifications.

"City Agent" shall mean the City of Topeka Utilities Department designated representative.

"City Code" shall refer to the Topeka Municipal Codebook, Chapter 13, Utilities, which can be

found on file in the City Clerk’s Office or available online at:

https://www.codepublishing.com/KS/Topeka/ .

“Water Engineer” shall mean City of Topeka Utilities Department, Asset Management Division, Water Engineer.

"Technical Code" shall refer to the City of Topeka & Shawnee County Standard Technical

Specifications, and can be found on file in the City Engineering Office or available online at:

https://www.topeka.org/engineering/design-right-of-way/

https://www.codepublishing.com/KS/Topeka/


General Conditions:

The City of Topeka Utilities Department, Asset Management Division, may refuse to accept an

application for a utility connection, if the applicant has any unpaid obligation due & owing to the

Utilities, whether such obligation is for unpaid accounts, charges, service, materials, guarantees or

for damages.

It shall be the responsibility of the building owner to install a thermal expansion tank in

accordance with adopted City plumbing code for all new services & for any water service

upgrades.

Pressure Reducing Valves (PRV): High pressure areas will be required to install a Pressure

Reducing Valve (PRV) when water pressure exceeds the psi amount indicated as excessive per the

Uniform Plumbing Code (UPC), and any amendments thereto, as adopted by the City. New

Construction – the builder is responsible for the purchase & installation of the PRV. Maintenance &

repair of the PRV shall be the responsibility of the homeowner.

Tracer Wire will be on all service lines for locating from the water main to the meter pit. See

Section 8.02(H) in the City of Topeka & Shawnee County Standard Technical Specifications located at

https://www.topeka.org/engineering/design-right-of-way/.

Basic principal of water service will be that each habitable building shall have a separate and

independent water metered service, subject to fees & charges in effect at time formal service(s) are

installed.

Multi-unit residential buildings shall have a separate and independent metered service for each

unit. Deviations are subject to prior approval by the Water Engineer.

Multi-unit commercial buildings shall have 1 meter per structure. Deviations are subject to prior

approval of the Water Engineer.

Lawn irrigation systems, commercial or residential, inside or outside of the City may have a

separate meter. The irrigation meter will not be charged wastewater fees. No deduct meters will

be permitted for new irrigation installations.

Fire line & stormwater charges are a monthly set fee that will be invoiced to the property owner.

Deviations from billing can be made by calling the City Call Center at 785-368-3111.

Fire line backflow prevention is required for every fire line using an appropriate method. The

backflow prevention device is to be located as close as practicable to the connection with the

water main (per adopted Topeka Municipal Code Chapter 14.35.540(b)). A backflow prevention

device may be installed in a vault or within the building. If the backflow prevention device is

installed in a vault, see Diag. #4 for specification for the vault. No vault shall be installed within the

City’s easement or right-of-way. The backflow device shall comply with the currently adopted

plumbing code.

The terms of the connection application and all use of water or wastewater mains in relation to

the service connection herein permitted shall be subject to all applicable provisions of the City

Code and Technical Code and additional utility standards & specifications, relating to unique

customer characteristics.

The Applicant shall pay for all materials furnished, at current costs, as specified in the Utility

Fees & Charges Schedule, found online at https://s3.amazonaws.com/cot-wp-uploads/wp-

content/uploads/utilities/UtilitiesFeeSchedule.pdf.


https://s3.amazonaws.com/cot-wp-uploads/wp-content/uploads/utilities/UtilitiesFeeSchedule.pdf


Failure to comply with construction specifications as outlined in this document will result in

denial of service connection until all deficiencies are corrected to the satisfaction of the Water

Engineer.

Applicable permits must be posted at the job site before the service connection will be made.

Water/Sewer: The applicant shall call for field locates before excavation. The applicant shall

excavate the hole for the tap in accordance with most current OSHA Regulations & Kansas One-

Call requirements. City Agents may refuse to work in any excavation they feel is unsafe. The

Kansas Department of Industrial Safety may be called to settle any safety disputes. The applicant

is responsible for providing appropriate traffic control, fencing and barricades while any open

excavation exists.

