Iowa Lakes Regional Water Construction Process

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Process for Water Installation

Iowa Lakes Regional Water works closely with the United States Department of Agriculture, Rural Development, to provide family households and farms with the opportunity for a safe, dependable source of water at the most reasonable cost. The cost to receive service relies upon the availability of federal funding, your level of necessity, and if a manline extension is needed to serve your location. If federal funding is unavailable, ILRW may require you to pay the full cost of construction. Please call our office for the most up to date information on connection fees.

Initial Sign-Up & Required Documents

Once a location is confirmed to be within ILRW's service area, the customer has submitted a complete sign-up form and paid the $650.00 down payment, ILRW will move forward with preparing other necessary documents to be signed and returned prior to being placed on the construction list.

The following documents will be prepared and mailed to the property owner:

The Water Services Agreement states the terms of water service. This agreement creates a service relationship between the customer and ILRW.

The Water Users Statement is needed for ILRW to apply the appropriate sales tax rate depending on the type of usage.

The Service Line Easement gives ILRW the capability to dig in a pipeline to bring water into the dwelling or designated location and make repairs as needed.

Mainline Easement(s) may be required if the water pipeline needs to be extended to serve the location. This type of easement allows ILRW to install a main pipeline on a particular side of the property. Mainline Easement requests may need to be sent to neighboring property owners along the route. Depending on the length of the extension, several easements may be required which can take some time to obtain.

*Legal Counsel will pre-approve binding documents prior to mailing. Each easement must be signed in the presence of a Notary. If needed, ILRW can assist with a notary.

After the customer's documentation is signed and returned to the ILRW office, a hydraulic analysis will be completed by project engineers (as needed).

Preliminary Routing & Timeline

ILRW will schedule a preliminary routing appointment in preparation for construction. A representative will meet the customer on-site to help navigate all underground utility lines and discuss the best route to install the service line and preferred location of the meter/pit. Both parties will sign and date the preliminary route drawing and a copy will be given to the customer.

*Staff will do their best to provide a realistic time frame for installation based on additional requirements and projects previously granted approval to proceed with the installation. This general timeline is subject to change and relies heavily upon the weather, ground conditions, and the current construction schedule.

Permits

At this time, ILRW will secure any mandatory county and/or state permits. A DNR construction permit, road crossing permits, and archeology reporting may be necessary and require approval before the project can proceed.

Construction Queue

After the permits are in place, the project will be submitted to the CEO for final approval. If all appropriate documents are complete and funds are available with the current USDA-RD funding package, the customer will be placed in the “Construction Queue” to await scheduling installation.

*Time in the “Queue” may vary depending on your level of necessity, project funding, weather and ground conditions, our current construction schedule, and final payment.

Utility Locates (One Call) & Notification

The customer will be notified by ILRW when construction is thought to begin, typically the customer will receive a call two to five days in advance.

ILRW will call in locates to Iowa One Call or Gopher State One Call in order for all of the customer's utility provider’s lines to be located and marked. (A 48-hour notification is required to these agencies before digging may begin).

Construction

ILRW will install the service line and the meter/pit. The meter pit is generally installed at or near the property line. The service line, will begin at the meter pit then extend to the dwelling or other places of use. The location of the meter pit and service line were determined at the preliminary routing appointment. After construction is complete, ILRW shall rough grade all disturbed areas of land, then leave soil mounded over trenches to provide natural settling.

*The customer will need to contact their plumber to make the final connection to their internal plumbing.

Enjoy your new, safe, great quality, and dependable source of water!

Important Notes.

1. It's in the customer's best interest to sign-up at their earliest convenience.

2. Applications are completed in the order received.

3. Installation is completed based on a level of priority, with families most in need being installed as soon as practical.

4. Service construction (add-on to existing mainline) may take approximately two - six months.

5. Mainline extension with service construction may take approximately a year or longer and are contingent upon Mainline Easements, project funding, and feasibility.

6. Any remaining payment for the installation fee is due prior to construction.

7. Mainline cleanup typically occurs the following construction season post winter to allow ground to freeze/thaw.

8. Final grading, seeding, sodding, and replacement of plantings shall be accomplished by and at the expense of the Customer.

9. Construction is seasonally based and relies upon weather and ground conditions.

10. The service line has a one-year construction warranty as stated in the Water Services Agreement.

11. Customer contribution may be requested to meet feasibility of the project (discussed during the preliminary routing phase). Customer contributions are uncommon, however, are occasionally required for major extensions.

12. Billing will begin immediately once water becomes available to your property (regardless of whether water is being used or not).

13. Timelines are subject to change depending on weather, permits, easements, material availability and feasibility.