Water connections

A water connection

According to § 4 par. 7 of Act no. 442/2002 Coll. on Public Water Systems and Public Sewage Systems the owner of the water main connection is the person who established the connection at his own cost, namely by the method determined by the operator of the public water main.
A connection is an independent construction. Regarding the construction of a connection the builder is obligated to secure, in accordance with Act no. 50/1976 (the construction act), the decision on the placement of the construction and to proceed in accordance with this law and with the preparation and carrying out of the construction to be governed by these technical requirements.

A water connection is the section of pipe connecting the distribution branch of a public water network with the interior water line of a property or building, in addition to the meter, if one is installed. A water connection is usually connected to a public water main by a tapping sleeve with a shut-off. The connection to the distribution branch with a shut-off is a component of the public water main. Water is carried through the water connection from the public water main to the property or building which is connected to the public water main. The water connection is a water construction according to a special provision (Act no. 442/2002 Coll., § 4 par. 1).
- is the part of the pipe from the public water main up to just before the water meter , or before the main household shut-off (if no meter is installed). Each property should have only one connection.

The water consumer

is the natural person or legal entity which has a contract closed on the supply of water with the owner of the public water main and who draws water from the public water main for the purpose of consumption or further supply to an end consumer ( Act no. 442/2002 Coll., § 4 par.3)

Owner of the water connection

or the owner of a sewage connection is the person who established the connection at his own costs, namely by the method determined by the operator of the water main. If the owner of the property is the owner of the water connection, ownership of the connection passes upon a change of ownership of the property to the new owner of the property (Act no. 442/2002 Coll., § 4 par. 6)

The owner of the water connection is obligated:

  1. to remove at his own costs the connection of a water connection to a public water main by the method determined by the operator of the public water main
  2. to ensure that a water connection was built such that it cannot lead to the polluting of drinking water in the public water main and cannot lead to the mixing of water from another source with water in the public water main
  3. to ensure the repair and maintenance of the water connection at his own cost (Act no. 442/2002 Coll., § 4 par. 7)

Technical conditions for establishing a water connection

General conditions

  1. The applicant for a connection to a public water main can connect to a public water main only on the basis of a written contract on the supply of water closed between the owner of the public water main, or if the case may be its operator (Act no. 442/2002 Coll., § 22, par. 1, § 23, par. 1)
  2. The owner or operator of the public water main closes a contract if the applicant for the connection to the public water main fulfills the technical conditions determined by the operator relating in particular to the location and method of connection to the public water main, including the technical conditions for placement of the water meter and the permissible capacity of the public water main (Act no. 442/2002 Coll., § 22, par. 2, § 23, par. 3)
  3. Only one water connection can be made from a public water main to a property or to a building. It is possible in justifiable cases and with written consent of the operator of the public water main to build one water line for multiple properties, or possibly multiple water lines for one property or building (Act no. 442/2002 Coll., § 22, par. 3)
  4. The owner or operator of a public water main can refuse a connection to a public water main if the applicant for a connection to the public water main does not meet the technical conditions for a public water connection as determined by the operator (Act no. 442/2002 Coll., § 22, par. 4)
  5. If the applicant for a connection to a public water main or a consumer has requirements for the time of water supply, the amount, pressure or a different quality of water which exceeds the possibilities of the supply of water through the public water main, the operator of the public water main can refuse to fulfill such requests. If the technical conditions of the public water main allow for it, the applicant for a connection to a public water main or a consumer, with the consent of the operator of the public water main, may meet these requirements safely with his own equipment at his own expense (Act no. 442/2002 Coll., § 22, par. 5)
  6. If the operator of the public water main decides to place a water meter on a water connection from which the drawing of water is currently not measured, the consumer is obligated to make according to the instructions of the operator of the public water main the necessary alterations for the water line connection (Act no. 442/2002 Coll., § 4, par. 5)
  7. A water meter placed at a water line connection is an accessory of the public water main (Act no. 442/2002 Coll., § 4, par. 11)
  8. The operator of the public water main decides on the technical solution, placement and parameters of the water connection, about the location and method of its connection to the public water main and the placement of the technical conditions of placing a water meter at the water line connections and regarding placement of the water meter shaft (Act no. 442/2002 Coll., § 17, par. 3.b, § 18, par. 3.b)

Necessary documents

TECHNICAL CONDITIONS FOR ESTABLISHING A WATER (SEWAGE) CONNECTION

General conditions

The establishing of a water connection is the building of a connection (including the water meter shaft) at the expense of an applicant (the consumer) without a connection to a public water main network. The establishing of a connection can be done by another subject authorized to perform such works. All of the mentioned works are at the cost of the applicant for a connection.