Water: The location of the water service herein applied for shall be installed in a manner enabling

City water personnel free & unobstructed access to the meter at all times during its existence. The

meter pit shall not be located in parking areas, drives, sidewalks or inside fences. The meter pit

shall be located in the public right-of-way or easement contiguous to parcel or building being

served. Deviations from this standard meter pit location must have prior approval by the Water

Engineer. The service line piping constructed by the applicant, from the water meter to the building

or dwelling being served and/or any line on the portion of public property or easements, from the

premises of the customer to the location of the customer’s meter, will remain the property of the

customer and will be maintained by, and solely at the expense of, the customer.

Sewer: The building sewer piping constructed by the applicant, from the property to and including

the connection at the fitting of the City’s sanitary sewer main, will remain the property of the

customer and will be maintained by, and at the expense of, the customer.

Excavation and Backfill: The applicant will be responsible for all excavation, backfill and surface

restoration with compaction to City Specs. Backfill immediately after the tap, inspection approval

of the installation and trench. Backfill in compliance with the City of Topeka & Shawnee County

Standard Technical Specifications. The area around the meter pit will be backfilled with unwashed

pea gravel up to (12") twelve inches from top of meter box and then black dirt to grade.

Particular care should be taken while backfilling around meter pit to prevent meter pit from

collapsing or egging.

Clean-up: In an established area, immediately after the completion of the work or any portion of it,

the applicant shall remove all unused material, refuse or dirt placed at the site or in the vicinity of

the work, or resulting from the work and put the area in as good as or better condition than it

started. The applicant is responsible for all landscape, sidewalk, street and pavement restoration.

The applicant shall return all excavated areas to previous or better site conditions.

Streets, Alleys, Sidewalks or Easements: In making excavations in streets, alleys or sidewalks,

the paving, stones and earth must be removed and deposited in a manner that will cause the least

inconvenience to the public & provide for adequate drainage. No person shall leave an

excavation made in the easement open at any time without properly protecting /barricading

/maintaining the excavation. Site completion shall be coordinated with the Construction

Inspection, 368-3971, and in compliance with City of Topeka & Shawnee County Standard

Technical Specifications.

Any and all deviations from these guidelines must have prior approval by the City of Topeka Water Engineer.

Water Connections, Standards & Guideline Specifications Materials & Installation for Domestic & Irrigation Services

NOTE: In addition to the standards listed below, all materials and installation practices will be in compliance

with the latest version of the City of Topeka & Shawnee County Standard

Technical Specifications.

Positive Displacement Meters including 5/8” and 1”

Diag. #1(A or B)

Installation: The Applicant will be responsible for the complete installation of the pipe saddle and corporation stop, per City

standards.

Piping: The piping will be furnished and installed by the Applicant. Piping must be blue in color. Pipe will be nominal size of 1”-1.5”-2” & shall be HDPE DR -0.9 per Technical Specifications. Pipe will be installed to forty-two (42) inch depth at the meter pit. All other points shall have a

minimum cover of forty-two (42) inches below street sub-grade, sidewalks & turf. Piping between the water main & the meter pit shall be in line with the corporation stop & at ninety

(90) degrees from the main. There shall be no horizontal bend or offsets in the piping from main tap to meter set.

A separation of a minimum of eighteen (18) inches horizontal must be between the water service pipe and any gas service line, underground power line and communications lines. Also, when in a public right-of-way a minimum of ten (10) feet horizontal must be between the water service pipe and any sanitary sewer lines.

Tracer Wire will be on all service lines for locating from the water main to the meter pit. See Section 8.02(H) in the City of Topeka & Shawnee County Standard Technical Specifications located at


Meter Pit with Pit Ring & Cover: The meter pit will be furnished by the City of Topeka Utilities at the expense of the Applicant.

This does not include vaults. Ford Type "A", "C", “ X” or “ PMBC-3'' Single Lid Cover with a 4" depth. The meter pit shall be installed in the public right-of-way or easement. The meter pit shall not be

located in parking areas, drives, sidewalks or inside fences, unless special arrangements have been discussed and approved by the Water Engineer.

Supports shall be four (4) concrete blocks (not furnished) that must be set in line with the corporation stop. Placed atop a one (1) foot depth of ¼” chat, compacted in place & leveled.

