EDITED BY:
Under the Water and Sewerage Act Chapter 54:40 of the Laws of Trinidad and
Tobago, the Approval of the Authority is required for the proposed water
reticulation and wastewater collection, treatment and disposal systems for all
developments which involve the subdivision of land and other than simple
buildings.
Definitions
i) Outline Approval
This involves the approval of detailed designs of the water supply system
and wastewater collection, treatment and disposal facilities to be installed.
This approval must be obtained prior to the installation of any such
facilities.
ii) Two (2) copies of location plan and vicinity map which would enable
the site to be clearly identified in the field. The location plan should
be extracted from a Ward Sheet.
iv) The estimated water demand for each type of occupancy i.e.
Residential, Commercial, Industrial, etc
vi) Where the coast, river, swamp, spring and wells are within a 30m
from the nearest lot, details of their use are required.
x) Topography
ii) Four (4) copies of plans A – size sections and elevations of all communal
storage tanks and pumping stations. Performance curves of all pumps
must also be submitted.
iii) Four (4) copies of plans A – size showing details of river, drain, culvert
and sewer crossings, service connections, sluice valves, air valves,
washouts, fire hydrants and details of connection from the Building
Development to public water supply.
1.3.1.2 Wastewater
i) Four (4) copies of plans A – size showing lot layout, principal drains, all
roads, walkways and reserves and layout of the wastewater collection
system showing connections, sizes, gradient of sewers and distances
between manholes, invert and top elevations of all manholes and other
appurtenances.
ii) Four (4) copies of plans A – size showing profiles along sewers, showing
ground elevation, invert elevations, manholes, clean outs drain crossings,
encasement and special bedding where necessary.
iii) Four (4) copies of plan A – size showing details of all manholes, clean
outs house connections, encasement, manhole covers, step supports etc.
vi) Four (4) copies of plans A – size showing detailed designs of wastewater
treatment plant including plans and sections of all process units, air supply
piping, sludge/wastewater piping, electrical and mechanical details.
viii) Four (4) copies of plans A – size showing detailed designs of lift station,
sludge drying beds, equipment room, operators’ facilities, operations
building, pumping apparatus and the chlorine contact chamber.
ix) Work sheets showing hydraulic and biological designs, computations for
sizing of treatment units and electrical and mechanical equipment as well
as structural design calculations.
d) Work sheet showing design computation for sizing of septic tank and
effluent disposal system.
(iv) A completion certificate for the Development will be issued by the Water
and Sewerage Authority upon successful completion of all tests.
(i) Connections to the water system will normally be done by the Water and
Sewerage Authority at the cost of the Developer.
All the connections to the public wastewater system must be done by a Licensed
Sanitary Constructor under the supervision of the Water and Sewerage Authority.
PART II
2.1.1 Design factors for pipelines, storage tanks and pump stations.
2.2.1 Pipeline
2.2.1.1 General
3 Industrial
2.2.1.3 Velocity
The velocity of flow in any pipeline whether for the average or the
peak value shall normally be between 0.91 m/s to 1.52 m/s.
Water mains shall be laid within the road reserve at a depth of not
deeper than 2m below the road surface (between 0.76m & 2m).
2.2.2.1 Gate Valves shall be located to ensure that sections of the pipelines
and the development can be locked off without disruption of the total
water supply to other areas. Valves shall be provided for control and
isolation purposes in accordance with the following:
(a) Pipeline sizes less than 200mm, valves shall be placed at intervals
of 500m.
2.2.2.2 Air release and vacuum valves shall be located at the highest points.
Other air valves shall be placed at other high points. The size of air
valves shall be in accordance with the relevant AWWA Standards or
approved equivalent.
2.2.2.3 Wash out and pump outs shall be provided at all low points. In cases
where the ground level is flat a 0.002 grade on the pipeline is required
to facilitate adequate drainage.
2.2.2.4 Fire hydrants spacing shall be located so as to not exceed 90m apart
or as approved by the fire services department.
All tees, bends, caps, reducers, wyes, valves and hydrants shall be
restrained by either concrete thrust blocks or thrust rods where
applicable. Thrust restraining structures shall be designed in
accordance to the relevant AWWA Standards or approved equivalent.
2.2.2.6 Service Connections
Each plot shall have an individual water service connection not less
than 20mm in diameter. Double service connections shall not be
permitted.
All water service pipes shall be connected to the water main by means
of a ferrule or corporation valve and shall be laid at a depth of not less
than 450mm.
All water service pipes shall be terminated just inside the boundary line
or property line with a typical meter box as approved by the Authority.
