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Plumbing
North East Water's relationship with plumbers has become limited, but nevertheless is an important component of the plumbing industry. The Corporation is the regulator of wastes entering its sewers and services connected to its assets. As our "pay for use" billing scheme depends on what is connected to our assets, we rely on plumbers to accurately convey this information on any application we receive.
- Plumbing forms
- Plumbing applications
- Water Tappings
- Water Meters
- Back Flow Protection
- Guide Lines For Clearing Stoppages In Property Drains
- Guidelines On Sewer Branch Locations
- Fire Services Static Pressure Reading / Flow and Pressure Test
- Tariffs
- Private Water Line Extensions
- Building Over Easements
- Moneca Water Station (Standpipe)
The plumbing department's primary concerns are:
- New connection of water and sewerage
- Alterations of underground drainage
- Addition of plumbing fixtures
- Water back flow prevention
- Trade wastes
- Fire services
- Misuse and accountability of water.
All of the above have an impact on our assets and an influence on our operations.
Plumbers are reminded the plumbing industry in Victoria has been deregulated, and the onus is on the plumber to implement the correct procedures and regulations to on-site plumbing.
All contractors are reminded that only authorised persons can work on Corporation assets - See this Notice.
Plumbing Applications
An application for consent to carry out plumbing works must be lodged with North East Water before:
- Installing a drain
- Repairing underground drains
- Altering or making an addition to a drain
- Installing a new fixture
- Sealing a sewer point
Application forms and examples of field notes are available from the Plumbing Category in our Publications Section. Please note that from the 1 May 2009 only applications using the current application form will be accepted and processed.
Generally, if a fixture is repositioned/altered and the underground drain is not interfered with, no consent is required. This is not to be confused with the Plumbing Industry Commission (P.I.C.) requirements for compliance.
To expedite proceedings, North East Water has a credit and email/fax/mail system for plumbing applications. However if the application is not complete in all detail, plumbers may experience a processing delay. Street and lot numbers MUST be filled out. Municipalities can provide this information if required. Lot numbers only are not sufficient.
Please allow FIVE working days for approval, processing and return of an application. Applications will be processed in the order in which they are received.
The Corporation aims to process all applications within the five-day period. However this will be delayed if the applicant supplies insufficient or incorrect information.
Applications should contain:
- Owners' full name and address
- Address of property where work is to take place
- Name of person responsible for fees
- Number of existing and proposed cisterns
- If back flow prevention is applicable
- If trade waste is to be discharged
- Return phone, email, fax or mail address for return of application.
The clearer and more detailed the application, the quicker the return of the information to the applicant.
Special conditions may form part of the consent, for example trade waste discharge, backflow devices and agreements.
The Corporation's plumbing department operates under the Water Act 1989, Water Supply and Sewerage Administrative By-law 125 and the current Victorian Plumbing Regulations that include the Australian Standards AS 3500. All work must conform to these regulations. Regulation of the plumbing work is the sole responsibility of the plumber and the P.I.C., except where trade waste and backflow prevention are involved. The Corporation reserves the right to discontinue or refuse a service if trade waste apparatus or backflow prevention devices do not comply with regulations.
The Corporation's By-Law No. 125 is available in the Plumbing category or our Publications Sections.
Water Tappings
Please note that the property owner also owns the property service pipe, that is, the water supply pipe from North East Water’s water main into the property. North East Water has assumed the maintenance responsibility for some water supply connections under the Corporation’s Customer Charter.
The water meter is the property of North East Water.
Responsibility For Maintenance Of Water Supply Connections
The responsibility for maintain the various sections of a water service connection are explained below and are also shown in two diagrams in our Publications Section – “Water Service Connections Maintenance Responsibility” and “Water Meter Assembly Standard Layout”.
A. Between the meter and taps and internal plumbing.
The property owner is responsible for maintaining all plumbing from the taps and appliances to the meter assembly.
B. Between main and meter (property service pipe)
The Property Owner is responsible for maintaining the property service
pipe if it is over 25mm in diameter.
North East Water is responsible for maintaining the property service pipe
if it is 20mm or 25mm in diameter.
C. Galvanised iron property service pipes.
North East Water (or a plumbing contractor working for the Corporation) will replace a 20mm or 25mm galvanised iron property service pipe if it is leaking.