The ring will be under the surface, leaving the cover flush with the finished grade. A 2” hole is needed to be cut in the cover for the installation of the Reading Systems Antenna. The

antenna will be attached to the meter cover and register.

Water Meter & Meter Setter: diag. 1C The meter setter will be furnished by the City Utilities at the expense of the Applicant. The meter shall be installed fifteen (15) to eighteen (18) inches from top of meter pit cover. The meter setter is to be installed so that the meter is centered and the shut-off valve is accessible.

BEFORE OPERATION– DO NOT FORGET TO DO THESE STEPS ► With outlet-side gate valve closed, SLOWLY open inlet-side valve to pressurize meter. ► CAUTION should be exercised to avoid air in the line, sudden flow surges or sudden flow rates.

These conditions may cause severe damage to the meter. ► SLOWLY open outlet-side valve until downstream line is pressurized. ► After installation, it is important that both valves be in the “FULL OPEN” position. A partially open

valve will cause flow profile distortion that will adversely affect meter accuracy.


NOTE: In addition to the standards listed below, all materials and installation practices will be in compliance

with the latest version of the City of Topeka & Shawnee County Standard Technical Specifications.

Ultrasonic Meters including 1 ½” and 2” Diag. #2 Installation: The Applicant will be responsible for the complete installation of the pipe saddle & corporation stop,

per City standards. Piping: The piping will be furnished and installed by the Applicant. Piping must be blue in color. Pipe will be normal size of 1”-2” and shall be HDPE DR -0.9 per Technical Specifications. Install pipe forty-two (42) inches deep at the meter pit. All other points shall have a minimum cover

of forty-two (42) inches below street sub-grade, sidewalks and turf. Piping between water main and meter pit shall be in line with the corporation stop and 90 degrees

from the main. NO horizontal bend or offsets in the piping from main tap to meter set. Keep a minimum separation of eighteen (18) inches horizontal between the water service pipe &

any gas service line, underground power line and communications lines and when in public right-of-way a minimum of ten (10) feet horizontal between the water service pipe and any sanitary sewer service lines.


https://www.topeka.org/engineering/design-right-of-way/. Meter Pit with Pit Ring & Cover:

The meter pit will be furnished by the City Utilities at the expense of the Applicant. This does not include vaults.

Ford Type "A", "C", “ X” or “ PMBC-3'' Single Lid Cover with a 4" depth. The meter pit shall be installed in the public right-of-way or easement. The meter pit shall not be

located in parking areas, drives, sidewalks or inside fences, unless special arrangements have been discussed and approved.

Supports shall be four (4) concrete blocks (not furnished) and set in line with the corporation stop. Placed atop a 1.0 foot depth of ¼” chat; compacted in place & leveled.

The ring will be under the surface, leaving the cover flush with the finished grade. A 2” hole is needed to be cut in the cover for the installation of the Reading Systems Antenna. The

antenna will be attached to the meter cover and register. Water Meter & Meter Setter:

The meter setter will be furnished by the City Utilities at the expense of the Applicant. The meter shall be installed fifteen (15) to eighteen (18) inches from top of meter pit cover. The meter setter is to be installed so that the meter is centered and the shut-off valve is accessible.

BEFORE OPERATION– DO NOT FORGET TO DO THESE STEPS ► With outlet-side gate valve closed, SLOWLY open inlet-side valve to pressurize meter. ► CAUTION should be exercised to avoid air in the line, sudden flow surges or sudden flow rates.

These conditions may cause severe damage to the meter. ► SLOWLY open outlet-side valve until downstream line is pressurized. ► After installation, it is important that both valves be in the “FULL OPEN” position. A partially open

valve will cause flow profile distortion that will adversely affect meter accuracy.


Compound Meters including 3” and 4” Diag. # 3 - Water Service

Installation:

The Applicant will install from the main to and including the meter vault. The Applicant will install from

the meter pit to the point of the building connection.

Tap:

The City Utilities will make all taps for services larger than 2”.

PRV:

Installation of all valves shall be permanent, unless otherwise determined by the Utilities Technical

Services Section Manager. Design plans shall indicate valves to generally be located at street

intersections only. However, in lieu of locating a valve at an intersection, valves may be located generally

no more than one lot removed from the intersection, and to be set at property lines, when future phases of

the development are unknown. The City retains the right to install valves at any location of our choosing.

