Subdivision and Development Code of Practice

Section 5 – Water Reticulation

Contents
5. Water Supply....................................................................................................................................... 3
5.1 Minimum Requirements....................................................................................................................................... 3
5.2 Design Standards ................................................................................................................................................. 4
5.2.1 Water Demand and Pressure ................................................................................................................. 4
5.2.2 Reticulation Layout ................................................................................................................................. 6
5.2.3 Alignment of Water Mains....................................................................................................................... 7
5.2.4 Intersections............................................................................................................................................ 7
5.3 Principal Mains ..................................................................................................................................................... 7
5.3.1 General ................................................................................................................................................... 7
5.3.2 Approved Pipe Materials......................................................................................................................... 8
5.3.3 Pipe Pressure Classes............................................................................................................................ 8
5.3.4 Joints....................................................................................................................................................... 8
5.4 Ridermains ............................................................................................................................................................ 9
5.4.1 Pipe Sizes............................................................................................................................................... 9
5.4.2 Pipe Materials ......................................................................................................................................... 9
5.5 Connection of Ridermain to Principal Main....................................................................................................... 9
5.6 Hydrants .............................................................................................................................................................. 10
5.6.1 Hydrant Type ........................................................................................................................................ 10
5.6.2 Hydrant Spacing ................................................................................................................................... 10
5.6.3 Hydrant Installation ............................................................................................................................... 11
5.6.4 Hydrant Boxes ...................................................................................................................................... 11
5.6.5 Location Marking of Fire Hydrants........................................................................................................ 12
5.7 Valves .................................................................................................................................................................. 12
5.7.1 Sluice Valves ........................................................................................................................................ 12
5.7.2 Gate Valves (also known as peet valves) ............................................................................................. 13
5.7.3 Air Release Valves and Scour Valves .................................................................................................. 13
5.7.4 Positioning of Valves............................................................................................................................. 13
5.7.5 Valve Boxes.......................................................................................................................................... 13
5.7.6 Valve Indicator Posts ............................................................................................................................ 14
5.7.7 Butterfly Valves..................................................................................................................................... 14
5.8 Pipe Fittings ........................................................................................................................................................ 14
5.9 Anchor or Thrust Blocks ................................................................................................................................... 14
5.10 Connections to Private Property....................................................................................................................... 15
5.10.1 Point of Supply to Consumer ................................................................................................................ 15
5.10.2 Diameter and materials......................................................................................................................... 15
5.10.3 Tapping Bands...................................................................................................................................... 16
5. 10.4 Construction.......................................................................................................................................... 16
5. 10.5 Service Connection Box........................................................................................................................ 16
5.10.6 Testing, Cleaning, Disinfection and Acceptance................................................................................... 16
5.10.7 Disinfection ........................................................................................................................................... 18
5.11 Depth of Watermains.......................................................................................................................................... 18
5.12 Pipe Bedding...................................................................................................................................................... 18

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5.13 Backfilling and Reinstatement .......................................................................................................................... 19

5.13.1 Carriageways........................................................................................................................................ 19
5.13.2 Berms ................................................................................................................................................... 19
5.14 Watermains to be Kept Charged ....................................................................................................................... 19
5.15 Connection to Existing Water Reticulation...................................................................................................... 19
5.16 Special Measures in Corrosive Soils................................................................................................................ 20
5.17 Special Measures for Pumping and Storage ................................................................................................... 20
5.18 Marking of Trunk Supply Lines ......................................................................................................................... 21
5.19 Creation of Water Easements in Gross ............................................................................................................ 21
5.20 Working on Utilities Notice (WUN).................................................................................................................... 21

Drawings

W1 Standard Urban Berm Service Locations

W2 Watermain Locations at Intersections
W3 Water Connections
W4 Ridermain to Firemain Connections
W5 Typical Anchor Block Details
W6 Hydrant Surround
W7 Hydrant Surround Blocks
W8 Hydrant Box
W9 Valve Box
W10 Hydrant/Valve/Line Marker Posts
W11 Service Connection
W11a Water Meter Installation Details
W11b Water Meter Installation Details
W11c Water Meter Installation Details
W12 Confirmation of Water Reticulation
W13 Working on Utilities Notice

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5. Water Supply
5.1 Minimum Requirements

i. Standard of Duty

For all developments, a water supply system shall be installed, adequate to

meet firefighting purposes and estimated peak domestic, commercial and
industrial consumption.