If a galvanised iron property service pipe is replaced at the request of the owner, for any
reasons other than it is leaking, the property owner is responsible for the first $500 of the cost of replacement.
D. The meter and stop tap
North East Water is responsible for maintaining part of the meter assembly up to, and including, the water meter. This also includes the stop tap at the water meter. If the meter has been moved internally, North East Water is only responsible to the stop tap.
Private extensions and fire services
The property owner is responsible for maintaining:
· Private fire services up to an including the valve at the water main.
· Private extensions or trunk services up to and including the ferrule.
· Property service pipes from private extensions.
Backflow prevention devices
The property owner is responsible for maintaining any backflow prevention device which has been installed downstream of the outlet of the meter. If the backflow prevention device forms part of the meter North East Water is responsible for its maintenance. See also Back Flow Prevention.
Metering Of Multi Tenement Properties
All strata title properties are to be separately metered. A single combined property service (main to property boundary) of a pipe size to accommodate the total property's water requirements is acceptable. A common control valve is to be installed to this service within 300mm inside the allotment. From this point a manifold of meters, each with individual control valves and backflow prevention is to be installed to serve each tenement. The Owners Corporation may have a meter to service common property. Non strata multi tenement properties may be metered at the owners discretion in the above way if so desired. However if metered through one common meter, each unit is to have control valves installed as per regulations.
Procedure for the installation of domestic water tappings.
This procedure has been developed to ensure that connections to North East Water’s assets are carried out in a consistent manner and comply with the Corporation’s requirements and other relevant legislation, including Australian Standard 3500.
The procedure is in two parts. The first part describes the procedure when the water main has to be tapped to provide the water supply, while the second procedure is for situations where the tapping and the service pipe have already been installed as part of a new development.
A. New connection to property including tapping.
1. The owner or plumber shall lodge an application to the Corporation to install a water service using the Water Connection Application Form or the Water and Sewer Connection Application Form.
2. The application will be assessed by Property Services department staff and will be approved if all necessary conditions have been met. These may include availability of a water main, completion of the subdivision and payment of any headworks charges. The appropriate fees and charges will be determined and the applicant invoiced.
3. A copy of the completed application will be sent to the relevant North East Water depot as evidence that the application is approved and a tapping may be done and/or a water meter may be issued by our staff.
4. The plumber shall arrange with the Corporation a convenient time and date allowing 48 hours notice to carry out the tapping.
5. The plumber shall excavate and expose the water main at the tapping point, and shall install the tapping band and ferrule. If a meter is required for the property, the plumber will install a meter assembly. This work will be completed prior to the nominated time arranged in Point 4 above.
6. The layout of the tapping will conform to the general layout as shown in the Standard Water Main Tapping Layout. The plumber shall not be permitted to tap the main if the works installed by the plumber does not meet North East Water’s requirements.
7. The main will then be drilled by Corporation staff. Alternatively, the plumber can drill the main using the Corporation's equipment, under the supervision of Corporation staff.
8. Excavation, backfilling, restoration and connection of the service pipe are the complete responsibility of the plumber.
9. If the owner requires a water meter for the property, the plumber will install a meter assembly. The meter assembly will consist of an approved ball type valve upstream of the meter and an inline type dual check valve and/or pressure limiting valve, if required, downstream of the meter. A minimum water service, that is, at least one metre of pipe after the meter assembly must be installed and no connection will be made before the lower outlet bend of the meter assembly. See the Standard Water Meter Assembly diagram.
10. The plumber will leave the pipe work exposed from the service pipe to the stop valve to enable inspection of the pipe work for which the Corporation will be taking maintenance responsibility.
11. If a HDPE service pipe has been installed, a trace wire must be attached to the pipe and the end of the trace wire must be connected above ground to the meter assembly using an approved clamp.
12. The Corporation staff member must ensure that the meter assembly meets North East Water’s specifications as shown in the standard layout. A water meter will not to be issued if the meter assembly does not meet these specifications.
13. If the above specifications are met, a water meter is issued to the plumber who installs it into the meter assembly.
14. The plumber shall provide, erect and maintain all barricades, signs and lighting as the relevant Authority or municipality may require. The plumber is also responsible for obtaining any permits required such as a Road Opening Permit, and the location of other services from “Dial before you Dig”.