2.2.2.9 Testing
The water storage tank shall have the capacity equivalent to the
average daily requirement of the establishment.
Where applicable, central storage facilities that are provided they shall
be adequately fenced, illuminated and accessible to vehicular traffic.
2.2.4 Swimming Pool
These include:-
a. All water for potable use must be obtained from a source approved
by the Water and Sewerage Authority.
g. Swimming pools should not be located less than 3.0m from any
building sewer or septic tank and 7.5m from a subsurface
wastewater absorption unit.
3.1.1 Sewers shall be designed for the estimated ultimate tributary population.
3.1.2 Sewers are to be designed for maximum flow i.e., peak flow and
infiltration.
3.1.5 The peak flow should be calculated based on the peak factor times the dry
weather flow plus infiltration.
The peak factor shall be calculated based on the formula, peak factor = 51/6
where P is the population in thousands. NOTE: Max PF = 3 P
3.1.7 No public sewers shall be less than 200 mm in diameter except where
permitted by the Authority.
3.1.10 Table 3.2 shows the maximum lengths between manholes and absolute
minimum slopes that should be provided for various pipe sizes. However,
slopes greater than these are desirable:
Maximum
Sewer Size Distances/Lengths Minimum Slope
mm / ins m ft ft/100ft-m/100m
200 8 90 300 0.40
250 10 110 350 0.28
300 12 110 350 0.22
350 14 110 350 0.17
375 15 110 350 0.15
400 16 120 400 0.14
450 18 120 400 0.12
525 21 120 400 0.10
600 24 150 500 0.08
3.1.11 Sewers 600 mm or less shall be laid with straight alignment between
manholes.
3.1.12 When a sewer joins a larger one, the invert of the larger sewer should be
lowered sufficiently to maintain the same energy gradient.
3.1.14 Manholes shall be installed at the upper end of each line, at all changes in
grade, size or alignment, at all inter-sections and in accordance with
distances at Table 3.2. A drop manhole should be provided for a sewer
entering a manhole at an elevation of 0.6m for more, above the manhole
invert. Where the difference in elevation between the incoming sewer and
the manhole invert is less than 0.6m, the invert should be filleted to
prevent solids deposition. The minimum diameter of manholes should be
1.2m. Solid and watertight manhole covers are to be used in all cases.
Manhole covers shall be fitted with a gasket to the approval of the Water
and Sewerage Authority. Manholes should be constructed of precast
reinforced concrete cylinders. The base of the manhole shall be such as
to permit the flushing of solids. Sulphate Resistant cement shall be used
in the construction and installation of the manhole bases. The design,
spacing and materials for manhole steps shall be approved by WASA.
3.1.16 In roadways where cover is less than 1.2m or in open areas where cover
is less than 0.9m, the pipe shall be structurally reinforced to perform a
rapid pipe system.
3.1.17 The top of the sewer shall be at least 0.6m below the bottom of any drain
it crosses. Where this distance is less than 0.6m, the sewer shall be
encased in concrete.
3.1.18 A right-of-way of at least 3.0 meters wide shall be provided for sewer
mains not located within a road, reserve.
3.2.1 Where small Diameter Gravity Sewers are permitted the EPA Manual
Alternative Wastewater Collection Systems, the design of small bore
sewer systems by R.J. Otis and D. Duncan Mara, or any other standard
acceptable to the Water and Sewerage Authority.
3.2.2 The minimum pipe diameter shall not be less than 100mm.
3.2.3 The minimum design velocity of 0.46 m/s at half full pipe shall be used.
Considerations for velocity and friction losses in the design of force mains
shall be similar to those applied to the design of water mains. The
minimum size force main is 100mm.
3.4 WASTEWATER PUMPING STATIONS
3.4.1 Pumping stations shall be designed to handle peak flows with 100%
standby capacity.
3.4.2 The wet well shall provide a minimum holding period of 10mins. for the
design flow.
3.4.3 Pumps should be sized and operated so that their rate of discharge is at
least equal to the rate of flow into the wet well.
3.4.5 Pumping stations must be provided with standby power generation units.
3.4.7 Adequate and safe access shall be provided for dry and wet wells to allow
for inspection and maintenance.
3.4.9 The distance between a pumping station and a residence shall not be less
than 50m.
3.4.10 The installation shall have paved vehicular access, surface drainage,
security lights and shall be adequately fenced.
3.5.1 The standard for domestic effluent shall be the Trinidad and Tobago
Bureau of Standards (T.T.S – 417 1993) – “Specifications for liquid
effluent from domestic wastewater treatment plants into the environment”.
