1. (a) The general standards in this section are the minimum requirements for Utility Encroachments. These standards shall be met in addition to any requirements for an encroachment permit as set forth in Sections 612.61 through 612.67, inclusively, of these regulations. Each application shall be evaluated on an individual basis to ensure the safety and integrity of the State Water Project's facilities and right-of-way, and the safety of the public.

   1. (1) All utilities conveying any substance other than potable water shall be perpendicular to centerline of the State Water Project's pipeline to minimize the potential impact of contamination to State Water Project right-of-way. Exceptions will only be considered if the crossing will not increase the potential for contamination to State Water Project right-of-way.
   2. (2) The points where the proposed utilities enter and exit the Department's right-of-way shall be plainly and permanently marked by sign posts extending five (5) feet above grade. Applicant shall provide sign posts directly above its utility centerline at all angle points within the Department's right-of-way. The distance between adjacent sign posts shall not exceed a maximum of five hundred (500) feet. Sign posts shall contain the name of owner/operator, contents of the pipeline, utility identification, and an emergency contact telephone number. Sign posts for angle points that lie in roads shall be offset and have a reference noted. The location of the sign posts shall be shown on the design plans.

   3. (3) The location of the State Water Project's pipeline, conveyance or aqueduct, and communication and control cables shall be shown on the plans throughout the area of the proposed construction. Prior to the Department issuing an encroachment permit, the pipeline, if present, and the cable(s) shall be located and exposed by potholing. All work within three (3) feet of the pipeline and the cable(s) shall be done using hand-held tools only. The applicant shall contact:

      a) The appropriate Underground Service Alert regional notification center.

      b) The Department's telecommunication provider.

      c) The Department for the location(s) of the pipeline and the communication and control cables.

   4. (4) The presence of a Department inspector will be required throughout the potholing exposure process at the cost of the applicant. Applicant shall call the Field Division Office having jurisdiction over the location of the proposed encroachment for an appointment to perform the exposure of the pipeline and the cable(s).

      1. (A) The resultant elevation information, including datum, shall be delineated on the profile view and labeled as

         SWP T.O.P. POTHOLED ELEVATION XX.X

         Surface Elevation XX.X

         CABLE POTHOLED ELEVATION XX.X

         Surface Elevation XX.X

         [Where xx.x is the elevation in feet to the nearest tenth.]

      2. (B) The following not shall be placed on each plan sheet where trench excavation will be performed within Department's right-of-way:

         COMMUNICATION AND CONTROL CABLES CONNECTED WITH THE OPERATION OF THE STATE WATER PROJECT ARE BURIED ALONG EITHER OR BOTH SIDES OF THE AQUEDUCT/PIPELINE WITHIN DEPARTMENT OF WATER RESOURCES RIGHT-OF-WAY, AS APPROXIMATELY DEPICTED ON THIS PLAN. PRIOR TO ANY EXCAVATION IN THIS AREA, THE CABLE(S) SHALL BE LOCATED AND EXPOSED BY POTHOLING IN THE PRESENCE OF A DEPARTMENT OF WATER RESOURCES FIELD DIVISION REPRESENTATIVE. CALL AT LEAST SEVEN (7) DAYS IN ADVANCE FOR AN APPOINTMENT. ALL EXCAVATIONS WITHIN THREE (3) FEET OF THE CABLE(S) SHALL BE DONE USING HAND-HELD TOOLS ONLY.

   5. (5) The pothole locations shall be shown on the plans. The pothole elevations shall be referenced to the State Water Project's stationing or Milepost.

   6. (6) The following note shall be placed on each plan sheet where trench excavation will be performed within the Department's right-of-way:

      ALL TRENCH EXCAVATION SHALL COMPLY WITH THE MOST CURRENT OCCUPATIONAL SAFETY AND HEALTH ADMINISTRATION STANDARDS. TRENCH BACKFILL SHALL BE PLACED IN NO GREATER THAN 4-INCH LIFTS IF HAND COMPACTED OR NO GREATER THAN 8-INCH LIFTS IF POWER COMPACTED. TRENCH BACKFILL WITHIN DEPARTMENT OF WATER RESOURCES RIGHT-OF-WAY SHALL BE COMPACTED TO 95 PERCENT RELATIVE COMPACTION (ASTM D1557-12).

   7. (7) Plans shall contain the following information:

      a) State Water Project Milepost at each crossing, pipeline size and location, and type of material transported.

      b) Maximum operating pressure, type of pipe and joints, maximum test pressure and description of test procedures, wall thickness, and carrier pipe classification.

      c) Type of sleeve/casing pipe including diameter, joints, and wall thickness.

      d) Protective coatings and corrosion control measures.

      e) Location of nearest shutoff valve on each side of the crossing.

      f) Location and details of thrust blocks.

      g) Code(s) used for design.

      h) Location including depth of the State Water Project's pipeline, if present, and the communication and control cables.

      i) Other existing utility easements or encroachments in the immediate vicinity.

   8. (8) Detectable warning tape shall be required over all trenched utilities and shall be a minimum of eighteen (18) inches above the utility situated within the Department's right-of-way. Subsequent repair or maintenance of the utility shall require replacement of the detectable warning tape.

      Warning tapes shall conform to the following guidelines:

      a) For potable waterlines, the warning tape shall be a three (3)-inch-wide blue detectable tape imprinted with “CAUTION BURIED POTABLE WATERLINE.”

      b) For non-potable waterlines, the warning tape shall be a three (3)-inch-wide purple detectable tape imprinted with “CAUTION BURIED NON-POTABLE WATERLINE.”

      c) For sewer and storm drain lines, the warning tape shall be a three (3)-inch-wide green detectable tape imprinted with “CAUTION BURIED (type) LINE.”

      d) For gas, oil, and steam chemical lines, the warning tape shall be a three (3)-inch-wide yellow detectable tape imprinted with “CAUTION BURIED (type) LINE.”

      e) For telecommunications, telephone, and television conduit(s), the warning tape shall be a three (3)-inch-wide orange detectable tape imprinted with “CAUTION BURIED (type) CONDUIT.”

      f) For electrical, street lighting, and traffic signal conduit(s), the warning tape shall be a three (3)-inch-wide red detectable tape imprinted with “CAUTION BURIED (type) CONDUIT.”

   9. (9) Electrical conduits installed within the Department's right-of-way shall be overlaid with three (3) inches of red-dyed concrete, in addition to detectable warning tape as described in subsection 8(F) above.
   10. (10) The utility owner/operator shall maintain the pipeline, casing seal, and identification signs in good condition as determined by the Department. Failure to repair problems after notification may lead to encroachment permit revocation.

Note: Authority cited: Section 12899.9, Water Code. Reference: Sections 12899, 12899.1(a), 12899.1(c) and 12899.2, Water Code.

History

1. New section filed 4-22-2015; operative 7-1-2015 (Register 2015, No. 17).