B. Water meter installation only (pre-tapped)
1. The owner or plumber shall lodge an application to the Corporation to install a water meter using the Water Connection Application Form or the Water and Sewer Connection Application Form.
2. The application will be assessed by Property Services department staff and will be approved if all necessary conditions have been met. These may include completion of the subdivision and payment of any headworks charges. The appropriate fees and charges will be determined and the applicant invoiced.
3. A copy of the completed application will be sent to the relevant North East Water depot as evidence that the application is approved and a water meter may be issued by our staff.
4. North East Water’s Property Services department will issue the applicant with a plan showing the position of the pre-installed service. This service is usually 300mm inside the property line, terminating with a stop valve. The service will be under water pressure. The service will be permanently marked on the kerb where road crossings are installed. If the service cannot be found at the location given, work must cease and North East Water notified. See Guidelines on water service pipe locations.
5. The plumber shall install the meter assembly and then arrange a convenient time and date with the Corporation allowing 24 hours notice. The plumber will leave the pipe work exposed from the service pipe to the stop valve to enable inspection of the pipe work for which the Corporation will be taking maintenance responsibility.
6. The meter assembly will consist of an approved ball type valve upstream of the meter and an inline type dual check valve and/or pressure limiting valve, if required, downstream of the meter. A minimum water service, that is, at least one metre of pipe after the meter assembly must be installed and no connection will be made before the lower outlet bend of the meter assembly. See the Standard Water Meter Assembly diagram.
7. If a HDPE service pipe has been installed, a trace wire must be attached to the pipe and the end of the trace wire must be connected above ground to the meter assembly using an approved clamp.
8. The Corporation staff member must ensure that the meter assembly meets North East Water’s specifications as shown in the standard layout. A water meter will not to be issued if the meter assembly does not meet these specifications.
9. If the above specifications are met, a water meter is issued to the plumber who installs it into the meter assembly.
Guidelines on Water Service Pipe Locations
Upon application and payment of the appropriate fees North East Water will issue a plan showing the location of the water service with relevant ties. The Corporation only accepts responsibility for the accuracy of the measurements to within one metre, as alterations and departures may have been made during or subsequent to the preparation of the plan. If the service is not exposed in these confinements the plumber is to notify the Corporation for clarification of the measurements.
North East Water staff will attend the site and will either assume responsibility for the works or authorise the plumber to continue work to locate the point.
The maximum compensation for works carried out before notifying North East Water's staff will be limited to one hour for a plumber and one hour for an excavator or labour and costs agreed by both parties at the time on the site. No compensation will be considered unless the Corporation's staff has been advised of a pending claim at the time of point location. Accounts for compensation must be lodged within 14 days.
Water service pipes in concrete driveways
The service pipe may be covered by a concrete driveway, but the distance from the edge of the concrete to the service pipe must be no more than 50 centimetres. There must be an isolating valve (and 90 degree bend) in a pit inside the property boundary to indicate the position of the tapping on the main and to denote the end of North East Water’s maintenance responsibility.
The meter assembly is then placed along the property boundary with another isolating valve included. It is preferred that the meter is installed parallel to the water main, not at right angles as required by the Plumbing Regulations. This orientation indicates that the installation is non-standard and that the isolating valve on the meter assembly does not denote the location of the water tapping.
If the distance from the edge of the driveway to the service pipe is to greater than 50 centimetres, then the existing water tapping must be disconnected and a new water tapping and service pipe installed at a different location.
Click here for explanatory diagram
Water Meters
Testing of Meters
North East Water can arrange for a meter to be tested if the owner or occupier makes a written request for this to be done. If however the meter is found not to be faulty the fee for testing will need to be paid by the applicant.
The Meter Test Request form is available from the Plumbing Category in our Publications Section.
The following is an excerpt from the North East Water - Water Supply and Sewerage Administrative By-Law (By-Law No. 125)
317 Testing of Water meters
- The owner or occupier of any property may at any time make written application to the Corporation to test the accuracy of any meter of the Corporation installed upon such property, provided the applicant shall at the time of making the application pay the Corporation the prescribed fee and the Corporation shall upon receipt of such application and fee cause the meter to be tested in accordance with procedures recommended by the manufacturer of the meter.
- If the meter is found to not comply with the relevant standard, it shall be repaired or replaced, the fee paid pursuant to sub clause (1) of this Clause shall be refunded to the application and a reduction shall be made in the quantity of water to be charged for in accordance with Clause 319.
