Article 4. Pumping Facilities [Repealed]
12VAC5-590-1010. Basic pumping facility design criteria.
Pumping facilities shall be designed to maintain the sanitary quality of pumped water. All pumps shall be accessible for servicing and repair.
Statutory Authority
§§ 32.1-12 and 32.1-170 of the Code of Virginia.
Historical Notes
Derived from VR355-18-010.01 § 3.38, eff. August 1, 1991; amended, Virginia Register Volume 37, Issue 20, eff. June 23, 2021.
12VAC5-590-1020. Location.
A. The pumping station shall be located to meet the hydraulic needs of the distribution system, preserve the quality of the water pumped, and shall consider the availability of a power or a fuel supply.
B. The station shall be:
1. Elevated to a minimum of one foot above the 100-year flood elevation or protected to that elevation;
2. Accessible at all times unless allowed to be out of service by the department;
3. Graded around the station so as to lead surface drainage away from the station; and
4. Protected to prevent vandalism and entrance by animals or unauthorized persons.
Statutory Authority
§§ 32.1-12 and 32.1-170 of the Code of Virginia.
Historical Notes
Derived from VR355-18-010.02 § 3.39, eff. August 1, 1991; amended, Virginia Register Volume 37, Issue 20, eff. June 23, 2021.
12VAC5-590-1030. (Repealed.)
Historical Notes
Derived from VR355-18-010.03 § 3.40, eff. August 1, 1991; repealed, Virginia Register Volume 37, Issue 20, eff. June 23, 2021.
12VAC5-590-1040. Pump stations.
A. Enclosures.
1. The structure that houses a pump shall be of durable construction, fire and weather resistant, and furnished with lockable, outward opening doors. Underground structures shall be waterproofed.
2. Floors.
a. Pump house floors shall be of good quality concrete with adequate reinforcement and have a minimum thickness of six inches.
b. Pump house floors shall slope at least 1/8 inch per foot toward a screened four-inch-diameter floor drain to the atmosphere or other provisions for gravity drainage.
c. The pump house finished floor elevation should be at least six inches above the finished grade.
3. Openings in floors or roofs or elsewhere for removal of heavy or bulky equipment shall be provided.
a. Craneways, hoist beams, eyebolts, or other adequate facilities for servicing or removal of pumps, motors, or other heavy equipment shall be provided.
b. Adequate means of access shall be provided to lubrication points of equipment if these are located at intermediate points between floors.
4. Heat shall be provided for the safe and efficient operation of the equipment.
5. Adequate ventilation shall be provided for all pumping stations. Forced draft ventilation of at least six changes of air per hour (continuous operation) shall be provided for:
a. All rooms, compartments, pits, and other enclosures below grade; and
b. Any area where an unsafe atmosphere may develop or where excessive heat may build up.
6. In areas where excess moisture could cause hazards to safety or damage to equipment, means for dehumidification shall be provided.
7. Pump stations shall be adequately lighted throughout. All electrical work shall conform to the requirements of the applicable codes.
8. Stair design shall be in accordance with the USBC.
9. Pump stations shall have adequate space for the installation of additional units if needed and for the safe servicing of all equipment.
10. Pump stations shall be designed so that each pump has an individual suction line or the lines shall be so manifolded to ensure similar hydraulic and operational conditions.
B. Suction wells shall:
1. Be watertight;
2. Have floors sloped to allow removal of water and entrained solids;
3. Be covered or otherwise protected against contamination, including contamination by pump lubricants; and
4. Have two pumping compartments or other means to allow the suction well to be taken out of service for inspection, maintenance, or repair.
C. Groundwater well enclosures and aprons.
1. The floor at the well pump house shall meet the requirements of subdivision A 2 of this section.
2. Well pump aprons surrounding the well shall (i) be of quality reinforced concrete, (ii) extend a minimum of three feet in all directions from the well casing, (iii) be at least six inches thick, and (iv) be sloped 1/8 inch per foot away from the well.
3. Well houses or well pump stations in pits are prohibited.
D. Spring enclosures shall be vented by properly hooded and screened pipe extending at least 12 inches above the pump floor or ground surface.
Statutory Authority
§§ 32.1-12 and 32.1-170 of the Code of Virginia.
Historical Notes
Derived from VR355-18-010.04 § 3.41, eff. August 1, 1991; amended, Virginia Register Volume 37, Issue 20, eff. June 23, 2021.
12VAC5-590-1050. Pumps and controls.
A. General.
1. Pumps, pump motors, and all accessories shall be controlled in a manner that they will operate at their rated capacity. Where two or more pumps are installed, provision shall be made for proper alternation of the pumps. Alternation may be automatic or manual. Provision shall be made to prevent operation of the pump in the event of a backspin cycle.
2. All pumps shall be driven by motors designed to operate over the full range of operating conditions.
3. All pumps shall be served by control equipment that has overload protection for the air temperature encountered.
4. Electrical controls shall be protected to the 100-year flood elevation and should be located above grade.
5. If standby power is provided by onsite generators or engines, then the provisions for filling the fuel storage tank, the fuel tank itself, and the fuel line shall be designed to protect the waterworks and source water from contamination.