This standard has been compulsory status. Appendix 3 refers.
3.5.2 The standard for all other wastewater effluents (Municipal, Commercial,
Agricultural (etc) shall be the World Health Organisation (WHO)
standards, or any other standards acceptable to the Authority. Note:
Consideration should be given to including the EMA Water Rules 2001
here.
3.5.3 Table 3.3 provided tolerance limits for Industrial effluent discharged into
public sewers. NOTE: TES 101: 2004 provides updated figures)
TABLE 3.3
TOLERANCE LIMITS FOR INDUSTRIAL EFFLUENTS DISCHARGING INTO PUBLIC SEWERS
3.5.4 The Authority may consider any technically feasible method of wastewater
treatment providing it can produce effluent of the required quality and
which can satisfy the Authority’s other requirements such as location. All
relevant references must be provided.
3.5.6 Adequate land shall be provided for the treatment facilities including
additional land area for future plant expansion.
3.5.8 All treatment units shall be provided with service access – steps/ladders,
cat-walks and hand rails. All works must be painted. The compound shall
be properly landscaped. Adequate surface drainage must be provided.
All works must be adequately fenced and protected against unauthorized
interference. Adequate lighting of Wastewater Treatment Plants shall also
be provided. (note: moved from 3.5.6)
3.5.10 A potable water supply must be provided, including a 4000 litre water
storage tank with a pump capable of delivering a minimum of 90 lpm at
30m pressure.
3.6.1 Where on lot wastewater disposal systems are permitted the following
manual may be used:-
3.6.3 The on-lot disposal system shall be designed to receive all domestic
wastewater from the building.
i. a roadway or driveway
ii. a paved road
iii. a vehicle parking lot
iv. any building
TABLE 3.4
Minimum Distance for Location of On-site/Lot Wastewater System
Soakaway 1.50 -
Note
+ Ground Water Level 1.20 1.20
Notes:
At least one hole shall be bored or dug to a depth of about 3.0m at the
lowest site elevation in order to determine the existence of ground water
or impervious strata.
The bottom and sides of the holes shall be carefully scratched in order to
remove any smeared soil surface and to provide a natural soil/water
interface into which water may percolate.
All loose material shall be removed from the bottom of the holes and
coarse sand or fine gravel shall be added for a depth of about 50mm to
protect the bottom of the holes from scouring and sediment.
Carefully fill the holes with at least 300mm of clear water above the gravel
or sand or to a height where the water surface is visible and leave
overnight to allow ample opportunity for soil swelling and saturation.
The percolation test shall be determined 24 hours after the water is added.
Adjust the water level to 300mm above the gravel or sand. From a fixed
reference point the drop in water level shall be noted over a 120 minutes
period at intervals of 30 minutes.
After each measurement the water level is adjusted to the 300mm level.
The last water level drop is used to calculate the percolation rate.
From a fixed, reference point the drop in water level shall be noted over a
60 minutes period at intervals of 10 minutes adjusting the water level to
300mm after each measurement. The last water level drop is used to
calculate the percolation rate.
The percolation rate is the time taken, in minutes, for the water level in a
test hole to fall 25mm. To determine the percolation rate for the area, the
rates obtained for each hole are averaged. If the rates in the area vary by
more than 20 minutes/25mm, variations in the soil type are indicated.
Under these circumstances percolation rates should not be averaged.
3.7.7 Interpretation of Results Absorption System
Percolation Rate
1 or less 6.5
2 7.9
3 9.3
4 10.7
5 11.6
10 15.3
15 17.6
30 23.2
45 27.9
60 30.7
3.7.10 Table 3.4 provides details of minimum distances for location of on-lot
Wastewater Systems
3.8 Other On-Lot Systems
The minimum distances as stipulated in Table 3.4 in this doc varies slightly from the
TTBS standard.
The procedure for the percolation test is essentially the same except that this doc requires
that the test pit be filled to 300 mm and the test conducted over 2 hrs, while the TTBS
standard requires that the test pit be filled to 150 mm and the test conducted over 4 hours.
Also Section 3.7.9 of this document specifies the absorption areas in terms of no of
bedrooms of residence while the TTBS standard specifies it in terms of 1000litres usage.
The latter is recommended.
APPENDIX 1
APPENDIX 1
4.1.1 The installations shall have paved vehicular access, surface drainage,
security lights and shall be adequately fenced.
4.2.1 GENERAL
4.3.1 Motors shall operate at the above power supply and shall be vertical or
horizontal, weatherproof and vermin proof.
