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Small Diameter Water Service Connection

What does it mean?

If you are constructing a new building, adding an addition , renovating an existing building, or demolishing an existing building that has water and sewer connections to the public system you will need approval from DC Water in order to obtain your Building Permit.

Generally, DC Water divides projects into two categories:

  1. Small Water Service projects
    • Your new domestic and/or fire service size is 2" diameter or smaller
    • You are constructing/renovating less than 10 residential units as a single project/permit application
  2. Large Water Service projects
    • Your new domestic and/or fire service size is 3" diameter or larger
    • You are constructing/renovating 10 or more residential units as a single project/permit application

If your project does not include a water connection and you are not sure if you need approval from DC Water call DC Water Permit Operations Department at 202-646-8600.
Does this apply to me? DC Water must review and approve the plans:
  • If you are constructing a new single family home, row house or commercial building
  • If you are building an addition to an existing building
  • If you are doing any renovations/alterations to the existing plumbing system
  • If you are doing any work that requires you to increase the fixture count in the building
When do I apply? Apply at least two months before DC Water approval is needed. This is assuming that the plans will be reviewed, questions/comments will be generated, and the plans will be modified and resubmitted for approval. It is not uncommon for this cycle to repeat two or three times before the plans are sufficient for approval.
What do I need to submit?

Please submit the following information to DC Water:

  1. Three bond copies of site civil plans signed and sealed by a professional plumber, engineer or architect licensed in the District of Columbia
  2. Log slip identifying what is submitted, by whom, for what and where is the project
  3. A copy of pages 1 and 2 from the DCRA Building Permit Application
Where do I go and apply?

The applicant submits plans for review by DC Water at:

DC Water Permit Operations Department
1100 4th St. SW Suite 310
Washington, DC 20024
How long will it take? Each project is different. How long it will take to get approved plans depends on the number of submissions and the completeness of the plans that are submitted. DC Water review staff will complete each plan submission within 45 calendar days/30 business day per submission of the plan set.
What do I Receive? A Water and Sewer Availability Certificate
What are DC Water's fees for this? See the fee schedule for the cost of this service Make check payable to DC Water Credit Cards are also accepted at the 1100 4th St. SW office
Related Activities:
  • A Water and Sewer Availability Certificate is required
  • A public space permit (obtained by DDOT) is required for work in public space
For more Info, call: Permit Operations Department at 202-646-8600.