Unless otherwise approved, all allotments shall be provided with a water

supply connection which shall be 20mm internal diameter.

Developments outside a gazetted fire district with access to a public supply

should provide firefighting protection through onsite storage or an alternate
supply.

Developments without access to a public supply must be served by a

privately owned water supply which satisfies all legislation and guidelines,
including but not limited to drinking water standards, Building Act and the
New Zealand Fire Service Code of Practice; SNZ PAS 4509:2003 and
subsequent amendments.

The design life shall be not less than 60 years.

ii. Level of Service

All water supply reticulation shall be to Water Supply Classification W3, or

such higher classification as appropriate in terms of the New Zealand Fire
Service Firefighting Water Supplies Code of Practice 2003, SNZ PAS
4509:2003 and subsequent amendments.

The design of the reticulation shall be such that a water supply connection
can be readily provided for each allotment or development site.

The minimum firefighting residual running water pressure shall be 100 kPa
(10m head of water) at any hydrant.

The minimum working residual water pressure, in other than firefighting

conditions, shall be 300 kPa (30m head of water) at the point of supply.

iii In areas above the 60m contour where a high level public supply zone does
not exist, as in areas within a 30m elevation of a Council reservoir, a
pumping station shall be provided to supply a elevated storage reservoir.

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Supply to the high level zone shall be by gravity from the reservoir.
Alternatively in the event where no available land for a Council reservoir
exists but there will still be public water supply to properties at less than
30m head pressure, the property owners shall provide on site storage with a
boost pump system for domestic purposes only. This will include the
installation of backflow device, flow restrictor, water meter and toby
manifold at the property boundary.

iv Backflow prevention in accordance with the provisions of the water supply

bylaws shall be provided for all connections.

v. Where water mains have been or are to be installed by Council,

contributions on an area basis shall be made in terms of the development
impact fees or other agreed cost sharing arrangement.

vi Alternative Materials

The use of materials, jointing methods, construction techniques and their

relevant operations and maintenance (O&M) practices that conform to this
Code of Practice is recommended.

If an applicant wishes to propose an alternative to this standard, they shall:

• Perform an effective net present value (NPV) calculation for the

preferred and alternative material etc, using suitable analysis
period and discount rate to be approved by Council; and
• Provide documental examples of locations where this proposed
alternative has been in service for an extended period; and
• Calculate the differential O&M costs between current and
proposed practice for a period of no less than 50 years; and
• Provide accelerated testing data indicating a serviceable lifespan
of at least 100 years.

Once this information is assessed, and if an approval given, the Council will
require the payment of the differential cost for a period of 20 years or more,
prior to approval of the installation.

5.2 Design Standards

5.2.1 Water Demand and Pressure

i. Domestic Supply

The development pipe network shall be designed to provide for annual,

seasonal and peak demand utilising the available pressures in the existing
mains.

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The design shall provide for an annual average domestic demand of 220
litres/head/day with a peak hour flow of 5 times this amount. A population
density of 45 persons per hectare shall be used as the basis for design
domestic flows. It is the responsibility of the owner’s representative to
confirm what supply capacities are available to serve the proposed
development.

ii. Commercial and Industrial Supply

The water demand for commercial and industrial areas shall be analysed
and specifically allowed for in the design, if relevant, and shall not be less
than shown in the table below.

Consumption
Type of Development
(peak hourly flow)
Residential 0.67 l/s/ha
(based on 45 persons/ha)
Schools, small hospitals, rest homes, small 1.0 l/s/ha
shopping areas
Industrial and commercial areas, high rise in 1.5 l/s/ha
residential H, large schools and hospitals

iii. Firefighting Supply

The water reticulation shall comply with the requirements of the New
Zealand Fire Service Firefighting Water Supplies Code of Practice SNZ
PAS 4509:2003 and subsequent amendments and in particular shall meet
the code requirements with regard to firefighting flows, running pressure
and the spacing and close proximity rules of hydrants, together with any
additional requirements set out herein, including storage where applicable.

Unless stated otherwise in the Council’s standard requirements, the fire risk
classification shall be as shown in the table below.

