FAQs

Landowner/Developer Frequently Asked Questions

How does becoming part of Tidewater Utilities, Inc. water service territories benefit me?

Two of the many benefits of our services are the quality and quantity of the water you receive & the added safety of on-site water for fire protection. This alone should reduce your insurance premiums. Our employees are also your neighbors and will respond to local concerns promptly with the knowledge, expertise, and talent that our superior team offers.

What do I have to do to become part of Tidewater’s water service territory?

The attached petition allows you to request that your property be included within a Tidewater service area for water service. To have your property included in a future franchise area, all that is required is for you to sign the attached Water Service Petition and mail it back to Tidewater.

Water Service Petition >

I have an irrigation well for my farm/lawn but I would like to become a member of Tidewater’s water service area. Will I need to abandon my well and connect my irrigation to your service?

If you want to connect to our service when water becomes available in your area Tidewater will allow land owners to continue to operate their wells for irrigation purposes.

What is a CPCN?

A Certificate of Public Convenience and Necessity (CPCN) is an authorization issued by the Delaware Public Service Commission (PSC) for the delivery and/or provision of a public service to a designated area or parcel of land. Designated areas are determined by the residents in the area and the PSC with review by Public Health – Office of Drinking Water, Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control, Office of the State Fire Marshal, and others.

When will water service be provided to my property?

That depends; if your property is located adjacent to the road where a water main currently exists, water service can become available as soon as a CPCN is granted. If your property is located in an area in which water mains have not yet been installed, water will become available as soon as water mains are extended to your area. Tidewater will contact property owners within each phase of all projects to inform them of the current schedule and steps required to receive service.

If you have further questions about the CPCN process, please feel free to contact a member of the Planning & Development Department at 1302-734-7500 ext. 1014, or by e-mail at [email protected].

TUI New Business Application Process

STEP #1 Customer Completes the Pre-application Request Form

To start new water service at your property, you must first complete the pre-application water service form. It is important to note that all information on the form must be provided in order to receive a water service application. At minimum, you will need to know:

• Property service address/mailing address
• Lot number supplied by the County
• Desired meter size*

Email the completed pre-application form to TUI New Applications at [email protected].

* Choice of meter size is dependent upon the flow demand of your residence/business. Consult a licensed plumber to determine what size meter will adequately supply water for your home/business. Tidewater Utilities, Inc. is unable to provide any guidance regarding proper meter size for your installation. For reference, the flow rates of the meters we provide are below. If your plumber requires further details regarding performance of the meter, please contact us at [email protected].

STEP #2 Tidewater Reviews and Processes the Request Form

Once received, Tidewater Utilities, Inc. will review the details of the request and confirm service is available to the service address. A customer service professional will contact you to let you know the status of service availability. If service is available, you will be provided with a water service agreement (the final Application).

STEP #3 Customer Receives Water Service Application

After confirming that water service is available through Tidewater Utilities at the requested service address, you will receive a completed water service application which you will need to sign and return, along with the indicated payment to:

Attn: Tidewater New Service Applications
Tidewater Utilities, Inc.
485C Route 1 South
Iselin, NJ 08830

STEP #4 Tidewater Taps the Main and Installs the Meter Pit

Once Tidewater has received your signed water service agreement with payment, a work order is generated for Tidewater to tap the main and install the meter pit. The meter pit houses the meter itself and protects the meter from the elements. Depending on backlog, this can take 6-8 weeks.

If you have a well on your property, please see the below section on wells.

STEP #5 Customer Installs the Private Portion of the Service Line

The water service line is privately owned by you and Tidewater allows connections, via water main taps, to our water distribution mains to provide water to your home/business after it passes through the water meter. The customer or property owner is responsible for coordinating and installing the service line by a licensed plumber from the structure to the water meter pit. Once Tidewater has installed the meter, you can have your plumber make the connection from your service line to the meter.

WELLS

For customers who are abandoning their current well, Tidewater must receive written certification from a licensed plumber, on company letterhead, that the well has been disconnected from your potable water line. This letter must include the signature of the licensed plumber and either faxed to 302-734-9296 or emailed to [email protected] When the letter is received, Tidewater will begin the process of tapping the main and installing the meter pit and meter.

If the letter from the plumber certifying that the well has been disconnected is not received immediately and the need for service is an emergency, Tidewater may begin the installation of the meter pit and meter, but will secure the meter by locking it until the certification letter is received. Once the certification is received, Tidewater will remove the lock and turn on the meter. Tidewater will attempt to coordinate this activation of the meter with you so that you can arrange for a licensed plumber to be present.