Engineering

Sweetwater Authority performs its design review to ensure compliance with the Authority’s Rates & Rules (PDF), Design Standards (PDF) and Construction Standards. Listed below is the Authority’s typical review process for a project:

1. The Authority typically begins its review following receipt of a defined scope of work, a project’s plan submittal for projects within Chula Vista and National City, and Required Agency Clearance Form (RACF) in County of San Diego with associated building plans, or receipt of a copy of plans for the lead jurisdictional agency. Preliminary plans that are also under lead agency jurisdictional review are acceptable. 
2. The Authority will review the required fire protection requirements as stated on the plans, or letter issued by the local fire jurisdiction indicating the gallons of water per minute required for the project. The Authority will reply to the fire protection requirements in a design review letter or a letter issued to the Developer or local fire agency as applicable. Please note, the Authority’s current distribution system may not be able to deliver the water, as required by the local fire agency, at certain locations. It is critical that Authority staff analyze the capacity of the existing distribution system against the fire flow requirements. Substantial water facility upgrades, at the developer’s cost, may be required.
3. For RACF, the Authority performs a review of the plans, and once the Authority has no comments on the plans, issues a fees and deposits letter. Upon payment and application submittal, the Authority will sign the RACF form, and return it to the developer. As plans develop, the Developer will be required to submit jurisdictional approval plans and adhere to the Authority’s Rates and Rules. 
4. For all other plans submittals, the Authority reviews the plans for compliance with its Rates and Rules, Design and Construction Standards and will formally respond to a Developer with a Design Review letter. The letter includes Authority design review comments, requested revisions, and may include plans with Authority markings. The Authority typically responds to each project plan submittal within six weeks of receipt. The Authority's response time may be longer for projects that require specialized materials, are significant in size, or required public water facilities additions/alterations.
5. The review process typically requires three iterations of plan submittals. For larger projects, such as a subdivision, more review iterations are likely.
6. Once plans are reviewed and approved, the Authority will issue a Fees and Deposits letter requesting payment of all applicable fees and deposits. Upon payment and application submittal, the Authority will issue a Design Review Approval letter, in some cases typically with an agreement to improve development - water facilities, the Authority will issue a Design Review Approval letter informing the developer of its acceptance of the plans as submitted.
7. Following acceptance of plans, the Authority will request the Developer to provide the location of the proposed water facilities, typically by painting a white “W” at the face of the curb, or edge of street when no curb is present. In some cases, a Professionally Licensed land surveyor’s cut sheet is applicable. Once painted, or information is provided, the Authority will begin processing a cost estimate for the project, that typically takes 4-6 weeks to develop.  The cost estimate is the basis of cost, or overall value of the project's water facility work.

Following the design, review, estimate and approval process, construction of water facilities shall be performed entirely by the Developer as follows:

1. If the Developer installs, or elects to have its subcontractor install, the proposed water facilities, the Developer shall be required to enter into an Agreement to Improve Development (PDF) – Water Facilities (Agreement) and comply with Items 2-5, below. 
2. Prior to drafting the Agreement, the Developer shall submit the name of the subcontractor who will install the water facilities. The Developer or its subcontractor shall submit a Contractor’s Information and Experience Form (PDF), demonstrating the Developer’s qualifications to perform public water utility construction work. In the event that the requesting Developer or its subcontractor cannot demonstrate minimum qualifications, the Authority may reject the Developer or its selected subcontractor.
3. Prior to the Developer (directly or through a subcontractor) performing the water facility installation, the Authority will require submittal and approval of Certificates of Insurances that comply with the minimum insurance requirements as stated in Exhibit D (PDF). 
4. Prior to the Developer (directly or through a subcontractor) performing the water facility installation, the Authority will require with the Agreement both Payment and Performance Bonds (PDF) for 100 percent of the estimated construction cost. 
5. In the event of failure of any facilities installed by the Applicant within a one (1)-year warranty period, the Authority will notify the Developer and its subcontractor, if applicable, to initiate repair of the affected facilities within five (5) working days. Failure to respond within five (5) working days after notification will result in the Authority performing all repairs and the Developer being invoiced for all labor, overhead, and material costs incurred in making repairs. However, if the Authority determines that immediate repairs are warranted, the Authority may elect to make the repairs and invoice the Developer without notification. The Authority will require two (2) names and phone numbers of responsible personnel to be contacted during an emergency.

The payment reconciliation process shall typical be performed as follows:

1. Upon completion of water facility work, and acceptance by the Authority and lead jurisdictional agency, a final billing (e.g. final paving invoicing, materials, etc.), if necessary, based on a compilation of actual costs will be provided to the depositor in a Project Deficit Letter (PDF).
2. Following payment of the outstanding deficit, the Authority shall record a Notice of Completion, then provide the Developer a Notice of Acceptance Letter (PDF). The letter will indicate work is complete, and the Authority accepts operation and maintenance of the completed water facilities. The letter also includes a copy of the recoded Notice of Completion for the project.
3. Following processing the Notice of Acceptance Letter, the Authority will tabulate all cost and issue a final refund based on a compilation of actual costs in a Project Refund Letter (PDF).