Vallecitos Water District provides water, wastewater, and reclamation services to San Marcos; parts of Carlsbad, Escondido, Vista and other unincorporated areas in north San Diego County. Existing Single Family Residential properties in our sphere of influence that are interested in establishing new services or in changing existing services with Vallecitos Water District can be helped through the Engineering Department.

As-built record requests can be made by emailing the Engineering Department at VWDEngineering@vwd.org, requests will be processed on a first come, first serve basis. Hard copy requests will incur additional charges.

Water and Sewer Services
In order to connect to Vallecitos Water District services, a water and/or sewer main must be available at the frontage of the property. If a main is not available, the property owner may be required to extend the current facilities along the property frontage in order to service the property. The extension of the line and associated costs would be the responsibility of the property owner. One meter shall not serve more than one APN. One sewer lateral shall not serve more than one APN. A minimum meter size of 3/4" with a backflow device may be necessary to meet fire flow requirements. Commercial projects will be required to have a separate irrigation meter and a separate domestic meter with a backflow device for service to the property. All backflow devices will be tested annually. Failed backflow testing may require repair or replacement of an existing device. A site review may conclude the need for a device upgrade based on current standards. 

Water metering is the process of measuring water use.

Water meters are used to measure the volume of water use by District customers that are supplied with water by a public water supply system. Water meters can also be used throughout a water system to determine flow through a particular portion of the system. Some electronic meter registers can display rate-of-flow in addition to total usage. Vallecitos Water District meters measure usage in units. 1 unit equals 748 gallons. The majority of the District meters today are also equipped with an electronic meter reading device called a MXU. This unit is affixed to the top of the meter and provides the District with radio read capabilities.

There are several types of water meters in common use. The choice depends on the flow measurement method, the type of end user, the required flow rates, and accuracy requirements. Vallecitos Water District uses water meters for both Domestic usage and Irrigation usage. Domestic usage is typically within a structure. The water used through a Domestic meter may require wastewater treatment. Irrigation usage is typically outside of the structure and includes landscape and agricultural and typically does not require wastewater treatment. Vallecitos Water District policy requires a separate domestic and irrigation meter for commercial properties and a back flow device for each meter installed.

District policy also requires a separate water meter with back flow and sewer lateral connection for each premise. This policy is outlined in District Ordinance No. 49 - Water and District Ordinance No. 65 - Sewer.  Please note that all Food Service Establishments must comply with the District's Fats, Oils and Grease (FOG) program requirements.

Detector Check Assembly and Backflow Prevention Devices (District approval required for all devices)

A double check valve or double check detector assembly (DCDA) is a backflow prevention device designed to protect water supplies from contamination. It consists of two check valves assembled in series. This employs two operating principles: one check valve will still act, even if the other is jammed wide open. Secondly the closure of one valve reduces the pressure differential across the other, allowing a more reliable seal and avoiding even minor leakage.

Small valves may be so compact as to be barely noticeable, particularly when they are integrated into the bodies of existing taps (faucets). Larger check valves may be installed with ball valves at the ends, for isolation and testing. Often, test cocks (very small ball valves) are in place to attach test equipment for evaluating whether the double check assembly is still functional.

The double check valve assembly is suitable for prevention of back pressure and back siphonage, but is not suitable for high hazard applications. It is commonly used on lawn irrigation, fire sprinkler and combi-boiler systems. If the hazard is higher, even a relatively low hazard such as using antifreeze in the fire sprinkler system, then a more reliable check valve such as a reduced pressure detector assembly (RPDA) may be mandated.

All backflow devices have an annual testing requirement with a District approved certified backflow tester. The District may require the upgrade or replacement of a backflow device per District Ordinance No. 204 - Backflow. District approval is required for all new installs and replacement back flow devices including installation and materials.

Individual backflow prevention devices are now required for residential properties as determined by the District. Example of required use; a private well or graywater system installation to a property with active District water connections and Temporary Construction Meters. Well and septic approvals are through the County of San Diego.