The connecting of a water connection to a public water main is itself the connecting of the water connection. The operator of a public water main may perform exclusively a connection on the basis of a request from an applicant for a connection. The connection is performed at the expense of the operator (or the owner) of the public water main.

  1. Before carrying out the connection itself the applicant is obligated:
    1. to approve project documentation with the operator of the public water main (sewage) in the meaning determined by the technical conditions of the operator
    2. to report the detailed construction and to secure at the relevant offices the consent for the excavation of roads and public places
    3. to fill out an application regarding the connection of property to the public water main and to agree to it or have it confirmed by the operator of the public water main
    4. to close a contract with the operator of the public water main for the drawing of drinking water from the public water main
    5. in the case of realization of the connection by the operator to close a contract for the work
    6. to submit the following documents:
      • confirmed request for the connection of a property to a public water main
      • a contract on the drawing of drinking water
      • approved project documentation for the building activities
      • deed of ownership in regard to the property
      • permission for special use of a road or a public space
      • the opinion of the administrator of the engineering networks in regard to the connection
      • consent of the relevant building office in regard to establishing the connection
  2. The applicant shall secure the establishing of a water connection at his own expense
  3. The connection of water line to a public water main can be performed by a professionally qualified company attended by the operator of the water main.
  4. Only the operator of the public water main can execute in regard to the water meter.
  5. The establishment of the water connection must be in accordance with the approved project documentation

A water main (sewage) connection can be established by:

  1. the operator of the public water main, on the basis of an order by an applicant for a connection
  2. another subject authorized to execute such work
  • the opinion of the approval, no older than 2 years old (if you place the order together with the request for an opinion, not applicable)
  • the situational plan of the property from the land registry office
  • ownership deed, possibly some other document demonstrating ownership
  • legal entities: a copy of a statement from the commercial registry, or business license, tax ID number, VAT ID number, bank account number
  • natural persons: a copy of the citizens ID card
  • if the water meter is placed into a foreign water meter shaft on a “T“ piece, then written (notarized, or a registered copy) consent of the owner of the meter shaft

    • • in the case of placement of the shaft on another’s property, written (notarized, or a registered copy) consent of the owner of that property regarding the placement of the water meter shaft, which at the same time allows access to the shaft for the purpose of meter-reading, repairs, maintenance and changing of the water meter

  • After submitting the opinion of the approval department you will be contacted by telephone and we will agree with you on a method of signing a contract (personally, sent by postal service) and a deadline for installing the water meter. After this is done the consumer will be sent one copy of the signed contract.
  • Climate conditions have a decisive impact on the establishing of connections. For this reason, installing of a water connection or a water meter is not done in the time period from 15 November to 15 March. It is possible to submit an application during this period, however.

Technical conditions

The path of the water connection should have on average an incline of at least 0.3% in the direction of the public water main. The minimum depth below ground is 1.2 – 1.6 m (according to the temperature zone), a maximum of 2 m. In order to exclude the risk of the water freezing (with subsequent cracking of the pipe), the household connection should not exit the ground, if it is not at least 600 mm from the interior surface of the wall.
The minimum inner diameter of the connecting pipe is:

  • steel pipe – DN 32
  • copper pipe – 35 mm (external diameter)
  • plastic pipe – 40 mm (external diameter).

A water connection to public water mains in the territorial sphere of individual water companies can be made from the following materials:

  1. Polyethylene (PE):
    • in all profile connections from distribution lines of PE
    • in connections smaller than DN 100 mm (RD and the like), connected to a ductile iron distribution line
  2. ductile iron (TVL):
    • in connection from ductile iron distribution lines, if the inner diameter of the connection is DN 100 mm and more
  3. steel (OC):
    • it is possible to use, in justifiable cases, on the basis of agreement from the operator of the public water main

    4. Safety zone

    A safety zone of 2 m from the axis of the pipe on each side is recommended. When laying a connection, it is necessary to respect provision STN 73 6 05 setting the minimal distance from engineering networks.

