2006 Water Comprehensive Plan - City of Bellevue

Facility AbandonmentWhen the Utility abandons facilities, it shall be done in a safe and environmentally soundmanner, consistent with all applicable federal, state, and local regulations at the time ofabandonment.Discussion:Occasionally, the Utility no longer needs some element of the water system infrastructure, suchas a pipe, a pump station, or a reservoir. Whenever such facilities are abandoned, surplus of thefacility should be considered. When a water main is abandoned in-place, detailed as-builtrecords should be maintained in utility records.In the case of abandoned asbestos cement (AC) pipe, standard practice and currently acceptedenvironmental policy dictates that the City should leave the pipe in-place. Asbestos fibers in ACpipe are not released or harmful unless the pipe is broken or disturbed. In that case, the pipemust be dealt with as a hazardous material, and special precautions must be taken to preventfiber inhalation. For this reason, when AC pipe is abandoned in an easement on privateproperty, where it is unlikely the City would be aware of future pipe disturbance, it should beremoved by the Utility unless dictated by specific circumstances. For other instances, such asabandoned AC pipe in the right-of-way, removing the pipe would only concentrate the potentialproblem at a hazardous waste landfill.It is impossible to predict whether future regulations will require removal of abandoned ACpipe. Current practice and environmental policy do not suggest that such requirements will everexist. To remove the pipe just in case such rules are made would be an expensive and inefficientuse of Utility funds.Fire ProtectionFire System ResponsibilityThe Utility is responsible to provide and maintain system infrastructure to deliver waterfor fire protection to currently served residents and businesses.Discussion:The water system infrastructure, including water mains, storage, hydrants, pump stations, andrelated facilities, shall be designed to meet all applicable codes at the time of construction.The Utility is responsible to maintain, repair or replace mains, lines, hydrants, and valves asnecessary to keep said facilities in good working order. Where fire protection is provided,benefited properties should pay for that benefit.2-5