City of Rohnert Park

Storm Drain
Design Standards

Design Standards Volume 1

for Public Improvements Revised January 2006
 STORM DRAIN DESIGN STANDARDS
TABLE OF CONTENTS

Volume 1

Design Standards

Storm Drain Standards

PREFACE ..................................................................................................................... SD-1
QUICK REFERENCE SHEET—HYDROLOGY ....................................................... SD-2
QUICK REFERENCE SHEET—HYDRAULICS....................................................... SD-3
QUICK REFERENCE SHEET—DESIGN REQUIREMENTS .................................. SD-4
I. General and Design Criteria.......................................................................................... SD-5
II. Purpose.......................................................................................................................... SD-5
III. Policy ........................................................................................................................... SD-5
IV. Hydrology Concepts .................................................................................................... SD-5
Runoff Coefficient ....................................................................................................... SD-6
Rainfall Intensity .......................................................................................................... SD-6
Time of Concentration ................................................................................................. SD-7
V. Hydrologic Design ....................................................................................................... SD-7
VI. Hydraulic Design Criteria ............................................................................................ SD-9
General ......................................................................................................................... SD-9
Open Channels ........................................................................................................... SD-10
Closed Conduits ......................................................................................................... SD-11
VII. Detention Basins ......................................................................................................... SD-12
Design Requirements ................................................................................................ SD-14
VIII. Connection to the Existing Storm Drain System ....................................................... SD-14
IX. Materials .................................................................................................................... SD-14
X. Size ......................................................................................................................... SD-15
XI. Alignment .................................................................................................................. SD-15
XII. Slope ......................................................................................................................... SD-16
XIII. Cover ......................................................................................................................... SD-16
XIV. Manholes and Structures ............................................................................................ SD-16
XV. Catch Basins ............................................................................................................... SD-17
XVI. Easements .................................................................................................................. SD-18
XVII. Access Road................................................................................................................ SD-19
XVIII. Maintenance ............................................................................................................... SD-19
XIX. Water Quality.............................................................................................................. SD-19
XX. Other Requirements ................................................................................................... SD-20
Table I-1 Rational Method Runoff Coefficients (C) .......................................... SD-21
Figure I-1 Intensity-Duration-Frequency Graph.................................................. SD-22
Appendix A Flood and Drainage Review Plan Submittal Checklist....................... SD-23
Table I-3 Loads on Buried Pipes ........................................................................ SD-24

Design Standards SD-i Volume 1

for Public Improvements Revised January 2006
 PREFACE

Quick Reference Sheets

These standards have been prepared to assist developers and their engineers in the design of
public storm drain facilities. To assist those engineers who are familiar with these standards,
quick reference sheets are provided in this Preface section. The quick reference sheets contain
design criteria and data from the standards which are most commonly used in the design of
public storm drain facilities. Unless otherwise noted, hydrological and hydraulic standards are
consistent with the Sonoma County Water Agency Flood Control Design Criteria Manual,
Revised August 1983.

Quick reference sheets are provided for the following subjects:

1. Hydrology
2. Hydraulics
3. Design Requirements

Design Standards SD-1 Volume 1

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 QUICK REFERENCE SHEET
HYDROLOGY

Drainage Area, Recurrence Interval,

Waterway Classification Square Miles Years
Major $4 100
Secondary 1–4 25
Minor #1 10
Diversion Not applicable 100

Q = CIAK

where:

Q = flow (cubic feet per second)

C = runoff coefficient
I = rainfall intensity
A = drainage area (acres)
K = mean seasonal precipitation = 1.1 for small Rohnert Park drainage areas. For large
drainage areas, minor and above, see Sonoma County Water Agency Standards.

Initial Time of Concentration (Tc)

Land use Tc

Commercial/industrial/residential with more than 8 units per acre 7 minutes

Residential, 2 to 8 units per acre 10 minutes
Residential, less than 2 units per acre 15 minutes
Open Space 15 minutes

Page

1. Rational Method Runoff Coefficients (C) SD-21

2. Intensity-Duration-Frequency Chart SD-22

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 QUICK REFERENCE SHEET
HYDRAULICS

Design Waterway Downstream Waterway Design Flow in Downstream

Classification Classification Waterway, Years
Secondary Major 25
Minor Major or secondary 10
Surface (ground) Major or secondary 100
Diversion Not applicable 100

Manning's formula

Q = (1.486/n)AR2/3S1/2

Manning's formula coefficient (n)

Material Manning’s "n"
Storm drain pipe [high density polyethylene pipe 0.014
(HDPE), cast-in-place concrete (CIPP), and reinforced
concrete pipe (RCP)]
Concrete-lined channel 0.015
Asphaltic concrete 0.017
Grouted rock rip rap 0.030
Loose rock rip rap 0.035
Grass-lined channel 0.035 minimum
Constructed natural waterway 0.050 minimum