Type of Development Fire Flow

Residential Class W3 25 l/s
(based on 45 persons/ha)
Schools, small hospitals, rest homes, small Class W4 50 l/s
shopping areas
Industrial and commercial areas, high rise in Class W5 100 l/s
residential H, large schools and hospitals

iv. Design Basis

The Council shall where available, provide details of the pressures and
flows at the point or points of connection to the existing reticulation which
will be used for design purposes. Where this information is not available,
the developer shall engage a Council approved contractor to undertake
tests at the nearest hydrant(s) to the point of connection.

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The Council has the right to specify the diameters to be used for the
principal watermains within the development. Water reticulation design
should provide capacity for future development of land beyond the
proposed subdivision, and the existing reticulation assessed and upgraded
if necessary to cater for both the proposed and future development.

v Working on Utilities Approval

Before any construction can proceed the consent holder shall obtain
specific approval to work on or adjacent to Council services. This will
include detail of the proposed works plus require as-built data in
accordance with Council policy. Refer Appendix IV.

vi Non-Council Supply

In order to meets its obligations under the Building Act and Health Act, all
developments that do not require connection to Council supply must provide
detail of the source, capacity and quality of the existing and proposed water
supply.

vii No connections to an existing or new reticulation shall be made without a

building consent and utility approval.

Working pressure classes are as follows:

Maximum Working Pressure

PN Class Metres of head kPa

9 C 90 900
12 D 120 1200
15 E 150 1500

5.2.2 Reticulation Layout

i. A watermain of not less than 100mm diameter fitted with fire hydrants
(hereinafter referred to as the principal main) shall be laid on one side of all
through streets and one side of every cul-de-sac to the end of the cul-de-
sac subject to the requirements of Clause 5.6.2 regarding hydrant spacing.

ii. A rider main of not less than 50mm diameter shall be laid along the road
frontage of all lots not fronted by a principal main.

iii. Rider mains shall be supplied from a principal main at both ends, except for
private ways.

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iv. In the case of arterial and dual carriageway streets, principal mains are to
be laid on both sides of the street.

v. In industrial and commercial areas the pipe sizes shall be adequate for the
demand and firefighting flows/pressure. The minimum requirement shall
not be less than a 150mm diameter principal main on one side of the street,
with another principal main on the other side.

5.2.3 Alignment of Water Mains

(a) Position in Street

i. The position of watermains in the street will nominally be 1.8m

from the property boundary as shown on drawing W1.

There will be a minimum separation of 500mm, measured

horizontally, between the watermain and any other service laid
parallel to it. (Drawing W1).

(ii) All cases where these standard layouts cannot be achieved

(Drawing W1), proposed alternative layouts shall be referred to
the Authorised Officer or his delegated representative for approval
prior to installation. This referral shall include a proposed
alternative.

(b) Setting Out

The watermains are to be laid with reference to permanent land transfer

pegs or temporary boundary marks placed by the registered surveyor
responsible for the final land transfer pegging.

5.2.4 Intersections

At street intersections refer to Drawings W1 and W2.

5.3 Principal Mains

5.3.1 General

Principal mains shall not be less than 100mm diameter in residential areas and not
less than 150mm in commercial/industrial areas.

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5.3.2 Approved Pipe Materials

(i) The following pipes materials may be used for principal mains, providing
they comply with the relevant standards as follows:

X Polyethylene AS NZS 4129:2000 and AS

4130:1997.
X Steelpolyethylene NZS 4442 1998
coated, concrete lined (CLMS)
X uPVC AS/NZS 1477:1999
X MPVC AS/NZS 4765:2000
X Ductile iron AS NZS 2280:1999

NB: PE, PVC shall be metric, series 1, outside diameters.

(ii) uPVC and MPVC pipes are acceptable in all normal circumstances
including crossings under carriageways. uPVC is not approved for rising
mains. Truck watermains shall be MPVC PN12, PE100 PN 12.5, CLMS or
DI.

The installation shall be to AS 2032 or NZS 7643 and AS/NZS 2566 and
with particular attention to the anchoring of valves and hydrants against
displacement in operation.

(iii) Concrete lined steel or concrete lined ductile iron pipes may be required in
potentially unstable ground, for lengths where the pipe is exposed, or in
other special cases and should be the subject of specific design.

(iv) PE 80B and PE 100 Polyethylene (AS/NZS 4130:1997) are acceptable

materials for watermains.

(v) Asbestos cement pipes are not permitted

(vi) Galvanised steel pipes may only used above ground and in pumpstations.

5.3.3 Pipe Pressure Classes

Pipes for watermains shall be a minimum PN19 (Class C). Specific designs may
require a higher pressure rating at the discretion of the Authorised Officer.

