What is a Utility Tap Plan?
Why do I need a tap plan signed and sealed by a professional engineer?
A tap, simply put, is a literal tap on the main. This main could be either a water or wastewater main which are maintained by Austin Water. Each property that is served or wants to be served has a tap to the property. The Austin Water Taps Office processes this permit for both residential and commercial customers.
In order to tap the main, upgrade an existing tap, upgrade a meter, cutover from well or septic tank the Austin Water Taps Office requires a Tap Application to be filed. There is not an application fee, however, several items are needed in order to process the application. These requirements are different for both residential and commercial.
Each property that is served or is proposed to be served has to have a single or double utility tap to the property with a separate meter and/or clean-out for each unit on the property.
The Taps Office processes this permit for both residential and commercial customers.
New water and wastewater service connections are installed by the customer* and maintained by Austin Water. Plans must be prepared by a Texas Licensed Professional Engineer and submitted to Austin Water for approval prior to installation.
* Qualifying residential customers may be able to retain existing water and wastewater service connections.
PROCESS
After Austin Water’s Taps Office has determined that new water and wastewater service connections are needed, you will need to submit an engineered tap plan to the Austin Water TAP Plan Review Team. Customers with approved tap plans will be allowed to pay connection fees. No building permits will be issued until all tap fees have been paid.
Once the plans have been approved, a right-of-way permit from the City of Austin’s Transportation Department must be obtained prior to the installation of service connections.
PROPERTY OWNERS
In addition to new service connections, property owners are responsible for installing yard lines (water and wastewater pipes located between the property line and the building they serve).
ENGINEERS
Engineered tap plans must meet local and state design requirements.
Our engineering team have decades of combined utility design experience all around the City of Austin and surrounding areas and have a close relationship with the Austin Water Utility review staff and know exactly what is required resulting in a timely plan approval for both private residences and public commercial properties.
Call or Email us today @ mail@tapplan.com or (512) 862-7936 for more information.
How do I know if I need a Utility Tap Plan?
A Utility Tap Plan is required prior to submitting a residential plan review for the following project types:
• Construction of a duplex, garage apartment or secondary structure unless identified as a volume builder project.
• Remodeling or upgrade to an existing structure that increases the number of total bathrooms, in excess of 4.5, on site.
• Remodeling to an existing structure to increase the number of units on the site (i.e. converting a home to a duplex).
• Remodeling to an existing structure/site causing change to driveway location, garage entry/approach that would impact water/wastewater service placement.
A Utility Tap Plan is NOT required prior to submitting for a residential plan review for the following project types:
• Remodel of an existing structure that is kept under a 4.5 or less bathroom count.
• Construction of a swimming pool.
• Additions to an existing residence, such as decks.
• Projects that are part of a large commercial site project where utility plans are being reviewed by AWU engineers.
Call or Email us today @ mail@tapplan.com or (512) 862-7936 for more information.