Minimum design flow velocity = 2.5 feet per second

Waterway Classification Waterway Type Minimum Freeb oard

All Open channel 1.5 feet or 20 percent of
specific energy (whichever is
greater)
Major and secondary Closed conduit 0.2 x diameter
Minor Closed conduit 1 foot below top of curb or
adjacent ground surface
Gutter Open channel with 6-inch 0.4 feet maximum depth
curb

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 QUICK REFERENCE SHEET
DESIGN REQUIREMENTS

Minimum pipe diameter: 15 inches

Pipe materials: Reinforced concrete pipe (RCP), cast-in-place concrete

pipe (CIPP) or high-density polyethylene (HDPE) pipe that
conforms to these specifications

Horizontal separation from sewer lines: 5 feet clear

Horizontal separation from water lines and other utilities: 4 feet clear

Vertical curves: Not allowed

Horizontal curves: RCP and CIPP: 300 feet minimum radius (allowed at
catch basins and when pipeline is
installed under the pavement parallel to
the concrete gutter)

HDPE: 765 feet minimum radius for 20 foot

sections

Pipe slope: 10% maximum

Minimum cover: 12 inches for class III RCP and HDPE (outside of pipe to
road subgrade).

Maximum distance between structures: 400 feet

New development and redevelopment projects may be required to implement storm water quality
source and treatment controls. Refer to the Santa Rosa Area Standard Urban Storm Water
Mitigation Plan (SUSMP) for design criteria.

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 STORM DRAIN DESIGN STANDARDS

I. GENERAL AND DESIGN CRITERIA

All design shall conform to Sonoma County Water Agency design standards and review process.

All storm drainage facilities constructed within the City of Rohnert Park shall comply with the
Sonoma County Water Agency master plan.

There shall be no lot-to-lot drainage.

II. PURPOSE

The purpose of this document is to provide standards for design of public storm drain system
improvements in the City of Rohnert Park (City). These standards consist of:

(1) Hydrologic design criteria,

(2) Hydraulic design criteria, and
(3) Physical design requirements.

These standards do not include (but may reference) additional requirements established by other
departments of the City and other government agencies. These standards are intended to impose
minimum acceptable design criteria. More stringent requirements may be imposed by the City
Engineer based on specific project conditions. Developers and their design engineers are
responsible for complying with these standards and all other requirements for design of storm
drain facilities within the City. Design engineers are responsible for initiating written requests for
approval of any design concepts that differ from these standards, verifying additional
requirements set forth by other departments of the City or other government agencies,
performing any necessary calculations or studies, and resolving any problems with the
appropriate department or agency. Developers and design engineers should be aware that
Section 402(p) of the federal Clean Water Act establishes requirements for National Pollutant
Discharge Elimination System permits for certain industrial and construction-related storm water
discharges.

III. POLICY

The policy of the City is to safely collect and convey storm water to the nearest public flood
control facility in a storm drain system approved by the City of Rohnert Park Engineering
Department, while achieving water quality objectives to the maximum extent practicable in the
City's creeks as defined in the City’s Storm Water Management Plan.

IV. HYDROLOGY CONCEPTS

The Rational Method is widely used for determining design flows in urban and small watersheds.
The method assumes that the maximum rate of runoff for a given rainfall intensity occurs when

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the duration of the storm is such that all parts of the watershed are contributing to the runoff at
the interception point. The formula used is an empirical equation that relates the quantity of
runoff from a given area to the total rainfall falling at a uniform rate on the same area and is
expressed as:

Q = CIAK

in which

Q is the design flow in cubic feet per second.

C is a dimensionless runoff coefficient based upon type of ultimate development
(i.e., land use) from Table I-1 for the drainage area.
I is the intensity of rainfall in inches per hour from Figure I-1 or computed as:

I = 5.12 Y 0.1469 t -0.528

in which
Y = recurrence interval (10, 25 or 100 year, etc.)
t = time of concentration (duration in minutes)

A is the tributary drainage area in acres.

K is the dimensionless ratio of the average annual rainfall for the drainage area to
the average annual rainfall for the overall area for which the rainfall
intensity/duration/recurrence interval relationships have been established.

K = 1.1 for small Rohnert Park drainage areas. For large drainage areas, minor
and above, see Sonoma County Water Agency Standards.

The runoff coefficient (C), the drainage area (A), and the average annual rainfall ratio (K) are all
constant for a given area at a given time. (Note that some agencies do not include the factor K
when using the Rational Method.) Rainfall intensity (I), however, is determined by using an
appropriate storm frequency (i.e., recurrence interval) and duration which are selected on the
basis of economics and engineering judgment. Storm drains are designed on the basis that they
will flow nearly full during the design storms. Storm frequency is selected through consideration
of the size of drainage area, probable flooding, possible flood damage, and anticipated future
development for the drainage area.

