(A) General provisions for water and sewer. Installation and provision for water supply and sewage disposal shall be according to the standards of the county’s Department of Public Utilities comprehensive water and sewer plans and the county’s Health Department. When utilities are installed as part of a private development for public use, including, but not limited to, planned unit developments, a public access easement shall be provided to such utilities from the public right(s)-of-way. In addition, all utilities to be dedicated for public use shall be included within an easement for the purpose of maintenance and upkeep.
(1) Phased construction. When a development is to be developed in phases, the sewage disposal system and/or water distribution system required hereunder may be constructed in steps simultaneous with the development of each phase of the subdivision. A master sketch plan for such development shall be submitted to the county’s Department of Public Utilities or other appropriate agency in accordance with the provisions of this chapter. In such cases, the master sketch plan shall be included with the preliminary plat at the time of such submittal. In no case shall the master sketch plan constitute vested rights for development of the site unless it meets the provisions of this chapter for a major subdivision preliminary plat.
(2) Conceptual plan. A conceptual plan may be required for the purposes of review of proposed developments by county staff to provide information on requirements for connection to utility services and compliance with Fire Code requirements, as well as any potential off-site and oversize improvements that may be required for conformance with the county’s sewer master plan or the county’s Fire Code.
(a) Prior to submission of a conceptual plan, the developer shall consult with the Department of Public Utilities, County Engineer, and Fire Code Official to determine if an initial conference will be necessary. If the scope of the proposed development, in the opinion of the Public Utilities Director, County Engineer, or Fire Marshal, is such that an initial conference will be beneficial prior to the development of plans and specifications, the developer or his or her engineer shall present, at the time of this conference, conceptual schematic or layout of the proposed extensions and the estimated water and wastewater demands resulting from the proposed development.
(b) A preliminary subdivision plat, both residential and nonresidential, or site plan, except for minor site plans as defined by this chapter, shall include a conceptual plan. When required by this chapter, a stormwater management plan shall be submitted as part of the conceptual plan. Stormwater management plans shall be submitted in conjunction with §§ 153.220 through 153.230.
(c) The conceptual plan shall provide all information necessary to determine the probable effect of the proposed development on the county’s existing facilities. The plan shall include the nature of water usage (domestic, commercial, and the like), the probable character of the wastewater generated, a description of any proposed private water distribution and sewer collection systems, and a preliminary hydraulic analysis.
(d) The Public Utilities Department will advise the developer(s) or his or her engineer(s) of applicable county water and sewer policies and ordinances, including all applicable fees and assessments.
(e) The conceptual plan shall include the following information and any other information deemed necessary by the Department of Public Utilities, County Engineer, or Fire Code Official to enable them to make a determination of the acceptability of the proposed plans. All information shall be submitted in a package and not in a piecemeal manner.
1. Conceptual plans. Submit three copies of conceptual subdivision plans or site plans at a scale of one inch equals 200 feet (or larger scale) showing:
a. The proposed layout of the water and sewer extensions;
b. All proposed pipelines and sizes, manholes, valves, fire hydrants, and pump stations;
c. Nearest existing water and sewer facilities to which the proposed new extensions will connect;
d. All proposed easements shall be shown; and
e. Where extension of utility is anticipated, provide sketch of extension and projected inverts with service area for sanitary sewer.
2. Design. All design shall include, at a minimum, the following:
a. Preliminary engineering design calculations used to determine estimated average and peak water and wastewater demands;
b. Calculations used to size lines, pump station(s), and for fire protection, including expected initial and future populations to be served;
c. The nature of the water usage (domestic, commercial, and the like), and the probable character of the wastewater generated; and
d. A hydraulic analysis, demonstrating the adequacy of the system to meet domestic and fire flows for water, and the adequacy of downstream sewer capacity.
3. Estimated time schedules. An estimated time schedule shall be submitted, identifying the expected dates of completion of the final plans and specifications, and expected beginning and completion dates of construction for phases, as applicable.
(B) Water supply system. To further the intent of this section, as well as orderly development of utilities, the county’s Department of Public Utilities may require a larger water supply line than is typically required to ensure capacity for future development.
(1) Connection.
(a) Connection requirement.
1. Any development which is created after the adoption of this section, and is located within that number of feet of an existing county owned or operated water supply and distribution system as is specified in division (B)(1)(b) below, whether the development is located within or without the service area of an existing county owned or operated public water supply and distribution system, the developer shall cause a water distribution system, meeting the standards herein specified, to be constructed and installed in such development and shall further cause the water distribution system to be connected to the existing county owned or operated public water supply and distribution system which is located as specified in division (B)(1)(b) below. This requirement also applies to new phases of existing development where these phases have not been previously approved by the appropriate County Development Review Board.
2. The developer may establish and create a public water supply system or connect the development to an existing public water supply system. However, such created public water supply system or such water distribution system to be connected to an existing system shall be approved by and meet the requirements of all federal, state, and local governments, including, but not limited to, the DENR.
(b) Distance specification. A development shall be required to meet the conditions of this section when the development is located within that number of feet of an existing county owned or operated water supply and distribution system which equals the product of the number of lots within the development (including lots to be developed in the future) multiplied by 100; provided however, that the maximum distance required for connection shall not exceed 5,000 feet.
