The Process
If you're planning on building, extending or renovating
Hunter Water approves the installation of all new water and sewer services. Proposed building plans are submitted to ensure buildings are not constructed over, or too near, our assets. Information can be found here on building, extending or renovating residential properties.
For land developers
From a single house or factory to a large subdivision, new industry or business, they all require water, wastewater or drainage infrastructure. You'll find information here to help you through the process of developing your land.
In all cases, to commence the process you need to complete a development application form.
If you buy an existing dwelling or building in our area of operations you automatically become a customer of Hunter Water, as that property is usually already connected to our water and sewer mains. However, we also gain customers through property development, which may see new buildings or extensions to existing ones that require a change to the water and sewerage systems.
This section explains what happens if, as a property owner, you want to:
- extend the water or sewer mains to your property
- develop your property.
Download a copy of the complete step by step development and assessment process shown below.
Step 1: Apply for a Section 50 certificate
Under Section 50 of the Hunter Water Act, such property owners are referred to as developers and a Section 50 Certificate is required as part of the development application process. You must apply for this certificate and pay an “Application Processing Compliance Certificate” fee for Hunter Water to investigate your requirements and issue a Notice of Requirements Letter.
Step 2: We investigate your application
Each proposed development is a unique mix of development type and location, and requires an ‘investigation’ by us to determine:
- the impact of the proposed development on existing water and sewer systems
- whether works need to be built (ie the developer may need new reticulation systems and lead-in mains) to provide connection to water and sewer mains.
Step 3: Receive a Notice of Requirements letter
Your proposed development will be investigated by Development Services and a Notice of Requirements letter will be forwarded to you. This Notice will, in most cases, details what you are required to do in order for the water and sewer facilities to be provided to your proposed development.
The requirements for your development may include a:
- Direction to prepare Servicing Strategies to determine the infrastructure requirements to extend Hunter Water’s system to your development
- Direction to design and construct water and sewer infrastructure
You may be required to engage an accredited design consultant to assist with meeting our design and construction requirements.
Click here for further details on the conditions under which water and sewer facilities are available to new customers or view our brochure Development and Design Assessment brochure.
Step 4: We issue a Section 50 certificate
Once you have met all our requirements we will issue you with a:
- Certificate under Section 50 of the Hunter Water Corporation Act 1991, or
- Letter confirming that you have met Hunter Water’s requirements.
Step 5: Arrangements for Connection
You can then arrange the connection to the water and/or sewer systems at a Hunter Water Customer Centre. Water and/or sewer connection fees are also paid at a Customer Centre.
It is important to note that if you are subdividing land, the subdivision will need to be registered with the Land and Property Information Office before the new lots can be connected to the water and sewer systems.
It may also be necessary for a hydraulic building services design to be prepared and submitted to Hunter Water where the water meter may be greater than or equal to 32mm or a dedicated fire service is involved. Click here for further information or here for a checklist.
A Trade Waste application may also be required if discharging industrial by-products i.e. grease oils etc into the corporation's sewermains.