On Tuesday, the Board of Supervisors passed an ordinance supporting changes to the Engineering Design Standards Manual. Pima County’s Regional Wastewater Reclamation Department (RWRD) updated its Manual through a comprehensive stakeholder process with participants from the Tucson Metro Chamber of Commerce, the Southern Arizona Home Builders Association (SAHBA), and the Tucson Utility Contractors Association.

During the three-year external stakeholder process, the County received over 700 comments on the manual. Jackson Jenkins, RWRD director, says, “The manual is a culmination of a multi-year outreach effort where stakeholders and the department worked through many items to arrive at a clear and concise presentation of the design and construction requirements for public sewer served by RWRD.”

In the new Manual, the County has committed to a five-working-day review for variances. In addition, RWRD has established updated engineering and construction sewer standards to streamline services.

Implementation of the updated sections of the Manual will begin in 60 days for all first submittals of tentative subdivision plats, final subdivision plats, landscape plans, paving and grading plans, and public sewer construction plans. For other applicant submittals, the revised standards will be applicable in six months.

“The updated Manual is another part of the County’s continuing commitment to creating a positive climate for business and improving business service, both part of the 2012-2014 Economic Development Plan,” says County Administrator Chuck Huckelberry.

In addition to accelerated variance review, the ordinance establishes a Standards Committee comprised of internal staff and external members of the community for a new customer appeals process. Also, the ordinance provides guidance for the conveyance of public sewer easements, improved sewer flow management information, new sewer pipe materials, and development of best management practices for wastewater pumping systems.

The new manual is available to the public on the Pima County RWRD webpage: http://www.pima.gov/wwm/eng/des_std.htm.