- If the meter is found to not comply with the relevant standard, then for the purposes of this clause, the meter shall be deemed to register correctly and the Corporation shall retain the fee. Having due regard for the retained fee, the Corporation may also recalculate the quantity of water to be charged for in accordance with Clause 319.
318 Fees for Water Meters
1. Testing
The fee payable to the Corporation in respect of tests performed to determine the accuracy of registration of any water meter shall be a prescribed fee for meters less than 32 mm in size or the actual costs incurred for meters of 32 mm in size or larger.
2. Hiring
The Corporation may let for hire water meters and shall require a deposit equivalent to the market value of the meter as determined by the Authorised Officer plus an amount for testing and repairing the meter on return of the meter to the Corporation. The amount will be determined by the Authorised Officer and is to be paid at the time of application and such fee shall be in addition to the amount for the recorded consumption of water.
319 Estimation of water consumption
If it appears to an Authority that any meter is inaccurate or a meter is removed from a service pipe for any reason, the Corporation may compute the quantity of water used.
Water meter assembly.
The owner or occupier of a property is responsible for ensuring that the water meter is accessible for reading, replacement of maintenance.
Restoring access must be done when requested by North East Water and is at the owner's or occupier's cost.
The water meter must not be:
- buried or partly covered by garden soil or raised garden beds
- hidden under bushes or shrubs etc
- covered by a brick letter-box or similar that prevents access
- in a below ground pit unless the minimum clearance requirements are met,
- in a below ground pit that is not drained.
See the Water Meter Assembly Requirements diagram in our Publications section (Link).
Downsizing of Water Meters
Many property owners installed larger services than necessary under previous building requirements and rating arrangements. Downsizing services to the point where the quantity of water used in peak periods causes harm to the meter or the size of the meter restricts flow to the property is unacceptable.
For the consumer to achieve lower billing, a suitable compromise to the situation is to allow downsizing of the meter only after the following has been ascertained:
- Engineer's computations
- Licensed Plumber's Certificate of Compliance with pipe sizing as formulated in the Australian Standards 3500 Water Supply
- The Corporation's past records of water consumption to the property.
Procedure
1. The consumer makes an application to the Corporation to downsize the meter
2. The Corporation ascertains it is within the guidelines by one of the following methods:
a. Within the limitation of the volumes to pass through the meter
b. By calculation or computations of an engineer or licensed plumber
c. History of the property water use
3. The Corporation provides a meter at no cost but the consumer employs a licensed plumber to install a new meter at his expense and returns existing meter to the Corporation
Note: There is no credit given on the larger meter.
Back Flow Prevention
North East Water's policy states:
"North East Region Water Corporation require all water services connected to its potable supplies to be fitted with an appropriated Back Flow Prevention Device to provide, as a minimum, Containment Protection at the property boundary in accordance with the Australian Standards 3500-1".
A simple definition of backflow is the unintended flow of water from a potentially polluted source into a potable water supply. Cross connection is any actual or potential connection between a potable water supply installation and a source of contamination.
Back flow is categorised as low, medium or high hazard, and these categories¦nbsp;apply to individual fixtures, zoning multi fixtures and total property containment. In Victoria, on-site plumbing comes under the control of the Plumbing Industry Commission, which leaves North East Water no option but to rely on containment at the property boundary as the only positive way of protecting its assets against back flow.
Residential Connections
Residential connections may be a low hazard, unless they are altered by hobbies, watering systems or home businesses, in which case the property's hazard rating increases. New water connections may be fitted with a dual check valve (low hazard device) between the meter and the residence. North East Water may require a higher level of protection, depending upon any increased risk.
Industrial - Commercial Connections
Each installation is assessed on its merit at the time of connection. Land use, and therefore hazard rating, may change without notification to the Corporation. The onus is on the owner, occupier or plumber to have the correct device fitted to suit the hazard rating at all times.
Regulatory Impacts and Requirements
The Water Act, regulations, standards and codes of practice require water authorities to undertake responsibility and accountability for the implementation and management of control measures that are both appropriate and adequate to protect the potable water supply systems under their control.
All Australian states are committed to back flow prevention with the adoption of the National Plumbing and Drainage Code, AS3500-1.
