1 Del. Admin. Code § 702-7-1.0

Current through Register Vol. 28, No. 5, November 1, 2024

Section 702-7-1.0 - General

1.1 Scope.

1.1.1 This Chapter establishes the minimum requirements for all water suppliers when extending or improving their franchise district, their coverage areas, their distribution, transmission or supply infrastructure and any modifications to their water supply systems.

1.1.2 Where this Chapter provides minimum standards and specifications for water suppliers to be in conformance with, such standard and specifications found in this Chapter are not to be construed as lessening any requirements of Chapter 6 of this regulation, which may require additional flows, durations, and/or fire hydrants at the time of construction or site development.

1.2 Purpose.

1.2.1 The purpose of the Chapters is to provide minimum requirements for water flow for fire protection in duration and amounts required and the installation of fire hydrants by water suppliers.

1.3 Application.

1.3.1 This Chapter is applicable to all water suppliers, be they public, private, corporations, companies, or individual(s) when providing water for any occupancy, development or sub-division; and shall apply when extending or improving their franchise districts, their coverage areas, their distribution, transmission or supply infrastructure, and any modifications to their water systems.

1.3.2 This Chapter does not apply to sources of water from individual wells when supplying an individual one- and two-family dwelling.

1.3.3 This Chapter does not apply to a water supplier that connects its water transmission system to the private distribution system of an existing development, subdivision, manufactured housing community or condominium in order to supply bulk water where the existing distribution at the time of interconnection is unable to provide the minimum requirements for fire protection that would be required by these Regulations provided the following conditions are met:

1.3.3.1 A plan review submission is required in accordance with these Regulations prior to the installation of any infrastructure. The submittal shall also include an executed water service agreement between the water provider and the proposed customer defining ownership of the existing and proposed infrastructure.

1.3.3.2 A public fire hydrant shall be installed, as determined by the water supplier and approved by The Office of the State Fire Marshal, at or near the entrance to the community. The public fire hydrant shall be owned and maintained by the water supplier in accordance with these Regulations. Water supplier shall provide the minimum flow and duration as required by subsection 2.1 and subsection 3.1 of this Chapter of these Regulations.

1.3.3.3 Any infrastructure, water mains, valves, pumps, distribution systems, appliances or other equipment included as part of the distribution systems shall be replaced as needed with like in kind materials. In the event that 50% or more of the infrastructure, water mains, valves, pumps, distributions systems, appliances or other equipment included as part of the distribution systems are required to be replaced the responsible party identified in the water service agreement shall be responsible for providing full fire protection in accordance with these Regulations. The requirement for full fire protection shall become effective once the existing water distribution system has reached repair or replacement of 50% of the system at any time.

Note: This section would not apply to new construction, but only to existing developments with the current infrastructure unable to provide adequate fire protection in accordance with these Regulations. Any agreements, alternatives, variances or exceptions granted prior to the adoption of this change shall remain in effect.

1.4 Definitions.

1.4.1 The definitions as found in the section shall be in addition to the definitions found in other sections of these Regulations and shall be applicable to Chapter 6 of this regulation.

"Central or Public Water System" shall mean all suppliers of or providers of water with the exception as noted in subsection 1.3.1 of this Chapter.

"Distribution, Transmission or Supply Infrastructure" shall mean all mains, water lines, distribution, transmission or supply mains or lines, fire hydrants, fittings, connections, tanks, and all equipment intended for water distribution.

1 Del. Admin. Code § 702-7-1.0

16 DE Reg. 620 (12/01/12)
25 DE Reg. 74 (7/1/2021) (Final)