DC Water and Sewer Authority

DCWASA Permit Services for the District of Columbia

Introduction
General Procedure for Public Space Permits
Specific Activities for Public Space Permits

Introduction

When an applicant needs a public space permit, DCWASA reviews it for impacts to the existing water and sewer facilities, and to assure that the applicant's project does not impair access to the water and sewer systems. A Public Space Permit is required for all work conducted in public space. The Department of Public Works (DPW), Public Space Control Division (PSCD) is responsible for approval of the permits. There is a great variation in the nature of the permits and the review done by DCWASA. Following are a few examples of the most common permit requests and the type of review performed by the Documents and Permits Section (DPS).

Space reservations. Utility companies may submit a plan showing their proposed work to reserve space on the public right of way. Since there are no elevations for the proposed work, DPS will only check for horizontal conflicts between the proposed work and the water and sewer systems.
Utilities construction. DPS will review the drawings to assure that minimum clearances are maintained between the proposed utilities and the water and sewer systems. The criteria for minimum clearance is 5 feet horizontal and 12 inches vertical.
Construction fences. DPS will check to assure that there are not fire hydrants behind the fence. If they are, they will need to be boxed out to allow access to them at all times.
Rental of public space. When public space is rented to restaurants for use as outside cafes, DPS will check to assure that access to water meters and valves and sewer manholes is not impaired by the proposed work.
Blasting. DPS will evaluate, through the Civil and Structural Design Branch (CSDB), the impact of blasting in the water and sewer systems.
Moving heavy equipment. The impact on the water sewer systems needs to be evaluated when heavy construction or military equipment that exceeds the standard highway load allowance (H20 loading), is going to be moved on the streets.

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General Procedure for Public Space Permits

Here are the steps for a typical public space permit:

When DCWASA receives a Public Space Permit application, the Documents and Permits Section (DPS) logs the application in the permits book and reviews the application drawings to assure that the location of water mains and sewers is shown correctly. DCWASA has two check list forms for applicants to submit their plans and information for review and approval. One form is for single family houses and the second form is for all other types of buildings or developments (Click here to see the Residenital Form [PDF 68 KB] or Commercial Form [PDF 13.6 KB] ).
Note: The checklists require the submittal of flow information. The storm water flow information can be submitted on the Department of Health (DOH) form (Click here to see the DOH Form [PDF 92.8 KB]).
Note: The checklists require the applicant to perform an as-built on their project and then submit them to DCWASA for approval. This form provides instructions for the surveyor who will complete the as-built. (Click here to see the As-Built Instructions [PDF 48.8 KB]).
DPS checks for minimum clearances, access to fire hydrants, water meters and valves, and sewer manholes depending on the nature of the application. DPS also evaluates if other offices within DCWASA need to review the project.
If minimum clearances are met and no additional reviews are required, the DPS, based on the information provided, either approves or rejects the application and logs out the application from the Permits Book.
If minimum clearances are not met or additional review is required, DPS submits the application with comments to the Chief, Water and Sewer Design Branch (WSDB).
If it is a minimum clearance problem, the Chief, WSDB decides if less than minimum clearance can be accepted or if the application will be rejected. If the application needs additional review the Chief, WSDB submits the application to the CSDB for structural review or the Water and Sewer Systems Section (WSSS) for hydraulic analysis, as required.
Upon response by the CSDB or WSSS, the Chief, WSDB either rejects or approves the application and sends it back to the DPS.
The DPS returns the application to the PSCD and logs out application from the Permits Book

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Specific Activities for Public Space Permits

The steps to follow for specific activities covered under Public Space Permits are outlined in the permit categories below. Click on the links to review DCWASA activities associated with the public space permits:

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