11.6.2 WATER, GAS, SEWER, STORM

All sewer, water, and gas lines shall be underground.  Fort Carson requires all underground utilities, with the exception of high-temperature hot water (>220) and steam, shall be non-metallic (i.e. polyethylene or PVC) whenever possible.  All tees and elbows shall be cast iron > 149 PSI.

Bedding for underground utilities shall be sand, river gravel, or select fill with rocks no more than 1" diameter.

11.6.2.1 Meters

water valves

The meter system on Fort Carson mirrors the requirements of the City of Colorado Springs. Natural gas and water service risers shall include meters.  Fire water risers shall have reverse pressure zone backflow preventers.  No natural gas taps shall be made on the high-pressure (50 psi) side of service regulators.  Medium-pressure distribution is at 25 psi.

These meter standards are designated by the city of Colorado Springs uses and Fort Carson mirrors their standards.  Click on the links for detailed information regarding these three types of meters.

Electrical Distribution Construction Standards

Specifications for Natural Gas Meters

Specifications for Water Meters

11.6.2.2 Water

fire hydrant

• A minimum ground cover of 60 inches for any water line is required.

• Domestic, chilled, and fire water lines shall be PVC or FRP, blue color, Class SDR 14 (200 PSI) or SDR 18 (150 PSI).

• If a metallic water main must be installed, it shall be coated and have impressed current cathodic protection to include test points every 200 feet.  Place locater tape in trench 12” above pipe.

• Fire water risers shall have reduced pressure zone backflow preventers.  Drain from device shall have an air gap and be plumbed to outside of building.  Fire riser shall be a separate water pipe from main to building entrance with a Post Indicator Valve with tamper device.

• Fire hydrants shall be highly visible and free of any screening.  They shall be painted the IMCOM specified nutmeg brown color with luminous paint.  Caps shall be painted the appropriate NFPA/AWWA color to indicate tested water flow.  Hydrant shall be open left style. See Section 11.3.19 for more Fire Hydrant Information

• All new water pipes shall be disinfected and pass a bacteria test.  Only after receipt of bacteria test results by DPW Base Operations Division will authorization be granted for utility maintenance personnel to open valves to the new water pipes.

• Newly installed backflow preventers that require testing per code shall have the test data and device information provided to the DPW, Base Operations Division.

11.6.2.3 Gas

• Natural gas lines shall be buried to a minimum depth of 36" in open areas and under parking lots, and a minimum depth of 48" under paved or dirt roads and drainage ditches.

• Natural gas lines shall be MDPE, yellow or with yellow markings on black.

• No natural gas taps shall be made on the high-pressure (50 psi) side of service regulators.  Medium-pressure (25 psi) distribution shall be used for service taps.

11.6.2.4 Sewer

• A minimum ground cover of 36 inches for any sewer line is required.

• Sanitary sewer lines shall be PVC or FRP, green color, Class SDR 35.

• Sanitary sewer lines shall exit buildings at a minimum depth of 24". 

• Sewer lines shall slope min. 1/4" per foot (2%) within buildings, min. 1/8" per foot (1%) outside buildings.

11.6.2.5 Storm Sewer

• Storm sewer lines shall be PVC, FRP, or reinforced concrete, green or gray color.

• Storm sewer lines shall exit buildings at a minimum depth of 24."

11.6.2.6 Trace Wires

Non-metallic underground gas utility lines shall be equipped with an insulated trace wire of #6 type TW (thermal water resistant) copper installed 6" above the pipe.  Non-metallic lines for all other utilities shall be provided a trace wire of #12 type TW copper installed along top surface of the pipe. 

• All underground utilities shall have warning tape placed in trench at 2 feet above pipe.

• Metallic underground utilities shall have warning tape placed in trench at 2 feet above pipe.

• Trace wire shall be terminated above ground, either clamped to riser or at an in-ground connection box.

• Extend approximately two feet of trace wire outside the valve box at each terminal end and coil the wire back into the valve box opening to provide access by a utility locator.

• Transitions from non-metallic to metallic pipe shall require trace wire be securely welded or clamped to metallic pipe to ensure a continuous path when test current is induced.

• Trace wires shall be continuous past underground valves and other accessories.

• Trace wire shall be protected with a 1 lb sacrificial anode for every 400 feet of wire.

11.6.2.7 Corrosion Protection

Corrosion protection is required on all metal objects underground on Fort Carson per IAW National Association of Corrosion Engineers (NACE) Standards.

All buried ductile iron pipe, to include metal fittings, valves, fire hydrants, fastening bolts, rods, and nuts, must be wrapped with Trenton - #1 Wax Tape as manufactured by Trenton Corp or equal (do not wrap any metal objects in polyethylene).  Fort Carson DPW Corrosion Maintenance Technician shall inspect all metal fittings prior to covering with soil.

• Sacrificial magnesium anodes shall be installed at all metal fittings, reverse anchors, valves, and hydrants.  Anodes, wires, and welds shall be inspected and tested by Fort Carson DPW Corrosion Maintenance Technician prior to covering with soil.

• Flush mount cast iron lid cathodic test stations set in concrete collars with minimum 18” plastic conduit shall be installed for all underground metal devices.

• If a steel main is installed, it shall be coated and have impressed current cathodic protection to include test points every 200 feet.

11.6.2.8  Water Storage

A water storage tank that has visual strength in its form can be used as a focal point or identifying landmark that can provide a sense of orientation within the installation. 

11.6.2.9 Sewage Treatment

The Base Operation Division is responsible for ensuring the safe, efficient, and economical operation of a 3.02 MGD Waste Water Treatment Facility and Collection System. 

Fort Carson's Waste Water Treatment Facility (WWFT) is an activated sludge process that includes continuous loop reactors, sand filtration, and ultra violet disinfection.  

Solids handling is by aerobic digestion and vacuum filtration.

The WWTF has a modern, state certified laboratory to facilitate complete and comprehensive laboratory analysis to ensure compliance with Fort Carson's National Pollutant Discharge Elimination Systems Permit.  

Sewage/Waste Water treatment facilities should be located 1,250 ft. (0.38 Km) distance and in a downwind direction from all inhabited facilities.   

Treatment facilities should be screened from view of major roads and other installation facilities by plant material, berms, walls, and fences. 

11.6.2.10 Storm water Drainage

Installation storm water drainage systems should be designed based on LID methods that are appropriate to the character of development they serve and designed in accordance with Section 7.  Storm water drainage systems in densely developed areas may require curbs, gutters, and underground lines.  Storm water drainage systems in low-density areas can utilize drainage swales and ditches that are contoured to be compatible with the natural landform.  Where detention ponds are required, they should be designed to appear as a natural amenity that is part of the natural contour of the land, rather than a square or rectangular hole in the ground.  Detention ponds that are designed to be dry most of the time can be utilized for recreational purposes or as open space.  In either case, the areas should be designed to conform to the natural contours of the land.  

Large hard surfaced parking lots should have covered drainage at the entry to prevent water draining into adjacent streets.  Hard surfaced roadways shall be bored for utility crossings unless DPW traffic engineer allows otherwise.

Utilities