NR 811.72(2)(a)(a) Location not subject to flooding or high groundwater. If possible, chambers, pits, and manholes containing valves, blow-offs, meters, or other such appurtenances to a distribution system shall not be located in areas subject to flooding or in areas of high groundwater. If location in areas not subject to flooding or in areas of high groundwater is not possible, any valve discharge or structure vent pipes shall terminate a minimum of 24 inches above the ground surface or the high water level, whichever is the higher elevation. NR 811.72(2)(b)(b) Means to allow drainage. Chambers, pits, and manholes containing valves, blow-offs, meters, or other such appurtenances to a distribution system may not be connected directly to any storm drain or sanitary sewer, nor may any blow-offs or air-relief valves be connected directly to any sewer. Chambers shall be drained to absorption pits underground or to the ground surface where they are not subject to flooding by surface water or high groundwater. If electrical power is available, sumps with sump pumps discharging above grade with a down-turned metal pipe and a free air break over grade or over a storm sewer receptacle may also be approved by the department. NR 811.72(2)(c)(c) Installation requirements. If not installed in the road right-of-way or if installed in the road right-of-way in areas with minimal risk from damage due to traffic and maintenance equipment, larger below grade facilities or below grade facilities housing pumps and other electrical equipment shall meet the applicable booster pumping station requirements under s. NR 811.84. In addition, if installed in vulnerable areas of the road right-of-way, the facilities may be constructed with a gasketed, watertight, bolt-down cover at grade if approved by the department. NR 811.72 HistoryHistory: CR 09-073: cr. Register November 2010 No. 659, eff. 12-1-10; CR 22-074: am. (1), (2) (c) Register January 2024 No. 817, eff. 2-1-24. NR 811.73(1)(1) General requirements. Installation of mains shall be in accordance with AWWA standards in effect at the time of design, manufacturer’s recommended installation procedures, and the requirements of this section. NR 811.73 NoteNote: A copy of the AWWA standards is available for inspection at the central office of the department of natural resources and may be obtained for personal use from the American Water Works Association, 6666 West Quincy Avenue, Denver, Colorado 80235.
NR 811.73(2)(2) Installation specifications. The specifications for installation of mains shall include provisions for all of the following: NR 811.73(2)(a)(a) Bedding. Continuous and uniform bedding shall be provided in the trench for all buried pipe. Backfill material shall be tamped in layers around the pipe and to a sufficient height above the pipe to adequately support and protect the pipe. Grossly contaminated soil shall be removed, properly disposed of according to chs. NR 500 to 520 requirements, and replaced with clean material. Clean clay cut-off walls shall be installed to minimize the movement of contaminants along the trench if required by the department. NR 811.73(2)(b)(b) Stone removal. Stones found in the trench shall be removed for a depth of at least 6 inches below the bottom of the pipe. NR 811.73(2)(c)(c) Testing. Pressure testing of the installed pipe, including measurement of leakage and testing for electrical conductivity shall be conducted, if appropriate. Pressure and leakage testing shall be in accordance with AWWA Standard C600 in effect at the time of testing. NR 811.73(2)(d)(d) Disinfection and sampling. All new, cleaned or repaired water mains shall be disinfected and sampled in accordance with the following requirements: NR 811.73(2)(d)1.1. ‘Disinfection required.’ Water mains shall be disinfected before being put into service or before being returned to service following maintenance or repair work. Detailed procedures for disinfection, equivalent to those outlined in AWWA Standard C651 in effect at the time of disinfection, shall be written into the specifications by the design engineer. NR 811.73(2)(d)2.2. ‘Bacteriological sampling.’ Disinfection and bacteriological sampling requirements shall meet the requirements of s. NR 810.09 (4). The design engineer shall include detailed procedures for bacteriological sampling in the specifications. NR 811.73(2)(d)3.3. ‘Allowable chlorine in wasted water.’ Consideration shall be given to the amount of chlorine in any water wasted from a water main to the environment to prevent harmful impacts. Dechlorination prior to discharge may be necessary in some cases to prevent harmful impacts. Water wasted to surface water may not contain any substances in concentrations that adversely affect the water as determined under chs. NR 105 and 106. For chlorine, no total residual chlorine may be measured in water being discharged to surface water. NR 811.73 NoteNote: A copy of the AWWA standards is available for inspection at the central office of the department of natural resources and may be obtained for personal use from the American Water Works Association, 6666 West Quincy Avenue, Denver, Colorado 80235.
