HomeMy WebLinkAboutCOUNCIL - AGENDA ITEM - 11/15/2011 - ITEMS RELATING TO STORMWATER, WATER AND WASTEWATERDATE: November 15, 2011
STAFF: Jon Haukaas
Roger Buffington
AGENDA ITEM SUMMARY
FORT COLLINS CITY COUNCIL 20
SUBJECT
Items Relating to Stormwater, Water and Wastewater Development Construction Standards.
A. First Reading of Ordinance No. 163, 2011, Amending Chapter 26 of the City Code to Establish and Provide
for Technical Revision of Water Utilities Development Construction Standards for the Water, Wastewater and
Stormwater Utilities.
B. First Reading of Ordinance No. 164, 2011, Adopting Water Utilities Development Construction Standards for
the Water, Wastewater and Stormwater Utilities.
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
Fort Collins Utilities maintains construction standards adopted by City Council for stormwater, water and wastewater
improvements installed within new residential and commercial developments within the respective City service areas.
These standards require the use of specific materials, methods and products to insure uniformity within the systems
and to standardize various components. Water Utilities is combining these standards into a unified document that is
more convenient for engineers and contractors to use and more easily updated in the future.
BACKGROUND / DISCUSSION
The current construction standards for development exist in three separate documents that were prepared at different
times:
Stormwater – Last update adopted in 1997
Water - Last update adopted in 1987
Wastewater – Last update adopted in 1990
The stormwater standard was developed prior to stormwater becoming a part of the Utilities department. As a result,
the format of the stormwater standard is different from that of the water and wastewater standards. Since the three
standards were prepared and adopted at different times, there are duplications within the three documents. For
example, all three contain sections that pertain to trenching and backfilling for the installation of pipelines. The
requirements are generally the same; however, the formats are different.
The current update to the standards consolidates the three documents into one to eliminate the duplication and
overlap. The construction methods/requirements covered by the standards will be essentially the same. The approved
manufacturers, products and model numbers will be updated to reflect the currently available products. In addition,
the project converts the standards to the Construction Specifications Institute (CSI) format that is widely recognized
among engineers and contractors.
This update to development construction standards is primarily a consolidation and re-formatting of the standards
rather than a change of requirements. The construction methods included in the combined document are unchanged
from the basic requirements of the three separate documents.
The update of the standards will also incorporate a process for future updates of the document. The revision process
would follow the amendment procedure outlined in the Larimer County Urban Area Street Standards (LCUASS).
Revisions would be grouped as policy revisions or technical revisions as follows:
• Policy revisions, which include major changes that may cause significant increased costs or may be
controversial, would require approval and adoption by City Council. Policy revisions would require a public
hearing process for the adoption.
November 15, 2011 -2- ITEM 20
• Technical revisions, which include minor additions, revisions or corrections that are necessary to better
conform to good engineering and/or construction standards and practices. The Utilities Executive Director
would have the authority to approve the technical revisions that: (1) are consistent with all existing policies
relevant to the revision, (2) do not result in any significant additional cost to persons affected by the revision,
and (3) are consistent with existing law.
FINANCIAL / ECONOMIC IMPACTS
The primary purpose of the construction standards is to insure that public improvements included in new developments
are constructed in a manner that the overall reliability of the systems will be maintained and that the future
maintenance costs related to these systems is minimized. The document reflects current construction standards that
are widely accepted throughout the construction industry. There should be no significant impact to the cost of
improvements. This update has provided an opportunity to review the pipeline materials and products used in new
developments. In the past few years, the cost of ductile iron pipe and copper service line pipe has increased more
rapidly than some alternate materials. In order to provide options to offset these increases, another type of polyvinyl
chloride (PVC) pipe was added to the water main material list and high density polyethylene (HDPE) was added as
an alternative material for water service lines. These materials are also used the Utilities Field Operations crews.
ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACTS
The requirements of the development construction standards are in place to promote and maintain the high standards
in the areas of water distribution, wastewater collection and stormwater control. The City’s erosion control
requirements are referenced in the standards to minimize the effects of any site runoff during construction. The
selection of approved materials for construction considers environmental impacts. The second type of PVC water main
material which has been added has a thinner wall which results in less plastic and correspondingly less petroleum
required in manufacturing.
STAFF RECOMMENDATION
Staff recommends adoption of the Ordinances on First Reading.
BOARD / COMMISSION RECOMMENDATION
At its October 20, 2011 meeting, the Water Board recommended adoption of the Water Utilities Development
Construction Standards including the process outlined for future updates.