Piping:

The piping will be furnished & installed by the Applicant from the main to the meter pit. The Applicant

will furnish the piping from the pit to the point of distribution. Piping must be blue in color if HDPE.

Pipe will be installed to forty-two (42) inch depth at the meter pit.

All other points shall have a minimum cover of forty-two (42) inches under pavement, sub-grade,

sidewalks and turf.

The piping between the water main and the meter pit shall be in line with the corporation stop and at 90

degrees from the main. There shall be no horizontal bends or offsets in the piping.

There shall be a separation of a minimum of twenty-four (24) inches horizontal between the water service

pipe and any gas service line, underground power line and communications lines, and in the public right-

of-way a minimum of ten (10) feet horizontal between the water service pipe and any sanitary sewer

service lines.



Meter Vault & Access Cover:

The vault and cover will be furnished by the Applicant. Vault size is determined by the meter size. See

diagram and chart for sizes and details.

In the Hatch, the Applicant shall drill 2 – 2” holes for the Antennae. The holes must be 6” to 8” inches

apart in the center. 8” to 12” from hinged side of the Hatch .

Water Meter & Meter Setup Assembly:

The water meter and strainer will be furnished by the City Utilities at the expense of the Applicant. See

Fee Schedule for costs.

The meter setup assembly is to be installed so that the meter is centered, the shut-off valve, runaround

valve and test tee are accessible and in line with the tap.

In Vault Piping:

There shall be a straight length of pipe equal to eight (8) to ten (10) diameters immediately upstream of

the inlet, allowing for meter accuracy.

A plate strainer is to be installed at the meter inlet (plate strainer of the same line size as the meter).

Caution should be exercised to avoid air in the line, sudden flow surges, or excessive flow rates, as these

conditions may cause severe damage to the meter.

A minimum of four (4) pipe diameters of straight run pipe is required upstream of the meter/strainer

assembly for meter accuracy.


BEFORE OPERATION– DO NOT FORGET TO DO THESE STEPS ► Close both the mainline and bypass valves.

► CAUTION should be exercised to avoid air in the line, sudden flow surges or excessive flow rates. These

conditions may cause severe damage to the meter.

► Turn air bleed on meter cover counter-clockwise one to two turns.

► With outlet-side gate valve closed, SLOWLY open inlet-side valve to pressurize meter.

► Close air bleed (one to two turns clockwise) when air is completely vented & no “spitting” occurs.

► SLOWLY open outlet-side gate valve until downstream line is pressurized.

► After installation, it is important that the inlet valve be in the “full open” position. A partially

opened inlet valve will cause flow profile distortion that will adversely affect meter accuracy.

HP Protectus Meters including 6” & larger

Diag. # 3 - Water Service

NOTE: ALL MJ= Full Body Restraint Glands/Gasket = Bolts/Nuts – SS 304/316. Refer to Table- Meter & Vault Requirements in the City of Topeka & Shawnee County Standard Technical Specifications.

A minimum of four (4) pipe diameters of straight run pipe is required upstream of the meter/strainer assembly for meter accuracy.

A basket strainer is to be installed in front of the fire service turbine & bypass (included in HP Protectus III meter assemblies).

Before installation inspect the valve clapper on the detector and check for freedom of movement. The meter should be lowered into the meter pit and positioned in the setting via chains or straps

through the lifting hooks on the top of both the strainer and DC valve. No attempt should be made to lift the assembly by a single center strap around the meter body of either end.

The installation is to be in a horizontal position with its arrow pointing in the direction of the water flow.

The lo-flow meter may be installed on either side of the mainline meter. Caution should be exercised to avoid air in the line, sudden flow surges, or excessive flow rates, as

these conditions may cause severe damage to the meter. Tracer Wire will be on all service lines for locating from the water main to the meter pit. See Section

8.02(H) in the City of Topeka & Shawnee County Standard Technical Specifications located at


BEFORE OPERATION– DO NOT FORGET TO DO THESE STEPS ► Close both the mainline and bypass valves. ► CAUTION should be exercised to avoid air in the line, sudden flow surges or excessive flow rates.

