Seattle Public Utilities (SPU) is revising its Water Availability Certificate Policy for connecting to its distribution water system.
Updates to the Water Availability Certificate (WAC) policy, which was originally developed many years ago, will provide updates to address changes in how development is happening in Seattle, particularly infill development. There are also changes to ensure fairer application of code requirements to all development.
The proposed rule changes include:
- Updates to the WAC policy so that it applies better to modern development trends, such as infill development, higher-density projects, and units that combine living and work space.
- A more equitable application of the WAC policy that eliminates loopholes and provisions that do not meet cost-benefit criteria.
- Enhanced flexibility in the WAC policy that allows SPU staff discretion to modify or waive required improvements when there is a good business reason to do so.
SPU has received comments on the proposed changes from the building community, but we are still accepting input. Please e-mail your comments to mark.jaeger@seattle.gov by Friday, March 25, 2011. For specific information on the WAC rule changes, go to www.seattle.gov/util/Engineering/Obtain_Utility_Services/
Check_For_Water_Availability/index.asp.
SPU is also preparing to begin development of Availability Certificate Policies for Drainage and Wastewater. The development of these policies will be similar to the Water Availability Certificate Policy. The goal is to develop a process to provide early notification to permit applicants about drainage and wastewater requirements, including any required system improvements. SPU is in the early stages of developing this new process and gathering input from a variety of people in the building community. If you’d like to be part of those discussions or would like more information, please contact Michael Brennan at (206) 684-5921 or e-mail him at michael.brennan@seattle.gov. For specific information about the current requirements, go to www.seattle.gov/util/groups/public/@spu/@csb/
documents/webcontent/cos_004437.pdf.
Thank you for helping to streamline the way SPU conducts its business, and we hope it helps you manage yours better too.