Rhode Island Code of Regulations › Title 815 - Division of Public Utilities and Carriers › Chapter 40 - Water Utilities › Subchapter 00 - N/A › Part 1 - Standards for Water Utilities (815-RICR-40-00-01) › Section 815-RICR-40-00-1.6 - EQUIPMENT AND FACILITIES

Current through June 14, 2024
A. Standard
				  Practice. In determining standard practice, the Division will be guided by the
				  provisions of the American Water Works Association standards and the Rhode
				  Island Department of Health.
B.
				  Construction and Maintenance. Each water utility shall construct, install,
				  operate and maintain its plant, structures, equipment and mains in accordance
				  with standard practice as defined in §
										1.6(A)   of this Part above, and in
				  such manner to best accommodate the public, and to prevent interference with
				  service furnished by other public utilities, insofar as practical.
1. Dead Ends. Insofar as practicable the
				  water utility shall design its distribution system so as to avoid dead ends on
				  its mains. Where dead ends are unavoidable the water utility shall provide
				  hydrants or "blow offs" for the purpose of flushing the mains. Mains with dead
				  ends shall be flushed as often as necessary to maintain the proper quality of
				  the water. Records shall be kept of all flushings of mains, showing the date,
				  place and duration, and such records used as a guide in determining the
				  necessary frequency of flushing of the same mains thereafter.
2. Segmentation of System. Valves shall be
				  provided at reasonable intervals in the mains to facilitate repairs and
				  minimize interruptions of service.
3. Grid Systems. Whenever feasible, the
				  distribution system shall be laid out in a properly segmented grid so that in
				  case of breaks or repairs the interruptions of service to the customers can be
				  kept to a minimum number.
4. Fire
				  Protection Service. Specification, location, installation and the
				  responsibility for the maintenance of fire hydrants, public and private fire
				  protection facilities, connecting mains, and their ownership may be subject to
				  negotiation between the water utility and the applicant. Fire hydrants and
				  public and private protection facilities shall be installed in conformity to
				  the requirements of the water utility and when owned by the water utility shall
				  be subject to such conditions as the Division may determine based upon the
				  compensation received for this service. Hydrants maintained by the water
				  utility shall be inspected and operated at least once every eighteen (18)
				  months, and shall be checked for freezing as often as necessary to ensure that
				  they are functioning properly, unless the responsibility for inspecting and
				  operating the fire hydrant is assumed by the local fire department or other
				  appropriate entity. Where this is the case, the water utility retains
				  responsibility for repairing or replacing any fire hydrant out of service
				  within seven (7) days of such hydrant being reported out of service. A record
				  of each hydrant maintained by the water utility shall be retained showing the
				  size, type, location, date of inspection and flushing and the results
				  thereof.
5. Valves. Each water
				  utility shall periodically inspect the valves on its distribution system. A
				  record of each valve shall be kept showing the size, type, location date of
				  inspection and the results thereof. These records shall be kept for a five (5)
				  year period.
6. Service Pipes. The
				  minimum size of the service pipe shall not be less than ¾ inch nominal
				  size. Each service pipe shall be provided with an individual shutoff prior to
				  the meter on that service pipe.
7.
				  Inspection of Service Pipe. In the installation of a service pipe, the customer
				  shall not install any tee or branch connection and, if required, shall leave
				  the trench open and pipe uncovered until it is inspected by the water utility
				  and building official and shown to be free from any irregularity or
				  defect.