Runoff Coefficient. The runoff coefficient (C) normally ranges between 0.30 and 0.90. The soil
characteristics, such as porosity, permeability, and whether or not it is saturated from preceding
storms are important considerations. Another factor to consider is ground cover, i.e., whether the
area is paved, grassy or wooded. In certain areas, the coefficient depends upon the slope of the
terrain. Duration of rainfall and shape of area are also important factors in special instances. Of
primary importance is the percent of land covered with impervious surfaces such as asphalt.

Rainfall Intensity. Rainfall intensity (I) is the amount of rainfall measured in inches per hour
that would be expected to occur during a storm of a certain duration. The storm frequency is the

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time in years in which a certain storm would be expected again and is determined statistically
from available rainfall data. ( See Figure I-1.)

Time of Concentration. The time of concentration at any point in a storm drain segment is the
time required for runoff from the most hydraulically remote portion of the drainage area to reach
that point. The most hydraulically remote portion provides the longest time of concentration but
is not necessarily the most distant point in the drainage area. Since a basic assumption of the
Rational Method is that all portions of the area are contributing runoff, the time of concentration
is used as the storm duration in calculating the intensity. The time of concentration consists of
the initial time of concentration, which depends on the anticipated future land use for the
drainage area, plus the sum of the additional overland flow time, if any, and the times of travel in
street gutters, roadside swales, storm drains, drainage channels, and other drainageways. The
time of concentration is affected by the rainfall intensity, topography, and ground conditions.

V. HYDROLOGIC DESIGN

Hydrologic design shall be based on the ultimate development and slope of the tributary
watershed. All storm drain facilities shall be designed for flows resulting from 100 percent build-
out of the land uses designated in the latest adopted edition of the City's General Plan in effect at
the time the proposed development is approved by the appropriate City approval body. Drainage
boundaries and basin slope shall be determined from the most current topographic information
available. In flat areas, drainage basin boundaries shall be verified with those for other adjacent
developments to eliminate gaps or overlaps and maintain consistency. Only areas which do not
flow towards the proposed development may be excluded. The design must demonstrate that the
excluded areas do not flow into the proposed development.

Flows from tributary areas upstream of the proposed development shall be included in the
hydrologic design for the proposed development. The hydrology for the proposed project will be
based on a pattern of upstream development which delivers the ultimate development storm
runoff to the proposed project. Upstream area flows shall be based on 100 percent build-out of
the land uses designated in the latest adopted edition of the City's General Plan in effect at the
time the project is designed. Rezoning often results in significantly higher densities than were
used in design calculations for existing downstream storm drain facilities. The design of the
storm drain system for the proposed development shall be based on the assumption that storm
flows from upstream areas will be conveyed in conduits, thereby resulting in lower times of
concentration than for undeveloped conditions. The design of the storm drain facilities for the
proposed development shall be such that the design flow from the proposed development and the
upstream areas is less than or equal to the hydraulic capacity of the downstream storm drain
facilities unless otherwise approved. In cases where the design flow exceeds the hydraulic
capacity of the downstream storm drain facilities, improvements to the downstream facilities
may be required as part of the development.

Developed public areas, including but not limited to public parks and golf courses, may be
considered to be vegetated to the extent that they are actually vegetated, unless publicly proposed
plans indicate that the governing body having jurisdiction over the area intends to alter the

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existing use of the area so as to make the surface less pervious. The developer shall confirm
future plans for park lands with the City Planning Department.

Drainage systems shall be designed to accommodate flows from storms with specific recurrence
intervals. Recurrence interval is defined as the average number of years, over a long period of
time, in which the magnitude of discharge from a given flood event is equaled or exceeded.
Flows to be used for the design of waterways shall be calculated using the following minimum
recurrence intervals:

Recurrence Interval for

Waterway Classification Drainage Area, Square Miles Design Flow, Years
Major $4 100
Secondary 1–4 25
Minor #1 10
Diversion NA 100

A given waterway, therefore, will be classed as minor in its upper reaches, then change to the
secondary classification at a point where the drainage area exceeds 1 square mile, and then
change again to the major classification at a point where the drainage area exceeds 4 square
miles.

Design flow shall be determined by the use of the Rational Method formula: Q = CIAK

To use Figure I-1, determine the proper duration of the design storm event. The proper duration
is equal to the time of concentration, which is the time required for flow from the most distant
location in a drainage basin to reach the point of discharge from the basin.

Drainage areas larger than 2 acres are too large for application of the Rational Method formula in
an initial step. The designer shall compute the time of concentration by determining the initial
time of concentration. This is the time of concentration at the basin(s) which is furthest upstream.
It is based on land use according to the table below. The Rational Method formula shall be
applied to each subarea, step by step, and the flow shall be hydraulically routed from subbasin to
subbasin to properly accumulate the design discharge for the entire watershed. For further details
and sample calculations, refer to the latest edition of the SCWA Flood Control Design Criteria
Manual.