5.3.4 Joints

Joints for pipes shall be as follows:

PVC shall be spigot and socket rubber ring joint (two joints).
Bacterial lubricant shall be used.

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Polyethylene shall be fusion bonded or flanged (stub flange with steel backing
ring). Mechanical couplings (eg gibault) shall not be used.

Steel shall be welded (all types), mechanical coupling or flanged.

Ductile Iron shall be spigot and socket rubber ring joint.

Solvent cement joints shall not be used.

5.4 Ridermains
5.4.1 Pipe Sizes

Rider mains shall have a minimum internal diameter of 50 mm. The table below sets
out the maximum number of domestic connections which may be served by a rider
main.

Maximum Number of Domestic Dwelling Units

Dia of Rider Main
(Service Connections)

One End Supply Two End Supply

50 7 15
65 15 30
85 20 40
100 30 60

5.4.2 Pipe Materials

Pipes for rider main construction shall be PE 80B Polyethylene, PN 12.5 to AS/NZS
4129:2000.

Fittings for Polyethylene pipe shall comply with AS/NZS 4130:1997.

5.5 Connection of Ridermain to Principal Main

i. Where a rider main is to be extended at right angles to a principal main, this

shall normally be connected with a ductile iron tee with a female threaded
branch (or an elongated gibault joint, tapped) and with 50mm diameter or
greater resilient seated sluice valve, as shown in drawing W4.

ii. Where a rider main is to be extended along the same alignment beyond the
end of the principal main, it shall normally be connected with a ductile iron
tee (or elongated gibault joint) with an anchored blank end plate, and with a
vertical socket and right angle brass bend, as shown on drawing W4.

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iii. In all cases this pipe should be well anchored by compaction along its
length and terminated with a blank end gibault and an adequate concrete
anchor block.

iv. Taper reducers (to be long tapers only) shall be adequately anchored.

5.6 Hydrants

5.6.1 Hydrant Type

Hydrants shall be screw-down type to BS750. Normally the tall pattern shall be used.

Hydrants shall comply in all parts to the requirements outlined in BS750 with
exception to the following conditions:

X Gland packing is not acceptable, two seal rings complying to AS1646 housed in
a gunmetal seal retainer.
X Seal rings must be serviceable under pressure.
X Hardmetal seating is not acceptable, stopper completely encapsulated.
X All fastenings are to be encapsulated or 316 stainless steel.
X All gunmetal components are to be Dezincification resistant to AS1565.

Hydrants shall not have or be drilled for frost plugs.

Coatings shall be Rislan 11 Nylon/Epoxy to AS NZS 4158.

5.6.2 Hydrant Spacing

Hydrants shall be spaced at intervals not exceeding the following:

X Residential areas 135m

X Commercial and industrial areas 90m

i. Notwithstanding the above spacings, hydrants are to comply with the New
Zealand Fire Service Firefighting Water Supplies Code of Practice SNZ
PAS 4509:2003 and subsequent amendments. The New Zealand Fire
Service has agreed that hydrants shall be spaced along the street at
distances not exceeding 135 m.

In addition, every building area serviced by hydrants within the street under
construction, shall be within 135m of a hydrant. For the purposes of this
requirement, a building area means any part of a front, corner or through
site and that part of a rear site which does not include the access strip.

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NB: The distance shall be measured along a route which a fire hose would
normally be laid.

ii. In cul-de-sac or other terminal streets the last hydrant shall be at the end of
the main which shall be at the turning head.

iii. Where houses or residential units are situated off private ways, there shall
be a hydrant within 135m of any house or unit.

iv. Where a residential private way is more than 65m long a hydrant shall as a
minimum be sited at the street end of the privateway in order to ensure
each house or unit is within 135m of a hydrant.

v. If necessary a 100mm diameter principal main shall be constructed and a

hydrant placed within the private way in order to ensure each house or unit
is within 135m of a hydrant. This main shall be accepted as public
reticulation by Council and protected by an appropriate easement to allow
access for maintenance etc.

vi. Hydrants must be readily accessible for fire appliances and should
generally be positioned near street intersections and not less than 6m from
any building.

vii Except for commercial areas, hydrants are not to be offset into the roadway.

viii Hydrants should be located wherever practicable within the berms. To

avoid conflict with driveways, hydrants shall be located in the middle third of
the road frontage.

