The City of Raleigh has enacted
a Smart Controller ordinance (see below). This ordinance
originally included a requirement for all new irrigation systems to
be audited prior to approval and permanent use. The Board met with
members of the GIC and CIA to review the ordinance and all had
concerns with the audit requirement. The Board's letter to the
City regarding the new ordinance applauded the City for its
pro-active approach in water conservation. At the same time, the
letter pointed out the concerns regarding the required system
audits. A portion of that letter follows
Regarding the required new
irrigation system audit, we have several concerns.
1. In many cases, the
installer is not the designer of the system. If the contractor is
hired to install a system designed by others, the system is
installed per the plans and specifications, and the system does not
pass the audit criteria, the contractor is put by the City in a
very awkward position between the designer and
client.
2. The audit requirements
include full inspection of the system as it is being installed.
Again, this is a task for a third party, not for the installing
contractor.
3. A full irrigation audit can
cost thousands of dollars. We do not see a benefit to the public in
incurring this cost.
The City has since rescinded
this portion of the ordinance. The following is the current
ordinance information provided by the City. At the Board's
request, the required permit may be pulled by the irrigation
contractor so long as they provide the name and license number of
the plumbing contractor that will be installing the backflow
prevention device.
Residential Lawn Irrigation
Systems
As of June 30th, 2008 State Law
requires a separate meter (House Bill 2499) for all in-ground
irrigation systems and many systems must be installed by a NC
Licensed Irrigation Contractor (HB89G). See the Bill for
exemptions.
With the
installation of an irrigation meter you will be charged for water
only, no sewer fees will apply. These recommendations became part
of the City Code and implemented in January of 2007.
A plumbing permit from the City
of Raleigh's Inspections Department is required for the
installation of any in-ground irrigation system.
ALL new in-ground irrigation
systems are required by City Ordinance to:
1. Be installed by a NC
Licensed Irrigation Contractor (North Carolina HB89G), if the total
project is over two thousand five hundred dollars ($2,500). Please
refer to the Bill for further exemptions.
2. Have a separate
meter.
3. Have a Smart controller
which will have two Weather-Based Sensors connected as an add-on
device. These sensors must measure local weather conditions such as
rain, temperature, wind, soil conditions and/or evapotranspiration,
and be incorporated to suspend irrigation cycles according to set
parameters. The City Code requires each system to incorporate two
(2) sensors, each monitoring a separate weather characteristic, to
be used as an add-on device to suspend irrigation cycles when
watering is deemed unnecessary by the conditions of the
sensor.
a. One sensor must be a
rain sensor.
b. The second
weather-based sensor may monitor any of the remaining
characteristics, as long as that device meets the City's definition
of a weather-based sensor.
Before visiting your local
Inspections or Permitting Department within the Raleigh water
system please review the following information.
Be prepared to:
- Identify the size of the irrigation
service you will need to run your system. Minimum �"
- Know if you need a new tap or a split
on your existing water service.
- Determine if you want the City to
install the tap or split on existing service (3/4" or 1") or use a
private utility contractor licensed to work in the ROW.(fee quoted
by contractor)
- Pay for a meter that matches the size
of your tap or split.
- If a new tap is required be prepared to
pay an acreage (availability) fee.
- Acquire a plumbing permit for
installation of a Reduced Pressure backflow assembly.
System Installation:
1. A service split shall not be
larger than the original service size.
2. A service valve is required
after the meter and prior to the backflow assembly on private
property.
3. The stand pipes for a
backflow assembly are required to be of brass or
copper.
4. ALL systems must be installed
by an NC Licensed Irrigation Contractor. If a private licensed
utility contractor is used a stub permit is required.
5. Residential lawn irrigation
backflow preventers must be tested for proper operation every 3
years and is the responsibility of the property
owner.
Please see the following cost estimates:
City
Installed New Irrigation Tap
A new service tap from the public
main to your property as installed by City staff.
Acreage Fee -
$326.00
Tap Fee - �" -
$2,314.00
1" -
$2,545.00
Meter Fee - �" -
$197.00
1" -
$250.00
Plumbing Permit for
Backflow Assembly - $74.00
City Installed New �"
Split
A service split installed when the
potable water service to your property as installed by City
staff.
New Split - �" -
$463.00
1" -
$788.00
Meter Fee - �" -
$197.00
1" -
$250.00
Plumbing Permit
for Backflow Assembly - $74.00
City Installed Existing �"
Split
A split installed on an existing
water service prior to the domestic water meter as installed by
City staff.
Existing split- �" -
$953.00
1" -
$$1276.00
Meter Fee - �" -
$197.00
1" -
$250.00
Plumbing Permit for
backflow assembly $74.00
Contractor Installed New Irrigation
Tap
A new service tap from the
public main to your property as priced and installed by a Private
Licensed Utility Contractor .
Acreage Fee -
$326.00
Meter Fee - �" -
$197.00
1" -
$250.00
Plumbing Permit
for Backflow Assembly - $74.00
Stub Fee -
$74.00
Contractor installed existing and
new split - �" or 1"
A split installed on an existing
water service prior to the domestic water meter as priced and
installed by a Private Licensed Utility Contractor.
Meter Fee - �"-
$197.00
1"-
$250.00
Stub Fee -
$74.00
Plumbing Permit for
Backflow Assembly -$74.00
For more information please
contact:
Cinnamon Black, Water Conservation
Specialist
919.857.4540
Cinnamon.Black@raleighnc.gov