PUBLIC OUTREACH
A primary driver of this update has been communication with engineers, designers, and the development community.
Water Utilities has collected many comments and much input from developers and contractors regarding the
requirements for improvements in new developments focusing on the need to update the format and include new
material technologies. In addition, many requests have been received to post the development standards on the City’s
website.
ATTACHMENTS
1. Water Board Meeting Minutes – October 20, 2011
1
Excerpt from Unapproved Water Board Minutes, October 20, 2011
Construction Specifications Update
(Attachments available upon request).
Vice Chairperson Balderson stated the item was presented to the Engineering Committee on
October 10, 2011. The committee did not formally vote on a recommendation for the item, but
did recommend that staff should present the item to the board for their review.
Water Utilities Development Review Manager Roger Buffington introduced the item and stated
the City maintains standard development construction specifications for water, wastewater, and
stormwater improvements built within new residential and commercial structures. The current
development specifications exist in three separate documents that were prepared at different
times. The objective for the current update is to consolidate the current specifications into one set
of specifications. The specifications will be converted to the Construction Specifications Institute
(CSI) format. This format is widely used by engineers and contractors. Once the documents are
completed, they will be uploaded to the City’s website.
Don Silar with Stantec, the company contracted to assist with the update of the specifications,
stated he has worked with the specifications through the development process and the capital
project process. The City has hired Stantec to bring the three separate documents into an industry
standard. No information has been changed other than updating the standards. The Utilities
Capital Group has used the CSI format for the last 30 years. Stantec used the Triple Bottom Line
analysis to update the specifications.
Mr. Buffington stated a procedure for future specification updates has also been included. This
has been tailored after the process contained in the Larimer County Urban Area Street Standards.
These standards were developed by Larimer County, the City of Fort Collins, and the City of
Loveland. Policy revisions would be referred to City Council. Technical revisions would allow
for updates of products, manufacturers, and minor additions/corrections to be made by the
Utilities Executive Director. Staff is requesting Water Board support for this item.
Board discussion:
How do the standards overlap with the Stormwater Criteria Manual? Stormwater Quality
Engineer Basil Hamden stated the design criteria are similar to design concepts. The construction
specifications relate to how a development is built.
Do the specifications include water and sewer service lines and water meter pits? Is there a
specification for gray water? No, there is no current specification for gray water. The
specifications would have to be updated because the piping used for gray water is colored
differently.
Are the specifications included in the building code? Mr. Buffington stated these specifications
refer to public improvements maintained by the City which are generally in street right-of-ways
or public easements whereas building code refers to construction of private buildings. Mr. Silar
reminded the board that the standards pertaining to developments are more generic. Capital
standards are more project specific.
ATTACHMENT 1
2
The City is moving forward with goals of re-development. Are there allowances for re-
development? Mr. Buffington stated these specifications do not include those differences and
that those are considered on a case by case basis. These specifications cover the basic
construction of a water, sewer, and stormwater facilities.
Board Member Brown stated the Engineering Committee reviewed the information and looked at
a tracking table created by staff that describes what items were modified.
Vote on the motion: It passed unanimously.
Board Member Brown moved that the Water Board recommend approval and adoption of
the Standard Development Specifications for Stormwater, Water, and Wastewater
Construction including the process outlined for future updates. Board Member Eccleston
seconded the motion.
ORDINANCE NO. 163, 2011
OF THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF FORT COLLINS
AMENDING CHAPTER 26 OF THE CODE OF THE CITY OF FORT COLLINS
TO ESTABLISH AND PROVIDE FOR TECHNICAL REVISION OF
WATER UTILITIES DEVELOPMENT CONSTRUCTION STANDARDS
FOR THE WATER, WASTEWATER AND STORMWATER UTILITIES
WHEREAS, the City’s Water, Wastewater and Stormwater Utilities maintain and apply
standard construction specifications for related improvements installed within new residential and
commercial developments within their respective service territories; and
WHEREAS, historically, each of these Utilities has developed individual standards
documents that were presented for City Council review and approval independent of each other; and
WHEREAS, in order to eliminate duplication and simplify the use and application of these
standards, Utilities staff has prepared a consolidated version of these standards using the
Construction Specifications Institute format that is widely recognized among engineers and
contractors; and
WHEREAS, to document and provide a clear reference to the adopted standards, the City
Council desires to update and clarify the City Code so as to identify the newly adopted standards
as the technical requirements applicable to new water, wastewater and stormwater construction
projects; and
WHEREAS, in addition, in order to allow for the incorporation of updated technical and
good engineering techniques, equipment and industry practices, City Council desires to authorize
the administrative adoption of limited technical revisions to the adopted standards, as set forth in
the amended City Code language below.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT ORDAINED BY THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF FORT
COLLINS as follows:
Section 1. That Section 26-1 of the Code of the City of Fort Collins, establishing the
definitions applicable in Chapter 26, is hereby amended to add the following definition:
Sec. 26-1. Definitions.
