Designing Your Water Service:

1. I'm not sure what I really need for my project; can I call the District and set up a meeting to discuss?

Yes, the District's Engineering Services Coordinator (ESC) is available and eager to meet with water service applicants. Please call the ESC to schedule an appointment during normal business hours (see the phone numbers to the right).

2. What do I need to provide the District to get water service?

You should first pick up the District's application for service or the Walk-In Service application packet, which contains forms and information for water service. These service application packets also describe what is required to initiate a water service project.

You can pick up an application at the District's:
Planning, Engineering, & Construction Services Building
2411 Bisso Lane
Concord, CA 94520

It is open during normal business hours, 8 to 5 p.m. on weekdays.

Click here for a MapQuest map to the building.

You can download PDF versions of the Application for Service or Walk-In Service application.

You can also have it mailed to you by contacting the Engineering Senior Clerk at (925) 688-8014.

3. What is the difference between a "walk-in service", a "service agreement", and a "water main extension agreement"?

A "walk-in service" (WI) is only for a single 1-inch water service from an existing water main. There is a fixed cost for the installation of a standard 1-inch water service line, plus the cost of a 5/8-inch, 3/4-inch, or 1-inch meter. District crews always install these.

A "service agreement" (SA) is for the installation of water services, fire hydrants and fire services where an existing water main is adjacent to a particular development. District crews always install these.

A "water main extension agreement" (WME) is required for any development that requires new water main facilities where none currently exist. Under this agreement, the installation of water mains, fire hydrants and new services is performed by the applicant's licensed contractor and is inspected by the District.

4. Can the District suggest a meter size or fire service size?

No, the District cannot determine the meter size or fire service size required for your project. You should consult with your professional engineer or architect to determine your water requirements. The District's "New Service Fees" sheet lists common meter sizes with their typical flow range, and is a useful aid. The District will attempt to guide applicants if the requested meter appears too small or too large for the project. The smallest meter the District allows is the 5/8-inch meter, which can flow approximately 20 gallons per minute (gpm).

Click here for a PDF of the New Service Fees sheet.

5. Do I need a meter for each building?

Yes, District Title 5 Regulations (Section 5.32.020) state that a water meter is required for each premise to which the District provides service.

Click here for a PDF of the current Title 5 Regulations, Water Supply and Rates document.

6. How long will it take for the design and installation of my new WI, SA, or WME?

The District's design time is six to 10 weeks, depending upon the size and complexity of the project and our workload. There is also an approximately 30-day period from the time an applicant receives the agreements and cost estimate, to when the payment and signed agreements are due.

For District-installed projects, the design is then processed and sent to the District's Operations and Maintenance (O&M) crews for installation. Issuance to O&M and actual installation usually requires three to six weeks.

For applicant-installed projects, the District prepares construction documents for installation by the applicant's contractor. Construction document preparation usually requires one to three weeks. The installation time is contingent on the applicant schedule.

7. Can I change the location of my new service, and whom should I call?

Yes, call the ESC as soon as you know a change in the location or size of your service. The sooner this information is known, the less impact on completion of final service designs.

8. Will the District contact me during the design of my SA of WME?

The ESC will contact you if we have any questions or problems during the service design. You can help the design process by promptly submitting all requested documents and providing the specific location and meter size of your new water service at the beginning of the project.

9. Who should I call to find out the status of my water service project (WI, SA or WHE)?

If you have any questions, your main contact person is the ESC at (925) 688-8013.

10. Once the design of my project is complete, whom should I contact for installation?

The ESC is the main contact for your entire project. The ESC will provide you with your contact person in O&M or the Construction Department who will coordinate actual installation.

11. What do I need to do to get the water turned on once the facilities are installed?

Once your water service is installed, please contact the Engineering Senior Clerk for meter set and service activation during normal business hours.

Costs and Fees:

12. When do I pay the District to design my new water service?

Walk-in services have a fixed cost for installation and require one payment to initiate, design, and install the project.

Service agreement and water main extension agreements, normally require at least two payments from the applicant. The first payment is a deposit used to initiate the design of the project. This payment is intended to bring the project through design to a level whereby the District can estimate the cost of the entire project and allow the District and the applicant to enter into a water service agreement. Occasionally, the District requires additional funds to complete complex project designs. This additional deposit may be requested prior to design completion.

