Amador County – The Amador Water Agency’s Board of Directors in late October approved a policy that allows property owners the option to have a single water line to newly built single family homes, rather than a separate fire sprinkler system line although the single line would be subject to shut-off for non-payment of the water bill.

AWA General Manager Gene Mancebo said AWA Directors “approved a policy to provide property owners with a choice of one or two water supply lines when installing residential service connections for fire sprinkler systems, now required for new homes in California.”

He said “property owners, developers, or fire district requirements will determine whether a separate line is installed for the home sprinkler system.”

Mancebo said “those who choose to install a single water line will be informed that, if at some point water charges become delinquent and water service is shut-off, service to the fire sprinkler system would also be disconnected. The optional second water line, though an additional construction expense, would continue to provide fire protection in a case of shut off for non-payment.”

Field Services Manager Chris McKeage in a report to directors said the “down side to the dual pipe system is that it requires added material which adds cost for the installation.” He said the “previous agency policy required the dual line system where two lines run from the point of connection (the meter) to the home” with “one line for domestic services and the other for a dedicated fire line.”

McKeage said new single-family homes will be provided a standard water meter rated for up to 30 gallons per minute, and the agency “will notify the customer of the service line size, its length form the main to the meter and the static pressure available at the meter. It will be the owner’s responsibility to provide for the design of their own fire sprinkler system and the service line size from the meter to their home.”

He said “commercial projects, duplexes or any other connection requiring a fire service other than the single family homes will require” agency engineering review. Other special situations “will be handled on a case by case basis.”

Staff will “work on language for the Water Code which will be brought back for adoption,” McKeage said.

Story by Jim Reece This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.