Typical Development Requirements

I. New Water Service: new water service requests, review, and processing can be accomplished in several ways; however, in each case, specific requirements must be met. Plans must be reviewed and approved by the City.

• Plans must show all existing and proposed utilities.
• Developer must resolve any conflicts that occur with proposed water facilities.
• Provide a minimum of five feet of horizontal clearance from City water facilities to other underground systems.
• Provide ten feet of horizontal clearance between City water facilities and sanitary sewer facilities (mains, laterals, etc.), recycled water facilities and trees. Additionally, City water facilities must be at least one foot above sanitary sewer facilities.
• Provide three feet minimum clearance around all above-grade water facilities.
• Applications must be filled out for all proposed services: domestic services, irrigation services and fire services.

II. Permitting Fees: Payments must be made for permitting, review, and inspection fees for all proposed water improvements. Additional information on land and property development fees can be found on Department of Public Works website, by emailing Engineering@SantaClaraCA.gov, or by calling 408-615-3000.

III. Fire Permit Applications: The City Fire Marshal's approval must be obtained for any proposed fire service or modification (e.g. installation of new backflow prevention devices). Additional information on fire permits can be found on the Fire Department website, by emailing crrd@santaclaraca.gov, or by calling 408-615-4970.

IV. Fire Flow Data Requests: Fire Flow data may be requested by applicant and will be analyzed using the City's hydraulic modeling program to determine the projected available fire flow capacity and residual pressure from public fire hydrants. Applicants for single family homes (SFH) shall submit a SFH fire flow data request form and pay a hydraulic modeling fee ($1,056). Applicants for other development, excluding SFH shall submit a non-SFH fire flow data request form and pay a hydraulic modeling fee ($2,364).

V. Development Impact Analysis (DIA): Applicants may be required to complete a Development Impact Analysis to analyze the development's impact on the potable water system. The applicant shall submit a hydraulic modeling request form and pay a hydraulic modeling fee ($3,094) through the Accela permitting system to initiate the study.

VI. New Sanitary Sewer Service: all new sewer services must have a City sewer cleanout installed at the developer's expense. Sewer connection and sewer capacity fees are assessed per the current fee schedule.

Construction
The City of Santa Clara Water Utility employs its own construction crews for installation of most new public water facilities. In some instances, the Water Utility, at its discretion, may authorize construction by the developer with inspection fees collected by the Water Utility. Standard detail drawings showing various water services may be found under Technical Documents.  Developer shall provide Material Submittal for review by the Water Utility Engineer prior to construction activities. See Other Miscellaneous Water Services and Fees in section below. The following fees are effective as of January 20th, 2020 and are subject to periodic review and revisions.

For additional information on rates, fees, and charges and other details contact an engineer in the Water Engineering Division at 408-615-2000. 

Water Service Connection and Upgrade Fee Schedules

Fire Service Connections

Public Works Department Encroachment Permit fees are calculated separately by Property and Land Development Division and are not included.

Utility Engineering Plan Review Fees 

• Utility Engineering Plan Check for SFH Remodel (per plan set) - includes 3 checks -- $664. Additional $721 per plan set or sheet based on construction cost for 4th and subsequent reviews.
• Utility Engineering Plan Check for Projects up to $25k (per plan set) - includes 3 checks -- $1,179. Additional $721 per plan set for 4th and subsequent reviews.
• Utility Engineering Plan Check for Projects over $25k (per sheet) - includes 3 checks -- $2,850. Additional $721 per sheet for 4th and subsequent reviews.

 Other Miscellaneous Water Services and Fees

• Water meter testing (non-routine testing for accuracy) -- $500 deposit; refundable if meter falls outside accepted range. 
• Portable hydrant meter -- $3,896 deposit, $655 of which is non-refundable. Includes cost of RP backflow. Minimum monthly charges, same as a permanent meter.
• Recycled hydrant meter -- $3,896 deposit, $655 of which is non-refundable. Includes cost of RP backflow. Minimum monthly charges, same as a permanent meter.
• Small Water Service (2 inches and smaller) abandonment -- $10,236
• Large Water Service (3 inches and larger) abandonment  -- $21,881
• Water Service relocation -- $7,828
• Hot tap (2" and smaller) -- $1,161. Contractor to provide all required tapping materials.
• Hot tap (4", 6", 8") -- $1,300. Contractor to provide all required tapping materials.
• Hot tap (10", 12") -- $1,745. Contractor to provide all required tapping materials.
• Water Supply Assessment Preparation fee for development with water use equivalent greater than 499 dwelling units -- $14,900.
• Supplemental Assessment Preparation -- $9,536.
• Water Utility Field Marking -- $297 for up to 50 feet, $121 for each additional 50 feet or fraction thereof. 
• Recycled Water Utility Field Marking -- $297 for up to 50 feet, $121 for each additional 50 feet or fraction thereof. 
• Project Clearance Committee/Subcommittee Review -- $1,390.
• Hold Harmless Agreement -- $1,040.
• Fire Flow (Hydraulic Model) -- Single Family Homes (SFH) $1,056 ; Others, Excluding SFH -- $2,364.
• Development Impact Analysis -- $3,094
• Water Reconnection Fee -- $268.
• Water meter repair and reconnection fee -- $488 per account. Fee to fix meter plus two (2) times the estimated cost of services used.
• Developers shall be required to pay for engineering and inspection services rendered by the Water Utility relating to public water improvements which are installed by developer. 

Water From Fire Hydrants
General Information 

Portable hydrant meter rental including backflow device is available for a $3,896 deposit, $655 of which is not refundable.  A minimum monthly charge applies. The application for a hydrant meter, Authorization For Use of Hydrant Water Meter (PDF), must be submitted to the Water Utility's office at City Hall.

It is unlawful to take water from any City fire hydrant without a meter. The penalty for using water without a meter may be a fine of up to $1,000 and a charge for the water taken at twice the normal rate, or being prohibited from taking water even with a meter (Chapter 13.15.220, City Code). Information on obtaining a portable fire hydrant meter follows:

• Keep the meter and equipment in good condition. You will be charged full replacement cost if it is lost or damaged. 
• Always use the spanner wrench for operating the hydrant. If the spanner wrench is lost, a replacement can be obtained from the Water Department at a nominal cost which is less than the cost of repairs you would be required to pay should the fire hydrant be damaged due to improper operation.
• Remember the basic reason for a fire hydrant is fire protection! Remove the meter after each use in order that you do not impede the use of the fire hydrant by the Fire Department. 
• Cross-connection control: The California Code of Regulations, Title 17, requires the use of appropriate cross-connection control when there is any potential for backflow contamination of the water distribution system. To prevent contamination, City policy requires all portable water meters include a backflow prevention assembly. 
  It is the responsibility of the party renting the hydrant meter to inform the City of the intended use of the hydrant water, particularly if it will be physically connected to any on-site equipment using water. 
• When the meter is supplied with a backflow prevention assembly, the user agrees to keep the apparatus adequately supported. The apparatus must not be set up in a manner that is a hazard to the public safety.

Payment for water used may be handled in one of the following options:

The customer should read the portable water meter monthly and report the reading by the 20th of each month. Record the reading carefully, as you will be billed for the amount of consumption that you email to us.  Record every number on the dial including leading and trailing zeros (7 numbers - XXXXXXX). Email the company name, meter number, and reading to: water@santaclaraca.gov