It is the responsibility of the property owner or occupier to install effective containment back flow control. Owners also are responsible for ensuring their property plumbing conforms to the minimum regulation standard.
With the deregulation of the plumbing industry in Victoria, plumbers have a duty of care to their clients and, legally, must assess the property plumbing and install appropriate works, such as back flow prevention, when installing or altering water services. North East Water does not assess on-site plumbing installations in properties.
North East Water has a Back Flow Prevention Device Agreement that sets down the terms and conditions relating to the installation of a device in the water service of a property. This agreement is used to fulfil the requirements of the plumbing regulations and the Corporation's Administrative By Law No.125 to ensure the property owner is aware of their responsibilities for maintaining the device.
It should be noted that back flow prevention is not a new concept in the plumbing and water industry. The 1957 plumbing regulations addressed back flow in a similar manner to the current 2001 regulations. With the increase in customer expectations and likelihood of litigation, awareness of responsibilities and liabilities has become paramount.
Customer Impacts
The back flow prevention program has provided customers with additional surety of supply safeguards, which prevent potential contamination of the potable water supply from sources external to property service entry points. Commercial and industrial customers who undertake any activities within their properties that are considered by regulation to be hazardous are required to install an approved back flow device.
All costs associated with the purchase, supply and installation, testing and ongoing routine maintenance are the responsibility of the property owners.
If any customer has an alternative water supply source, the property's hazard rating is, by AS3500-1 definition, high and the premises requires the installation of a testable back flow prevention device. However, an above ground rainwater tank is rated a low hazard.
Pressure Reduction
A concern with mechanical back flow prevention devices is that the head loss through the device is significant and may cause supply problems where natural gravity systems do not exist or the supply source is not sufficiently elevated. Manufacturers of back flow devices are aware of this issue and are continually modifying designs to minimise head loss.
Procedure for installation of a back flow prevention device
Property owners must obtain North East Water's consent before installing any testable back flow prevention device. Each application should provide the following details:
- Address of owner/occupier for serving notices
- Name of owner/occupier
- Property address
- Name and telephone number of installing plumber
- Nature of hazard
- Type and size of device
- Location of device
- Manufacture, model and serial number of device
- Property meter number.
An assessment fee will be charged in accordance with the Corporation's tariff structure.
The owner/occupier will be required to enter into an agreement with the Corporation to maintain the device in a serviceable condition.
Only plumbers with endorsement for back flow prevention may carry out initial commissioning and periodic testing and maintenance in accordance with the regulations.
Commissioning results to all testable back flow prevention devices must be issued to the Corporation to be entered into the electronic register.
Testable backflow prevention devices are required by AS3500-1 to re tested at least annually to ensure that they are in good working condition. North East Water's inspectors will visit properties where backflow devices are installed and request to view the annual test report. If the annual test has not been done, the property owner will be issued with a notice requiring them to have the test done within 28 days. Failure to comply may result in the cancellation of the Agreement and the termination of the water supply until either the device is tested or the hazard is removed to prevent the possible contamination of the Corporation's assets.
Backflow forms are available from the Plumbing Category in our Publications Section.
Guidelines For Clearing Stoppages In Property Drains
When a licensed plumber is engaged to clear a stoppage in a property drain, and after investigation, believes that the blockage is located in that section of the sewer for which North East Water is responsible, (which generally is downstream of the original sewer point), the plumber must contact an officer of the Corporation who will attend the site and assume responsibility for the work or authorise the plumber to continue and attempt to clear the drain. In either case the Corporation is prepared to reimburse the plumber for reasonable costs incurred provided the Corporation has been notified as above. However, compensation agreed by both parties will be determined on site while the works are still open or in progress.
If the blockage is found to be in a private drain and in the opinion of the Corporation's officer, the plumber has not made a reasonable effort to clear the blockage before contacting the North East Water, the plumber will be charged for the Corporation's attendance at the site.
If an account is to be issued to North East Water it must contain full details of the work undertaken including the name of the Corporation's contact officer, rates and charges for labour, plant and material used and the location and cause of the stoppage if determined.
In a situation where the owner contacts North East Water direct, a North East Water representative will attend the site at no cost to ascertain if the Corporation is responsible and, if not, direct the owner to engage a plumber. North East Water's staff will not attempt to clear a private drain.
