Public Space Permit: Private Developer Work
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Private Developer Work
Title: Private Developer Work
Background: DCWASA reviews the design and inspects the construction of all water mains, sewers, and related appurtenances built by private developers, whose ownership and maintenance will be turned over to DCWASA upon completion of the construction. The review of proposed work by developers is usually done by DCWASA before the developer applying for a Public Space Permit. The Documents and Permit Section (DPS) do the review of regular work like moving a fire hydrant or catch basin, or extending a storm sewer and the review of major projects, like large track developments, the convention center, and the MCI Arena is done by the Design Development Section (DDS). The Office of Policy and Planning (OPP), Department of Public Works (DPW) is responsible for coordinating the review of large track developments and other major developers work and depending on the importance of the project, they may submit the project for review directly to the General Manager, DCWASA or the Chief, Office of Engineering Services (OES). Although the procedure within the District government for reviewing large track developments and other major projects done by private developers is different than the procedure for reviewing regular projects, within DCWASA the procedure for both cases is similar, except that sometimes decisions are required at higher level than the Chief, Water and Sewer Design Branch (WSDB). The review and approval of the regular projects by private developers is done by DPS and when non-typical situations or questions arise, they are referred to the Chief, WSDB.
Procedure: Case A. Regular Projects

  1. The developer usually comes to DPS to request information on sewers and water mains and explains the proposed project. DPS provides the information to the developer and the requirements and standards used by DCWASA.
  2. The developer brings drawings, details, and all necessary information for approval of the project.
  3. DPS reviews drawings to assure that the location of water mains and sewers are shown correctly in accordance with as-built record and check clearances between proposed work and existing utilities.
  4. If there are non-typical situations or questions, DPS refers them to the Chief, WSDB. If necessary, DPS contacts other agencies for their approval. For example, if the developer is proposing to move a catch basin, approval from the design, Engineering and Construction Administration (DECA) is required. If the developer is moving a fire hydrant, approval from the Fire Department (F) is required.
  5. Upon response from the Chief, WSDE, or DECA, or F as required; DPS approves or rejects the developer submittal. If rejected, DPS explains the reasons for the rejection. If approved, the developer will be ready to apply for a Public Space Permit.

Case B. Large Track Developments and Major Projects

  1. When a request for review of a large track development or a major project proposed by a private developer is received by the Chief, WSDB, he distributes copies to the different entities in DCWASA that will be involved in the review process as follows:
    1. Design Development Section (DDS) to post the proposed work on the working counter maps, to review the location of water mains and sewers to check clearances between proposed work and existing utilities, to check if proposed work meets DCWASA design criteria.
    2. Water and Sewer Systems Section (WSSS) to review or perform the necessary hydraulic analysis.
    3. Civil and Structural Design Branch (CSDB) to review structural work.
    4. Chief, Planning, Design and Engineering Division (PDED) to inform Chief, PDED about project.
  2. Depending on the project the Chief, WSDB may have to:
    1. Arrange meetings with developer and consulting engineering firms.
    2. Attend meetings arranged by OPP.
    3. Provide developer with DCWASA design criteria and standards.
    4. Request legal review from the Office of the Corporation Counsel.
  3. Upon receiving comments from all DCWASA entities, the Chief, WSDB prepares a response to the submission, gets approval from Chief, PDED and submits the response to OPP.

NOTE: Depending on the project, the Chief, DDS may do all the work described as done by the Chief, WSDB in this procedure.

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