Water Line Chlorination
We disinfect new and repaired domestic water lines throughout San Francisco, Oakland, San Jose, Walnut Creek, Livermore, and the surrounding Bay Area, and water mains throughout California, so your project clears inspection without delay. All work is performed personally by a State of California licensed D1 water distribution operator, under the AWWA C651 standard.
Why water lines need to be chlorinated
Any new or repaired domestic water line has to be either disinfected or tested before it can be placed into service. Construction introduces bacteria into piping through open ends, debris, and standing water, and most authorities having jurisdiction won't sign off without a passing bacteriological test from an ELAP certified laboratory. Full chlorination is required in most cases, though AWWA allows short runs under 18 linear feet to skip straight to sampling instead of a full chlorination, an exemption mostly not observed at hospitals and other HCAI-regulated facilities. This applies to water mains, building domestic water systems, and repairs made to existing lines.
How the process works
We introduce NSF 60 certified sodium hypochlorite into the line and hold it for a set contact period, then flush the line and pull samples for laboratory testing. Underground water mains require the 24 hour retention method under AWWA C651, with no exception for schedule. The 3 hour method is also an approved method, but it's only allowed on above ground piping. Concentration requirements vary by specification too: the current AWWA standard is 25 mg/L, though some specs call for a higher concentration such as 50 mg/L. We'll confirm exactly what your job requires before we start.
Water main work is priced based on the internal volume of the pipe rather than linear footage, since that is what actually determines how much chemical is needed. We also handle dechlorination before discharge when the residual exceeds what the local sewer authority allows.
When it's required on smaller jobs
New domestic water piping over 18 linear feet requires full chlorination. Under 18 feet, most jurisdictions will accept bacteriological sampling alone, though hospitals and other HCAI-regulated facilities generally require full chlorination regardless of footage. This threshold catches a lot of tenant improvement and remodel jobs off guard, since the job can feel small but still trigger the requirement. Send us your scope and we will tell you which side of the line it falls on.
Documentation and inspection sign-off
We deliver a certified lab report along with a documentation package formatted for the reviewing authority. We've cleared inspection with SFPUC, EBMUD, HCAI, San Jose Water Company, Cal Water, and more than twenty other jurisdictions across Northern California, so we know what each one expects to see.
Have a water line that needs chlorination?
Send us the scope, plans, or a fixture count and we will get you a firm number within 24 hours.