Plumbers are reminded that it is an offence under the Water Act and Victorian Water Supply and Sewerage Plumbing Regulations 1994 to renew, demolish or interfere with any pipes and fittings in a branch or reticulation sewer vested in the Corporation without previously obtaining permission. The contractor must not remove the Corporation's sewer manhole lids nor enter the manhole chamber without prior approval of the Corporation. Only experienced personnel trained in confined space entry procedures will be permitted to enter manholes. All entries into manholes will be in accordance with the Corporation's Occupational Health and Safety procedures.
All work carried out on a property drains is to be in accordance with the Victorian Water Supply and Sewerage Plumbing Regulations 1994.
The section of sewer for which North East Water is responsible, is generally regarded as being downstream of the original house connection point,¦nbsp;that is the first inspection opening (I.O) within the property and / or including the junction off the vertical riser from the sewer main.
Where no inspection opening or riser has been installed on the house branch, the Corporation's responsibility ends one metre inside the property boundary, or one metre upstream of the sewer main junction where the sewer is located inside the property boundary.
Diagram showing responsibility for clearing stoppages.
If the Corporation reasonably decides that a tree on a property is obstructing or damaging the Corporation's work, the Water Act 1989, allows the Corporation to require the property owner to remove the tree. The property owner may also be required to pay the cost of repairing damage to the Corporation's sewer caused by the tree. Providing the property owner undertakes to remove the tree, the Corporation will bear the cost of clearing a blockage caused by tree roots obstructing or damaging the Corporation's sewer.
List of plants unsuitable for placement near water or sewer mains
Guidelines On Sewer Branch Locations
Upon application and payment of the appropriate fees North East Water will issue a sewer connection plan with relevant ties and depths. The Corporation only accepts responsibility for the accuracy of the measurements to within one metre, plus or minus (both horizontal and vertical), as alterations and departures may have been made during or subsequent to the preparation of the plan. If the sewer point is not exposed in these confinements the plumber is to notify the Corporation for clarification of measurements.
North East Water staff will attend the site and will either assume responsibility for the works or authorise the plumber to continue work to locate the point.
The maximum compensation for works carried out before notifying North East Water's staff will be limited to one hour for a plumber and one hour for an excavator or labour and costs agreed by both parties at the time on the site. No compensation will be considered unless the Corporation's staff have been advised of a pending claim at the time of point location. Accounts for compensation must be lodged within 14 days.
Fire Services
Fire services may be metered or un-metered and to be installed as the configurations under water tappings
Unmetered fire services are provided for large developments in accordance with Fire Regulations. The large meters which could be required would impose unnecessary excessive cost on a development.
Most owners respect this situation; however, in rare cases fire services have been used for general water supply, washing down, etc.
This unauthorised use of water is in effect gaining unfair advantage on the balance of the consumers. Consequently, the Corporation considers unauthorised use of water a serious matter to be kept under constant review.
All private fire services are to be sealed (unless broken in the case of a fire). In cases of fire drill training or if equipment is being tested, the Corporation will give approval to break the seal.
In the event of any accidental breakage the property occupier is obliged to advise the Corporation within two days.
North East Water's inspectors will carry out an inspection of the fire seals every 12 months. A prescribed fee is applicable.
Penalties
North East Water may inspect at any time and impose a reseal charge should the seal be found broken except for the above reasons.
The Corporation may also impose further penalties in accordance with the Water Act 1989.
Note: All fire-fighting equipment is to be periodically maintained in accordance with the relevant Australian Standards.
Static Pressure Reading / Flow and Pressure Test
When a property has a fire service connected to a water main, the Corporation does not guarantee that the water main can supply a sufficient water volume or pressure to meet that property’s fire fighting requirements.
Consultant engineers and others designing a fire protection system for a building can request information North East Water to provide information regarding the available water pressure and flow rates. The closest available point on the water reticulation is used to take measurements and these are evaluated using North East Water’s hydraulic models.
The Request for Static Pressure Reading / Flow and Pressure Test is made using our electronic application form. A Fire Service Information tariff applies for the readings to be taken and a test report to be provided.
The information supplied in the test report will indicate if additional measures such as on-site fire water storage or pressure boosting are required.
