Water connections and disconnections

All water connections must meet Council's Standard drawings and specifications.

If the new connection is within the existing water supply rated area, the following guide should be used:

• If the proposed water connection is within 20m of Council’s water main, the standard fees apply. However, site factors and installation complexity will be taken into consideration when determining which standard fee applies. Site factors and installation complexity includes factors such as whether a road under bore is required and how far Council’s water main is located from the proposed location of the water meter.
• If the proposed water connection is more than 20m from Council's water main, an additional fee applies for each metre over 20m. Site factors and the service size will be considered by Council when quoting on additional fees.
• Connections are not allowed on the trunk main supply.
• All connection fees must be paid before the connection is installed.
• A water meter must be installed before any on-site activity begins which requires water.
• Council will not be liable for any problems due to undersized services. It is the applicant’s responsibility to choose the most appropriate water service and metre for their property. The customer is responsible for completing hydraulic investigations to assist in determining the correct size requirements.
• If the applicant is the owner of the property and has been paying water rates for at least 5 years, they may be eligible for a reduction in the cost of extending and/or installing the water service.
• If Council believes that connection to the water supply is not practical or equitable, Council may refuse the application.

If the property is outside a current water supply rated area:

• Properties can only connect to the water supply following an extension to the water main.
• If extension of the water main is requested by the applicant, then the applicant will pay the full cost of the extension.
• Before Council is able to proceed with extending the supply area, at least 70% of adjoining owners must make a commitment to apply for water services once supply is available.
• For existing properties that have not previously been connected to the water supply and have not been subject to water rates, a capital contribution towards the availability of water supply will be required. These capital charges (also known as headworks charges) must be paid for each property as per Council's fees and charges. Payment of capital contributions must be received with the application for water connection.

In most strata developments such as duplexes, triplexes and multi-residential properties, it is not practical to provide individual metering.

As such, Council provides one meter to the registered property owner which captures water consumption for the entire strata development. It is the property owner's responsibility to distribute the water rates and/or water consumption charges amongst the owners of individual dwellings or units in the strata.

Council will not get involved in any disputes over water consumption within multi-residential properties. We recommend property owners install internal metering. Newly constructed multi-residential properties are required to provide internal metering.

Owners of individual dwellings in strata duplexes and triplexes can apply for a separate water service connection and meter, provided they currently pay the annual water access charge.

You will need to submit the following forms:

• Notice of work for plumbing and drainage(PDF, 159KB)
• Application for water meter connection / disconnection / relocation(PDF, 131KB)

Download the Duplex and triplex water meter information pack(PDF, 55KB)

If applying for a large non-residential connection to the water supply, a relevant hydraulic design for all internal services and sufficient test information to support the design must be provided.

Backflow prevention will also be required, to find out more see plumbing and drainage.

This refers to an agreement where by a property connected to the water supply sells water to another property which is not connected to the water supply. This is typically a private financial arrangement between owners of neighbouring blocks.

Such arrangements can cause difficulties during any change of ownership of either property. Piggyback connections are against Council’s Connection to Water Supply Policy and Council assumes no responsibility or control for any such arrangements.

If a piggyback connection arrangement is in place and the water account holder wants to disconnect their service, they must declare any properties that will be affected by the disconnection. Council will notify affected properties and provide 28 days notice of the intent to disconnect.

These properties can use the following form to apply for a new connection but Council will only approve if they meet the requirements for water connections:

• Application for water meter connection / disconnection / relocation(PDF, 131KB)

A temporary connection is used when the existing connection will not be the actual connection point for the property. For example, a temporary connection may be required while building a home.

It can be used for up to 2 years. During this time, it will be treated as a typical water connection and the applicant will need to pay an annual access charge.

When the final connection is installed, the temporary connection will be removed. No disconnection fee will apply to the removal of the temporary meter as long as a permanent connection is installed.

The annual access charge will be changed to reflect the size of the new permanent meter.