Land use Initial time of concentration*, minutes

Commercial, industrial, and residential with more
7
than eight units per acre
Residential, two to eight units per acre 10
Residential, less than two units per acre 15
Open Space 15
*initial basins shall be of two acres or less

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VI. HYDRAULIC DESIGN CRITERIA

General. For hydraulic design for commonly encountered situations, refer to the latest edition of
SCWA Flood Control Design Criteria Manual and supplemental information. For hydraulic
design for situations not covered by the SCWA manual, the design engineer shall provide
specific references, model study reports, or prototype test results, as necessary to confirm the
hydraulic design. Design engineers shall submit design calculations for all public storm drain
facilities. As a minimum, the submittal shall include the items shown on the checklist in SD24.
Examples of acceptable calculations are included in the appendix to the SCWA Flood Control
Design Criteria.

Secondary waterways discharging into major downstream waterways shall be designed to

operate while discharging into a 25-year flow in the major downstream waterways. Minor
waterways discharging into secondary downstream waterways shall be designed to operate while
discharging into a 10-year flow in the secondary downstream waterways. In such cases, the
ground elevation along the secondary or minor system shall be above the 100-year water surface
elevation in the major or secondary downstream waterway.

If a closed conduit (i.e., pipe or culvert) is used as a secondary or minor waterway, sufficient
additional surface routes for flood flows shall be made available to carry the added flow
increment up to the 100-year design flow with no more than nuisance damage to improvements
or proposed improvements and with no flooding of finished floor of present and proposed future
buildings. If such surface routes cannot be made available, the secondary or minor conduit shall
be designed to carry the 100-year design flow.

The Manning equation shall be used for hydraulic design of storm drain facilities. The Manning
equation is stated as follows:
1.49
Q= (A)(R) ⅔√S
n
where

Q = flow in cubic feet per second

A = cross-sectional area of flow in square feet

R = hydraulic radius in feet

S = slope of the pipe or channel (dimensionless)

n = Manning equation roughness coefficient (dimensionless)

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 The values of the Manning equation roughness coefficient "n" shall be as follows:

Material n
Storm Drain Pipe
Smooth walled high density polyethylene, reinforced 0.014
concrete, or cast-in-place
Concrete-lined channel 0.015
Asphaltic concrete 0.017
Sack concrete and grouted rock rip rap 0.030
Loose rock rip rap 0.035
Grass-lined channels 0.035 minimum
Constructed natural waterways 0.050 minimum

For materials other than those stated above, "n" values shall be those presented in the latest
edition of the Handbook of Hydraulics by King and Brater. The use of n= 0.012 may be allowed
for smooth walled high density polyethylene pipe ( HDPE) design purposes when the
construction drawings clearly indicate the pipe material shall be HDPE and there is no suitable
substitute.

Storm drains shall be designed for a minimum velocity of 2.5 feet per second at design flow rates
unless otherwise specifically authorized by the City Engineer.

Open Channels. The maximum allowable depth for flows with 10-year recurrence interval in
gutters is 0.4 feet. Valley gutters are unacceptable across through streets. Valley gutters may be
authorized for use in alleys on a case-by-case basis.

The use of berms, levees, or other facilities along the channel that create potential hydraulic
gradelines higher than abutting lands are unacceptable unless specifically authorized by the City
Engineer. This requirement is intended to prevent the need for storm water pump stations.

Open channels shall be designed to SCWA design criteria standards with minimum freeboard
between design water surface and the top of bank of 1.5 feet or 20 percent of the specific energy,
whichever is greater. Where this minimum freeboard does not provide the necessary differential
head to allow gravity flow for the projected development of the tributary areas, the design water
surface shall be lowered sufficiently to allow such areas to drain by gravity.

Roadside ditches shall be designed so that the water surface for the design discharge will be at or
below the outside edge of the road shoulder such that there is no flood water in the normal travel-
way of the road and below adjacent ground level.

The design flow in natural creeks and constructed natural waterways may be allowed to overflow
into an area above the defined banks provided that the flow is contained within a defined
overflow area. Freeboard shall be provided, as specified above, between the design water surface
and the adjacent ground surface or finished grade of lots or areas on which improvements are to
be constructed. Less than 1.5 feet of freeboard may be considered for small natural swales and

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creeks through open space such as parks and golf courses. In any event, sufficient freeboard shall
be provided to retain the 100-year design flow within the right-of-way of the channel.

Channels shall be designed taking into account the energy losses due to existing and proposed
future road crossing structures or other obstructions within the channel. Refer to the latest edition
of the SCWA Flood Control Design Criteria Manual for required allowances and other design
considerations for obstructions within open channels.

Bridges, culverts and utility crossings which span major and secondary open channels and which
are existing, planned or projected at the time of channel design shall have a minimum clearance
from soffit to design water surface of 1.0 foot and shall cause no encroachment on the specified
minimum freeboard in the upstream channel or waterway.

