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Development Issues for Water and Sewer - An Overview

The city of Phoenix is working with developers, builders, property owners and business owners to resolve development related water and wastewater infrastructure issues.  No matter whether development or land is located in a newer peripheral growth area or is located in an older, central part of the City, there are water and wastewater issues that may need to be addressed.  However, circumstances and infrastructure issues differ whether creating a new development in target growth areas or developing an infill project in an already established area.

New residential, commercial or industrial space or a change in use that will result in increased demands for water or increased wastewater generation may require improvements to the larger City water and wastewater systems.  WSD routinely requires those who are proposing new developments to improve the City's water and wastewater systems to accommodate the new demands.  These improvements are often associated not only with immediate needs for capacity in facilities that are directly adjacent to the specific development, but also to long-term network-wide needs imposed by many new anticipated developments. It is important to keep in mind for new development:

• You SHOULD NOT ASSUME that existing water or wastewater lines, either connected directly to the property or running adjacent to the property, will permit a simple connection to accommodate new water demand and/or wastewater generation.

• If you are contemplating the construction of multiple residential structures or any commercial or industrial structures, ENGAGE A PROFESSIONAL ENGINEER OR PLANNER WHO HAS EXPERIENCE WITH URBAN DEVELOPMENT to investigate the existing water and wastewater network and to evaluate what improvements might be necessary to serve the project.

Performance Requirements

The Water Services Department does not regulate development locations, dimensions, densities or characteristics.  However, as development occurs, the Department must ensure that performance requirements for health and safety issues are maintained, such as:

• maintaining water pressures and flows that meet average and peak demand,

• meeting fire flow requirements established by the Fire Department, and

• providing adequate wastewater network capacity to accommodate flows during both normal peak periods and when inflow and infiltration from rainfall events dramatically increase flows in the sewer system.

Where can I find out more?

Phoenix Fire Codes

Last modified on 05/25/2011 13:28:01