Civil Site Utility Work
The utility installation process in a civil site involves several key steps: initial site assessment, utility locating, design planning, excavation, laying of pipes or conduits, connecting to existing lines, testing and inspection, backfilling, and final restoration. The goal is to install underground utilities such as fire lines, irrigation, water, sewer, gas, electrical lines, and telecommunications cables while carefully navigating existing infrastructure and adhering to local regulations. Throughout this process, we work alongside general contractors, construction managers, architects, and engineers, providing expertise to ensure the project’s successful completion and integration with other components of the development.
Components of Utility Installation
Storm Drain Systems
A storm drainage system is a network of infrastructure that collects and directs excess water from rain and groundwater to prevent flooding, protect property, and keep plants safe:
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Design
Storm drains can range from small dry wells in residential areas to large municipal systems.
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Function
Storm drains collect water from impervious surfaces like roofs, sidewalks, parking lots, and paved streets. The water then flows through the underground piping and into waterways like bays, deltas, storm tech systems and retention ponds.
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Importance
Storm drains are important for the safety of people and the environment. Poorly managed stormwater can cause flooding and damage property.
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Storm Drain vs. Sanitary Sewer
Sanitary sewers carry wastewater from homes and businesses to treatment plants, while storm drains carry stormwater directly to waterways.
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Purpose
Storm drains are designed to move water away from streets, homes, and businesses during heavy rainstorms.
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Components
Storm drains include gutters, drainage inlets, catch basins, piping, and waterways.
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If not routinely cleaned and maintained, these systems can accumulate large amounts of debris and pollutants, which can lead to clogging, flooding and water quality problems.
Wet & Dry Utilities
Wet and dry utilities are terms used in construction and civil engineering to describe the types of services and infrastructure that are provided to buildings and properties:
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Wet utilities
Transport liquids, such as water, wastewater, and sewage, in and out of buildings. Examples include water and fire supply systems, sanitary sewer systems.
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Dry utilities
Provide non-liquid services, such as electricity, natural gas, and telecommunications. Examples include electrical power lines, fiber optic cables, telephone lines, and cable/fiber optics for TV and internet.
Wet and dry utilities are installed in both commercial and residential projects. Proper planning is important to reduce the risk of conflicts and ensure that the utilities work as intended.
Here are some things to consider when installing wet and dry utilities:
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Placement, Elevations and Slope
Precise placement, alignment, and routing of infrastructure lines is important to achieve proper flow.
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Trenching
Dry utilities are typically installed in a separate trench from wet utilities. The conduit for dry utilities is usually installed behind the curb and gutter, while wet utilities are installed in the street.
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Regulations
Wet utilities must adhere to specific fire safety, health and environmental regulations due to the nature of the materials transported.
