Activity 3.3.

1 Utilities
Procedure
Part 1 Utility Research
1. The class will be divided into small groups to research each of the following utilities
services.
o Water supply

2. As a group research your assigned utility to gather at least the following generic
information. This information should not be specific to your site.
o History
The ancient Greek civilization of Crete, known as the Minoan civilization, was the
first civilization to use underground clay pipes for sanitation and water supply. An
inverted siphon system, along with glass covered clay pipes, was used for the first
time in the palaces of Crete, Greece.
o Transmission and/or distribution methods
Typical onsite wastewater treatment system consists of a pretreatment tank or
system, some method to distribute the treated effluent, and a soil treatment system.
Pretreatment can range from simple primary treatment that takes place in a septic
tank, where solids are separated from the liquid effluent and a limited amount of
anaerobic treatment occurs, to more advanced aerobic treatment units and
biofiltration treatment systems.
o Methods of measuring usage (if any)
Since 1993, the water code requires the measurement of all new surface water rights
and all existing water rights that meet at least one of the following criteria, Surface
water diversions greater than one cubic feet of water per second, or Diversions and
withdrawals from surface and groundwater sources that support fish stocks
classified as critical or depressed by the Washington Department of Fish and
Wildlife.
o Typical sizing requirements
branch mains and risers by the segmented loss method, must be
determined according to water supply demand, available water pressure
and friction loss caused by the water meter and developed length of pipe,
including equivalent length of fittings.

3. As a group research the following requirements imposed by the City of Noblesville

regarding the installation of utility service lines. You may begin your research with the
Unified Development Ordinance for the City of Noblesville, Indiana. Article 6: Site
Design and Improvement Standards provides information on utilities
(http://www.cityofnoblesville.org/egov/docs/934961102311534.pdf).
Requirements for connection (i.e., are you required to connect to the city-owned
system or can you install a private system on-site?)
 Requirements for above ground or below ground installations
Minimum size of each utility service line, if applicable
Required spacing between utility lines, if applicable
Required location of service connection
Permit requirements
Other required equipment, fittings, meters, etc.
4. As a group create a one page information sheet describing your utility research and the
requirements imposed by the City of Noblesville.
5. Distribute the information sheet and present a short (2-3 minute) presentation on your
research.