Water, Sewer & Septic

Water and Sewer Utility Design

Design of water mains, sanitary sewers and service connections for developments, extensions and utility upgrades. Typical US fees run $5,000 to $75,000, and most projects take 1 to 6 months. Our drawings, calculations and reports are sealed by a Professional Engineer (PE) licensed in the state where your project is located, ready for permit submission.

Typical US fee$5,000 to $75,000

Typical timeline1 to 6 months

Permit drawingsSealed by a PE

What the work involves

Civil engineers design water distribution and sanitary sewer pipes, manholes, valves, hydrants and service laterals, sized to demand and fire flow, and prepare plans for utility and state approvals. Extensions to reach a property, developer agreements and easements are common parts of the work.

When you need it

Development needs water and sewer extension
Property far from existing mains
Utility requires engineered plans
Replacing aging mains (municipal)

What you receive

Utility plans and profiles
Hydraulic calculations
Permit and approval applications
Construction observation and as-builts

What drives the cost

Estimate. Depends on length, depth and approvals.

Related calculators

Trench Volume CalculatorCalculate trench excavation, pipe displacement and backfill volume in cubic yards for utility and drain pipe trenches.Hazen-Williams Head Loss CalculatorCalculate friction head loss and pressure drop in water pipes with the Hazen-Williams equation from flow, diameter, length and C factor.Manning's Equation Pipe Flow CalculatorCalculate full-flow capacity and velocity of a circular pipe with Manning's equation from diameter, slope and roughness n.Pipe Slope CalculatorCalculate pipe slope in ft/ft, percent and inches per foot from upstream and downstream invert elevations and pipe length.

Frequently asked questions

How much does water and Sewer Utility Design cost?

Across the US, water and Sewer Utility Design usually costs $5,000 to $75,000. Estimate. Depends on length, depth and approvals.

How long does water and Sewer Utility Design take?

Plan on 1 to 6 months from signed proposal to stamped deliverables, longer if a site visit, soil testing or a permit review cycle is involved.

Do I need a licensed PE for water and Sewer Utility Design?

In most US jurisdictions, yes. When the work needs a permit, the plans, calculations or report usually must be sealed by a Professional Engineer licensed in the state where the project is located. Every deliverable we issue for permit is sealed that way.

Will I also need a land surveyor?

Sometimes. Depending on the site, water and Sewer Utility Design can also involve a land surveyor, utility company or geotechnical engineer. We tell you up front which other professionals your project needs and coordinate with them so the drawings agree.

Who do you provide water and Sewer Utility Design for?

Most of our clients for this service are developers, municipalitys and business owners. Describe your project and one of our engineers will reply with scope, fee and schedule.

Who pays for a main extension?

Typically the developer or owner, sometimes with reimbursement agreements. Utility policies spell out cost sharing and any refunds from later connections.

What is a will-serve letter?

A utility's confirmation it can provide service. Lenders and planning boards often require it before approval.

Can I use septic instead?

Only where allowed and where soils pass testing. Many jurisdictions require sewer connection when a main is within a set distance.

Who approves the plans?

The utility and often a state agency. State drinking water and environmental agencies often review water and sewer extensions.