5.6.3 Hydrant Installation

Hydrant tees shall be flanged if laid next to other flanged fittings. Otherwise flexible
joints are permitted (gibault or supertite).

Hydrant risers shall be used, or the watermain laid deeper, where necessary, in order
to ensure that the top of the spindle is between 100mm and 250mm below finished
surface level.

5.6.4 Hydrant Boxes

The manufacture and installation of hydrant boxes shall be as shown on Drawings W6

and W7.

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Surface boxes set in bitumen or concrete surfaces (carriageway or actual footpaths)

shall be surrounded by such edging and with the immediately adjacent concrete set
within a square boxed-out construction joint if required. Refer Roading standard.

5.6.5 Location Marking of Fire Hydrants

The location and marking of fire hydrants shall be to New Zealand Firefighting Water
Supplier Code of Practice SNZ PAS 4509:2003 and subsequent amendments,
subject to the following clarification:

(i) The lid and concrete surround is to be painted yellow (road marking paint).
(ii) A triangle is required with its base next to the road centreline.
(iii) Blue cats eye double sided reflective marker to be on centreline of road
opposite hydrant.
(iv) In kerbed residential streets the kerb is to be painted on both the face and
top for a length of 300mm and a marker post is not required.
(v) In un-kerbed streets and rural areas an H4 treated timber marker post will
be installed adjacent to the boundary.
(vi) Where a hydrant is in the carriageway, a painted yellow circle is also
required.

H4 treated timber or concrete indicator posts, if required, shall be of an approved

type, set vertically in the ground within 300mm of the lot boundary and immediately
opposite the hydrant which it indicates. Each post shall be firmly set to a depth below
ground level of at least one third of its overall height and shall bear the inscribed letter
“H”. Hydrant indicator posts shall be painted yellow (see Drawing W10).

5.7 Valves

5.7.1 Sluice Valves

The valves on the principle main shall be resilient seated, anticlockwise closing to AS
2638.2:2002 (pressure rated 1600kPa). Valves shall have a driptight seal upon
closure and allow a full bore flow in the open position.

Valves shall be flanged when laid next to another fitting. In line valves may be
spigotted or socketed to take flexible joints (gibault or Z joint). Coatings shall be
Nylon/Epoxy to AS NZS 4158.

All sluice valves 100mm diameter and larger shall be strapped to a concrete anchor
block.

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5.7.2 Gate Valves (also known as peet valves)

Gate valves may only be used on pipelines less than 50mm diameter. Gate valve
shall be to BS 5154 or AS 1628. Resilient seated sluice valves as in 5.7.1 above
shall be used on pipeline 50mm diameter and greater.

5.7.3 Air Release Valves and Scour Valves

Watermains shall be laid to grade in order to prevent local undulations. Air release
valves are to be installed at high points. Scour valves are to be installed at low points
or alternatively a hydrant can act as a scour valve. All dead end mains or ridermains
shall be fitted with permanent scour valves complete with valve box and marker posts,
as shown on Drawings W9 and W10 and discharge to watercourse (or stormwater
system).

NB: In some instances, backflow prevention will be required.

5.7.4 Positioning of Valves

The maximum distance between valves on mains:

(a) with services shall be 500m

(b) without services shall be 1000m.

Valves shall generally be placed on two of the three legs leading from each tee
intersection. Where required by the Authorised Officer valves shall be placed on all
three legs if this is necessary in order to limit the number of houses without water in
the event of a shutdown.

Wherever practicable, valves shall be located in berms. On new watermains, valves

shall be located at junctions with existing mains and at intervals not exceeding 500m
along the main. Rider mains shall have valves at both ends of the rider main
immediately adjacent to the principal main. Valves shall be located as close to the
principal main as possible.

Valves shall be specifically located with a view to minimise disruption of supply to

consumers and sufficient valves shall be provided to satisfy this requirement. No
more than 40 dwellings shall be isolated together.

5.7.5 Valve Boxes

Valve boxes shall be as per Drawing W9.

Each valve shall be covered by a minimum 150mm diameter riser pipe with the cast
iron valve box set flush with the surface. Valves shall have the same internal
diameter as the main on which they are installed.

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Valve boxes shall be installed with the long axis in alignment with the watermain.

5.7.6 Valve Indicator Posts

The position of all valves on principal mains and rider mains shall be indicated by
means of H4 treated timber or concrete indicator posts as described in Section 5.6.5
except that the posts shall bear the inscribed letter “V”. Valve indicator posts shall be
painted white (Drawing W10).

