Louisiana Administrative Code
Title 51 - PUBLIC HEALTH-SANITARY CODE
Part XIV - Plumbing
Chapter 6 - Water Supply and Distribution
Section XIV-613 - Water Service Pipe and Fittings

Universal Citation: LA Admin Code XIV-613

Current through Register Vol. 50, No. 9, September 20, 2024

A. Materials Underground. Materials for underground water service pipe and lawn sprinkler systems, shall be a minimum Type L copper tube, brass, cast iron pressure pipe, ductile-iron, or pressure-rated plastic as listed in Table 603 of this code. The minimum working pressure of plastic piping installed outside of the foundation walls shall be 160 psi (1103 kPa) at 73°F (23° C), with permanent identification markings. All potable water pipes, pipe fittings, plumbing fittings, or fixtures for underground water service pipe shall be evaluated and listed as conforming to NSF/ANSI 372. Any solder or flux used in the installation or repair of any plumbing including, but not limited to, water service lines in a residential or nonresidential facility providing water for human consumption shall be lead free.

1. Exception. The lead free requirement of §613. A of this code above shall not apply to:
a. leaded joints necessary for the repair of existing cast iron pipes;

b. pipes, pipe fittings, plumbing fittings, or fixtures, including backflow preventers, that are used exclusively for nonpotable services such as manufacturing, industrial processing, irrigation, outdoor watering, or any other uses where the water is not anticipated to be used for human consumption; or,

c. toilets, bidets, urinals, fill valves, flushometer valves, tub fillers, shower valves, service saddles, or water distribution main gate valves that are 2 inches in diameter or larger.

2. Materials subject to corrosion shall be protected when installed in corrosive soils. Approved fittings shall be used on the water service pipe and the water supply system, except that changes of direction in copper tube (ASTM B 88) may be made with bends having a radius of not less than four diameters of the tube, providing that such bends are made by use of forming equipment which does not deform or create loss in cross-sectional area of the tube. If allowed by the manufacturer, bends of pressure-rated plastic pipe listed in Table 603 of this code shall be installed to conform with the manufacturer's recommendations but in no case shall the bend radius be less than the requirements contained within §619. A.5 8, as applicable. With the exception of heat fused polypropylene, all other inaccessible water service joints and fittings for plastic pipe below concrete slabs and driveways are prohibited.

B. Water Service Piping. Water service lines shall be sized in accordance with accepted engineering practice (e.g., see §1805, Appendix B of this code), but in no case shall the water service piping be less than 1-inch inside nominal diameter for galvanized ferrous piping or 3/4-inch inside diameter for copper, copper alloy or approved noncorrosive pipe or tube.

C. Service Lines Near Drain or Sewer Line. Except as permitted in §613. D of this code, the underground water service pipe and the building drain or building sewer shall be not less than 5-feet (1524 mm) apart horizontally and shall be separated by undisturbed or compacted earth.

D. Permitted Installation Near Drain or Sewer Line. The water service pipe may be placed in the same trench with the building drain and building sewer provided the following conditions are met:

1. The bottom of the water service pipe, at all points, shall be at least 12 inches (305 mm) above the top of the sewer line at its highest point;

2. The water service pipe shall be placed on a solid shelf excavated at one side of the common trench; and,

3. Any underground water service pipe which must cross a pipe that conveys sewage (e.g., building drains, building sewers, and other piping conveying sewage) shall have a minimum vertical separation of 12 inches (305 mm) between the outside of the water service pipe and the outside of the sewer pipe. The water service pipe should always be installed above the sewer pipe. At crossings, one full length of water pipe shall be located so both joints will be as far from the sewer pipe as possible.

E. Stop and Waste Valves and Devices. Combination stop and waste valves and cocks shall not be installed underground in a water service pipe, water supply system, or a water distribution system. Any fixture or device which incorporates a stop and waste feature is prohibited if the waste opening is underground or in any location that waste water or water-borne contaminates may enter the device or water supply from the ground or other source by reversal of flow.

F. Private Water Supply. No private supply shall be interconnected with any public water supply.

G. Potable Water (Pressure) Lines Near Soil Absorption Trenches, Sand Filter Beds, Oxidation Ponds, and any Effluent Reduction Option (Effluent Reduction Fields, Rock Plant Filters, Spray Irrigation Systems, Overland Flow Systems, Mound Systems, or Subsurface Drip Disposal Systems). Underground potable water (pressure) lines shall not be located within 25 feet (7.6 m) of any soil absorption trenches, sand filter beds, oxidation ponds, or any effluent reduction option [including, but not limited to effluent reduction fields, rock plant filters, spray irrigation systems (from the edge of the spray and its drainage), overland flow systems (from the discharge point and field of flow), mound systems, or subsurface drip disposal systems - see LAC 51:XIII.733] which have been installed for either the disposal of septic tank effluent or mechanical treatment plant effluent.

H. Potable Water (Pressure) Lines Near Septic Tanks, Mechanical Sewage Treatment Plants, and Pump Stations. Underground potable water (pressure) lines shall not be located within 10 feet (3.0 m) of any septic tank, mechanical sewage treatment plant, or sewage pump station.

I. Potable Water (Pressure) Lines Near Seepage Pit, Cesspool, or Sanitary Pit Privy. Underground potable water (pressure) lines shall not be located within 50 feet (15.2m) of any seepage pit, cesspool, or sanitary pit privy.

J. Reclaimed Water Lines. Reclaimed water lines shall be considered and treated as though they are sewerage lines and shall be installed in accord with the spacing requirements of this Section for the protection of potable water lines.

The text in this Section will be effective on January 1, 2013.

AUTHORITY NOTE: Promulgated in accordance with R.S. 30:2399, R.S. 40:4(A)(7), R.S. 40:5(2)(3)(7)(9)(16)(17)(20), and R.S. 40:1299.27.1.

Disclaimer: These regulations may not be the most recent version. Louisiana may have more current or accurate information. We make no warranties or guarantees about the accuracy, completeness, or adequacy of the information contained on this site or the information linked to on the state site. Please check official sources.
This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.