Constructed natural waterways shall be excavated as required to pass the design flow through
interim and ultimate conditions of natural plant and tree growth and of other natural channel
characteristics. Trees and other plants and grasses shown on the proposed development plans
shall be planted as a part of initial construction to promote and encourage ultimate natural
appearance.

Constructed natural waterways, in their final development and growth stages, shall satisfy the
freeboard requirements for open channels described above. Constructed natural waterways are
appropriate in any situation where right-of-way space can be provided.

Open channels which will be maintained by the SCWA must be designed as specified in the
SCWA Flood Control Design Criteria Manual.

Closed Conduits. The design depth in circular conduits shall not exceed 0.80 of the diameter of
the conduit for major and secondary waterways. Closed conduits used as minor waterways may
be designed to flow full or surcharged. The hydraulic entrance condition at a closed conduit used
as a minor waterway will be designed so that the required freeboard in the upstream channel is
provided for the 10-year design flow and the 100-year design flow is contained within the banks
of the upstream channel. The entrance to the closed conduit may be submerged provided the
above criteria are satisfied.

At inlets, catch basins, and nonpressure-type manholes within a closed conduit system, the
design flow hydraulic gradeline shall be at least 1.0 foot below the top of curb or of adjacent
ground surface if the area is unpaved unless otherwise approved. At locations where conduits are
stubbed out for future extension, the design hydraulic gradeline shall be low enough to allow
proper drainage of the future tributary area and shall be a minimum of 1.5 feet below general
existing ground level unless otherwise approved. For closed conduits designed for supercritical
flow, the energy gradeline shall not be above ground level at inlets, catch basins, and
nonpressure-type manholes. Where the energy grade line is above the existing ground elevation
bolt down manhole covers shall be used.

Energy losses due to debris load caused by splitting flow at the entrance to or within a closed
conduit system shall be computed in the same manner as obstruction losses in open channels. In

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 addition to normal friction losses, energy losses due to entrance and exit conditions, bends, and
transitions shall be computed and considered.

VII. DETENTION BASINS

The following section on detention basins is not included in the Sonoma County Water Agency
Flood Control Design Criteria.

Detention basins are natural or constructed basins that receive and hold storm water runoff to
reduce downstream peak flows for flood control purposes and/or to enhance water quality.
Detention basins are allowed only with the approval of the City Engineer. Publicly maintained
storm water ponds with permanent pools of water are prohibited. However, approval may be
granted provided the applicant/developer executes a binding agreement to provide funding, in
perpetuity, for the maintenance costs associated with these facilities.

Detention basins should be designed to be multipurpose wherever possible and designed to

enhance storm water quality. Detention basins whose primary purpose is water quality
enhancement will be considered during planning for storm drain system improvements.

Publicly maintained detention facilities for flood control purposes may be permitted, with the
approval of the City Engineer, when it is more cost-effective than providing storm drains. An
analysis, which justifies the financial need for the detention basin by presenting both the
estimated capital cost and the estimated annual operation and maintenance costs of the basin as
well as comparable costs for an underground closed conduit storm drain system, shall be
prepared under the direction of a civil engineer and submitted for approval by the City Engineer
prior to approval of a tentative map. The City Engineer may prohibit or restrict the use of
detention basins based on specific site conditions such as insufficient depth to bedrock; extreme
community disruption; need for extensive relocation of existing improvements and utilities; or
lack of sufficient, available, suitable land.

The design of detention basins for flood control purposes shall be based on the size of the basin;
the maximum allowable depth of temporary ponding; the recurrence interval of the storm being
considered; the peak rate, total volume, and timing of the inflow; the maximum allowable
outflow rate; and the length of time water is allowed to remain in the basin. The design shall be
accomplished through the development of three items: an inflow hydrograph, a depth-storage
relationship, and a depth-outflow relationship. These three items shall be combined in a routing
routine to obtain the outflow rate, depth of stored water, and volume of storage at any specific
time as the design storm flow passes through the detention basin. The design considerations and
procedures are discussed in Design and Construction of Urban Stormwater Management
Systems, Chapter 6, WEF Manual of Practice FD-20, 1992. Pumped discharges from publicly
maintained detention facilities are prohibited.

The design considerations cited above determine the detention basin volume required for flood
control purposes only. Design of detention basins should also take into consideration other
benefits that can be achieved, such as water quality enhancement, recreational opportunities, and
open space aesthetic enjoyment. Public health and safety needs should be considered, such as the

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need for vector control and fencing in particular applications. Detention basin designs must
promote personal safety by locating basin along public streets to assure visual access to basin
area. Site, street and basin design should be coordinated to orient buildings and streets for good
surveillance of basin area.

The geometry of the basin should be designed to reduce dead zones and increase detention times.
Inlet and outlet structures must be carefully designed to reduce turbulence that could resuspend
settled solids. Consideration should be given to installation of energy dissipaters, stilling basins,
berms, and separation walls.

