DEVELOPERS

We can help communities plan water systems for new growth and development. If you are a developer, business owner or other entity that would like to extend water infrastructure to a new project either within or near an existing service area, this is the place to start. We are committed to providing an easy, efficient process to help bring water resources where and when needed.

We have professionals available to address questions related to current or future projects. Please send your questions to KAWCEngineering@amwater.com.

Water Main Taps and Services

New taps in water mains are not always necessary. If an existing building is present, it is sometimes possible to use the existing tap. If new taps are required, a separate fee will be necessary for each of the main services: domestic, irrigation and fire.

For domestic and irrigation meters 2” and smaller, please click on the appropriate link below for tap applications, depending on the location of the new tap.

Northern Division (Owen, Grant and Gallatin counties)

Central and Southern Division (Bourbon, Clark, Fayette, Harrison, Jackson, Jessamine, Nicholas, Rockcastle, Scott and Woodford counties)

Fire services, as well as domestic and irrigation meters 2” and larger, must be submitted to Kentucky American Water’s Engineering Department for review and design. These are competitively bid and installed by certified contractors at the expense of the developer. Please send requests to KAWCEngineering@amwater.com.

Fire Services Packet

Fire Flow Tests

Kentucky American Water may be able to provide required fire flow tests to fire system designers upon request. These tests are conducted by company personnel and a report will be provided upon completion. There are no fees associated with these requests.

Backflow Preventer Assemblies

Back flow preventers must meet the following requirements.

  • All fire service backflow prevention devices must be Double Check Detector Assembly (DCDA) and meet or exceed the Foundation for Cross-Connection Control and Hydraulic Research of the University of Southern California (FCCCHR) standards.
  • All commercial properties and residential properties with four or more units must have a backflow prevention device for domestic services.
  • All irrigation services require backflow prevention.
  • All of these devices must be Reduced Pressure Zone (RPZ) type.

For fire services, the backflow prevention device can be located in the building if it is within 150 linear feet of the Post Indicator Valve (PIV). Otherwise, it must be located in a vault as close to the PIV as possible.

Each backflow device is required to be tested annually by a certified backflow tester.

Water Main Extension Requests

Developers may submit requests to extend water mains to developments as outlined below. These requests can be submitted to KAWCEngineering@amwater.com. The company can provide mapping of the existing system per request.

To begin the water main extension process, the following items must be submitted to Kentucky American Water.

  • A letter providing the name and address of the Engineer of Record
  • A letter providing the name, address and phone number of the entity fiscally responsible for the project.
  • Digital copies (both PDF and CAD files) of the development plans and/or the final plat and BMP erosion control plan. Plans must include a utility sheet with proposed waterline location.
  • A letter from the fire department with jurisdiction approving/recommending the location of fire hydrants.

After Kentucky American Water receives these items, the Water Main Extension Request process proceeds as outlined below.

  • Kentucky American Water assigns an inspector and drafts the initial design, which includes the size, material, and alignment for the new water main.
  • The inspector will perform a site visit 10 to 14 days after the initial design. The site must be within 6 inches of final grade for the inspection. We strongly recommend that curbs be installed when the inspection is performed.
  • After the inspection is complete, we will complete the final design and request bids from certified contractors. Contractors will have approximately two weeks to submit bids.
  • Once bids are received and tabulated, we will award the project to the approved low bidder. We will then prepare a letter and agreement(s) for the entity financially responsible for the main extension requesting a deposit and providing information regarding potential refunds, if applicable.
  • We will order materials once we receive the required deposit and signed agreements. Materials typically take two to four weeks to be delivered. However, due to ongoing national supply chain challenges, we are experiencing significant delays. NOTE: As of January 2023, material deliveries are taking approximately 16 weeks.
  • Once materials are delivered, we will begin the construction process for the water main extension.