Parties or individuals interested in developing residential and commercial subdivisions or individual commercial lots should first check on water availability to the site. Our system map shows the general area served by Del-Co Water. To obtain specific information on water availability, contact our Engineering Department.

Some townships in our service area require the developer to provide them with a "letter of water availability" from Del-Co. To request this letter, send a letter, fax, or email to Del-Co Water, and provide the following information:

• Map or address defining the location of the development.
• Type and density of development.
• Total acreage.

If water is not currently available at the site, it is the developer's responsibility to extend a water line to the development.


If the Delaware County Regional Planning Commission (DCRPC) is reviewing your development, you will have an opportunity for a technical review before it is presented to the commissioners. As a courtesy, the DCRPC sends a copy of the preliminary plan to Del-Co and invites us to sit in on the technical review meeting. We will provide you with preliminary comments and a list of submittal requirements for the detailed engineering drawings at this meeting.

If the development is not located in DCRPC's jurisdiction, then it is up to the developer to contact Del-Co water directly early on in the process to obtain our requirements for providing water service.


Submit two copies of the detailed engineering drawings to Del-Co for review. Water lines shall be shown in plan and profile views. The plan view shall also include street, sanitary, and storm sewer features. Del-Co construction standards, details, and other requirements can be found in the Construction Section of the Downloads Page.

After the drawings are reviewed and marked with comments and corrections, you will be notified to pick up one copy at our office. Upon making the corrections, return two full-sized sets and two reduced sets (11" X 17") of the corrected drawings, the original cover signature sheet, and our markup drawing. You will be notified when the cover sheet is signed and ready for pick-up.


It is the developer's responsibility to ensure that plans are submitted to Ohio EPA for approval, including payment of their review fees. Be aware that the Ohio EPA requires Del-Co to review and approve the plans before they are sent to them. Plans should be sent to:

Ohio EPA, Central District Office
122 South Front Street, 5th Floor
PO Box 1049
Columbus, OH 43216-1049

Construction of the water line cannot begin until Del-Co has received the Ohio EPA approval letter.


Some of the local fire departments require a review of the water line drawings for the purpose of fire hydrant spacing and fire department connections. Check with the local fire department to determine if this applies to your development. Where this applies, we require a statement from the fire department saying they have approved the fire hydrant locations.


Provide one copy of the preliminary plat at the same time the engineering drawings are submitted. The plat should show 10-foot wide Del-Co easements along the frontage of all properties and include the Del-Co Easement Statement in the notes section. Delaware County requires Del-Co Water's signature on all plats where water service is being provided. Approval of the engineered drawings must be obtained before Del-Co will sign the plat.

If the development will not be platted, then an easement exhibit must be provided showing a 12-foot wide Del-Co easement centered on the water line. Del-Co will write the easement and return it to the developer or their engineer for signature. The easement must be completed and signed before Del-Co will approve the engineering drawings.

A Subdivider's Agreement will be sent to the developer or their engineer after the engineering drawings are first submitted. This agreement must be signed by the developer and returned to Del-Co before Del-Co will approve the engineering drawings.


Water meters shall be located in buried pits outside the building they service. Site plans for commercial developments should clearly show the proposed location of the meter pit in a grass or landscaped area. The meter pit should be shown at least five feet from pavement and other utilities, including gas and electric. All other items required on the detailed engineering drawings apply.

An easement exhibit is required for all water lines located on the property. The easement shall extend along all water lines on the property up to and including the water meter, fire hydrants, and the fire line to the outside of the building if a fire line is being provided. The easement should be 12 feet wide and centered on the water line. Del-Co will write the easement language and return it to the developer or their engineer for signature. The easement must be completed and signed before Del-Co will approve the engineering drawings. Normally, for small commercial developments, a Del-Co signature on the cover sheet is not required. Approval will be in the form of a letter from Del-Co.


If road or ditch improvements are being made at the entrance to your development, the developer shall send two copies of the engineering drawings to Del-Co for review. The developer is required to verify the location of our water line and relocate it as required if a conflict exists.


Fees are assessed separately on the domestic line and the fire line to the building, if a fire line is being provided. Domestic fees are based on the size of the water meter serving the building. Fire line fees are based on the size of the fire line. Refer to our Fee Schedule for a complete list of fees. Fire lines are not metered.

A reduced size (11" x 17") copy of the final plat must be submitted with payment of the fees. Payment will not be processed and meters will not be set until we have received the recorded plat.

Record drawings of the water line must also be received from the engineer before payment of the tap fees is processed.

Fees are due prior to any meters being set.

Note: Currently, fees may be paid on individual lots in multi-lot residential subdivisions. This policy is temporary and may be revoked at any time without notice. Provide an exhibit of the subdivision showing lot numbers upon payment of the initial lots.


Prior to construction, a preconstruction meeting must be organized by the developer. If the project is in Delaware County, the preconstruction meeting for Del-Co can coincide with the County's preconstruction meeting. Otherwise, contact our Chief Inspector at least one week in advance of the meeting.

While the developer is responsible for constructing the water lines, Del-Co installs domestic water meter pits and meters. Coordinate through your inspector when time gets close for the meter pit to be set. As a reminder, the tap fee must be paid in advance to the meter pit being set. Allow four to six weeks after paying the tap fees for the meter to be set.


Backflow prevention devices are required on all commercial developments. Refer to our Backflow Page for more information.