To prevent erosion during large storm flows, unprotected side slopes should be no steeper than
3 horizontal:1 vertical. Steeper banks will only be allowed with the approval of the City Engineer
and shall be protected by vegetation and/or rip rap.

Detention basins shall be designed and constructed for easy access to the basin itself and all inlet
and outlet structures. Access to the bottom of the basin is necessary. Basins to be maintained by
City staff must meet City accessibility criteria discussed below under "Design Requirements."

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 DESIGN REQUIREMENTS

VIII. CONNECTION TO THE EXISTING STORM DRAIN SYSTEM

A. New storm drain systems must connect to an existing City or County of Sonoma
storm drain facility, a channel or creek maintained by the SCWA, or an approved
natural waterway. Storm drain designs shall incorporate the design of any off-site
storm drain improvements required to accommodate flow from the storm drain
system for the proposed development. A structure must be installed at each
connection (i.e., no "blind" connections) except as otherwise approved by the City
Engineer.

B. Where public storm drains must traverse private property, inlets necessary to
drain the private property are permitted to connect to the public storm drain.
These inlets and connecting pipes shall be clearly delineated as private on the
improvement plans.

C. Sump pumps for non residential or mixed land uses shall not discharge to gutters
or sidewalk drains. Sump pumps shall discharge into closed conduit systems or
open channels, if permitted by the North Coast Regional Water Quality Control
Board. Sump pumps for nonresidential land uses shall discharge at a structure
(i.e., no blind connections). Sump pumps which may discharge liquids other than
uncontaminated water (e.g., oil, grease, solvents, etc.) shall discharge to sanitary
sewers, if approved by the City's Utilities Department; industrial pretreatment of
these discharges may be required. Sump pumps for single-family residences shall
be allowed to discharge to sidewalk drains or gutters by gravity flow only. ( For
instance, by pumping to a box and then allowing the water to gravity flow through
curb into the gutter.)

D. Concentrated drainage flows in pipe systems from private property shall not flow
over public sidewalks. Sidewalk drains or other means of collection and
conveyance to a proper discharge location shall be provided.

IX. MATERIALS

A. Storm drain pipes 15 inches in diameter or larger shall be reinforced concrete pipe
(RCP), cast-in-place concrete pipe (CIPP) or annular high density polyethylene
(HDPE) pipe.

B. RCP shall be Class III, IV, or V as specified in Part 3, Public Storm Drain
Construction Standard Specifications, of these standards.

Typical total effective loads on buried pipe, expressed in pounds per linear foot of
pipe, are shown in Table I-3. The design engineer shall determine the D-load for
the depth and diameter of pipe from the table and select the class of RCP with a
D-load rating equal to or greater than the value in Table I-3. The design engineer

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 shall interpolate between the values in Table I-3 for conditions not presented in
the table.

C. Designers see Section 63 Cast-In-Place-Concrete Pipe Special Inspections for use

with CIPP.

D. HDPE pipe shall be smooth interior, corrugated exterior pipe with bell-and-spigot
joints, Type S, per AASHTO Designation M294. HDPE pipe shall only be used in
sizes of 36-inch or smaller diameter with cover of less than 30 feet. The design
engineer shall determine flotation restraint per manufacturer’s recommendations.
Minimum cover over pipe shall be 12 inches from the outside top of pipe to
subgrade. HDPE pipe shall only be used under pavement areas.

E. Sidewalk drains shall be per Standard 406.

X. SIZE

A. Storm drain pipe diameters within the public right-of-way, including driveway
culverts, shall be 15 inches or larger, except sidewalk drains shall be per
Standard 406.

B. In new portions of the storm drain system, pipe sizes shall not decrease in the
downstream direction.

XI. ALIGNMENT

A. Storm drains shall be located within public streets unless otherwise authorized by
the City Engineer.

B. Storm drains traversing private property shall be straight between manholes (i.e.,
no horizontal curves) except when installed in a private street parallel to the
centerline of the private street.

C. In general, storm drains shall be installed parallel to the centerline of the street or
right-of-way.

D. Horizontal separation of storm drain line from sanitary sewer shall be a minimum
of 5 feet clear (i.e., outside of pipe to outside of pipe), except at pipe crossings.

E. Horizontal separation from water mains and other utilities, gas, underground
electric, underground television cable, etc., shall be a minimum of 4 feet clear.

F. Vertical curves are not allowed unless specifically authorized by the City
Engineer.

Design Standards SD-15 Volume 1

for Public Improvements Revised January 2006
 G. Horizontal curves with a minimum radius of 300 feet for RCP and CIPP shall be
provided at catch basins installed at curbs and gutters so as to locate as much of
storm drain as possible under asphaltic concrete paving rather than concrete curbs
and gutters.

