workshop in my back yard – can I have one trench dug and place a waterline, gas line and power line ?

Question

if so what type of lines

Answer 1

I believe you can. You will have to know the minimum depth that the building code requires for these types of services. It will be at least 18" maybe 24". The electrical line will require RWU90 or HMWPE class insulation (for direct burial) installed with no underground splices. It is always a good idea to instal in plastic conduit for protection. Water I would go with plastic and a heat tracer. If you do not want to use a heat tracer then make sure the water line is below frost level for your area (I assume the gas if for heating so you must have ground frost). For gas you had better ask your gas supplier what their standards are. You will need a certified professional to hook up the gas line (safety and insurance reasons).

Answer 2

It depends on how wide the trench is, and how much separation you will provide between utilities. If your trench is 8 feet wide, and you will provide a minimum 3 feet separation between utilities, there will be no problem. If less than that, check with your local code inspector or code official. The water line must be installed below frost level. The gas line can be in the same trench as water, or the electric line can be in the same trench as water, but most utilities will not allow electric and gas in the same trench. Again, the best bet is to check with the local code official.

Water - plastic is ok, or type K copper. Best is copper inside a pvc pipe. Ex: 3/4" K copper inside 2" pvc for protection

Gas - steel pipe, or the special plastic pipe used by utilities

Electric - wire in pvc conduit is best, 18" deep. You can install direct burial cable, 18" deep, without conduit. I would use minimum 2" conduit, or 3". The longer the distance, and the more bends, the larger the conduit. For two 20 amp circuits, #10 wire, less than 80 feet, less than four bends, 2" conduit will be fine. If you need more circuits, or length, or bends, go with 3" conduit.

Answer 3

Yes you can, at least here where I live. You just seperate them by filling in some soil so they are not in contact. Do you mean what type material?--Use electrical wire made for under ground use. Water can be pvc or soft copper. Gas can be soft copper.

Answer 4

This is one of those questions that can only be correctly answered by your LOCAL Code Office. Codes vary from area to area and even National codes can be amended. This also includes materials that can be used for each type utility.

Answer 5

when i did mine i ran 1 in. plastic for the water at 4 ft. deep. then backfilled some and ran direct burial wire for the electric. that has to be 18 in. deep here. youre not supposed to run electric and gas in the same ditch but i kept them separated but in the same ditch...i feel safe...

Answer 6

yes you can, just respect the code depths on the electrical conduit, gas line and water piping