The following words, terms and phrases, when used in this Chapter, shall
have the meanings ascribed to them in this Section:
. . .
Water Utilities Development Construction Standards shall mean the Water
Utilities Development Construction Standards adopted by Ordinance No. 164, 2011,
and applicable to construction of water, wastewater and stormwater infrastructure,
together with any technical revisions thereto, as more specifically described in § 26-
29.
. . .
Section 2. That Article II of Chapter 26 of the Code of the City of Fort Collins, is hereby
amended to add a new Section 26-29, to read as follows:
Sec. 26-29. Water Utilities Development Construction Standards.
(a) The Utilities Executive Director shall promulgate Water Utilities
Development Construction Standards, which shall constitute standard specifications
governing the depth, size, slope, alignment, materials, or construction of water,
wastewater and stormwater fixtures, lines, and other improvements, as well as the
methods to be used in the excavation, placement, joining, testing, trenching and
backfilling, and such other technical specifications as may apply to construction of
water, wastewater and stormwater infrastructure. Said specifications shall be
effective upon approval by the City Council by ordinance, and will have the same
force and effect as provisions of this Chapter, and shall be enforceable pursuant to
the terms of this Chapter and as provided in § 1-15. Except for the administrative
adoption of technical revisions as authorized in Subsection (b), revisions to the
Water Utilities Development Construction Standards shall be subject to approval by
the City Council by ordinance.
(b) The Utilities Executive Director may adopt minor additions, revisions,
and corrections to the Water Utilities Development Construction Standards as may,
in the judgment of the Utilities Executive Director, be necessary to better conform
to good engineering and/or construction standards and practice. The Utilities
Executive Director shall approve only those proposed technical revisions that:
(1) are consistent with all existing policies relevant to the revisions,
(2) do not result in any significant additional cost to persons affected by
the revision, and
(3) do not materially alter the standard or level of service to be
accomplished through the specified infrastructure.
Upon adoption of any technical revisions pursuant to the authority of this
Subsection (b), the Utilities Executive Director shall provide to the City Clerk
documentation of such technical revisions specifying the date upon which they shall
become effective, and shall maintain said documentation on file in the permanent
records of Utility Services and available for public inspection.
Section 3. That Section 26-52 of the Code of the City of Fort Collins is hereby amended
to read as follows:
-2-
Sec. 26-52. Rules and regulations.
The Utilities Executive Director may promulgate such rules, regulations,
policies and procedures consistent with the provisions of this Article as the Utilities
Executive Director may deem necessary for the proper administration of the water
utility and the requirements of this Article, including the establishment of standard
specifications for construction of service lines and other technical specifications as
provided in § 26-29. Such rules and regulations are effective upon the approval by
the City Council by ordinance and will have the same force and effect as provisions
of this Chapter, and shall be enforceable pursuant to the terms of this Chapter and as
provided in § 1-15. A user's failure to abide by all effective rules, regulations,
policies and procedures promulgated by the Utilities Executive Director is the same
as a violation of this Article.
Section 4. That Section 26-97 of the Code of the City of Fort Collins is hereby amended
to read in its entirety as follows:
Sec. 26-97. Water service lines; general regulations.
(a) Specifications, design and construction. The design, number, location, depth
and size of all service lines shall be subject to the approval of the Utilities Executive
Director. The size, depth, alignment and materials of construction of a service line
and the methods to be used in excavating, placing of the pipe, jointing and testing
and backfilling the trench and all other work shall conform to the Water Utilities
Development Construction Standards adopted pursuant to § 26-29 and the
requirements of the building and plumbing codes or other applicable codes, laws,
rules and regulations of federal, state and local entities. In the event of a conflict, the
Water Utilities Development Construction Standards shall control. All work
concerning the installation or repair of service lines and their appurtenances is
subject to inspection by the City.
(b) Connection specifications. The connection of the service line to the public
water system shall conform to the specifications and regulations of the City,
including but not limited to the Water Utilities Development Construction Standards
adopted pursuant to § 26-29, and shall only be made by or under the supervision of
the Utilities Executive Director. All such connections shall be made watertight.
