Water and Sewer Line and Related Structures Construction
Description
This industry comprises establishments primarily engaged in the construction of water and sewer lines, mains, pumping stations, treatment plants, and storage tanks. The work performed may include new work, reconstruction, rehabilitation, and repairs. Specialty trade contractors are included in this industry if they are engaged in activities primarily related to water, sewer line, and related structures construction. All structures (including buildings) that are integral parts of water and sewer networks (e.g., storage tanks, pumping stations, water treatment plants, and sewage treatment plants) are included in this industry. Illustrative Examples: Distribution line, sewer and water, construction Sewer main, pipe and connection, construction Fire hydrant installation Storm sewer construction Irrigation systems construction Water main and line construction Sewage disposal plant construction Water treatment plant construction Pumping station, water and sewage system, construction Water system storage tank and tower construction Reservoir construction Water well drilling, digging, boring, or sinking (except water intake wells in oil and gas fields)
Hierarchy
| Code | Title | Description |
|---|---|---|
| 23 | Construction 2-digit sector | The Sector as a Whole The Construction sector comprises establishments primarily engaged in the construction of buildings or engineering projects (e.g., highways and utility systems). Establishments primarily engaged in the preparation of sites for new construction and establishments primarily engaged in subdividing land for sale as building sites also are included in this sector. Construction work done may include new work, additions, alterations, or maintenance and repairs. Activities of these establishments generally are managed at a fixed place of business, but they usually perform construction activities at multiple project sites. Production responsibilities for establishments in this sector are usually specified in (1) contracts with the owners of construction projects (prime contracts) or (2) contracts with other construction establishments (subcontracts). Establishments primarily engaged in contracts that include responsibility for all aspects of individual construction projects are commonly known as general contractors, but also may be known as design-builders, construction managers, turnkey contractors, or (in cases where two or more establishments jointly secure a general contract) joint-venture contractors. Construction managers that provide oversight and scheduling only (i.e., agency) as well as construction managers that are responsible for the entire project (i.e., at risk) are included as general contractor type establishments. Establishments of the "general contractor type" frequently arrange construction of separate parts of their projects through subcontracts with other construction establishments. Establishments primarily engaged in activities to produce a specific component (e.g., masonry, painting, and electrical work) of a construction project are commonly known as specialty trade contractors. Activities of specialty trade contractors are usually subcontracted from other construction establishments, but especially in remodeling and repair construction, the work may be done directly for the owner of the property. Establishments primarily engaged in activities to construct buildings to be sold on sites that they own are known as for-sale builders, but also may be known as speculative builders or merchant builders. For-sale builders produce buildings in a manner similar to general contractors, but their production processes also include site acquisition and securing of financial backing. For-sale builders are most often associated with the construction of residential buildings. Like general contractors, they may subcontract all or part of the actual construction work on their buildings. There are substantial differences in the types of equipment, work force skills, and other inputs required by establishments in this sector. To highlight these differences and variations in the underlying production functions, this sector is divided into three subsectors. Subsector 236, Construction of Buildings, comprises establishments of the general contractor type and for-sale builders involved in the construction of buildings. Subsector 237, Heavy and Civil Engineering Construction, comprises establishments involved in the construction of engineering projects. Subsector 238, Specialty Trade Contractors, comprises establishments engaged in specialty trade activities generally needed in the construction of all types of buildings. Force account construction is construction work performed by an enterprise primarily engaged in some business other than construction for its own account, using employees of the enterprise. This activity is not included in the construction sector unless the construction work performed is the primary activity of a separate establishment of the enterprise. The installation and the ongoing repair and maintenance of telecommunications and utility networks is excluded from construction when the establishments performing the work are not independent contractors. Although a growing proportion of this work is subcontracted to independent contractors in the Construction sector, the operating units of telecommunications and utility companies performing this work are included with the telecommunications or utility activities. |
