Water and wastewater for property owners

All internal pipes and fittings that fall within their property boundary, including rainwater tanks and internal sewer drainage.

Residents must provide clear access to water meters, inspection shafts and manholes on their property. Never bury a manhole or put a large object over it, they must always be visible and accessible.

Maintaining your property's stormwater connections to ensure stormwater does not enter the sewerage network(PDF, 1MB).

Council is not responsible for unblocking your sewer drains. However, because of the potential risk to health posed by a sewer blockage or other wastewater issues, you should call Council first as they will be able to advise you if you need to contact your local plumber.

Ensuring any easement on their property or near their property is accessible to Council at all times. If a manhole on your property is not accessible, Council may direct you to make it accessible (or do work on your behalf). For example, if a garden bed has been built over a manhole, the property owner will need to remove it to restore access. In some instances, excavation may be required.

Understanding the relevant Offences and Penalties relating to water and wastewater, including what can and cannot be discharged into the wastewater system. See Sewer Blockages, Overflows and Odours and Liquid Trade Waste.

If you have a sewer ejection pump station on your property, refer to our fact sheet(PDF, 196KB) on these to understand responsibilities.

All water supply infrastructure up to and including your water meter (eg water treatment plants, water mains etc)

All wastewater infrastructure downstream from the sewer inspection shaft on private properties (eg treatment plants, manholes, sewage mains etc)

Managing all connections and disconnections to water and wastewater services.

What is an Easement?

An easement refers to a right granted to a landowner, or a public or local authority, over another person’s land for a specific purpose.

Council has the power to enter private property for construction, maintenance and inspection of water and sewer infrastructure irrespective of protective easements being placed on titles. Council holds water and sewer easements in private property to ensure we maintain access to important water and sewer infrastructure.An easement refers to a right granted to a landowner, or a public or local authority, over another person’s land for a specific purpose.

Council has the power to enter private property for construction, maintenance and inspection of water and sewer infrastructure irrespective of protective easements being placed on titles. Council holds water and sewer easements in private property to ensure we maintain access to important water and sewer infrastructure.

Water Easements

Water easements are relatively uncommon in private property as water mains are typically located in road reserves (nature strips).

Council frequently undertakes work within nature strips to either, repair, replace extend or install fittings water mains. After conducting work in nature strips, they will be reinstated to an appropriate standard determined at Council’s discretion. Council will consider the pre-existing condition of the area, seasonal weather conditions, slope of land and area affected. Damage to the portion of driveways/accesses within road reserve will be reinstated as per Council Driveway Access to Property - Design Specification Policy(PDF, 142KB)

Sewer easements are common in private property and are mostly located along the rear or front boundary of a property. They exist over a portion of land that contains sewers or sewerage facilities. Council requires reasonable access to these areas and clear access to manholes. There is a possibility that Council will need to complete ground excavation to enable maintenance, repair and/or possible replacement in perpetuity.