Permit: Booster Pumps
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Booster Pumps
Title: Booster Pumps
Policy: Booster pumps shall not be installed without written permission from DCWASA.
Background: The Department of Consumer and Regulatory Affairs is responsible for enforcing the District of Columbia Plumbing Code and issuing building permits. However, the installation of booster (power) pumps requires written authorization from DCWASA. Currently the review of the application for a booster pump installation consists in calculating the potential pressure increase in the suction pipe when the pump suddenly stops. If this "water hammer" pressure exceeds two and one half times the operating pressure, a request is made to the applicant to increase the diameter of the service pipe to reduce the water hammer pressure.
Procedure:
  1. Applicant submits a written request for approval of a booster pump installation. The request is usually addressed to the Chief, Water and Sewer Design Branch and can be delivered directly to him, but most of the time it is delivered to the Documents and Permits Section (DPS) who processes the documents.
  2. DPS reviews the drawings and documentation to check if it contains the following information:
    1. Data for Booster Pump Approval Form
    2. Booster Pump Installation Layout
    3. Location of connection to water distribution system and water meter
    4. Fire Hydrant Flow Test (if available)
  3. If all documents are in order, DPS sends request package to the Water and Sewer Systems Section (WSSS).
  4. WSSS reviews the request, calculates "water hammer" pressure and prepares response letter for the Chief, PDED signature, with copies to DCRA and Chief DPS.

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