NR 811.73(2)(e)(e) Cover. Sufficient earth or other suitable cover shall be provided over mains to prevent freezing. A minimum cover of 5 feet is required unless determined by the department to be unnecessary in specific cases. Insulation may be required at some installations to prevent freezing. NR 811.73 NoteNote: The department recommends a minimum depth of cover of 6.5 feet. To assure water mains are installed to prevent freezing, consideration should be given to site specific conditions, such as water demand in the area, frost and groundwater depth, and water mains constructed under streets, highways, or other non-soil surfaces.
NR 811.73(2)(f)(f) Thrust restraint. All tees, bends, plugs and hydrants shall be provided with thrust blocking, tie rods, or a joint restraint system designed to prevent movement. NR 811.73(2)(g)(g) Locating wire. All underground components of public water mains, including mains, hydrant leads, and water services to be constructed of nonconductive material, shall be provided with a locating wire or other department approved equally effective means that can be used to locate the components. NR 811.73(3)(3) Pipe bursting. Department approval is required prior to installing any replacement water mains using the pipe bursting method. Replacement water mains installed through the pipe bursting method shall meet the following requirements in addition to the applicable requirements of sub. (2). NR 811.73(3)(a)(a) The interior of the water mains shall be thoroughly cleaned of any debris and thoroughly disinfected prior to installation. Water samples shall be collected from the newly installed replacement water mains and sampled for bacteriological quality in accordance with s. NR 810.09 (4). NR 811.73(3)(b)(b) The installed water mains shall be tested to meet at minimum the applicable AWWA pressure and leakage test requirements in effect at the time of testing prior to being placed in service. NR 811.73(3)(c)(c) Unless department approval is obtained for the use of other pipe materials, only butt fused DR 9 or 11 HDPE pipe, butt fused DR 14 or 18 PVC pipe or properly restrained ductile iron pipe shall be used for installation as part of the pipe bursting process. NR 811.74NR 811.74 Separation of water mains and sanitary or storm sewer mains. NR 811.74(1)(1) General. The following factors shall be considered in planning separation of water and sewer mains: materials and type of joints for water and sewer pipes, soil conditions, service and branch connections into the water main and sewer line, compensating variations in the horizontal and vertical separations, space for repair, and alterations of water and sewer pipes. NR 811.74(2)(2) Horizontal separation. The following horizontal separation requirements shall be met: NR 811.74(2)(a)(a) Water mains shall be laid at least 8 feet horizontally from any existing or proposed sanitary sewer main, storm sewer main, or sanitary or storm sewer manhole. The distance shall be measured center to center. NR 811.74(2)(b)(b) In cases where it is not practical to maintain an 8-foot horizontal separation distance, the department may allow exceptions to that requirement on a case-by-case basis, if supported by data from the design engineer. The following requirements shall be met in order for the department to approve a center to center horizontal separation distance of less than 5 feet: NR 811.74(2)(b)1.1. The bottom of the water main shall be at least 18 inches above the top of the sewer main and the minimum horizontal separation distance shall be 3 feet measured edge to edge. NR 811.74(2)(b)2.2. A profile of the rock surface as determined from exploration shall be shown on the plan when high bedrock is the reason for the exception to the 8-foot separation distance. NR 811.74 NoteNote: See Figure No. 10 in the Appendix.
