Update to Master Specifications (2012 DRAFT)

The PSA has been working hard to finalize a much needed update to our Master Specifications. We have worked with our own Maintenance Department to ensure that the specifications either match our current practices, or new materials or practices were derived to develop a more effective solution for long term operational value. It should be noted that we have worked with Western Virginia Water Authority and their Regional Standards and have attempted to coincide with many of the requirements of the regional standards where feasible for our system.

We currently have our new specifications in DRAFT format and offer you this opportunity to review the proposed specifications as we continue our internal review. It is our intention to have the specifications finalized for submission to the Virginia Department of Health by early March.

We welcome any comments, questions, or suggestions during this time of review, and ask that any feedback you may have be provided to Stephen Foster or myself prior to February 24, 2012. We will have a hard copy available at our office for you to view if you prefer.

While there are many updates, below is a quick list of some mentionable items as a starting point:

1. Low Pressure Force Mains – Quite a bit of discussion and research went into these updates. We will be using yelomine/aquamine (No PE) for the main lines, with plans to limit how small we will allow the main lines in design plans. We are specifying PE (SDR-9 IPS) for the service connections only. This should allow PSA to perform wet taps for new installs.

2. Meter settings – There is a table of meter setting parts and numbers for the major vendors we see. With MUCH help from Maintenance we have tried to clean up that list and consolidate it for ease & consistency.

3. Standard Details - Please take time to glance through the as many have been updated to meet current standards, parts & materials as well as our actual practices.

4. Cleanout – We will continue to require Contractors to use the same materials for cleanouts as for the mains (SDR-35 or SDR 26). This is consistent with our current practice for new projects. As we may have used schedule pipe on previous internal installation, our internal practices will be updated to reflect these specifications.

5. Tracer Wire Access Boxes – We are adding tracer wire boxes in most locations rather than trying to fish tracewire through valve boxes, meter boxes, etc. This will require the installation of these boxes with any new appurtenance installation, but will also provide some benefit in the tracerwire being out of the way during valve operation, meter setting repairs, and a more standard practice for tracewire access at manholes.

6. Drop Manholes – We have added a detail for internal drop manholes as the standard. Exterior drops would require written permission. For new projects, internal drop manholes are required to be larger in diameter to provide the additional working space. This is currently in our written policies, but has not been previously noted in the specifications.

7. Manhole Frames and Covers – We have elected to specify East Jordan frames and covers consistent with several of our surrounding municipalities in effort to have a solid manhole cover that is resistant to stormwater inflow, without the difficulty of the typical waterproof gasket that has hindered access on many previously installed waterproof covers.

8. Various Boxes – In many cases, we are standardizing our larger boxes to the black-and-white Carson Boxes with Monitor Frame and Cover.

9. Vaults & Concrete Structures – We are trying to generate some consistency with our vaults such as:

a. Bilco Hatches with padlock hasp

b. No “Clam-Shell” structures; Using only top joint vaults

c. Generally using reducers INSIDE vaults; makes it easier to upgrade/upsize contents

10. FFMV – We worked with Clearflow to provide all the small changes we have been trying to provide with the FFMV’s.

a. Two gauges with guage specifications updated

b. Correct meters and external antenna (mounted in the concrete slab NOT the hatch)

c. Clearances to work

11. PRV’s – The PRV details and specifications have been revised considerably to incorporate the features we are now using and requiring. Pressure Relief Valves have been added downstream of the PRV’s.

While you will find many specific model numbers identified in the specifications, we have also included a form for submitting and receiving approval for alternate models.

Master Specifications DRAFT - Revised 2-3-2012

Master Specifications Appendices DRAFT - Revised 2-3-2012