The second payment is the balance of the total project cost estimate (which includes construction costs) minus the original deposit (s) required after the design is completed at issuance of the agreements for water service. Since, the District attempts to keep a positive balance for all project accounts, additional deposits may be requested throughout the project process for work beyond the anticipated scope. The applicant pays only the actual cost for the District's work and is reimbursed any unused funds at the completion of the project.

13. What are FRCs, and why do I need to pay them?

Facility Reserve Charges (FRC) are a "connection fee" to the District's water system. Simply explained, any time a new water meter is installed, more demand is placed upon the overall water distribution system. Therefore, FRC charges are required to cover the District's costs for developing new water storage facilities, treatment processes, transmission pipelines, and distribution mains. The District's "New Service Fees" sheet lists meter sizes with their associated FRC charge.

14. Do I receive a credit for an existing meter if I replace it with a larger meter?

Yes, you will only pay the difference in FRC costs between the larger meter and the smaller meter. The credit received is based on the date of the last payment made on the existing meter. You will also pay the difference in the meter costs. If there is an existing backflow prevention device, you will also need to pay for a larger replacement. No credit is given for upgrading backflow devices.

15. Are there any other credits available?

Yes, a Land Levy Tax Credit is available for qualifying parcels. Click here for the Land Levy Tax Credit application.

Equipment:

16. What is a PRV and when does the District recommend their installation?

A "pressure reducing valve" (PRV) reduces the water pressure to the customer. The Uniform Plumbing Code and the District recommend installing PRVs when the water pressure in the District's mains exceed 80 pounds per square inch (psi). The District will inform the applicant of this condition. PRVs are available at most hardware and plumbing stores, and are installed by the applicant on the applicant's side of the water meter.

17. What is a RPBPD and when are they required?

A "reduced pressure backflow prevention device" (RPBPD) prevents water from flowing in reverse and potentially contaminating the water in the District's mains. RPBPDs are required on all services in industrial and commercial areas, on residential services with houses greater than three stories or with residential fire sprinklers, and at all sites that also have a well or other potential water quality hazard. RPBPDs are installed and maintained by the District. RPBPDs are installed approximately 18-inches above ground and are typically located directly behind the meter preferably in landscaped areas.

18. Can I upgrade or downgrade my existing meter, and whom should I call?

Yes, the ESC can arrange to increase or decrease the size of your existing meter. In most cases, this is a relatively simple process. Again, the sooner this information is known, there will be less impact on completion of final service designs.

19. How do raw water customers obtain treated water service?

Raw water (untreated canal water) customers follow the same process to obtain treated water as other new applicants. As with customers with on-site wells, a RPBPD is required on the treated water service for all applicants using canal water. Contact the ESC for more information.

If you have any further questions, please feel free to contact the ESC at (925) 688-8013. Additional information may also be found in the District's "Requirements for Treated Water Service" brochure. Click here for a PDF version of the brochure.

Online PDF Applications and Forms:

1. Application For Service
2. Walk-in Service Application
3. New Service Fees
4. Land Levy Tax Credit Application
5. Title 5 Regulations, Water Supply and Rates
6. Requirements for Treated Water Service
7. Fees & Deposits Schedule
   
   

Guide to Acronyms:

CCWD - Contra Costa Water District

ESC - Engineering Services Coordinator (925) 688-8013

FRC - Facilities Reserve Charge

GPM - Gallons Per Minute

O&M - Operations & Maintenance

PRV - Pressure Reducing Valve

PSI - Pounds per square inch

RPBPD - Reduced Pressure Backflow Prevention Device

SA - Service Agreement

WME - Water Main Extension Agreement

WI - Walk In Service

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HELPFUL TELEPHONE NUMBERS

Engineering Services Coordinator: (925) 688-8013

Engineering Senior Clerk: (925) 688-8014

Customer Service Department: (925) 688-8044
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NOTE: This information is provided to offer general explanations and information for new water customers. Please refer to the District's Code of Regulations for detailed requirements. For more information contact the District's Engineering Services Coordinator.

(Standard Date: 3/31/2006)