(c) Subject to capacity sufficiency. In the event that a development should meet the distance specification requirements of this division (B)(1), and the county owned or operated water supply and distribution system to which the development would connect shall be of insufficient capacity to permit the delivery of water to the development, the subject development shall be relieved of the requirement to connect to such county system. In no case shall capacity be guaranteed until such time that plans have been approved and permitted by DENR and system development fees are paid in full.
(2) Review requirements. When a developer or subdivider is required to install a water distribution system pursuant to this section, prior to final plat approval, the plans for the water distribution system to be so installed shall be submitted to the county’s Department of Public Utilities. The location, size, and specifications of the water distribution system shall be placed upon the plat for review and approval. The county’s Department of Public Utilities shall review the information supplied and determine whether the plans meet the requirements of this section.
(3) Plan specification. The plans for a water distribution system to be installed pursuant to this section shall show and/or state thereon such information as will indicate that the system planned will meet, when constructed and installed, the requirements of this section.
(4) Water distribution system specifications. A water distribution system to be constructed within a development pursuant to this section and/or connected to the county owned or operated system shall:
(a) Be a minimum of six inches, except on the last 500 feet of water line on permanent cul-de-sacs within subdivisions, as approved by the Director of Public Utilities;
(b) Be properly connected in such a manner as to adequately serve all lots shown on the subdivision plat (including both present and future lots) for domestic use and fire protection;
(c) Conform to the specifications of the county’s Department of Public Utilities as provided by the Department and conform to Title 15A Subchapter 18C of NCAC, as specified by the North Carolina Department of Environment and Natural Resources (NCDENR), Division of Environmental Health, Public Water Supply Section, and as specified in The Development of Water and Sewer Utilities in the county’s Water and Sewer Districts;
(d) Be approved by the necessary federal and/or state agencies prior to or at the time of completion;
(e) Conform to all federal, state, and/or local ordinances, rules, and regulations relating thereto, and any license and/or permits required shall be obtained, including all NCDENR regulations; and
(f) Be constructed pursuant to the necessary contractual agreements required by the policies, rules, and regulations of the county’s Department of Public Utilities.
(5) Subdivisions where section not applicable. When located outside the service area of a county owned or operated water supply and distribution system and/or outside the distance specifications, lot sizes within a subdivision may be allowed to be reduced, provided adequate water is available for domestic use from a community water system to be installed by the developer; and provided six-inch water lines are installed to service fire hydrant locations such that no primary structure is farther than 500 feet from such a location, and stub outs with gate valves are provided at the fire hydrant locations. If the subdivision does not meet these provisions, it shall be considered under the regulations specified herein for property not having public water available.
(C) Sewage disposal system.
(1) Connection.
(a) Connection requirement.
1. Any development which is created after the adoption of this section, and is located within that number of feet of an existing county owned or operated sewage disposal system as is specified in division (C)(1)(b) below, whether the development is located within or without the service area of an existing county owned or operated public sewage disposal system, the developer shall cause a sewage disposal system, meeting the standards herein specified, to be constructed and installed in such development and shall further cause the sewage disposal system to be connected to the existing county owned or operated public sewage disposal system which is located as specified in division (C)(1)(b) below. This requirement also applies to new phases of existing development where these phases have not been previously approved by the appropriate County Development Review Board.
a. All property which abuts right(s)-of-way in which is installed and constructed a county owned or operated gravity sewer collection line and the property is located not more than 300 feet from the gravity sewer collection line shall be required to connect to the county owned or operated system.
b. All property which abuts right(s)-of-way in which is installed and constructed a county owned or operated force main sewer collection line designed to serve a specific area where due to topography or other engineering factors, a gravity sewer line is not feasible, as determined by the Director of the county’s Department of Public Utilities, shall be required to connect to the county owned or operated system when the property is not located more than 300 feet from the collection line.
2. The developer may establish and create a public sewage disposal system or connect the development to an existing public sewage disposal system. However, such created public sewage disposal system or such sewage disposal system to be connected to an existing system shall be approved by and meet the requirements of all federal, state, and local governments, including, but not limited to, the NCDENR.
(b) Distance specification. A development shall be required to meet the conditions of this section when the development is located within that number of feet of an existing county owned or operated sewage disposal system which equals the product of the number of lots within the development (including lots to be developed in the future) multiplied by 100; provided however, that the maximum distance required for connection shall be 5,000 feet.
(c) Subject to capacity sufficiency. In the event that a development should meet the distance specification requirements of this division (C)(1), and the county owned or operated sewage disposal system to which the development would connect shall be of insufficient capacity to permit the collection and treatment of sewage from the development, the subject development shall be relieved of the requirement to connect to such county system. In no case shall capacity be guaranteed until such time that plans have been approved and permitted by DENR and system development fees are paid in full.
(2) Review requirements. When a developer or subdivider is required to install a sewage disposal system pursuant to this section, prior to final plat approval, the plans for the sewage disposal system to be so installed shall be submitted to the county’s Department of Public Utilities. The location, size, and specifications of the sewage disposal system shall be placed upon the plat for review and approval. The county’s Department of Public Utilities shall review the information supplied and determine whether the plans meet the requirements of this section.
