HomeMy WebLinkAboutPolicyForWaterMainDesignInLUSTSitesPolicy for Water Main Design in Leaking Underground Storage Tanks (LUST) Sites and LUST
Buffer Areas
Original Date: 12/5/13
Revised Date: 8/27/14
Purpose: To ensure the integrity of the City’s water distribution system, and compliance with federal,
state, and local laws and regulations.
In accordance with Section 8.1.2 of the Recommended Standards for Water Works (also know as the
Ten States Standard or GLUMRB Standards):
Where distribution systems are installed in areas of groundwater contaminated by organic compounds,
a. pipe and joint materials which do not allow permeation of the organic compounds shall be used.
b. non-permeable materials shall be used for all portions of the system including, pipe, joint materials, hydrant leads,
and service connections.
The Iowa Department of Natural Resources (IDNR) has a system to formally identify LUST sites and
sets a buffer zone radius around these sites. Ductile iron pipe and nitrile gaskets are the minimum
default materials for any new or replacement water main and affiliated apertures within a LUST
site/buffer zone in the city limits. This includes connections to service lines. Service lines must be
copper or ductile iron with nitrile gaskets from the water main to the water meter.
If the consulting engineer for a project reviews the site and determines the use of the above default
materials is not warranted, a written statement of their assessment must be sent directly to the Water
Division’s Water Engineer: City of Iowa City Water Division, Attn: Water Engineer, 410 E Washington
St, Iowa City, IA 52240.
If no approved statement is on file with the Water Division at the time of project installation, the
minimum default materials shall be used during construction. No other documentation or forms shall be
accepted in lieu of this statement. Statements will be accepted via post, electronic mail, or facsimile
(contact the Water Division for current numbers/addresses). This statement shall not supersede any
actual and/or previously unknown conditions found on a site during project construction that may
require installation of specific materials.
The required statement must be submitted by a certified Professional Engineer in the state of Iowa, and
must include the following to be accepted:
• Project name and address
• LUST site ID(s) and address(es) in project area
• Statement that current conditions and plans do not limit use of any specific materials**
• List of approved materials for the project
• Full name, signature (may be electronic), license number, and contact information of the
Professional Engineer who completed and submitted the review.
**A statement noting only an IDNR site designation of “no further action (NAF)” will not be accepted,
further explanation is required. An NAF designation signifies either a site has been “cleaned” to below
existing contaminant detection thresholds of the time or all receptors at the time of the IDNR review
were removed/rerouted out of the contaminated area (or reinstalled using proper materials).