Plan Review & Permitting

Master Plan Review

Submittals of the master water plan for review shall include a CAD generated layered PDF file of the plan containing elements as outlined on the Master Water Plan Checklist. A Master Plan is required for phased projects, complex projects, projects that require off-site infrastructure, or other projects as deemed necessary by the District. Do not submit a Master Plan without first receiving acknowledgement it is necessary by District staff.

Master plan submittals shall be electronically transmitted with the appropriate contact information to [email protected]. Submittals shall not be considered received until a submittal received response email is sent by the District.

See the Development Fees page for master plan submittal fees

Water Plan Review

All submittals for water plan review shall include CAD generated and layered PDF files.

The first submittal of the water plan for review shall include the following individual PDF files:

  • Water plan containing elements as outlined on the Water Plan Review Checklist
  • Paving/Sewer plans (if applicable)
  • Grading and drainage plans (showing topographic information along the water line alignment)
  • Landscape plans.

Subsequent water plan submittals shall only include a revised PDF file of the water plan unless changes also occur to the supporting plans. Water plan submittals shall be electronically transmitted with the appropriate contact information to [email protected]. Submittals shall not be considered received until a submittal received response email is sent by the District.

Necessary legal descriptions and legal drawings for public water easements should accompany a submittal in a separate PDF only after alignments have been established in the review process.

See the Development Fees page for water plan submittal fees

Plan Approval

When reviews are completed, the District will issue an “Approval Process and Materials” letter outlining the approval process the materials needed. This process involves first obtaining approval from the appropriate fire authority (where applicable), then submitting a bond original of the water plans to the District for signed approval.

Once signed by the District, an approval package will be issued electronically in PDF to the consultant and/or owner including:

  • Signed Approved Water Plans (by all agencies)
  • Approval Letter
  • Bulletin 10 Letter (with PWS number for PDEQ submittal)
  • Water Service Agreement (WSA)

It is the responsibility of the consultant to submit to Pima County Department of Environmental Quality (PDEQ) on any approved water plan to receive either an Approval to Construct (ATC), or to be issued a PDEQ exemption. Evidence of both an ATC certificate and approved plans with the ATC stamp are needed prior to permitting.

Plan Revision or Re-Approval

For formal plan revisions after plan approval or during construction, applicable revision plan sheet(s) are to be submitted electronically in PDF to Engineering staff for an expedited review.  Once receiving approval, the revised plan sheet(s) shall be submitted in mylar, to be initialed/dated by the District Engineer, and copied for distribution to the field.  An electronic scan of the approved revision will also be sent to the consultant. Whether a change to the approved plan constitutes a formal revision or simply a red-line change is at the discretion of the District Engineer.

Water design plans that expire one year after an approval (if no construction permit is issued), are eligible for a one-time re-approval upon request of the original consultant. Staff will make the approved mylar on file available to the consultant to be manually updated with a new signature block for re-approval signatures. If no construction permit is issued within two years of the original approval, a new submittal with associated fees is required.

See the Development Fees page for plan revision and re-approval fees

Plan Resources

Standard AutoCAD Drawings
Metro Water has standard cover and plan sheets for creation of water improvement plans for development within the District.

Standard Cover and Plan Sheets (AutoCAD 2018 Format)
(A Google folder window will open for download)

If there are any questions regarding the above CAD files, or you need them provided to you in an alternate version, please forward a request to [email protected].

Capping and Well Abandonment Policy
Open or improperly abandoned wells can serve as a conduit for surface water runoff containing unwanted toxins or pollutants directly to the groundwater supply. This is especially critical with new development in the proximity of public supply wells. Existing state rules mandate registered and unregistered wells located in an area that will be impacted by new development be properly capped or abandoned to protect groundwater quality and public health. The purpose of the following guidance manual is to assist developers and well owners with simple procedures to cap or abandon wells within the Metro Water District.

Well Capping and Abandonment Manual (with Document Links and Procedures)
Metro Water Well Waiver (Fillable PDF)

Public Water Easement Conveyance Cover Sheet
The District has a fillable PDF conveyance cover sheet for new public water easement dedications, referencing a legal description (“Exhibit A”) and legal drawing (“Exhibit B”).

Public Water Easement Conveyance Cover Sheet

Permitting

The process for permitting public water construction in the District will be outlined on the issued “Approval Letter”.

The following shall either have been received or presented at the time of permit issuance:

  • Receipts or copies of all easements related to the new facilities
  • Two (2) signed/notarized originals of the WSA
  • Inspection Fees (see Development Fees page)
  • Fire Flow Impact Fees, if applicable (see Development Fees page)
  • Approved materials (with ATC stamp)
  • One (1) – 4 mil. reverse-read, double-matte mylar set of plans
  • Four (4) – construction paper sets of plans
  • Electronic version of ATC plans in PDF (in email)
  • Electronic version of CAD files on CD or in email (with all externally referenced files)
  • Well Waiver, if applicable (for retaining an existing well)

After permit issuance, the contractor shall then coordinate a pre-construction meeting with the inspector prior to commencement of construction.

Note: It is imperative that all interaction with Metro Water customers and the existing public water system–including water taps/connections, turning of public valves for shutdowns or other reasons, flushing, etc.–shall be done by Metro Water staff as coordinated through the Metro Water Inspector.

It is the responsibility of the contractor to follow all requirements for permitting within the public right-of-way, as well as comply with all Blue Stake law in Arizona related to the location of underground utilities prior to excavation. Visit arizona811.com for more information.

See our Water Meter Applications page for instructions on obtaining service

Miscellaneous Permit Requirements

For minor construction that does not require a water plan, such as new commercial water service or fire service connection, the following are requirements for obtaining a miscellaneous water construction permit. Please verify with District staff that the public water work only requires a miscellaneous permit and not a formal water plan.

Miscellaneous Water Construction Permit Requirements