§ 6.5. Water Facilities

6.5.1 General Requirements :

A. When a public water main is not accessible, the developer shall take necessary action to extend or create a water-supply district for the purpose of providing a water-supply system capable of providing for domestic water use and fire protection.

B. When a public water main is accessible, the developer shall install adequate water facilities (including fire hydrants) subject to the specifications of state or local authorities. All water mains shall be at least six (6) inches in diameter.

C. Water main extensions shall be approved by the Development Officer.

D. The location of all fire hydrants, all water supply improvements, and the boundary lines of proposed districts, indicating, all improvements proposed to be served, shall be shown on the preliminary plat, and the cost of installing same shall be borne by the developer and included in the subdivision improvement agreement and security to be furnished by the developer.

6.5.2 Individual Wells and Central Water Systems .

A. Where a public water system is not available and in the discretion of the Planning Commission, individual wells may be used or a central water system provided in a manner so that an adequate supply of potable water will be available to every lot in the subdivision. Water samples shall be submitted to the Galveston County Health Department for its approval and individual wells and central water systems shall be approved by the Galveston County Health Department. Approvals shall be submitted to the Planning Commission prior to final subdivision plat approval along with documentation regarding maintenance and ownership for any central water system.

B. If the Planning Commission requires that a connection to a public water main be eventually provided as a condition to approval of an individual well or central water system, the applicant shall make arrangements prior to receiving final plat approval for future water service. Performance or cash bonds may be required to ensure compliance.

(Ordinance No. 15-2007 of May 24, 2007)

6.5.3 Fire Hydrants . Fire hydrants shall be required for all subdivisions located within a water utility district. Fire hydrants shall be located no more than 1,000 feet apart and within 500 feet of any structure and shall be approved by the applicable fire protection unit. To eliminate future street openings, all underground utilities for fire hydrants, together with the fire hydrants themselves, and all other supply improvements shall be installed before any final paving of a street shown on the subdivision plat. Outside an existing water district, the developer shall provide a fire protection system using alternative methodologies (ponds, pools, fire pumps, storage tanks or similar systems). Minor Plats are exempt from using alternative methodologies.