5.7.7 Butterfly Valves

Butterfly valves shall not be used in buried applications. They may be used in
pumping stations or chambers where they are exposed.

5.8 Pipe Fittings

5.8.1 Pipe fittings such as tees, hydrant tees, crosses, tapers, hydrant risers, blank caps,
plugs, bends of various degrees, shall be of ductile iron. Spigot and socket PVC
bends (long radius) may be used.

5.8.2 Ductile iron fittings shall be to AS NZS 2280:2004.

5.8.3 Flanges and dressing sets shall be to Table D of AS4087:2004 (PN10).

5.8.4 All joints and fittings incorporating galvanised bolts shall be wrapped in Denso Putty
and Denso inner and outer Tape, or with heat shrink protective sleeve.

As an alternative, 316 grade stainless steel bolts may be used.

5.9 Anchor or Thrust Blocks

i. Cast in-situ concrete anchor blocks shall be provided at all points where an
unbalanced thrust occurs on mains exceeding 50mm ID.

ii. The design of anchor blocks shall be based on the bearing value of the site
soil conditions, except that the maximum value used shall be 75 kPa. The
inner face of the block shall not be of a lesser thickness than the diameter
of the fittings and shall be so constructed as not to impair access to the
bolts on the fittings. Concrete shall have a minimum compressive strength
of 20 MPa at 28 days (A typical anchor block is shown in Drawing W5).

iii. A protective non compressible membrane to prevent abrasive damage to

the water main shall be provided between the pipe (irrespective of the pipe
material) and the concrete anchor and thrust blocks.

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5.10 Connections to Private Property

5.10.1 Point of Supply to Consumer

The point of supply to the consumer is as determined by Council policy on metering of

supply presented in the Water Supply System Bylaw 2000 and related regulations.

Every separable dwelling or tenancy shall have its own toby at the point of supply.
The following practice shall be followed:

i. In front lots (or dwelling units with individual street frontage) the service
connection shall be at the street boundary. The service pipe shall be
terminated 300mm on the street side of the front boundary and next to the
electricity and telephone connections with a manifold incorporating a toby
valve, a double check valve (backflow preventer), a Class C meter and a
toby box (Drawing W11).

ii. Back lots (or dwelling units without individual street frontage) of up to two
dwelling units shall have separate service connections at the street
frontage, as in (i) above. The terminal ends shall be clearly pegged. In
private ways serving 3 or more rear dwelling units a 50mm ID service line
shall be laid in the Right of Way with separate service connections off that
service line for each lot or dwelling.

The connection toby valve is to be within the right of way, adjacent to the lot
served. The service line, up to the toby valves, are to have easements in
favour of Council over them. These details are summarised on drawing
W3.

(iii) Applications for urban and rural residential lots requiring new water
connections and/or change of use shall be made to Council.

(iv) New connections shall be installed as part of subdivision development onto

new mains only.

(v) Connections onto existing mains shall be undertaken by an approved

contractor only.
Council’s current policy now
5.10.2 Diameter and materials requires that water supply
house connections shall be
installed at time of subdivision.
The physical connection to
Service connections shall be 20mm ID, 12 bar, polyethylene. unless expressly
Council’s watermain is to be
otherwise approved by the Authorised Officer. undertaken by a Council
approved contractor.
The designer shall take into account head losses in serving building sites over long
distances for service connections especially in rural or rural residential areas.

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5.10.3 Tapping Bands

Each service connection to a principal main or rider main shall be by means of a

tapping band.

The tapping band for each service connection shall be sited adjacent to the electricity
and telephone connections, close to a side boundary, but not perpendicular to the
toby. It shall be at the house side of, and clear, of the driveway to rear lots.

Tapping bands are to be Gun metal LGZ to AS/NZS1565: Copper and Copper Alloy
ingots and castings with stainless steel fastenings. Clamp type bands shall have a
restrained lip seal ring manufactured to AS 1646 Elastomeric seals for waterworks
purposes.

5. 10.4 Construction

The connections shall be tested in conjunction with the mains. Service connections
shall normally be laid at right angles to the boundary.

5. 10.5 Service Connection Box

Service connection boxes, manifolds, backflow preventers and Class C water meters
shall be installed as per Drawing W11a, W11b or W11c. The type of installation shall
be as required by the WBOPDC Water Supply System Bylaw 2000.