Private Water Line Extensions
Residents in North East Water's region can apply for a water supply by the granting of a Licence. However new water 'Supply by Licence' arrangements will only be permitted for a water supply system for which North East Water's bulk entitlement, supply capacity and reticulation system standards are not compromised.
Supply by Licence means that water is supplied to a consumer when the Corporation grants a Licence to the Consumer that specifies conditions under which the water is supplied. They are required when:
- The Corporation's reticulation system does not front the consumer's property and the consumer can only obtain supply by installing a private water line, or
- The consumer wishes to obtain a supply of non-potable water from a Corporation supply main between the water source and the water treatment plant.
- The consumer's property is outside a declared Water District.
Licences are granted until 30 June each year and they may be renewed annually at the sole discretion of the Corporation. Renewal will generally be automatic and it is not necessary for the consumer to re-apply each year. A Licence can also be revoked by either party giving the other three months notice in writing.
Any application will be considered on a case-by-case basis with the assessment criteria including:
- Impact on North East Water's bulk entitlement for individual systems and supply capacity ability.
- Supply equity principles to ensure that a new application will not disadvantage current customers, or the needs of other potential customers.
- Risk to the integrity of the infrastructure.
- Service standards relevant to the applicant and /or existing customers.
- The purpose for which the water is to be used.
- Anticipated ongoing issues for North East Water.
Where any of the above are compromised or has a negative impact, the application will be rejected. A new Licence for non-potable water will only be issued in very exceptional circumstances.
If the consumer's request for a Water Supply Licence is successful, the consumer must employ a licensed plumber to install the private water line extension to the meet relevant regulations and standards. This includes consideration of backflow prevention to meet AS3500. The Corporation has a number of other requirements that must be met, including that the water meter is fitted as near as practical to the tapping point on the Corporation's main.
Please contact the Plumbing department for more information regarding private water line and how to apply for a Water Supply Licence.
The current Water Supply Licence can be viewed in the Plumbing category of our Publications section.
Building Over Easements
The Corporation protects its water and sewer assets with the use of easements. These are shown on the title for your property or, alternatively, can be an implied easement that has the same effect. The easement is typically a strip of land 3m wide with the sewer or water main in the middle and in the case of sewer mains, usually run along the rear boundary of a block.
These easements enable the Corporation to control the structures that can be built over or near a sewer or water main by issuing a Build Over Easement Agreement for those applications that are approved. North East Water will consider each application on its merits, however there are some situations for which approval will not be given.
As a guide, these include:
- No structure of any description is permitted over a water main or
sewer rising main - No Class 1 to 9 (habitable) structure is permitted in an easement
- No in-ground swimming pool or spa is permitted in an easement
- No structure is permitted within 1.0 m of a sewer connection point
- No structure is permitted within 1.0 m from the edge of a manhole
The Corporation may require that footings for posts, walls or concrete slabs be altered so that they do not impact on the sewer main.
Particularly in the case of a commercial development where building over a gravity sewer main may be unavoidable, the Corporation may approve an application upon the condition that, at the applicant's cost, the main is replaced in heavy grade material or re-lined. For complete details, please read the "Build Over Easement Customer Guidelines" in the Publications Section.
To apply for permission, complete the application form in the guidelines and enclose a sketch plan or diagram of the proposed structure. The prescribed assessment fee must accompany the application for it to be processed. Include as much detail as possible on the location of the structure on the block with distances to boundaries in metres. Also include the materials from which the structure is to be built and details of any footings that are to be used.
If a structure is permitted, an agreement will be prepared and sent to you for signing.
After the agreement is signed, the Corporation may register a caveat on the title to the property to ensure that the agreement is brought to the attention of any future property owner. If this is done, the cost of creating the caveat on the title will be invoiced to your account.
Please contact the Property Services Department for more information on building over easements, including advice on requirements for specific properties.
Moneca Water Station (Standpipe)
The Moneca water station uses a prepaid card system to allow access to treated water. It allows us to keep a record of the user and the amount of water taken so they can be billed correctly. A Victorian CFA female fitting must be used with North East Water Moneca water stations.
Stations are located at:
- Boyes Road, Baranduda
- Audley Street, Rutherglen
- Crawford Street, Chiltern
- Twist Creek Road, Yackandandah
- Saleyards Road, Benalla
- Old Barnawartha Road, Wodonga
Click here for an application form.
Click here for a standard conditions of use form.
Click here for an agreement form.