Water Service
Water Service Installation and Inspection Process
To initiate the Water Service Installation and Inspection Process, please request a Water Service Pre-Construction Meeting. Do this by "Requesting Inspection" for your Water Service Permit, as follows:
- Visit www.mybuildingpermit.com
- Search for your WATER SERVICE PERMIT number
- Select a date for the "PRE-CON MTG WATER" inspection type
- Schedule Early (3-5 days ahead of desired pre-con date)
- The meeting will not take place on the date selected. The inspector will see your request on this date and will typically call you within the next 3 days to schedule the meeting.
For more information, review Frequently Asked Questions and documents issued specifically for your project such as:
- WATER SERVICE PERMIT
- WATER SERVICE WORKSHEET - includes fee details, FAQs, etc.
- APPROVED PLANS - includes location and project details
- PLAN COVERSHEET - meter, service, and supply line sizing, etc. are outlined on this first page of the approved plan
Additional Documents:
When Is Water Service Work Typically Required?
The following circumstances* will require the installation of a new or upgraded water service:
- new construction
- renovations or additions that add plumbing fixtures can trigger a larger service requirement per the Universal Plumbing Code
- renovations or additions that require a fire sprinkler system may require a larger service to achieve fire flow
- renovations, additions or new construction where the existing water service contains lead materials that are no longer code compliant
*Note, this is not meant to be a fully inclusive list, other circumstances may require water service work.
What if There is an Existing Water Service?
Changing out an existing water service involves replacement of the water service line (meter to main), tapping a new hole in the water main, and decommissioning the existing hole. It involves a new meter setter box and the placement of a new meter (which will be compliant with the new radio-read technology). Most of the labor associated with this will be carried out by a private contractor hired by the homeowner. The labor will include excavation and restoration work in the street. The private contractor will coordinate this work with the City, because the City Public Works Department will handle the portion of the work that touches the water main (the tap and abandonment).
What Fees are Associated with Water Service Permitting?
The water service permit fees include inspection fees, one-time connection fees made to the water purveyor (SPU/City of Mercer Island) and a labor/materials deposit to cover the portion of the work completed by the Public Works Department.
What About the City's 2023/2024 Water Meter Replacement Project?
The purpose of the City's 2023/2024 Water Meter Replacement Project is to upgrade water meter infrastructure by adding an automated transmitter to the meter for the purpose of automated meter reading. If an existing meter is too old to support the new technology, the City will replace it with the same size meter as part of this project. Only the meter will change. The rest of the water service will remain as is, until such time as a property owner requests a building permit to renovate or build something new on the property. Once private development triggers the need for a larger or updated water service, the cost of that work is the responsibility of the private property owner.
