The first step is to submit a sketch plan via Evolve, the online development portal used by Union County Water and other Union County departments.

Your plan must be signed by a licensed professional engineer in the State of North Carolina. 

To avoid unnecessary delays in the development review process, review the resources below to ensure your submitted plans meet our specifications in the first round of review. 

Helpful Resources:

• Water & Sewer Extension Ordinance
• Sketch Plan Checklist
• Meter Sizing 

When your sketch plan is approved, a Sketch Plan Conditional Comment Letter will be sent via Evolve. This letter will outline the plan's development requirements and will be copied to the developer, engineer, and the site's respective planning jurisdiction. 

At this step, review the development requirements for your plan thoroughly in order to prepare a full set of construction plans (including grading) that meet all  noted requirements for your plan to be approved.  

Construction plans are not to be submitted until your sketch plan is approved.   

The engineer should submit a full set of construction plans, including any plans for grading. When plan review is completed and meets all requirements, we will issue the conditional plan approval through Evolve.

We accept two types of construction plans: a Preliminary Plan (water/sewer extension is required) or a Site Plan (commercial - water/sewer taps only). 

Helpful Resources:

• Plan Notes
• Meter Sizing
• Preliminary Plan Checklist 
• Site Plan Checklist

This step involves permitting at the state level. However, please note: no applications should be sent directly to NCDEQ or NCDOT.

UCW will provide permitting instructions when plans are approved through Evolve.  UCW will submit applications to the State on behalf of developments.

UCW will issue the Accessibility Letter when NCDEQ permits are obtained and received.

Helpful Resources:

• Fast Track Application (FTA 10-23) 12-Mile Template
• Fast Track Application (FTA 10-23) Crooked Creek Template
• Engineers Report Water Main Extensions Template

This important step in our development review process has a series of steps as well. Each step must happen in sequential order:  

1. All permits and easements are obtained and received.
2. UCW sends the Extension Agreement via Email.
3. The Extension Agreement is executed and recorded.
   This is when Capacity Allocation occurs. 
4.  The approval to construct letter is issued. 

Helpful Resources:

• Standard Water and Sewer Extension Agreement Template

After the Approval to Construct Letter is issued, UCW will schedule an onsite preconstruction meeting. 

Construction must be completed by a licensed utility contractor hired by the developer under the inspection of UCW and the Engineer on Record.

A licensed engineer must oversee and provide all required testing reports (to be witnessed by UCW). 

Helpful Resources:  

• As-builts Checklist
• Construction Testing Forms.xls - To be utilized and sealed by Engineer on Record

The licensed engineer and surveyor should provide UCW with as-builts, certifications, plat map, etc. and all required documentation for review. 

Helpful Resources: 

• As-builts Checklist

UCW will issue the final acceptance letter indicating that the water/sewer infrastructure can be activated and that it has been accepted by Union County Water for maintenance.

Helpful Resources: 

• Activation Checklist
• Letter of Guarantee Sample
• Maintenance Bond Sample

When you have received your Final Acceptance Letter, you may request your meters by sending an email to Customer Care at water@unioncountync.gov. 

Please be sure to include your project name and lot number(s) in your email.