New Sewer and Water Connections
The Lummi Tribal Sewer & Water District provides application materials, technical review, inspection, and approval requirements for new sewer and water service connections within the District’s service area.
Before beginning design, permitting, excavation, construction, or installation work, contact the District to confirm service availability and the requirements that apply to the property.
District approval is required before any sewer or water connection work begins.
Before You Begin
Applicants should contact the District to confirm:
- Whether sewer and/or water service is available to the property
- The proposed point of connection
- Available system capacity
- Applicable connection, inspection, and review fees
- Engineering and design requirements
- Required permits and application materials
- Contractor approval requirements
- Inspection and as-built requirements
- Whether system extensions or other improvements are required
Approval of an application or payment of fees does not guarantee service availability. The District must confirm that the property can be served and identify any infrastructure, capacity, design, or construction requirements.
Connection Fees
Connection fees represent the applicant’s proportionate share of the existing sewer and water infrastructure and capacity available to serve the property. This may include treatment facilities, collection and distribution systems, pump stations, wells, reservoirs, mains, and other system improvements.
Fees are generally based on one Equivalent Residential Unit, or ERU. Commercial, multifamily, institutional, and other nonresidential connections may be assessed differently based on the proposed use, anticipated demand, and District requirements.
Sewer Connection
Sewer connection fee: $6,000
Side sewer inspection fee: $150
Water Connection
Water connection fee: $6,000
Water meter installation fee: $150
Fees are subject to change. Contact the District before submitting payment to confirm the current fees and requirements for the property.
Applicants may also be responsible for engineering review, permitting, inspection, administrative, contractor, restoration, and other project-related costs.
Engineering and District Approval
Engineering plans, design documents, and related connection materials must be prepared or reviewed by the District’s approved licensed Professional Engineer, as required by the District.
Applicants must submit all required plans, specifications, calculations, and supporting documents to the District for review. Written District approval must be obtained before construction, connection work, or inspection scheduling may proceed.
The applicant may be responsible for engineering review, inspection, administrative, and other project-related costs incurred by the District.
No changes may be made to an approved design without prior written approval from the District and, when applicable, the District’s approved engineer and the Lummi Planning Department.
Permits and Installation
The property owner or applicant is responsible for obtaining all required permits and approvals from the Lummi Planning Department before construction or installation work begins.
All installation work must:
- Follow the plans and specifications approved by the District and the Lummi Planning Department
- Be completed by a District-approved, licensed, and bonded contractor
- Meet applicable District, tribal, county, state, and federal requirements
- Follow District construction standards and specifications
- Be inspected and approved by the District before the connection is placed into service
The contractor is responsible for obtaining required utility locates before excavation and for protecting existing District facilities and other utilities during construction.
The property owner or applicant is responsible for all private-side installation costs, contractor expenses, permitting costs, engineering expenses, restoration costs, and any required system extensions or infrastructure improvements.
Inspections
Required inspections must be scheduled with the District in advance and are subject to staff availability.
Do not cover, backfill, alter, connect, activate, or place any sewer or water service into operation until the District has completed the required inspection and provided approval.
If work does not meet approved plans, District standards, or applicable requirements, the applicant or contractor must complete all required corrections and request a follow-up inspection.
Additional inspection fees may apply when work is incomplete, inaccessible, not ready at the scheduled time, or requires reinspection.
Changes During Construction
If site conditions require a change to an approved design, work must stop in the affected area.
The proposed change must be submitted to and approved in writing by the District before work proceeds. Approval from the District’s approved engineer and the Lummi Planning Department may also be required.
Verbal authorization from a contractor, property owner, or other party does not replace required written District approval.
As-Built Documentation
The applicant or contractor must submit complete as-built documentation showing the final location and configuration of the installed sewer and water facilities.
As-built records must include, as applicable:
- Applicant or property owner name
- Property and service address
- Parcel number
- Final connection location
- Installed pipe sizes and materials
- Depths and elevations
- Meter, valve, cleanout, and utility locations
- Inspection information
- Approved field changes
As-built documentation must be submitted within the timeframe required by the District. The connection will not be considered complete until the required records have been reviewed and accepted.
Service Activation and Final Acceptance
Sewer or water service may not be activated until:
- All required permits and approvals have been obtained
- Construction has been completed in accordance with approved plans
- Required inspections have been completed
- Any deficiencies or corrections have been resolved
- All required fees and charges have been paid
- Required agreements and documents have been submitted
- As-built documentation has been accepted
- Final District approval has been issued
The District may withhold service activation or final acceptance until all applicable requirements have been completed to the District’s satisfaction.
How to Begin
- Contact the District to request a service-availability review.
- Review the District’s new connection procedures and requirements.
- Submit the required application, plans, and supporting documents.
- Obtain required approval from the District and the Lummi Planning Department.
- Pay applicable fees and charges.
- Use a District-approved, licensed, and bonded contractor.
- Schedule required inspections with the District.
- Complete any required corrections.
- Submit final as-built documentation.
- Receive final District approval before service activation.
Forms and Related Documents
For questions about a proposed sewer or water connection, use the Contact Us page and select New Connections, Engineering & Inspections.
2023 LTSWD Connection Procedures
Permits and New Service Installation
Standard Participation Agreement 2025
Contractor Procedures & Application
Bonded Side Sewer Contractor Master Application