| 237 | Heavy and Civil Engineering Construction 3-digit subsector | The Heavy and Civil Engineering Construction subsector comprises establishments whose primary activity is the construction of entire engineering projects (e.g., highways and dams), and specialty trade contractors, whose primary activity is the production of a specific component for such projects. Specialty trade contractors in the Heavy and Civil Engineering Construction subsector generally are performing activities that are specific to heavy and civil engineering construction projects and are not normally performed on buildings. The work performed may include new work, additions, alterations, or maintenance and repairs. Specialty trade activities are classified in this subsector if the skills and equipment present are specific to heavy or civil engineering construction projects. For example, specialized equipment is needed to paint lines on highways. This equipment is not normally used in building applications so the activity is classified in this subsector. Traffic signal installation, while specific to highways, uses much of the same skills and equipment that are needed for electrical work in building projects and is therefore classified in Subsector 238, Specialty Trade Contractors. Construction projects involving water resources (e.g., dredging and land drainage) and projects involving open space improvement (e.g., parks and trails) are included in this subsector. Establishments whose primary activity is the subdivision of land into individual building lots usually perform various additional site-improvement activities (e.g., road building and utility line installation) and are included in this subsector. Establishments in this subsector are classified based on the types of structures that they construct. This classification reflects variations in the requirements of the underlying production processes. |
| 2371 | Utility System Construction 4-digit industry group | This industry group comprises establishments primarily engaged in the construction of distribution lines and related buildings and structures for utilities (i.e., water, sewer, petroleum, gas, power, and communication). All structures (including buildings) that are integral parts of utility systems (e.g., storage tanks, pumping stations, power plants, and refineries) are included in this industry group. |
| 23711 | Water and Sewer Line and Related Structures Construction 5-digit NAICS industry | See industry description for 237110. |
| 237110 | Water and Sewer Line and Related Structures Construction 6-digit U.S. detail | This industry comprises establishments primarily engaged in the construction of water and sewer lines, mains, pumping stations, treatment plants, and storage tanks. The work performed may include new work, reconstruction, rehabilitation, and repairs. Specialty trade contractors are included in this industry if they are engaged in activities primarily related to water, sewer line, and related structures construction. All structures (including buildings) that are integral parts of water and sewer networks (e.g., storage tanks, pumping stations, water treatment plants, and sewage treatment plants) are included in this industry. Illustrative Examples: Distribution line, sewer and water, construction Sewer main, pipe and connection, construction Fire hydrant installation Storm sewer construction Irrigation systems construction Water main and line construction Sewage disposal plant construction Water treatment plant construction Pumping station, water and sewage system, construction Water system storage tank and tower construction Reservoir construction Water well drilling, digging, boring, or sinking (except water intake wells in oil and gas fields) |
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Classification References
- 01Constructing marine facilities (e.g., ports), flood control structures, dams, or hydroelectric power generation facilities--are classified in Industry 237990, Other Heavy and Civil Engineering Construction;
- 02Installing septic tanks--are classified in Industry 238910, Site Preparation Contractors;
- 03Drilling oil and gas field water intake wells--are classified in U.S. Industry 213111, Drilling Oil and Gas Wells; and
- 04Installing and maintaining water and sewer lines performed by water and sewage utilities companies--are classified in Industry Group 2213, Water, Sewage and Other Systems.
Index Items
Aqueduct construction
Artesian well construction
Capping of water wells
Construction management, water and sewage treatment plant
Construction management, water and sewer line
Distribution line, sewer and water, construction
Drilling water wells (except water intake wells in oil and gas fields)
Fire hydrant installation
Geothermal drilling
Hydrant and flushing hydrant installation
Irrigation project construction (except lawn)
Lagoon, sewage treatment construction
Pumping station, water and sewage system, construction
Reservoir construction
Sanitary sewer construction
Sewage collection and disposal line construction
Sewage disposal plant construction
Sewage treatment plant construction
Sewer construction
Sewer main, pipe and connection, construction
Storm sewer construction
Utility line (i.e., sewer, water), construction
Water desalination plant construction
Water filtration plant construction
Water main and line construction
Water pumping or lift station construction
Water sampling station installation
Water system storage tank and tower construction
Water treatment plant construction
Water well drilling, digging, boring or sinking (except water intake wells in oil and gas fields)
Water well pump and well piping system installation
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External Resources
Census.gov NAICS Detail
Official US Census Bureau definition and scope for NAICS 237110.
National Association of Home Builders
Provides resources and advocacy for residential construction including plumbing and foundation work.
U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development
Offers government guidance on housing safety standards and infrastructure maintenance.
Procore
A project management platform widely used by contractors for managing civil and structural projects.
