The Quick Trench Program allows qualified contractors to install and backfill sanitary, storm, and water services on residential properties without waiting for an inspection. Issues with incorrect installations previously require changes. The program will continue but new guidelines will requalify existing installers and interview new applicants. Projects not qualifying include infill lots and those replacing city services. Applicants must apply and sign an agreement. Builders must list qualified contractors and call for inspections if not using one. Installers may be removed for noncompliance and must leave trenches open for inspection. Proper excavation, bedding, and backfill are required, and unserviced lots now require photographs of trenches before backfilling.

1. QUICK TRENCH PROGRAM

2. CONCEPT
• Allow installation and backfill of sanitary,
storm, and water services by qualified
contractors without the need to wait for an
inspection before backfill on residential
dwellings of up to a duplex
• Time (both builder and City)
• Safety (no open ditches)

3. Problems
• Wrong material being installed
• Wrong size of water lines installed
• Too many bends and offsets
• Installed to the wrong location at the property
line
• Improper or insufficient bedding
• Dips or sags in the drain lines
• Do not read the grade slip requirements
• To shallow without frost protection

4. Back on Track
• Do not want to kill the program
• Re-qualify existing installers without issues
under new guidelines
• New applicants have to be interviewed to
confirm experience and knowledge

5. Projects that do not Qualify
• Infill projects or lots that require a City service.
• Replacement of existing City side street services
requiring private property connections.
• Projects that require force mains or non gravity
systems.
• Projects not connected to City services and are
on holding tanks or septic tanks.
• Replacement or repair of existing private
property services.
• Installations in environmentally sensitive areas.
• The first three installations of a new applicant.
• All installations that are more than a single family
residential building up to and including a duplex.

6. APPLICATION TO PARTICIPATE
• 1. A person or company representative may
apply by completion of an application form
and participating in an interview
• 2. Applicant must sign a Quick Trench
Installation Agreement guaranteeing that
installations will meet the listed requirements.
• 3. Failure to follow the listed requirements
may result in loss of ability to participate

7. BUILDERS
• must have approved Quick Trench Contractor
listed at time of permit application
• Plumber Contractor is installing the service, place
that name under the Trench category on the
application form
• Builders that do not use a Quick Trench
Contractor shall “Call” for a site inspection before
a trench can be backfilled
• This inspection will be co-ordinated with the Pre-
backfill phase of the Single Construction Permit.

8. • Failure of a Builder or Builder’s contractor to
comply with the program rules may result in
services being unearthed and expulsion from
using the program on future projects.
• Any “out of Sequence Inspection” required or
other than a “Sanitary and Storm” call at time
of the Pre-backfill stage may be subject to an
additional permit.

9. INSTALLERS
• Excavation or plumbing companies may apply to
participate
• Contractors that fail to comply with the listed
requirements may be expelled from participation
in the program.
• Trenches shall be left open at the request of any
City authority for inspection or verification of
connections, locations, grades, or elevations.
• Contractors may encounter site inspections at
any time (audit)

10. EXCAVATION AND BACKFILL
• Excavation and backfill shall comply with City
Bylaws and the City of Calgary Standard
Specifications
• All water services on private property shall be
a minimum of 1” or larger sizes indicated on
the “Grade Slip”.
• Trench depth and earth cover shall comply
with the City requirement for frost protection
of 8.5’ for water services and 4.5’ for sanitary
sewer services.

11. • On lots where City services are not yet
installed, piping to the property line may be
installed to a location, and elevation, and sizes
provided by the property grade slip and/or
locations and elevations marked on site, and
capped until City services are installed. “Call”
for inspection before backfill is required.

12. BEDDING
• Piping shall be bedded in hard durable particles
(gravel), free from clay lumps, cementation,
organic material, frozen material and other
deleterious materials no larger than ¾” (20 mm) .
The material shall be a minimum of 4” (100 mm)
under the piping with 12” (300 mm) of cover over
the piping and extend to 12” (300 mm) on each
side.
• When completing the backfill with native soil,
rocks or frozen lumps are not permitted.

13. ALTERNATIVE PROCEDURE
• NON-SERVICED LOTS
• There will be a mandatory requirement that each trench must be
photographed before backfilling is commenced. Photographs must be
taken in such a way that the property is easily identifiable and all aspects
of the trench installation such as Pipe sizing, Pipe material, backfill
material and grade can be reviewed by the Safety Codes Officer.
• Photographs to be uploaded by Builder into the assigned folder in
Residential ePermit or in the case of a non ePermit job, they can be
emailed to building.regs.inspection@calgary.ca for upload to live link by a
City employee.
• Photographs will be reviewed by the Safety Codes Officer assigned to the
project on the process following the completion of the trench work. Pre
backfill, pre board or final.
• If the trench is not complete when the san and storm inspection is
triggered at the pre backfill phase, the Safety Codes Officer will assign the
outcome of "Not required" and insert a deficiency stating that the quick
trench photos are still required.