Water Main & Sewer for New Home or Rennovation

When building a new home there are many details and factors included in the pre-construction phase. One of the most important is the water main and sewer system. The water main and sewer installation for new construction are similar when replacing the pipes for an existing structure except the plumbing contractor has to follow a set of plans which are drawn up by an engineer and approved by DOB & DEP.

The first set of plans is for the sewer system and is called SD 1 & 2 AKA Site Connection Proposal Form. The plumbing contractor must follow the details included in these plans for the sewer installation and must obtain DEP inspections upon completion of the new sewer connection.

The average new sewer connection will take in-between two and three days for the roadway excavation and piping installation to be completed. At this point the new water main is usually installed.

The second set of plans if for the new water main and/or sprinkler main connection. The plumbing contractor requires Cross Connection approval and an approved set of DOB plans before obtaining all required permits.

Cross Connection Plans

DOB approved plans

Once the permits are released the contractor must schedule a new water main connection with DEP. The new connection is either known as a tap connection or a wet connection, pending the size. The tap connection is for anything 2” or less. The wet connection is for anything 3” or greater.The plumbing contractor is responsible for all excavations and preparing the city main for the new connection, at this point the DEP arrives for 20-30 minutes and installs the new connection.

Wet connection

Tap connection

The plumber will then complete the new water main installation, curb valve (if required) and a formal DEP inspection before back-filling the excavations. This process usually takes two to three days as well.