Where Underground Water Line and Service Entrance Crosses
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oldnslo
Super Member
Typically water lines are buried much deeper than an electrical service entrance would be.
In this area water lines are 5 feet deep minimum. Electric lines are 18-24" deep in most cases.
powerstroke444e
Veteran Member
Use sand to cover water line so that it don't settle and make the electic sag/break.
Kays Supply
Veteran Member
It couldn't hurt to slide some conduit over both 4-5 feet so if digging for either you would have a little safety factor. If the water line is plastic, a tracer wire would be usefull if digging later also. I just had to repair a water line the power company hit while installing a new gas line. They had a locate but there wasn't any tracer so the water line was impossible to locate.
eepete
Platinum Member
Find out how deep things in your area are buried. In this part of North Carolina, the power company puts the drop 2.5' down and the water company advises against putting any water line more than 18" deep. In the north (like oldnslo) the rules are different.
Agree with sand or pea gravel at the intersection point, and if you can put the power line in a 10' piece of conduit at the cross, that's good too. Be sure to put a colored tape about 1' down in any trench so both warn you and help you find it later. Take careful measurements so you can find the intersection later.
Pete
Agree with sand or pea gravel at the intersection point, and if you can put the power line in a 10' piece of conduit at the cross, that's good too. Be sure to put a colored tape about 1' down in any trench so both warn you and help you find it later. Take careful measurements so you can find the intersection later.
Pete
Mousefield
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Up our way the water line is usually deeper. The electric lines by code are 3 ft deep. Using sand for lining the ditch and then bedding the line is a really good idea. Put yellow marking tape 1-2 feet above the water or electric lines. This way if someone is digging in the future they will find the tape before they pull up the water or electric lines. Many places sell this tape.
jenkinsph
Super Star Member
You should put the tracer tape above both water and electric lines. The depth of the water line should be below the frost line to keep it from freezing. So this depends on your location, I run water lines 30" depth and secondary power 24" depth unless under concrete. You are allowed less separation distance where lines cross than when the lines are running parallel.
Good idea to ask the utility companies about this in your area to see what is the normal depths for this.
Tractor Shopper
Bronze Member
Up here in Canada we have very we have very tough rules with regards to electrical and water services. I worked for a municipal water department and the rules went as followed:
1.Services had to cross each other at 90 degree angles
2. there had to be a 3 foot vertical separation from each other(up here water was deeper of coarse due to frost)
3.on a 90 degree crossing electrical had to be encased in concrete 5 feet on either side of the water service.
4.red electrical service tape to be run with electrical service at an elev of 1 foot higher than the electrical service as a warning.
5. if water and electrical had to run parrallel to each other a minimum of 6 feet separation was required.
Pretty tough rules but all due to safety, i know i wouldn't want to dig through an electrcal line or a water line but at least i could repair the water line.
1.Services had to cross each other at 90 degree angles
2. there had to be a 3 foot vertical separation from each other(up here water was deeper of coarse due to frost)
3.on a 90 degree crossing electrical had to be encased in concrete 5 feet on either side of the water service.
4.red electrical service tape to be run with electrical service at an elev of 1 foot higher than the electrical service as a warning.
5. if water and electrical had to run parrallel to each other a minimum of 6 feet separation was required.
Pretty tough rules but all due to safety, i know i wouldn't want to dig through an electrcal line or a water line but at least i could repair the water line.
Tractor Shopper
Bronze Member
Forgot to mention water lines run a minimum 5 feet deep here.
dcyrilc
Elite Member
I always run my power lines shallower than my water lines. As an electrician by trade who has done undergound electrical for 30+ years and hates plumbing, I'ld rather hit and repair the electric than the water. LOL
Of course, I busted a water line today and will have to fix it in the morning. Years back I stubbed up a 3/4" line for a future faucet and it was overgrown with brush and forgotten...at least until I hit it and created a gusher.:laughing:
Of course, I busted a water line today and will have to fix it in the morning. Years back I stubbed up a 3/4" line for a future faucet and it was overgrown with brush and forgotten...at least until I hit it and created a gusher.:laughing:
