Consumer Responsibilities
Irrigation Installation Requirements
1. A New York State Department of Health form 347 along with a check made payable to Nassau County Department of Health for associated fee, a Water District irrigation permit application, an installation site plan, and a $150.00 permit fee payable to the Locust Valley Water District must be filed with the District before work commences.
2. All water services with an irrigation system require the installation of a Nassau County Department of Health approved double check valve assembly on the “house side” of the meter for total containment of the entire property.
3. No connections may be made to the water service pipe on the “street side” of the meter and double check valve assembly.
4. If the water meter is in a building, a remote meter must be installed and the water service curb stop accessible before work commences on the irrigation system.
5. For the protection of the homeowner, a second NCDOH approved backflow prevention device is recommended at the beginning of the irrigation system. This device should be installed in a manner to facilitate testing and service.
6. The total containment double check valve assembly must be installed at a location directed by the District in accordance with District typical plans or a specific NCDOH approved engineering plan.
7. No irrigation system connection on a domestic water service may be greater than 1” in diameter.
8. No irrigation supply line may be connected inside a typical meter pit for a 1” or smaller service.
9. A rain sensor and a clock timer are required. A “smart” internet-based controller is recommended for an efficient system. The timer/controller must be set to follow Nassau County Water Conservation Ordinance 248A-1987.
10. An outside shutoff for the irrigation branch line must be made available to the Water District.
11. A flow rate of no more than 15 gallons per minute per zone is recommended to maintain adequate household pressure and to reduce water hammer on the homeowner’s water system.
12. Backflow prevention devices are to be tested by a New York State certified tester upon installation and annually thereafter. The completed NYSDOH form 1013 must be filed with the District.
13. No water will become available to the irrigation system until the installation is inspected and approved by the Water District.
The District serves Locust Valley, and the Incorporated Villages of Lattingtown, Matinecock, and Mill Neck.
Backflow Rules
Backflow hazards are all too common and are caused by many appliances and connections to your water system. Direct connections to irrigation systems; private wells; solar or geothermal heating systems; chemical tanks or vats; swimming and decorative pools and even some handheld showerheads require varying degrees of backflow protection.
Consumers with an approved backflow prevention device are mandated by New York State law to have the device tested annually by a state certified tester and submit a New York State Department of Health form 1013 to the water district.
For a list of local backflow testers, click the button below:
For the Nassau County Department of Health’s complete list of certified backflow testers, please click the button below.
Below is the link to NYS Form DOH 1013 “Report on Test and Maintenance of Backflow Prevention Device” which is to be provided to the consumer’s backflow prevention device tester to be completed and remitted to the District once testing is complete.
https://www.health.ny.gov/
All new water services and existing services with aesthetically objectionable appliances must have an approved double-check valve assembly installed at the water meter in accordance with Locust Valley Water District plans and specifications.
Consumers with connections to hazardous systems requiring a reduced pressure zone device must have a professional engineer or registered architect develop and submit plans to the district for Nassau County Department of Health approval.
No introduction of chemicals (antifreeze, herbicides, pesticides, etc.) to piping systems supplied by the District is permitted.
To ensure the quality of drinking water and protect consumers, the District will terminate water service or test and invoice the account of any consumer failing to test their backflow prevention device annually. Devices which fail testing must be repaired or replaced within 30 days.
*This is only a partial list of requirements regarding cross-connection control and backflow prevention. For further details or information, please contact the Locust Valley Water District.*
Nassau County Sprinkling Regulations
The use of water for irrigation purposes for lawns, shrubs, trees, plants and vegetation of any type is regulated by Nassau County ordinances. Absolutely no watering is allowed from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Watering is permitted all other hours under the following conditions:
1. Even-numbered properties and premises without numbers may be watered on even dates.
2. Residents with odd house numbers may water on odd dates.
These regulations apply to automatic and manually-controlled sprinkler systems as well as hose sprinkling.
Learn more about conserving water here.
Stop Throwing Out Pollutants
Security
If you see something – say something. The Locust Valley Water District has implemented a security system in the interest of public health and safety and asks all residents to remain vigilant and call the district office if they see something suspicious, regardless of the time of day, so the proper authorities can investigate the situation.
Hydrants: No one is permitted to operate a hydrant without prior authorization from the water district. Report hydrant tampering to the water district.
Water District Property: Any unusual or suspicious activity taking place on or near water district property should be reported to the police or the water district as soon as possible.
Ask for ID: If someone claiming to work for the water district requests entry to your property, ask to see identification and call the district for confirmation before allowing them to enter your property. Do not grant anyone access to your property until you are absolutely sure of their identity.
Repair Responsibilities
Meter Responsibilities
As a consumer of the Locust Valley Water District your responsibility with respect to your water meter is as follows:
Meters 1 ½ inches or larger:
- Must be purchased through the District and when necessary, replaced at the property owner’s expense within 90 days after its being deemed unrepairable by the District.
All Meters:
- No meter shall be out of service for more than 90 days due to poor piping, inoperative valves, an unsafe meter pit or building conditions. If the property owner fails to repair the defective condition within 30 days after being so notified by the District, the District may terminate the service until the condition is rectified.
- All defective meters must be repaired and/or replaced at the property owner’s expense before the sale or transfer of the property.
If you plan to sell or transfer ownership of your residence, you are required to contact the District and request a final reading of your water meter. Along with the final reading, the District will perform the following inspections:
- Water service for leaks or deficiencies
- Water meter to determine the meter’s age and if it is in good working order. Any meter 20 years or older must be replaced. Meters up to 1” in size will be replaced by the District at no cost. Meters 1 ½” or larger is the responsibility of the seller of the property to replace at their expense. Any meter 1 ½” or larger that is obsolete and is not supported by the District due to the discontinuance of parts must be replaced at the seller’s expense.
- If an irrigation system is present, a properly installed Double Check Valve must be in place, or one will need to be installed for the property be in compliance with Nassau County Department of Health regulations.
All failed inspections will be noted on the final bill and it is the seller’s responsibility to rectify these deficiencies before the closing of the property and/or reserve funds in escrow to get the water service in compliance with code and/or to pass inspection in accordance with District guidelines.