NR 811.74(3)(3) Vertical separation. If water mains cross over sanitary or storm sewer mains, the water main shall be laid at such an elevation that the bottom of the water main is at least 6 inches above the top of the sewer main. If water mains cross under sanitary or storm sewer mains, a minimum vertical separation distance of 18 inches shall be maintained between the top of the water main and the bottom of the sewer main. At crossings, one full length of water pipe shall be centered above or below the sewer so that both joints will be as far from the sewer as possible. Special structural support for the water and sewer pipes may be required by the department after a determination that added support is necessary to meet the requirements of this chapter. NR 811.74(4)(4) Exception. If it is not possible to obtain the proper horizontal and vertical separation as specified in subs. (2) and (3), a gravity sanitary or storm sewer main shall be constructed of materials and with joints that are equivalent to water main standards of construction from manhole to manhole and air pressure tested to assure water tightness in accordance with the 4 psi pressure testing requirements given in s. NR 811.12 (5) (d) 2. Department approval is required for any exception to the requirements in subs. (2) and (3). NR 811.74(5)(5) Force mains. No exception to the 8-foot separation distance may be granted for sanitary sewer force main installations unless the requirement in sub. (2) (b) is met. NR 811.74(6)(6) Sewer manholes. No water pipe may pass through or come into contact with any part of a sanitary or storm sewer manhole. NR 811.74 HistoryHistory: CR 09-073: cr. Register November 2010 No. 659, eff. 12-1-10. NR 811.75NR 811.75 Separation of water mains and other contamination sources. NR 811.75(1)(1) Proposed water mains shall be adequately separated from any potential source of contamination. The following minimum horizontal separation distances shall be maintained: NR 811.75(1)(ag)(ag) Three feet between a water main and a stormwater collection system treatment unit, such as a bioswale or permeable paver system. NR 811.75(1)(ar)(ar) Eight feet between a water main and a POWTS holding, treatment, or dispersal component, sanitary sewer lift-station, grave site, stormwater detention pond, retention pond, or infiltration basin. NR 811.75(1)(b)(b) Twenty-five feet between a water main and a buried main or tank containing gasoline, diesel, bio-diesel, ethanol, other alternative fuel, fuel oil, petroleum product, motor fuel, burner fuel, lubricant, waste oil, or hazardous substance. NR 811.75(1)(c)(c) Fifty feet between a water main and a sanitary landfill or agricultural, industrial, commercial, or municipal wastewater treatment plant treatment unit, lagoon, or storage structure. NR 811.75 HistoryHistory: CR 09-073: cr. Register November 2010 No. 659, eff. 12-1-10; CR 22-074: renum. (1) (a) to (1) (ar) and am., cr. (1) (ag), am. (1) (c) Register January 2024 No. 817, eff. 2-1-24. NR 811.76NR 811.76 Surface water crossings. Surface water crossings, whether over or under water, present special problems. For this reason, the department shall be consulted before final plans are prepared. The design shall meet the following requirements: NR 811.76(1)(a)(a) The pipe shall be adequately supported and anchored, protected from damage and freezing, and accessible for repair or replacement. NR 811.76(1)(b)(b) A means to accommodate bridge expansion such as an expansion joint shall be provided to the water main if the corresponding bridge has expansion joints. NR 811.76(1)(c)(c) Shut-off valves shall be provided at both ends of a bridge crossing if the bridge has expansion joints so that the section can be isolated for testing or repair. The valves shall be easily accessible and not subject to flooding. NR 811.76(2)(a)(a) A minimum cover of 2 feet shall be provided over the pipe. NR 811.76(2)(b)(b) When crossing water courses which are greater than 15 feet in width, the following shall be provided: NR 811.76(2)(b)1.1. The pipe shall be of special construction, having flexible, watertight joints. Butt fused DR 9 or 11 HDPE pipe or butt fused DR 14 or 18 PVC pipe are an acceptable alternative. NR 811.76(2)(b)2.2. Shut-off valves shall be provided at both ends of water crossings so that the section can be isolated for testing or repair. The valves shall be easily accessible, and not subject to flooding, and the valve closest to the supply source shall be in a manhole. Unless the department approves an equivalent method, permanent taps shall be made on the pipe within the manhole on either side of the valve to allow insertion of a small water meter to determine leakage during system pressure testing. NR 811.76 HistoryHistory: CR 09-073: cr. Register November 2010 No. 659, eff. 12-1-10. NR 811.77NR 811.77 Common casing crossings. In some cases, such as highway crossings, it becomes desirable due to extremely high construction costs to install water mains, sanitary sewers, force mains or storm sewers within a common casing. The following requirements apply: NR 811.77(1)(1) Any sewers shall be constructed of water main class pipe and joints and pressure and leakage tested in accordance with the requirements in s. NR 811.12 (5) (d) 2. NR 811.77(2)(2) The water main shall be located above the sewer main and be adequately supported. NR 811.77(3)(3) A vertical separation distance of 6 inches shall be maintained between the bottom of the water main and the top of the sewer main. NR 811.77(4)(4) Normal separation distances shall be provided as close as possible to the ends of the casing. NR 811.77(5)(5) Force mains shall be installed within an intermediate casing within the larger casing. The intermediate casing shall extend a minimum of 5 feet beyond each end of the larger casing. NR 811.77(6)(6) The remaining space in the casing may be filled if desired. NR 811.77 HistoryHistory: CR 09-073: cr. Register November 2010 No. 659, eff. 12-1-10. NR 811.78NR 811.78 Water loading stations. Water loading stations shall comply with the requirements of this section to prevent contamination of both the public water supply and potable water vessels being filled. NR 811.78(1)(1) There may be no backflow or backsiphonage to the public water supply. Either a free air break shall be provided as shown in Figure No. 11 in the Appendix or alternatively, a reduced pressure principle backflow preventer shall be installed on the water loading piping. Cross connection control shall be provided to meet the requirements of s. SPS 382.41. NR 811.78(2)(2) The piping arrangement shall prevent contaminants from being transferred from a hauling vessel to others subsequently using the station. NR 811.78(3)(3) Hoses may not be contaminated by contact with the ground. NR 811.78 NoteNote: It is recommended that a water meter be installed on the piping at all water loading stations to record water usage. It is also recommended that a free air break be installed in place of installing a reduced pressure principle backflow preventer.