4.3.2 Motors shall be rated to drive pumps for the full range of flows and heads.
4.3.4 Motor thrust bearings shall have capacity to carry the weight of all the
rotating parts plus the hydraulic thrust of the pump impellers and have an
ample safety factor. The factor shall be based on the average life
expectancy of five years operating at 24 hours per day.
4.3.5 The motor shall be of the full voltage starting, vertical hollow shaft, squirrel
cage induction type.
4.3.6 The motor speed shall not exceed 1800 rpm for motors larger than 30 hp
(no load).
4.4.1 Starters shall conform to the latest NEMA Class II type B standards, the
requirements of the Trinidad and Tobago Electrical Inspectorate, and the
requirements of the Trinidad and Tobago Electricity Commission.
4.4.2 Starters shall be of the reduced voltage type unless otherwise approved in
writing by T&TEC.
4.4.6 Reduced voltage starters shall be NEMA type 12 ventilated enclosure and
shall be housed in a covered enclosed building.
4.5.1 Provision shall be made for the measurement of the suction and discharge
pressure at each pump and the common discharge line pressure.
4.5.2 Provision shall also be made for the measurement of flow using a flow
meter or other reputable flow measuring device at each pump station.
4.5.3 Pressure switches shall be installed at the suction line of each pump at
water pump stations.
4.5.5 The pressure switches shall be set as to trip pumps at low suction and
high discharge pressures and to start pumps at the required pressure.
4.5.6 All pump stations shall be designed with due consideration for the effects
of water hammer. Adequate protection for adverse effects should be
included in the design.
4.6 INSTRUMENTS
All materials for potable water shall meet the ASTM Standard or approved
equivalent standard. The Standards also provide literature on Workmanship.
For guidance the appropriate standards are listed.
5.2 Water
SUBJECT STANDARD
Storage Tanks
Welded Steel Tank ANSI/AWWA D100-84
Painting for Welded Steel Tanks ANSI/AWWA D102-78
Factory Coated Tanks ANSI/AWWA D103-80
Disinfection ANSI/AWWA D152-86
Concrete Structures for retaining liquids AS 3735 1991
Pipelines
Polybutylene (PB) AWWA C-902-78
Polyethylene (PET) AWWA C-901-78
Poly Vinyl Chloride (PVC) AWWA C-900-75
Fabricated Steel Pipe and Fittings AWWA C-208-83
Steel Pipe Flanges Class D AWWA C-207-86
Coal tar protection coatings and AWWA C-203-86
Linings for steel water pipelines
Flanged Ductile Iron Pipelines AWWA C-115/A21
Rubber Gasket AWWA C-111/A21
Disinfection AWWA C-651-86
Pressure Test AWWA C-600-82
Grey Iron Casting BS 1452:1977
Elastometrix Joint Rings for pipework and BS 2494:1986
pipelines
Flanges and bolting for pipes valves and BS 4504: Part 2 1974
fittings metric series
(copper alley and composite flanges)
Metal Washers for General Engineering BS 4320:1968
Purposes Metric Series
SUBJECT STANDARD
Specifications for Poly Vinyl Chloride TTS 413-1992
(PVC) solvent Cement for use with un-
plasticized PVC Pipes and fittings for cold
water applications
Safety Valves
Water
SUBJECT
STANDARD
Cement ASTM C-150-60
Aggregate ASTM C-33-59
Steel (Reinforcer) ASTM A- 15-58T
Structural Steel ASA – ASA A57 1-1952
Manhole Bricks ASTM C- 32-58 Grade MA
Precast Sections ASTM C-478-61T using type II cement
Sewer
Unplasticized PVC (UPVC) Pipes and Fittings AS 1254
for storm and surface water applications
Unplasticized PVC (UPVC) Pipes and Fittings AS 1415 PT 1-4
for soil waste and vent (SWV) applications
Design charts for water supply and sewerage AS 2200-1978
Water Supply – Mechanical backflow AS 2845-1986
prevention devices
Plastics Waste Fittings AS 2887-1986
Specifications for compact type float operated PT 4 - 1991
valves for the WC Flushing Cisterns (including
floats)
Specification for Galvanized low Carbon Steel, BS 417
Cisterns, Lids, Tanks and Cylinders
Specification for unplasticized PVC Drain, TTS 414-1992
Waste and Vent Pipes
Technical Drawing Installation, Graphical TTS 31 85 006
symbols for supply water and drainage PT 6 – 1988
systems
Recommendations for the Design of buildings, TTS 16 90 400
plumbing and drainage systems PT 4 - 1985