(ac) Materials. The public portion of all service lines shall be of copper, ductile
iron or other suitable material as determined by the Utilities Executive Director. In
the case of an external meter near the curb stop, that portion of the service line from
the curb stop and within and through the meter pit shall also be of the same material.
The private service line shall be constructed of materials approved in the City's
plumbing code. In the case where the service line between the water main and the
premises has been deemed a private main because it is made of materials other than
ductile iron or copper, it shall be replaced by copper or ductile iron lines at the
expense of the user when in the opinion of the Utilities Executive Director such line
-3-
has become so disintegrated as to be unfit for further use. Once such a line has been
replaced with the required materials, it becomes part of the water utility and the
utility will assume the maintenance of the service line between the water main and
the curb stop the same as for any public service line.
(b) Size. The entire length of the water service line, whether public or private,
shall be of sufficient size to furnish an adequate flow of water to meet the
requirements of the building at peak demand, and in no case shall be less than three-
fourths (¾) inch in diameter. The size of corporation stops, meter settings, curb stops
and service lines shall be as specified by the Utilities Executive Director based on
the rules for sizing water systems in the City's plumbing code.
(c) Depth of service lines. All service lines shall be laid at least fifty-four (54)
inches below the established grade of the street. When the main is of greater or lesser
depth, the service line shall be brought to the required depth as soon as possible after
leaving the tap.
(d) Trenches. All excavation and backfilling for installing or repairing service
lines shall be made in conformity with this Code and any other regulations of the
City.
(e) Meter settings. A meter set shall be installed in the service line for all
connections made to the water utility. The meter set shall be installed in accordance
with the rules, regulations, policies and procedures of the utility, and be readily
accessible to utility personnel.
Section 5. That Subsection (b) of Section 26-213 of the Code of the City of Fort Collins
is hereby amended to read as follows:
Sec. 26-213. Supervision of the wastewater utility.
. . .
(b) The Utilities Executive Director may formulate and promulgate rules
and regulations consistent with the provisions of this Article for the administration
of the wastewater utility and the implementation of this Article, to become effective
upon approval by the City Council by ordinance. The Utilities Executive Director
shall have the authority to regulate the volume and flow rate of discharge to the
wastewater system, to establish permissible limits of concentration for various
specific substances, materials, waters or wastes that can be accepted into the
wastewater system, to establish pretreatment requirements, to specify those
substances, materials, waters or wastes that are prohibited from entering the
wastewater system, to specify standards for installation of wastewater lines and
services as provided in § 26-29, and to enforce local compliance with federal
standards promulgated pursuant to the act.
-4-
Section 6. That Section 26-258 of the Code of the City of Fort Collins are hereby
amended to read in its entirety as follows:
Sec. 26-258. Wastewater service lines; general regulations.
(a) Specifications, design and construction. The design, number, location,
grade and size of all service lines shall be subject to the approval of the Utilities
Executive Director. The size, slope, alignment and materials of construction of a
service line and the methods to be used in excavating, placing of the pipe, jointing
and testing and backfilling the trench and all other work shall conform to the Water
Utilities Development Construction Standards adopted pursuant to § 26-29
specifications of the utility and the requirements of the building and plumbing codes
or other applicable codes, laws, rules and regulations of federal, state and local
entities. In the event of a conflict, the Water Utilities Development Construction
Standards rules and regulations promulgated by the Utilities Executive Director shall
control. All work concerning the installation or repair of service lines and their
appurtenances is subject to inspection by the City.
(b) Connection specifications. The connection of the service line to the
public sewer shall conform to the specifications and regulations of the City,
including but not limited to the Water Utilities Development Construction Standards
adopted pursuant to § 26-29, and shall only be made by or under the supervision of
the Utilities Executive Director. All such connections shall be made gastight and
watertight.
(c) Service line elevation. For all structures where the elevation is too low to
permit gravity flow of wastewater through the service line to the public sewer, the
owner of the property shall install, maintain and operate a lift facility for the
discharge of sanitary wastewater from the premises to the public sewer at an
approved flow rate. The lift facility shall not be used for the discharge of combined
wastewater.
(d) Reuse of service lines. Service lines that have not been capped and abandoned
may be reused in connection with new buildings or uses only when they are found
to pass a pressure test and meet all requirements of this Article and solely at the risk
of the user. However, the utility may require the modification or replacement of
existing service lines to make them suitable for the proposed use in conformance
with utility standards.
(ec) Runoff drain connections prohibited. Except as authorized pursuant to
Subsection 26-336(a) of the Code, it is unlawful for any person to connect roof
downspouts, exterior foundation drains, areaway drains, sump pumps or other
sources of surface runoff or groundwater to a service line or building drain which in
turn is connected directly or indirectly to a sanitary sewer.
