Why do we need security zones for water supply and sewerage and the basic requirements for them

The sewerage system is a complex consisting of pipelines, a pumping station and treatment facilities. It is designed taking into account the volume of moving effluents and the possibilities of their treatment. But they do not exclude that a situation may arise when the treatment facilities will not be able to cope with a large unforeseen amount of sewage. Therefore, the project must take into account the security zone of the sewage treatment plant. This is an area around designated structures of a certain area, which protects the environment and soil from sewage emissions.

What is prohibited in the security zone

There are strict requirements for the security zone of water supply and sewerage networks. This mainly concerns its possible operation, in particular, the construction of buildings and structures for various purposes. The requirements are as follows:

• do not carry out the construction of residential buildings;
• not to organize sports and playgrounds, recreation and entertainment areas;
• plant trees near the laid pipe lines at a distance of at least 3 m;
• you cannot change the amount of soil inside the zone, because the sewer system is designed for the landscape of the territory;
• drilling, piling or blasting the ground must not be carried out;
• some types of construction are possible, but a permit must be obtained for this;
• construction inside the security zone must be carried out by specialized companies, therefore, to obtain a permit, you will need to provide a license to carry out construction work;
• it is impossible to change the line of the coast and the bottom of nearby reservoirs, because this can lead to movements of the soil layers, which will create pressure on the laid pipes and tanks;
• you must not block access roads, which in extreme situations (fire, discharge of sewage) are the only highways, rescue services arrive along them.

Sewer networks located underground are not provided with any warning signs. The only element that denotes them is a cast-iron hatch with the letter "K" on the front surface. That is, pipes and tanks laid underground are a latent threat to the environment. Any action around them, even out of ignorance, can turn into a big disaster. Therefore, before starting any work, especially construction, it is required to obtain a permit. It is confirmed by architectural bureaus or research institutes for construction, Vodokanal trusts or the district administration (its construction department).

Unauthorized construction in security zones is stipulated in legislative acts. If this happens, the contractor, as well as the customer, will incur administrative penalties. These are usually large fines.

If permits for the construction of objects in the security zone are received, you must strictly follow the recommendations:

• strictly observe the standards and rules of construction;
• do not harm the sewer systems;
• if during the construction process any discrepancies were found in the issued design documentation, the work must be stopped immediately until clarified.

After the completion of the work, it is necessary to invite a representative of the organization that issued the permit to approve the compliance of the activities carried out with the design and estimate documentation. It is imperative that the contractor carries out garbage removal at the end of the work, and dirty snow in the winter.

Regulations

Create a security zone for the sewer in accordance with SNiP. They indicate the requirements for the formation of protective areas, as well as other rules and regulations.

1. SNiP 2.04.03-85. The requirements for the design of security zones are indicated here. Today they use its updated version under the number 40-03-99. But the first document can also be used.
2. SNiP 2.05.06-85. This set contains standards that relate to pipelines.
3. SNiP 2.07.01-89. This document contains everything related to the planning and development of settlements.
4. SNiP 3.05.04-85. Here, organizational work related to the formation of security zones and the acceptance of work carried out within the zone are indicated.

There is a main requirement for the creation of protective and security zones. It is related to local conditions and characteristics. All work is carried out based on the calculation of the relief of the site, the type of soil, the remoteness of open water bodies, the depth of the groundwater and other things.

There are special requirements that determine the operating conditions for sewer systems and the formation of security zones. These include regions with abnormal temperature drops: regions of the Far North, desert regions. Special conditions include seismically hazardous areas, as well as areas where soils are soft or very wet.

Additional requirements for security zones

There are certain standards that determine the protective zone of the laid pipelines:

• If the soil is dry, the protection zone along the pipe should be 10 m wide, 5 m on each side.
• If the ground is wet, this parameter increases to 50 m.
• If engineering networks are laid inside a built-up area, the security zone can be reduced or increased, coordinating this with the SES, which will operate on the basis of SanPiN.
• If the diameter of the pipe to be laid does not exceed 600 mm, the width of the zone does not exceed 10 m.
• If the pipe diameter is 1000 mm, the security zone is increased from 40 to 100 mm.

The requirements for the size of the security zone must be taken into account when creating a project for sewage and treatment facilities. In some cases, you can deviate from the rules. But all changes will have to be coordinated with the sanitary-epidemiological station.

Distances between plumbing and sewerage

If there is a breakthrough in the sewer network, and there is a water supply nearby, there is a high probability of contamination of drinking water. To prevent this from happening, SNiPs set standards for the mutual arrangement of these two communication networks, as well as sewage systems with other engineering systems.

The most important thing is to place the water supply above the sewer. Upon breakthrough, the last runoff will be absorbed by the soil. If such a laying is not possible, the sewer pipes must be laid in sealed casings.

The distance between the water supply and sewerage system varies in the range of 1.5-5.0 m. It all depends on the material from which the pipes are made. Distance between the sewer system and other utilities:

• storm sewer - 0.4 m;
• gas pipe - 1-5 m;
• live cables - 0.5 m;
• heat supply system - 1 meter.

Between the security zone of the sewage system and water bodies, the distance, which is determined by SNiPs, must also be observed. To the river - 250 m, to the lake - 100 m, to the level of occurrence of aquifers - 50 m.