(3) Plan specification. The plans for a sewage disposal system to be installed pursuant to this section shall show and/or state thereon such information as will indicate that the system planned will meet, when constructed and installed, the requirements of this section.
(4) Sewage disposal system specifications. A sewage disposal system to be constructed within a subdivision pursuant to this section and/or connected to the county owned or operated system shall:
(a) Be properly connected in such a manner as to adequately serve all lots shown on the subdivision plat (including both present and future lots);
(b) Conform to the specifications of the county’s Department of Public Utilities as provided by the Department and conform to l5A NCAC 2T, as specified by the North Carolina Department of Environment and Natural Resources, Division of Water Quality, and as specified in The Development of Water and Sewer Utilities in Harnett County Water and Sewer Districts;
(c) Be approved by the necessary federal and/or state agencies prior to or at the time of completion;
(d) Conform to all federal, state, and/or local ordinances, rules, and regulations relating thereto, and any license and/or permits required shall be obtained; and
(e) Be constructed pursuant to the necessary contractual agreements required by the policies, rules, and regulations of the county’s Department of Public Utilities.
(5) Subdivisions where section not applicable. When located outside the service area of a county owned or operated sewage disposal system and/or outside the distance specifications, lot sizes within a subdivision may be allowed to be reduced, provided adequate sewage disposal is provided from a community sewerage system to be installed by the developer. If the subdivision does not meet these provisions, it shall be considered under the regulations specified herein for property not having public sewerage disposal.
(D) Fire protection.
(1) General fire hydrant requirements. Adequate fire protection shall be provided to all new subdivision developments and nonresidential new construction and expansions. The developer or subdivider shall install fire hydrants in such a manner that the development is afforded adequate fire protection as provided in this chapter. The regulations contained herein are intended to facilitate proper installation of required fire protection measures.
(a) All hydrants shall be County Public Utilities and Fire Code Official approved, in accordance with the requirements of this section.
1. No fire hydrant shall be installed on less than a six-inch main.
2. Hydrants shall have two two-and-one-half inch and one four-and-one-half inch connections with threads of the National Pipe Thread (NPT) type.
3. The upper hydrant operation stem within the bonnet shall be sealed and lubricated by means of an oil or grease bath, unless otherwise approved. The operating nut shall be pentagonal type measuring one-and-one-half inch from point to flat. Hydrants shall open left.
4. All hydrants shall be furnished with barrel and stem extensions as required for the final field location. Nominal minimum bury will be a depth of three-and-one-half feet. All hydrants at finish grade shall measure 18 inches from ground to center of steamer cap.
5. Water lines servicing fire hydrants shall have at least 500 gallons of water flow per minute.
(b) The Fire Code Official shall approve all hydrant types and locations in new developments and any alterations to this chapter related to fire hydrants and fire protection.
(c) All fire hydrants shall be located on the right side of the roadway in which responding fire apparatus would travel into subdivisions, beginning at the main entrance to the subdivision.
(2) Fire hydrants in subdivisions.
(a) Residential subdivisions. In residential subdivisions, fire hydrants shall be located in such a manner that no primary structure is further than 500 feet from a hydrant. The distance between hydrants, shall be measured along street centerlines. There shall be at least one fire hydrant at each intersection. When residential intersections are less than 700 feet apart, a hydrant is not required between the intersections.
(b) Nonresidential subdivisions. In nonresidential subdivisions, fire hydrants shall be located in such a manner that no primary structure is further than 400 feet from a hydrant, measured along street centerlines. There shall be at least one fire hydrant at each intersection. Fire hydrants required in addition to those required at intersections may be installed at the time of lot development in order to facilitate better location and shall be noted on the site plan, as required; however, each lot shall meet the requirements of this section.
(3) Fire hydrants for nonresidential development. Fire hydrants, or other fire protection methods as approved by the Fire Marshal’s office, shall be required for all new construction and expansions of nonresidential development. Fire hydrants shall be located in such a manner that no primary structure is further than 400 feet from a hydrant, measured along the street centerline. Development of lots located along divided right(s)-of-way shall only consider distance to hydrants located on the same side of the right(s)-of-way.
(4) Residential sprinklers. Where the provisions outlined above do not facilitate adequate fire protection (i.e., 500 gallons of water flow per minute) for the purposes of this chapter, residential sprinklers shall be required. In such cases, the Director of Public Utilities and Fire Code Official may reduce the required water line size and increase fire hydrant spacing. The required fire flow (as defined by gallons per minute) shall be determined during the design of the system by a professional qualified to do such work. Upon installation of the water supply infrastructure, the actual fire flow shall be determined on-site by a professional qualified to do such work and Fire Service Personnel using an approved method.
(E) All other utilities. All other utilities, including, but not limited to, electrical, cable, and telephone utilities, shall be placed underground.
(Ord. passed 10-17-2011; Res. passed 7-15-2019; Res. passed 11-18-2019; Ord. 2022-05, passed 2-21-2022)