-5-
Section 7. That Section 26-367 of the Code of the City of Fort Collins is hereby
amended to read as follows:
Sec. 26-367. Rules and regulations.
The Utilities Executive Director may promulgate rules and regulations
consistent with the provisions of this Article for the administration of water and
wastewater system extensions and oversizing and the implementation of this Article,
including the establishment of standard specifications for construction of water and
wastewater improvements and other technical specifications as provided in § 26-29.
establishing standard specifications governing the depth, size, slope, alignment,
materials or construction of water and sewer lines and pumping and lift stations and
methods to be used in the excavating, placing of the pipe, jointing, testing and
backfilling the trench and such other technical specifications as may apply to the
water and wastewater utilities. Such rules and regulations are effective upon approval
of City Council by ordinance resolution and will have the same force and effect as
provisions of this Chapter, and shall be enforceable pursuant to the terms of this
Chapter and as provided in § 1-15. Violations of this Chapter are punishable upon
conviction as provided in § 1-15.
Section 8. That Section 26-544 of the Code of the City of Fort Collins is hereby
amended to read as follows:
Sec. 26-544. Stormwater facilities required for subdivisions.
Prior to the final approval of the plat of any subdivision, or prior to
commencement of construction upon any lot or parcel of land for which a drainage
report and construction plan for the installation of stormwater facilities has not been
prepared and approved by the City, the owners of the property being subdivided or
upon which construction is being commenced shall, at such owners' cost, prepare a
detailed drainage report and construction plans for the installation of all stormwater
facilities required for such subdivision or lot, including any off-site facilities required
to convey stormwater to existing drains, channels, streams, detention ponds or other
points, all in conformity with the master plan of the stormwater basins, and the
Design Criteria and Construction Standards adopted by the City Council, and the
Water Utilities Development Construction Standards adopted pursuant to § 26-29 .
The Utilities Executive Director shall review such reports, plans and costs estimates;
and after approval of the same, the plat of the subdivision or the building permit, if
applicable, may be approved subject to the City's being furnished with acceptable
assurance that such facilities will be constructed and installed as indicated and
approved.
-6-
Introduced, considered favorably on first reading, and ordered published this 15th day of
November, A.D. 2011, and to be presented for final passage on the 6th day of December, A.D. 2011.
_________________________________
Mayor
ATTEST:
_____________________________
City Clerk
Passed and adopted on final reading on the 6th day of December, A.D. 2011.
_________________________________
Mayor
ATTEST:
_____________________________
City Clerk
-7-
ORDINANCE NO. 164, 2011
OF THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF FORT COLLINS
ADOPTING WATER UTILITIES DEVELOPMENT CONSTRUCTION STANDARDS
FOR THE WATER, WASTEWATER AND STORMWATER UTILITIES
WHEREAS, the City’s Water, Wastewater and Stormwater Utilities maintain and apply
standard construction specifications for related improvements installed within new residential and
commercial developments within their respective service territories; and
WHEREAS, historically, each of these Utilities has developed individual standards
documents that were presented for City Council review and approval independent of each other; and
WHEREAS, in order to eliminate duplication and simplify the use and application of these
standards, Utilities staff has prepared a consolidated version of these standards using the
Construction Specifications Institute format that is widely recognized among engineers and
contractors; and
WHEREAS, the City Council is considering of even date herewith Ordinance No. 163, 2011,
which will standardize references to the proposed standards in the City Code and provide for
administrative revisions to update technical aspects of the standards; and
WHEREAS, a copy of said consolidated standards, entitled Water Utilities Development
Construction Standards and dated December 16, 2011 (the “2011 Water Utilities Development
Construction Standards”), is on file in the office of the City Clerk and available for public
inspection; and
WHEREAS, it is the desire of the City Council to adopt and approve the 2011 Water Utilities
Development Construction Standards, for use by the Water, Wastewater and Stormwater Utilities
in applying, implementing and enforcing the related provisions of Chapter 26 of the City Code.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT ORDAINED BY THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF FORT
COLLINS that the 2011 Water Utilities Development Construction Standards are hereby adopted
and approved as set forth herein.
Introduced, considered favorably on first reading, and ordered published this 15th day of
November, A.D. 2011, and to be presented for final passage on the 6th day of December, A.D. 2011.
_________________________________
Mayor
ATTEST:
_____________________________
City Clerk
Passed and adopted on final reading on the 6th day of December, A.D. 2011.
_________________________________
Mayor
ATTEST:
_____________________________
City Clerk
-2-