H. Horizontal curves concentric with public or private street centerlines may be

permitted with RCP provided the radius is 300 feet or greater. The minimum
allowable radius used with 20 foot sections of HDPE pipe is 765 feet.

I. Horizontal curves can be installed in RCP by pulling pipe joints if the resulting
deflections are not greater than the pipe manufacturer's recommendations. The
design engineer shall use the following equation in designing horizontal curves
for RCP with a diameter over 48 inches:
L
R= ∆
2 (Tan )
2N
where:

R = radius of curvature of the centerline of the pipeline in feet

L = laying length of pipe section in feet, measured along centerline

) = total deflection angle of curve in degrees

N = number of pipe sections with pulled joints

)/N = deflection angle of each pipe in degrees

XII. SLOPE

Maximum slope for storm drains shall be 10 percent or 10 feet per 100 feet.

XIII. COVER

Minimum cover over storm drains shall be 12 inches (Class III RCP, HDPE and CIPP).
Cover is defined as the distance from the outside top of the pipe to the final subgrade
(bottom of the structural section) in paved areas or finished grade in unpaved areas. See
Table I-3.

XIV. MANHOLES AND STRUCTURES

A. A manhole or accessible structure shall be installed at every change in pipe size.

B. The maximum distance between manholes and/or accessible structures shall be

400 feet.

Design Standards SD-16 Volume 1

for Public Improvements Revised January 2006
 C. A manhole or accessible structure shall be installed at every horizontal angle point
or vertical change in alignment.

D. Sufficient drop shall be provided through manholes and accessible structures to

compensate for energy loss caused by change of alignment.

E. Manholes shall be 48 inches in diameter with storm drain pipes of 36 inches

diameter or less, and shall be 60 inches in diameter with storm drain pipes larger
than 36 inches in diameter. Manholes shall be designed to be large enough to
accommodate all pipes connected to manhole with a minimum of 3 inches of
manhole wall on both sides of all pipes. Reducer slabs may be provided as shown
on Standard 401.

F. An accessible structure shall be provided to connect private storm drains to the

public storm drains (i.e., no blind connections) except as otherwise approved by
the City Engineer. Structures shall be installed on the private side of the property
line to distinguish the public system from the private system. Public and private
storm drain facilities shall be clearly identified on the improvement plans. For
residential land uses only, no structure is necessary for sump pump connections to
public storm drain systems. Accessible structures are required for sump pump
connections from nonresidential land uses.

G. Headwalls or structures shall be provided where open ditches, channels, and

creeks discharge into closed pipe conduits. Refer to Caltrans Standard Plans.

XV. CATCH BASINS

A. Catch basins shall be Type II (Standard 402) except as listed below or as

otherwise approved by the City Engineer. Galleries per Standard 404 may be used
on the upstream side of a Type II catch basin to increase inlet interception
capacity or if their use reduces the number of catch basins requiring maintenance.

B. Catch basins shall be installed at the following locations:

• Such that gutter flows do not cross intersections except where valley gutters
are allowed.
• Upstream of bridge abutments.
• The beginning of every roadway superelevation that reverses the cross-slope
of the pavement.
• The sags (i.e., bottoms) of vertical curves
• The low points of downhill cul-de-sacs
• As required so that water depth in gutter does not exceed 0.4 feet during the
design storm event.
• As required to maintain the following number of 8-foot-wide traffic lanes
unimpeded by flowing or standing water during a design storm:
- Two lanes for all regional streets.

Design Standards SD-17 Volume 1

for Public Improvements Revised January 2006
 - One lane for transitional and industrial streets. This lane may be in the
middle of the road, spanning the crown. This requirement does not apply
to local streets.
- One lane in each direction for transitional streets that are divided roads or
roads with a median strip.
• As required so that carry over flows (bypassing catch basins) shall not exceed
2 cubic feet per second.
• At a maximum spacing of 400 feet from another catch basin or manhole.

C. Catch basin size and spacing shall be computed by the methods in Drainage of
Highway Pavements, Federal Highway Administration, Hydraulic Engineering
Circular No. 12, March 1984.

XVI. EASEMENTS

A. An easement must be provided over any public storm drain when it is installed
outside a public right-of-way.

B. The easement must be a minimum of 15' wide if it only contains a publicly-

maintained storm drain or 20' wide (or wider) if it contains another facility, such
as water, sewer, or other utility. The easement will be dedicated as a "public
drainage easement" if it contains storm drain only. It will be dedicated as a
"public utilities easement" if it contains other facilities as well.

C. Easements must be configured to encompass all publicly-maintained

appurtenances and will be generally centered over the facility. Separate access
easements may be required depending on site conditions. When storm drains are
to be installed along a property line the easement will be wholly contained on one
parcel.