Fire Hydrants and Fire Flows

Fire Hydrant installations are regulated by the local Fire Protection Agency. The fire department will determine if one or more hydrant location is necessary for adequate fire protection. The Vallecitos Water District will plan check and inspect the installation of the hydrant. Fire hydrants are maintained by the local fire agency. The hydrant flow test for fire protection is necessary to determine the NFPA 291 color coding requirement for the top of hydrants. The Vallecitos Water District no longer performs field flow tests. Fire Flows are now calculated with hydraulic modeling. A Fire Flow Test can be requested by completing and submitting a Fire Flow Request, a map with the hydrant location, the requested fire flow in gpm (gallons per minute) from the local fire agency or the fire protection company and the appropriate fees per the current Engineering Fee/Rate Ordinance. Submit to the Vallecitos Water District – Engineering Department located at 201 Vallecitos de Oro, San Marcos, CA  92069 in person or by mail.

Reimbursement Agreement

If a property owner finances the extension of the main line to service the property and this line could service additional parcels in the future, a reimbursement agreement may be executed for eligible construction costs. This agreement would associate a payback option for future connections over time per the District Ordinance No. 225 - Reimbursement Agreement.

Water Meter Installation and Sewer Lateral Connection
If the property is requesting a meter installation, and a main line connection is available on the property frontage, the Engineering department can provide the property owner with the associated fees and requirements. A plan check for the connection must be submitted for review. Once plans are approved and fees are paid a meter can then be installed and/ or a service connection can be established. The property owner may hire a private licensed contractor (Class A: General Engineering Contractor, C36: Plumbing Contractor or C42: Sanitation System Contractor) of their choice to install the services. An inspection deposit would be necessary for VWD to inspect the connection. The Vallecitos Water District currently does not install private water and sewer connections.

Vallecitos Water District maintains the water and sewer mains. Lines installed to service private properties are the responsibility of the property owner. These service lines do require periodic maintenance from the property owner. Properly maintained lines ensure functionality.

Upgrading Water Meter
If the property has an existing water meter and is required to upgrade, please contact the Engineering Department for the current meter size requirements and possible credits available for existing services. Meter sizing has many variables, the primary determination is a water demand provided by the client.

Annexation and District Boundaries
If the property requesting service connections is not located in the service boundaries, owner may need to process an annexation into the District. Water Boundary Map and Sewer Boundary Map.

Fees and Deposits
The Engineering department assists the property owner and developer in determining the fees and/or deposits that may be applicable to the proposed project. Criteria used may include the size of project, type of development, current land use, proximity to existing facilities, open space and right of way designations or increased density and the Districts Master Plan. Properties larger than one acre may require additional computations. The Development Services department currently uses both a fee structure and a deposit account system.

Tenant Improvements (TI)

Changes made to the interior of an existing commercial or industrial property by its owner typically to accommodate the needs of a  tenant such as floor and wall coverings, plumbing, ceilings, partitions, air conditioning, fire protection, and security. Tenant improvements require a comprehensive review by the District. The District will require a site plan review, on site capacity analysis for both water and sewer, meter sizing evaluation and property compliance with current backflow requirements. The lead agency will typically require a sign-off by the District to move forward on processing the TI project. A Tenant Improvement Review can be requested by completing and submitting a TI worksheet, a site plan, and the appropriate fees per the current Engineering Fee/Rate Ordinance.

Water Well, Septic and Graywater Systems – County of San Diego Department of Environmental Health

Vallecitos Water District does not regulate the digging of wells, the installation of septic systems or graywater systems. The District will however require a review of the proposed site for these facility installations. The review is necessary to check for conflicts and to prevent contamination of potable water supplies. Water wells and graywater systems typically require backflow protection regulated by the local water purveyor. A site plan including any easements and utility lines must be submitted to the District for approval prior to the County of San Diego issuance of a permit. All water wells and septic systems are regulated by the County of San Diego – Department of Environmental Health. Graywater systems are regulated by your local lead agency typically the City or County depending on the location of your property. Water wells and gray water systems typically require backflow protection regulated by the local water purveyor.

The Vallecitos Water District Engineering Department is located at 201 Vallecitos de Oro, San Marcos, CA  92069.  Additional information can be provided by calling 760-744-0460. Submittals for review can be mailed or delivered to District offices. Allow sufficient time for the review of the project. Projects will be reviewed in the order they are received. Concurrent review with approving agencies is recommended.