5.10.6 Testing, Cleaning, Disinfection and Acceptance

i. The consent holder will undertake a test of new watermains prior to

connecting to existing reticulation as follows:

For watermain pressure testing procedure refer to NZS4404: 2004,

Appendix B. Before undertaking the acceptance test, the pipes will have
been filled with water and held at local mains pressure for at least 24 hours.
Each section of the reticulation shall be tested by the contractor in the
presence of the QA Manager. The test shall be carried out and all
necessary apparatus supplied by the contractor. After backfilling the main
shall be pressure tested, pigged, flushed, disinfected and then closed at the
connection points with blank ends.

The contractor shall submit for the Engineer’s approval his proposed
method of commissioning the water mains.

The pipeline is to be tested in one section unless agreed otherwise with the
Engineer. Air valves shall not be installed. The ends of the pipeline shall be
blanked off with suitably anchored and stiffened end plates. All flanged
valves shall be open with blank flanges fitted.

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The Engineer shall be given at least 24 hours notice that the pipeline has
been prepared for a pressure test.

The pipeline shall be filled with reticulation water at a rate determined by the
Engineer. All air shall be removed and the pipeline allowed to stand for
twenty-four (24) hours under static head pressure. Any visible leaks or
weeping shall be repaired and the process repeated.

The contractor shall then slowly increase the pressure by means of a pump
and pressure relief valve to the rated test pressure of the pipe as measured
at the low point of the pipeline under test. The contractor shall provide a
calibrated pressure gauge for fixing to the test equipment.

A successful test will be achieved if there is no visible signs of leakage and

the rate of pressure drop, as measured by pressure gauge, does not
exceed 10% of the test pressure after 1 hour with due allowance for
pressure changes due to temperature variations. The contractor’s
independent Quality Manager will issue a test certificate, which will record:
the date, the location and the length of pipeline tested, the test pressure,
the pressure drop and the makeup water to reinstate the pressure to the
test pressure.

If a successful test is not achieved the leakage shall be found, repaired and
the test repeated.

Cleaning the Main

All detritus is to be removed from the pipe by flushing, pigging and then
flushing again.

The main shall be flushed through suitable hydrants and scours.

The contractor shall load an approved pig into the main and force it along
by hydraulic pressure at velocities not exceeding 1.5 metres per second.
This work shall be repeated until all detritus has been removed to the
satisfaction of the Engineer. The Engineer, who requires 24 hours notice in
advance, will witness the pigging process.

After pigging, the main shall be flushed until the water flows clear.

The contractor’s independent Quality Manager will issue a certificate, which

will record: the date, the location, the length of pipeline pigged and
disinfected.

Testing and records shall be provided prior to the issue of a 224 Certificate.

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As-built drawings showing all engineering works shall be provided in

accordance with Subdivision and Development Code of Practice and GIS
requirements prior to the issue of a 224 Certificate.

ii. A Certificate of Subdivision Construction is to be submitted (Form W12).

5.10.7 Disinfection

After backfilling, pigging and flushing and successful testing, and before being put into
service, all pipes, valves, house connections and other fittings shall be disinfected.

The method to be adopted shall be as per Code of Practice for disinfection, Appendix
VI.

5.11 Depth of Watermains

Both principal mains and rider mains shall have the following minimum cover as in
Drawing W1, except in circumstances requiring special protection. Greater depth
shall only be provided if required and / or approved by the Authorised Officer.

(a) Under grass berms and footpaths,

Top of pipe 600mm below finished surface (maximum 1 metre).

(b) Under carriageway;

Top of pipe 900mm below finished surface level over the pipe (maximum
1.2 metres).

Whenever possible watermains up to and including 200mm shall be thrust under

roads and vehicle entrances.

Service connection pipes shall have 350mm cover (± 50mm) as in Drawing W1.
Similar provision shall be made to give the necessary cover over valve spindles, ie
350mm cover. The sections of main adjacent to a carriageway crossing shall be
gradually deepened, to allow the required cover under the carriageway without the
provision of vertical bends.

5.12 Pipe Bedding

i. Watermain pipes shall be bedded on suitable fine granular material, either

Insitu natural or imported. All watermains under carriageways shall have
sand or fine granular bedding and surround. The requirement for bedding
and surrounding of PVC pipe is set out in AS 2032 or NZS 7643 – NZS
4404.