D. All property restrictions placed as a result of dedication of easements will be so

noted on the supplemental sheet of the Subdivision Map, or on the Easement
Deed if the easement is not dedicated as part of a subdivision. Typical required
notes as applicable are:

1. No structures may encroach on, above, or below the surface of the ground
in any public easement. This includes footings of foundations, eaves from
the roof of any adjacent structure, pools, ponds or outbuildings on slabs or
foundations.
2. No trees may be planted in a public storm drain easement without first
obtaining approval of the Director of Public Works. Trees may be allowed
to the extent that damage to the drainage system does not occur from root
intrusion and adequate access can be provided for maintenance and repair
vehicles.
3. The Public Works Department will take due caution when performing
maintenance or repair of drainage systems in easements, but will not be

Design Standards SD-18 Volume 1

for Public Improvements Revised January 2006
 responsible for repairs or replacement of trees, landscaping or structures
not specifically approved by the Director of Public Works.

XVII. ACCESS ROADS

A. Clear access must be provided and maintained to all pubic structures on the
drainage system.

B. All-weather vehicle access roads are required to every structure on the storm drain
system. Access roads must be a minimum of 12' in width and must be provided
with turnarounds per City Standard 206 when the back-up distance for any
maintenance vehicle exceeds 100'.

C. The design of access roads must be included with the drainage system design
plans. At a minimum, the design will conform to the requirements of Standard
216. Include adequate drainage measures in the design to prevent damage to the
access roads from storm water.

D. Gates must be provided for access through any fence crossing a public storm
drain easement. Where vehicular access is required for maintenance, minimum 14'
wide gates must be provided with sliding gates preferred. Where vehicular access
is not required, 4' wide gates for pedestrian access must be provided and will be
located to permit visual access between storm drain structures.

E. The maximum grade allowed at any point on an access road is 15%. The
maximum cross-slope for any access is 5%.

XVIII. MAINTENANCE

A. Storm drains that convey public water, are designed and constructed to City
standards, and are in a dedicated public easement or right-of-way accepted by the
City shall be maintained for hydraulic capacity by the City. All other storm
drains, including driveway culverts, shall be privately maintained.

B. Sidewalk drains shall be privately maintained by the owners of the frontage

property.

XIX. WATER QUALITY TREATMENT

A. Source controls designed or constructed to reduce the discharge of pollutants from

the storm water conveyance system shall be designed and maintained as directed
by the City Planning and Engineering Departments.

Design Standards SD-19 Volume 1

for Public Improvements Revised January 2006
XX. OTHER REQUIREMENTS

A. Sanitary sewer laterals and industrial process or waste pipelines shall not be
connected to storm drains or allowed to discharge to waterways. Sanitary sewer
laterals and industrial waste pipelines shall be connected to sanitary sewers in
conformance with the latest edition of the City's Sewer Standards; pretreatment of
industrial wastes may be required.

B. Driveway culverts shall be designed under the direction of a civil engineer to

convey anticipated flow from future development and ensure hydraulic adequacy.

Design Standards SD-20 Volume 1

for Public Improvements Revised January 2006
 Table I-1 Rational Method Runoff Coefficients (C)

Average Slope, Percent

Land Use 0–2 >2–7 >7–15 >15
Residential, Rural
0.35 0.39 0.43 0.45
(1 unit per 5+ acres)
Residential, Very Low Density
0.40 0.43 0.46 0.50
(1 unit per .5 to 5 acres)
Residential, Low Density
0.45 0.49 0.56 0.59
(2 to 4 units per acre)
Residential, Medium-Low Density
0.50 0.56 0.64 0.70
(4 to 8 units per acre)
Residential, Medium Density
0.70 0.74 0.77 0.80
(8 to 18 units per acre)
Residential, Medium-High Density
0.90 0.90 0.90 0.90
(18 to 30 units per acre)
Business, Commercial, Institutional
0.90 0.90 0.90 0.90
and Schools
General Industrial 0.90 0.90 0.90 0.90
Parks and Recreation 0.31 0.37 0.42 0.45
Agricultural and Open Space 0.30 0.35 0.41 0.45

Note: Coefficients for developments with more than one land use shall be weighted in
proportion to the areas of each land use using either the values from Table I-1 or the
following formula in on-site design calculations. Off-site design calculations shall use the
values from Table I-1.

C = Cv (Av/At) + 0.9(Ap/At)

Where:
Cv = value from the vegetated area curve, SCWA Plate No. B1
Av = vegetated area
Ap = impervious area
At = total area

Design Standards SD-21 Volume 1

for Public Improvements Revised January 2006
 Appendix A

Design Standards SD-22 Volume 1

for Public Improvements Revised January 2006
 Figure I-1 INTENSITY-DURATION-FREQUENCY
(ORIGINAL TO BE OBTAINED FROM SONOMA COUNTY WATER AGENCY)

Design Standards SD-23 Volume 1

for Public Improvements Revised January 2006
Design Standards SD-24 Volume 1
for Public Improvements Revised January 2006