Introductory Video from Mr. Joseph Grist, Water Withdrawal Permitting and Compliance Manager, Virginia Department of Environmental Quality Regarding Common Regulatory Considerations for Solar-powered Water Pumping Systems for Agricultural Purposes

For some projects the water source may be on one side of a public roadway while the intended application (e.g., livestock waterer, etc.) is on the other side.

In these cases, it is important to contact the local Virginia Department of Transportation (VDOT) office to explore options. The suggestion is to contact the local VDOT residency early in your project planning process, as the outcomes of the process may impact pipeline routing, among other system design considerations.

Generally, VDOT requires a "Land Use Permit - Private Utility Service Crossing" application, with a nonrefundable $100 fee. VDOT can then determine, based on several factors (e.g., pipe size, roadway surface, project location, etc.) the potential, and any requirements, for crossing the state-maintained right-of-way.

Some common requirements include:

• Carrier Pipe - Including a carrier pipe, similar to a water-tight conduit or pipe sleeve, that the waterline will be placed through to span the entirety of the right-of-way being crossed

• Permit Surety Bond - The applicant to provide a "surety bond" through the final installation and inspection of, and/or possibly a permanent surety, the new road way crossing.

While this process may seem complex, people are encouraged to contact their local VDOT residency for assistance early in the process to explore the site-specific options for the project under consideration.