Virginia Administrative Code › Title 12 - HEALTH › Agency 5 - DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH › Chapter 590 - WATERWORKS REGULATIONS › Section 12VAC5-590-200 - Procedure for obtaining a construction permit

Current through Register Vol. 40, No. 24, July 15, 2024
A. Construction permits are issued by the
				commissioner, but all requests for a construction permit are directed initially
				to the department. The procedure for obtaining a construction permit includes
				the following steps:
1. Owners shall notify
				the department of all proposed construction projects, except distribution main
				projects that are permitted under the provisions of a general permit for
				distribution mains (see
				12VAC5-590-300
				), or when the project is for the extension of water distribution piping having
				a diameter of eight inches or less and serving less than 15 connections (see
				§
										32.1-172A
				of the Code of Virginia).
2. The
				submission of a Waterworks Permit Application to the department on a form
				approved by the department.
3.
				Based on the application received, the department shall notify the owner if a
				preliminary engineering conference is required. A preliminary engineering
				conference shall be required for projects proposed using alternative delivery
				methods authorized under §
										2.2-4380
				of the Code of Virginia. The preliminary engineering conference shall define
				the scope of the project, project phasing, milestones, and deliverables. An
				evaluation procedure shall be agreed upon and the conference shall be
				documented.
4. The submission of
				preliminary engineering or intermediate design reports if required by the
				department. The need for and scope of the reports shall be established during
				the preliminary engineering conference.
5. The submission of a waterworks business
				operation plan that demonstrates the waterworks TMF capabilities. The
				waterworks business operation plan consists of four primary components:
a. Waterworks information that includes
				ownership data, a waterworks facility description, operator requirements,
				staffing needs, and staff training.
b. Management information that identifies
				critical business practices necessary for effective management and operation of
				the waterworks. Management information includes the requirements essential for
				managing and operating the waterworks and defines the processes, methods, and
				tasks necessary for complying with this chapter.
c. Financial information that identifies
				projects, considering the waterworks revenues and cash flow, which will be
				sufficient for meeting the cost of operation and maintenance for at least five
				full years from the initiation of operations. Financial information also
				demonstrates the owner's ability to direct the waterworks' finances to support
				technical and managerial capacities and includes a self-assessment consisting
				of the following financial metrics: operating cash reserve, debt service
				coverage, emergency reserve, and revenue sufficiency.
d. Sustainability improvements that are
				identified throughout the waterworks business operation plan to address TMF
				aspects of the waterworks' business processes that need improvement.
6. The submission of plans,
				specifications, final design criteria, and other supporting design data. This
				submission may include manufacturers equipment data sheets, drawings, and
				specifications when the specific materials or equipment to be used in the
				project have been preselected by the owner with the engineer's
				concurrence.