    Method of connecting

    The linking of a water connection to a public water main network is done with a tapping sleeve from the side or above for the full operation (in smaller dimensions to DN 50) or with the help of a coupler with branch (in larger dimensions). The connection must have at the site of linking to the public water main a connection cap (shut-off) with a ground shaft system. With passage of the line through foundations, a wall and the like, the crossing is handled with a protective device (for example, from a stone sewage pipe) with insulation. A water connection is designed according to STN 75 5401 and carried out according to STN 75 5402.

    Measuring

    The measuring of water for each water connection is secured through a water meter which is placed in the basement of a building maximally 2 m from an external wall. In buildings without basements the meter is placed in a shaft in the building or outside of it. A mechanical filter must be installed behind the water meter (it can be part of the reduction or some other fixture). A shut-off must be placed before the water meter for changing and controlling it. Behind the shut-off an outflow (trial) fixture must be placed for controlling the function of the reverse fixture (of the reverse valve), which is installed inside the water line. An outflow fixture for the distribution pipe draining must be placed behind the reverse fixture.

    Measuring the flow of drinking water, the water meter set up and water meter shafts

    1. The method of measuring, the water meter and its placement are designed according to the requirements of the operator of the public water main.
    2. The water meter system is usually placed in a water meter shaft.
      1. A water meter system for PE connections up to DN 50 (2“) including (screw-in joint) in the direction of the flow of the water is made up of:
        • a variable fixture intended for connecting the pipe ahead of the water meter
        • entry ball valve with a telescoping setting of the length with a prepared connection for a PE pipe
        • screw-on water meter
        • outgoing telescopic outlet with a clack valve and drainage
        • load-bearing casing for anchoring the water meter (with new connections)
        • adaptable fitting intended for coupling of a pipe behind the water meter
      2. A water meter system for ductile-iron connections of DN 80 and more (flange joint) in the direction of the water flow is made up of:
        • piping connections of a TP pipe of length L=1.0 m intended for connection of a pipe ahead of the water meter
        • reduction flange
        • water line shut-off
        • filter
        • TP flanged coupler joint (calming piece) length according to the type of water meter and manufacturer’s regulations
        • flange water meter
        • TP flange coupler joint (calming piece) length according to the type of water meter and manufacturer’s regulations
        • coupler assembly
        • clack valve
        • flange coupler joint with a branch (T 100/80) with discharging (can be replaced by a tapping sleeve with a shut off) - not mandatory
        • water line shut-off
        • reduction flange
        • piping connections of a TP pipe of length L=1.0 m intended for connection of a pipe behind the water meter
      3. Calming length:
        1. household screw-on water meter – with adequate calming length is the length of the screw-on connection
        2. coupled and vertical industrial flange water meters – 3 x DN ahead of the water meter and 1 x DN behind the water meter
        3. industrial flanged horizontal water meters– 5 x DN ahead of the water meter 1 x DN behind the water meter
      4. A water meter system can be placed:
        1. in the water meter shaft outside the building of the consumer
        2. in justifiable cases and with the consent of the operator of the water main, in the building of the consumer in the water meter shaft (in buildings without a basement) or underground (in the basement building, in a dry and well-aired place, pipes cannot be covered), and the distance of attaching the water meter from the first passage of the water line connection through the foundation, or wall of the customer’s building can be maximally 3 m. The operator of the public water main supplies and installs the water meter.
    3. A water meter is imbedded according to the assembly instructions of the manufacturer
    4. The supply of the entire water meter system can be ordered with the water company.
    5. The water meter shaft must be drained and placed as near as possible to the boundary of the affected property and the public space.
    6. StVPS a.s. must assess the placement of water meter shafts for housing blocks, grounds and the like individually.
    7. Only water line pipes can be placed in the water meter shaft.
    8. The water meter shaft must be arranged such that it does not lead to the water meter freezing
    9. Water meter shafts can be made of concrete or plastic – see the supplement. Concrete shafts must have the minimum dimensions as listed in the supplement. Round plastic shafts should be minimally 1 m in diameter and the water meter system must be placed well inside the shaft, not beneath the hood. Plastic water meter shafts of different shapes can be used (rectangular, oval), whose minimal interior size is 650 x 400 mm and the water meter system with venting can be placed beneath a heat-isolated hood (e.g. the Ekoprogres type and the like).