6. Pumps shall be lubricated with water of equal or better quality than the water being pumped or with food grade oil. Water seals shall not be supplied with water of a lesser sanitary quality than that of the water being pumped. Where pumps are sealed with potable water and are pumping water of lesser sanitary quality, the seal shall:
a. Have an air gap of at least two inches or two pipe diameters, whichever is greater, where a break-tank is provided; or
b. Be provided with an approved RPZ assembly.
7. When automatic pre-lubrication of pump bearings is necessary and an auxiliary power supply is provided, the pre-lubrication line shall be provided with a valved bypass around the automatic control.
8. A suitable outlet for drainage from pump glands shall be provided without discharging onto the floor.
B. Booster pumps.
1. Booster pumps, except those connected to supply mains not containing service connections and except those taking suction directly from storage facilities, shall be located or controlled so that:
a. They will not produce negative gauge pressure in their suction line; and
b. The intake pressure shall be at least 20 psi when the pump is in normal operation.
2. An automatic pressure cutoff or a pressure-regulating valve shall be provided to prevent the suction line pressure from dropping to below 10 psi.
3. Automatic or remote control devices shall have sufficient range between the start and cutoff pressure, or another mechanism that will prevent excessive cycling of the pumps.
4. At least two pumping units shall be provided.
a. If only two units are provided, then each shall be capable of delivering the peak hour demand, taking into account storage contributions.
b. If more than two units are installed, then they shall have sufficient capacity so that if any one pump is out of service, the remaining pumps are capable of meeting the peak hour demand, taking into account storage contributions.
c. When using booster pumps to transfer water from atmospheric storage tanks to hydropneumatic tanks located upstream of an entry point into the distribution system, the combined capacity of the two pumps shall equal or exceed the peak hour demand. If fire flow is provided, then a pump separate from the transfer pumps shall be provided to deliver the required fire flow.
d. When booster pumping is required for small noncommunity systems, the reserve capacity requirements may be reduced in accordance with the type and size of system served.
5. Controls shall be provided to shut off pumps in the event that suction conditions may result in cavitation.
Statutory Authority
§§ 32.1-12 and 32.1-170 of the Code of Virginia.
Historical Notes
Derived from VR355-18-010.05 § 3.42, eff. August 1, 1991; amended, Virginia Register Volume 37, Issue 20, eff. June 23, 2021.
12VAC5-590-1060. (Repealed.)
Historical Notes
Derived from VR355-18-010.06 § 3.43, eff. August 1, 1991; repealed, Virginia Register Volume 37, Issue 20, eff. June 23, 2021.
12VAC5-590-1065. Piping, valves, and meters.
A. Piping shall:
1. Be adequately sized to minimize energy losses;
2. Not be subject to contamination;
3. Have watertight joints;
4. Be properly anchored to prevent movement;
5. Be protected against surge or water hammer;
6. Have proper labels to identify the contents of the pipes (12VAC5-590-720 C); and
7. Have all exposed piping, valves, and appurtenances protected against physical damage and freezing.
B. Pumps shall be adequately valved to allow satisfactory operation, maintenance, and repair.
1. If foot valves are necessary, then they shall have a net valve area of at least 2-1/2 times the area of the suction pipe and they shall be screened.
2. Each pump shall have shutoff valves on both suction and discharge sides of the pump.
3. Each pump shall have a positive-acting check valve on the discharge side between the pump and shutoff valve or suitable control features to prevent flow reversal.
4. Surge relief valves or slow-acting check valves shall be designed to minimize hydraulic transients.
5. Discharge control valves and appurtenances shall be located above the pump floor when an above-ground discharge is provided.
6. Pumps shall be equipped with an air release or vacuum relief valve located upstream from the check valve, with exhaust or relief piping terminating in a down-turned position at least 18 inches above the floor and covered with a corrosion-resistant screen.
C. Gauges. Each pump shall have a standard pressure gauge on its discharge line capable of displaying the maximum allowable pressure of the pump and shall have a standard pressure gauge or a compound gauge when appropriate on its suction line.
D. Meters.
1. All booster pump stations located within the distribution system should be fitted with a flow rate indicating and totalizing meter with recording capabilities.
2. A totalizing water meter to measure water production shall be provided for each well and shall be located upstream of the well blowoff.
E. Additional requirements for well discharge piping.
1. Valves shall be provided to allow testing and control of each well.
2. A nonthreaded sampling tap shall be provided for water sampling that discharges in a downward direction and away from the well casing.
3. A standard pressure gauge shall be provided to indicate well discharge pressure. The gauge shall be capable of displaying pressure under all operating conditions.
4. Blowoff.
a. A separate means to pump (i.e., blowoff) water of unsatisfactory quality to a point away from the groundwater source shall be provided. Blowoff discharge shall not create a cross-connection.
b. Systems shall be equipped with a watertight cap or a screened discharge.
c. Erosion protection at the point of waste discharge shall be provided.
Statutory Authority
§§ 32.1-12 and 32.1-170 of the Code of Virginia.
Historical Notes
Derived from Virginia Register Volume 37, Issue 20, eff. June 23, 2021.
12VAC5-590-1070. (Repealed.)
Historical Notes
Derived from VR355-18-010.07 § 3.44, eff. August 1, 1991; repealed, Virginia Register Volume 37, Issue 20, eff. June 23, 2021.