Section 815-RICR-40-00-1.6 - EQUIPMENT AND FACILITIESA. Standard Practice. In determining standard practice, the Division will be guided by the provisions of the American Water Works Association standards and the Rhode Island Department of Health.B. Construction and Maintenance. Each water utility shall construct, install, operate and maintain its plant, structures, equipment and mains in accordance with standard practice as defined in § 1.6(A) of this Part above, and in such manner to best accommodate the public, and to prevent interference with service furnished by other public utilities, insofar as practical. 1. Dead Ends. Insofar as practicable the water utility shall design its distribution system so as to avoid dead ends on its mains. Where dead ends are unavoidable the water utility shall provide hydrants or "blow offs" for the purpose of flushing the mains. Mains with dead ends shall be flushed as often as necessary to maintain the proper quality of the water. Records shall be kept of all flushings of mains, showing the date, place and duration, and such records used as a guide in determining the necessary frequency of flushing of the same mains thereafter.2. Segmentation of System. Valves shall be provided at reasonable intervals in the mains to facilitate repairs and minimize interruptions of service.3. Grid Systems. Whenever feasible, the distribution system shall be laid out in a properly segmented grid so that in case of breaks or repairs the interruptions of service to the customers can be kept to a minimum number.4. Fire Protection Service. Specification, location, installation and the responsibility for the maintenance of fire hydrants, public and private fire protection facilities, connecting mains, and their ownership may be subject to negotiation between the water utility and the applicant. Fire hydrants and public and private protection facilities shall be installed in conformity to the requirements of the water utility and when owned by the water utility shall be subject to such conditions as the Division may determine based upon the compensation received for this service. Hydrants maintained by the water utility shall be inspected and operated at least once every eighteen (18) months, and shall be checked for freezing as often as necessary to ensure that they are functioning properly, unless the responsibility for inspecting and operating the fire hydrant is assumed by the local fire department or other appropriate entity. Where this is the case, the water utility retains responsibility for repairing or replacing any fire hydrant out of service within seven (7) days of such hydrant being reported out of service. A record of each hydrant maintained by the water utility shall be retained showing the size, type, location, date of inspection and flushing and the results thereof.5. Valves. Each water utility shall periodically inspect the valves on its distribution system. A record of each valve shall be kept showing the size, type, location date of inspection and the results thereof. These records shall be kept for a five (5) year period.6. Service Pipes. The minimum size of the service pipe shall not be less than 3/4 inch nominal size. Each service pipe shall be provided with an individual shutoff prior to the meter on that service pipe.7. Inspection of Service Pipe. In the installation of a service pipe, the customer shall not install any tee or branch connection and, if required, shall leave the trench open and pipe uncovered until it is inspected by the water utility and building official and shown to be free from any irregularity or defect.C. Disinfection of Facilities. Disinfection of facilities shall be as approved by the Rhode Island Department of Health.815 R.I. Code R. 815-RICR-40-00-1.6
Amended effective 10/25/2024