These conditions may cause severe damage to the meter. ► Turn air bleed screw on detector check valve and strainer cover counter-clockwise one to two turns. ► SLOWLY open mainline inlet side gate valve to pressurize meter. ► Close air bleed screws (one to two turns clockwise) when air is completely vented and no

“spitting” occurs. ► SLOWLY open outlet-side gate valve until downstream line is pressurized. ► SLOWLY open upstream ball valve on bypass to pressurize bypass meter. ► SLOWLY open downstream ball valve on bypass. ► It is important that the inlet valve be in the “FULL OPEN” position. A partially open valve will

cause flow profile distortion that will adversely affect meter accuracy.

Page 9


Fire Lines

Diag. # 4

Installation:

The Applicant will install from the main to & including the vault. The Applicant will install from the

vault to the point of the building connection.

Tap:

The tap will be made by one of the City Agents.

Piping:

The piping will be furnished and installed by the Applicant from the main to the vault. The Applicant

will furnish the piping from the pit to the point of distribution.

Pipe will be installed to forty-two (42) inch depth at the vault.

All other points shall have a minimum cover of forty-two (42) inches under pavement, sub-grade,

sidewalks and turf.

Trace Wire will be on all service lines for locating from the water main to the meter pit. See Section

8.02(H) in the City of Topeka & Shawnee County Standard Technical Specifications located at


Backflow:

All Fire Lines are required to have a backflow assembly. The backflow assembly may be located in a pit

or vault as close as practicable to the connection with the water main. The backflow device shall

comply with currently adopted plumbing code.

Page 10


Sanitary Sewer Connections

General – The Applicant shall procure the services of a licensed plumber or obtain a homeowner’s

permit from Developmental Services to install a new building sewer line from the structure to the

sewer stub (wye) not located within the road right-of-way or an easement. A licensed plumber

must do the work within the road right-of-way or an easement.

Tap Required – If the building sewer service line requires a direct tap to the sewer main, a licensed

plumber must excavate the area around the main in accordance with the most current OSHA

regulations. City employees may refuse to work in any excavation they feel is unsafe. The Kansas

Department of Industrial Safety may be called in to settle any safety disputes. The Applicant is

responsible for providing appropriate traffic control, fencing and/or barricading. Water Pollution

Control Division staff must do the actual tap.

Scheduling – The Applicant must allow five (5) working days from application date to schedule a tap.

A minimum of 24 hour’s notice shall be given to the Water Pollution Control Division for

cancellation or rescheduling of any scheduled tap. Please call 785-368-3111 for scheduling tap.

Completion – The Applicant shall complete all backfilling, clean up, and surface restoration in

accordance with the City Code, Technical Code, Specifications & Policies. If the excavation is in a

road right-of-way or an easement this work must be inspected and approved by the Inspector.

Please call 785-368-3905 to schedule you inspection.

NOTE: City map may not be accurate and could show a sewer stub on property where one does not

exist. There are additional fees if a tap needs to be made in the sewer main. See Fee Schedule online at:


Page 11


C O T W A T E R / S E W E R U T I L I T Y S E R V I C E I N S T A L A T I O N S T A N D A R D S Page 12

Diag. #1:A,B – Setups for 5/8” to 1" Positive Displacement Meters:

A

* All parts are provided except for concrete blocks and ¼” chat.

*Meter box placement is dependent upon providing 40 inches of space from top of concrete block to grade.

B

* All parts are provided except for concrete blocks and ¼” chat.


*The 36” PVC Cylinder will need to have 2.5 inches cut to obtain the 40” space from the top of the concrete block

to grade.

Page 13

1” Meter Setter with Angle Ball Valves on City & Customer Sides

Diag. #1: C

Diag. #2 – Setup for 1 ½” to 2” Ultrasonic Meters

*All parts are provided except for concrete blocks and ¼” chat.


Page 14

Diag. #3 - 3" or larger Compound Vault: Domestic / Business

SEE METER VAULTS SPECIFICATIONS ON PAGE 12

Page 15

Diag. #4 – Vault for Fireline Backflow Prevention System

Page 16

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