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ii. There shall be no sharp stones or large clay lumps in the bedding or
surround. Each pipe shall be laid so that the barrel of the pipe is supported
for 60 to 90o of its circumference along its entire length. The bottom of the
trench shall be cut out to sufficient size to permit jointing of the pipes and all
pipes shall be supported upon their barrels only. Refer Drawing SS14.

5.13 Backfilling and Reinstatement

5.13.1 Carriageways

All pipe trenches under carriageways shall be backfilled using an approved backfill
(refer Drawing SS14) placed immediately above the pipe surround and compacted in
layers not exceeding 200mm in depth.

On existing streets the top section of the trench shall be backfilled using basecourse
of a similar standard to that present and sealed. The depth of basecourse and type of
seal shall conform to the standard of the existing road construction and to the
Authorised Officer requirements.

5.13.2 Berms

Pipe trenches under grass berms and footpaths shall be backfilled in accordance with
the requirements of 12.5 to 12.8 of NZS 4452.

5.14 Watermains to be Kept Charged

After any watermain has been laid and tested and disinfected, it shall be kept
continually charged with water, and under pressure. The pressure shall be
maintained while electrical and other underground services are being laid in the
vicinity of the main.

5.15 Connection to Existing Water Reticulation

(i) The physical work of connecting to the existing reticulation shall only be
done by a contractor who is authorised by Council under contract to
undertake such work.

This can be undertaken only once the new reticulation has successfully
passed all necessary acceptance tests.

(ii) Where such connections are required the consent holder shall terminate the
new main approximately 1m from the existing main at the appropriate level.

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(iii) The contractor is to provide a shutdown plan to the Council Network

Manager for approval. The plan shall be submitted a minimum of seven
working days prior to the shutdown, to allow Council to publicly advertise
the shutdown if necessary. The contractor shall deliver letters to all
properties that could be affected, advising of the shutdown at least 72
hours in advance.

(iv) Shutdowns affected schools or industrial/commercial premises may be

required to be carried out after 5.00pm or on Saturdays or Sundays, at the
direction of the Authorised Officer.

(v) The shutdown plan shall include a plan showing the location of the works,
valves and hydrants to be used, extent of affected customers, date, time
and duration of the shutdown.

(vi) The New Zealand Fire Service is to be notified by telephone of any

shutdown that is likely to be in excess of 1 hour which will affect the supply
to any hydrant. This should also be noted in the shutdown plan.

5.16 Special Measures in Corrosive Soils

i. Corrosive soils are found in some parts of the District. The Authorised Officer shall
advise which areas require special attention especially in saline soils.

ii. All other bolts, nuts, and washers shall be of aluminium bronze and fittings shall be of
gun metal or of stainless steel. No galvanised or mild steel or brass fittings or bolts
and nuts shall be used.

5.17 Special Measures for Pumping and Storage

(i) The provisions of service storage or reticulation pumping installations or

both together will normally be the responsibility of Council.

(ii) If storage is required wholly or principally to serve a specific development

the provision of that storage shall be provided by the consent holder.

(iii) The consent holder shall provide 24 hour storage equal to the maximum
daily demand, plus firefighting storage requirements.

Minimum three day storage shall be provided by the consent holder in all
rural and rural-residential subdivisions. Council does not guarantee
continuity of supply.

Storage reservoirs or tanks shall be constructed in concrete, treated steel or

PE, with all-weather accessways, telemetry and depth monitoring in
accordance with Council requirements.

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5.18 Marking of Trunk Supply Lines

Where principal or trunk watermains are laid “across country” or not parallel to
boundary lines, the location of the watermain is to be marked by H4 treated timber or
concrete valve/Hydrant posts, painted white, without the H or V mark.

Watermains laid ‘across country’ shall have a warning tape with wire trace placed
above the pipe in the trench to help identify the location of the pipeline. Wire traces to
be electrically continuous between valves/hydrants and anchored to that fitting.

5.19 Creation of Water Easements in Gross

Council requires that all water pipelines which are to be vested in Council that are
located in reserves, other than drainage reserves, are protected by a Water
Easement in Gross which is to be drawn up and registered against the titles of the
individual properties by the subdivider at no cost to Council.

5.20 Working on Utilities Notice (WUN)

Any connection or work to Council’s water system requires an advanced notice to

Council by the contractor. This notice will be by completion and submission of Form
W13 in the Water Section of this document.

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