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Inquiry… "Starting to build? See us first!"
INQUIRY
Many questions can be answered by a visit to the Water and Sewer Department. Those interested in building should contact the Department to determine:
If an existing public main is located close enough to meet needs.
The expected water pressure conditions.
The expected fire suppression capacity.
The guidelines for determining whether gravity or pumped sewer service is required.
The general sewer capacity of the city main.
The guidelines for the size and type of water meter to install.
The size of the meter shall be based upon flow requirement per AWWA as follows:
Meter Size
Maximum Flowrate (gpm)
5/8" x 3/4"
20
1"
50
1 1/2"
100
2"
160
3"
320
4"
500
6"
1000
8"
1600
In the absence of known peak flowrate, meter size can be determined based upon fixture counts from your plumbing permit or your application questionnaire.
Applicants are advised to consult a tradesman or professional regarding pressure loss and supply line sizing; service line size will match meter size.
Information from the City is free. It is a chance for you to learn how to get water or sewer service to your building site whether it is a single building or a major development. The simple rule of thumb is "Starting to build? See us first!"
Construction for new connections is a cooperative venture of the city and the customer. The City will construct water lines from the water main to the street Right-Of-Way or Easement Line. From the Right-Of-Way or Easement Line, the customer will install the water line to the building. The City will also provide sewer lines from the city main to the Right-Of-Way or Easement Line. The customer will connect the building to this line. Exemptions to this arrangement may occur. The Water and Sewer Department will tell you if you qualify for any exemptions.
When you know you will definitely be building, that’s the time to pay the fee that schedules you for the next available installation of water and sewer lines for the section installed by the City. The fees should be deposited when a building permit is obtained to prevent delays during construction. The following information is required when submitting an application for new water and sewer service connections:
- Building or Use Classification – generally available on building permit and denotes residential, apartments, commercial, etc.
- Inventory of fixtures or maximum use rate – generally available on plumbing permit application.
- Plan layout of dwelling showing route of service lines to the public water and sewer mains. Selection of the type service arrangement will be required.
Fees vary based on the size and type of building taking place. Fees are set by the Harrisonburg City Council. Look here for a current fee schedule or you may come to the Water and Sewer Department at 2155 Beery Road to talk to an engineer about the fees required.
Construction scheduling for city crews is on a first-come, first served basis. The waiting period may depend on other work priorities and service requests, but your request for service is important to us and arrangements will be made as soon as possible. A city representative will visit the construction site two to five days prior to scheduled installation to discuss the grade and alignment of services with the customer or his representative.
At the end of construction, and upon completion of the services by the Water Department and your builder, a homeowner or a new business will move into the building and the City will have a new water and sewer customer.
As your project nears completion, the homeowner or business operator should contact the Billing Office to be sure they are properly connected and will have the water and sewer services they need. The homeowner or business operator must pay the appropriate security deposit. Click here to see what deposits and applications are required to establish a water and sewer account.
UTILITY AVAILABILITY / DEMOLITION STATEMENT
Statements of utility availability or demolition will be processed pursuant to the city standard five-day customer response program. (Field investigation required)
Evaluation of required fees for change of use on building permits will be reviewed subsequent to the permit review process. Notification and billing will occur by mail. Applicants may inquire at the Water and Sewer Operation Center at 2155 Beery Road.