NR 811.78 HistoryHistory: CR 09-073: cr. Register November 2010 No. 659, eff. 12-1-10; correction in (1) made under s. 13.92 (4) (b) 7., Stats., Register December 2011 No. 672. NR 811.79NR 811.79 General. If the storage or primary pumping facilities cannot provide a minimum static pressure of 35 psi throughout the distribution system at street elevation, it shall be necessary to create a boosted pressure zone to serve those portions of the system. The use of pressure boosting systems on individual service lines shall be limited to a maximum of 10 individual systems in any given service area. The minimum static water pressure at street elevation shall be 20 psi in order for individual pressure boosting systems to be installed. Individual pressure boosting systems shall be owned and maintained by the water system owner. Booster station design shall be in accordance with this subchapter. NR 811.79 HistoryHistory: CR 09-073: cr. Register November 2010 No. 659, eff. 12-1-10. NR 811.80(1)(1) Pumps shall take suction from a reservoir, a water main adjacent to a reservoir, or elevated tank, where possible. If necessary, pumps can take suction from a distribution system water main if the installation complies with the requirements of this subchapter. NR 811.80(2)(2) For pumps not directly supplied by a reservoir or elevated tank, the suction pressure shall be at least 35 psi when the pumps are supplying design flow rates. NR 811.80(3)(3) Underground installations shall be permitted only if gravity drainage to the ground surface of large volumes of water from the vault can be provided or if the pumps and drivers are protected from damage by water or can be readily replaced. The department may waive the gravity drainage requirement if a minimum of 20 psi can be maintained at street elevation in the boosted zone by the main zone when the station is out of service or if sufficient elevated storage or alternate supply exists within the booster zone. The drain line may not discharge to a storm or sanitary sewer. NR 811.80(4)(4) In-line submersible pumps may be installed below the ground surface in a watertight installation. Provision shall be made for operational monitoring, pressure monitoring, flow metering, water sampling, and isolation valves. The pumps shall be accessible for servicing and repairs. NR 811.80(5)(5) Electrical equipment shall be installed above ground except if determined unnecessary by the department to meet the other requirements in this chapter. NR 811.80(6)(6) Buried stations may not be installed beneath roadways or in a floodplain. NR 811.80 NoteNote: Refer to ch. NR 116 for floodplain definitions. NR 811.80 HistoryHistory: CR 09-073: cr. Register November 2010 No. 659, eff. 12-1-10. NR 811.81(1)(1) The booster pumps shall maintain static pressures in the area served within the range of 35 to 100 psi under normal operating conditions. NR 811.81(2)(2) The pump capacities for domestic service only shall be as established in Figure No. 1 in the Appendix, or as justified by additional engineering studies. Fire protection shall be provided if feasible and will require additional engineering studies. NR 811.81(3)(3) Pumping stations which serve more than 50 living units shall be designed such that the peak demand can be met with the largest pump out of service. NR 811.81(4)(4) For pumps not directly supplied by an adjacent reservoir or elevated tank, the suction pressure shall be at least 35 psi when the pumps are supplying design flow rates. An automatic cutoff control shall be provided that will stop the pumps when the suction pressure falls below 20 psi.
