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New Development Process

Overview

New Development Process

If your residential, commercial, or industrial project requires constructing private and public facilities before service connections, this information will help you acquire water, sewer and recycled water (if available) service connections from existing or to-be constructed (public) EMWD facilities.

Development Services Department and Facility Design Guidelines

The New Development Process is detailed in Section 0 of the Development Services Department and Facility Design Guidelines. In addition, the following steps summarize the standard process to obtain EMWD service for new development.

The most current versions of all documents are available on this site. Keep your binder up-to-date by reviewing the Forms for New Development Process.

Note: To define submittal requirements and ensure a streamlined process, all projects are required to start with the Project Intake meeting described below, without requiring any deposit for plan of service, plan check or processing fees. Should you then decide to pursue your project(s), a deposit will be required and EMWD will open a Work Order to better track progress and charge time to the project(s).

Phase 1: Project Intake

The goal of this phase is to define the project intake requirements. The process begins by responding to the Project Intake Form, in preparation of the Project Intake meeting. The duration of this step varies depending on project complexity, and could be accomplished in about two to three weeks.

The Project Intake meeting is not a planning or design meeting; it is intended to familiarize the customer with EMWD’s development conditioning, review and approval process.

  • Step 1: Complete the Project Intake Form (DS-058).
  • Step 2: Contact EMWD and submit the form via email to the EMWD Intake Group at DSintakegroup@emwd.org
  • Step 3: EMWD staff (Development Coordinator) will review your project further and advise of the next steps in EMWD’s Development Process.

Phase 2: Approval of Design Conditions

The goal of this step is to obtain approval of Design Conditions for your project. The duration of this step varies depending on project complexity.

  • Step 1: Submit a deposit to open a Work Order with the EMWD Development Services department. Along with your submission, please reference the Due Diligence meeting and the Development Services Engineer’s name (from Phase 1, Step 3 above).
  • Step 2: EMWD staff will lead the project review with you, resulting in the approval of Design Conditions which are valid for two years (or until Plan Check starts, whichever comes first).

For the benefit of consulting firms and for standard formatting reasons, please see the sample design report below.

Sample Design Report

Note: Please do not copy these studies, as the design criteria within may not be updated and projects also vary. These sample studies are to be used for formatting purposes only.


These project specific studies will be reviewed in detail; so always use the most up-to-date EMWD design criteria for water, sewer and recycled water which can be found and are regularly updated within our Development Services Department and Facility Design Guidelines.

Phase 3: Get Your Plans Checked and Approved

Once your Design Conditions have been approved, you can begin the Plan Check process. The duration of this phase depends on project complexity. You must submit your design for Plan Check within two years of approval of Design Conditions.

Make a copy of your approved Design Conditions and submit it with a deposit to open a second Work Order for the Plan Check process.

EMWD staff will lead the Plan Check with you, resulting in signed plans/mylars. Signed plans are valid for six months (or until the start of construction, whichever comes first).

EMWD Standards, Specifications, and Drawings

Phase 4: Sign a Standard Facilities Services Agreement (Construction Agreement)

After you receive signed plans from EMWD, you must enter into a construction agreement with EMWD to build public facilities.

The construction agreement may include the following:

  • Certified Payrolls (if a prevailing wage contract)
  • Insurance and Bonding
  • Frontage Reimbursement Map(s) (exhibits)
  • Proposed Bids for Potential Reimbursement or CFD (when applicable)

Phase 5: Pay the Applicable Project Fees with Standard Facilities Services Agreement

Before receiving EMWD service, you must pay the applicable project fees, some of which are:

  • EMWD Engineering and Inspection Fees
  • Frontage Fees
  • Special Assessment Fees
  • Fringe Annexation Fees
  • Connection Fees (may be deferred until time of occupancy request.)
  • Any other fees identified at time of application, or during the project duration.