Building & Development

  • Building and Renovating

    • Do I need to make a development application to Hunter Water if I am planning to build a new house?

      Answer

      No. A development application is not necessary if you are planning a single residential dwelling on a serviced vacant lot.

    • Do I need to supply a copy of my development application?

      Answer

      Yes. We require a copy of your Development Application conditions prior to the issuing a Section 50 certificate.

    • How much does it cost to get my plans stamped?

      Answer

      We charge a Building Plan Stamping fee (see item 32) to stamp your plans. If your building or renovation is over or adjacent to one of our water or sewer mains or sewer junctions you are required to pay a Miscellaneous Charge (See item 18).

    • I have a property remote to Hunter Water sewer and water pipes, how can I connect?

      Answer

      If your property has a Non-Standard Connection Hunter Water will require you to enter into a separate agreement you for the provision of services - this agreement will provide clarification of your rights and responsibilities. Hunter Water is unable to offer a minimum standard of service in this agreement.

    • What if I’m building over a Hunter Water water or sewer main?

      Answer

      If your building is 1.5 metres or less from one of our water or sewer mains or sewer junction you should submit an application at one of our Customer Centres before submitting your building plans to your local council.

    • What is a non standard water service?

      Answer

      Is a property that does not have direct frontage to a water main however are connected to Hunter Water infrastructure via a private pipeline. Any pipeline that in installed in a local council footpath or reserves or intervenes private property permission must be obtained in writing for the location of the pipeline and water metering system.

    • Where do I go to get my plans stamped?

      Answer

      You can submit your plans for stamping at one of our Customer Centres before submitting your building plans to your local council.

    • Is recycled water plumbing subject to special requirements?

      Answer

      All recycled water plumbing and fixtures should comply with AS/NZS3500.1 plumbing and drainage – water services. In summary this standard requires that:

      • A backflow prevention device be fitted at the drinking water meter.
      • There should be NO cross-connection between drinking and recycled water services.
      • All recycled water piping should be coloured purple or have appropriate and durable purple sleeving, netting or spirally wrapped tape for clear identification.
      • All buried pipes should be marked with longitudinal running marking tape clearly displaying: RECYCLED OR RECLAIMED-WATER-DO NOT DRINK.
      • All external taps should be clearly marked with a warning sign, be fitted with a removal handle and be coloured purple.
      • Hunter Water should be notified of any planned changes or modifications to existing recycled water infrastructure.

    • Who is responsible for maintaining a non standard water service?

      Answer

      You as the customer are responsible for maintaining a non standard water service.

      Hunter Water's Customer Contract outlines the rights and obligations as a customer and sets out the minimum standards of customer service that you can expect.

  • Land and Property Development

    • When do I need to make a development application to Hunter Water?

      Answer

      When planning a subdivision or building flats, units, duplexes, commercial or industrial buildings improvements to existing developments. Find out more about our application process.

    • Are there any other land or property development fees or charges?

      Answer

      In some circumstance during the assessment stage of your application, it may be determined a ‘capital contribution’ or a ‘reimbursement’ charge may be applicable. Where these charges are to be applied, the assessing officer will make every effort to determine the amount payable and provide this in the ‘Notice of Requirements’ letter to you.

    • Will the Section 50 Certificate be issued automatically?

      Answer

      No. Only upon all of the requirements being fulfilled will the Section 50 Certificate be issued.

    • Upon receiving a Section 50 Certificate can I automatically connect to Hunter Water’s infrastructure?

      Answer

      A Section 50 Certificate is one step in the process for a connection to Hunter Water’s infrastructure. You may be required to complete other requirements prior to your final application for connection.

    • Are there requirements for installing a commercial swimming pools or spa?

      Answer

      Yes. Hunter Water will require additional information such as pool capacity, flow rates (in L/S) and back washing rates (number of times per week).

    • What do I need if I am changing the use of a residential property to a commercial property?

      Answer

      I most cases you will be directed to our hydraulic consultant for advise on hydraulic requirements. If you are upsizing the water meter then a hydraulic assessment will be required. If you are adding equipment that will aid in the discharge of oils or greases or you have the potential to discharge oils or grease then you will be required to comply with our trade waste policies guidelines.

    • When do I need a hydraulic assessment?

      Answer

      Hunter Water requires Hydraulic Plans to be prepared and submitted if the proposed development includes any of the following criteria.

      • Water services of 32mm diameter or greater
      • More than 2 residential units on the lot
      • When a commercial development requires a meter greater than 25mm
      • The development requires an internal fire service or alterations to existing services
      • There is potential for trade waste to be discharged to Hunter Water sewer or there are alterations proposed to an existing installation
      • Where water supplied is to be used in manufacturing processes
      • If there is a request to either upsize or downsize an existing meter
      • Any development which is considered to be outside normal connection criteria
      • If the development requires an internally boosted water system.
      • Private pressure sewer pump systems(other than common pump effluent systems)
      • Multiple water metering systems
      • Multiple underground rain water tanks installed when a HWC drinking water supply could be connected indirectly or directly.
      • Any alternative water supply systems other than rain water

    • How do I submit hydraulic designs?

      Answer

      Complete an application form to be completed and submit to us. Attach a covering letter should include the following details:

      • A description of plumbing and drainage works required to service the proposed development.
      • Meter and service sizes and flow rates, including information on how sizes and rates were determined. The ultimate fixture loading on the house drainage system.
      • The submitted design complies with Hunter Water requirements as  referenced in the Customer Contract and Operating Licence.
      • Identify relevant hazards or internal operational systems that may detrimentally effect the operation of Hunter Water assets or the environment.

      The Hydraulic Plan Checklist should also be submitted with the designs.

    • How does Hunter Water assess hydraulic designs?

      Answer

      The plan is then assessed by our technical staff to determine the suitability of the design with regard to meeting Hunter Water’s requirements.

      Assessment of the plan is focussed mainly on the points outlined below:

      • the size of services and meters
      • location of meters
      • installation of appropriate backflow prevention devices and identified hazards
      • connection to the sewer system
      • the potential for discharge of trade-waste to the sewer system
      • configuration of water storage tanks (including backflow prevention details)
      • pump to sewer arrangements (where applicable)

    • What details does Hunter Water not assess?

      Answer

      Details not assessed by us on hydraulic designs:

      • internal hot water, gas and stormwater systems.
      • location of plumbing fixtures, floor wastes etc, covered by the Building Code of Australia.
      • fire services, location of booster and suction points, size of internal pipework, location of hydrants, fire hose reels, wall drenchers and sprinkler heads and fire storage tanks within the lot/development that are covered by the Building Code of Australia.
      • the performance of water and sanitary drainage fittings and fixtures.
      • the design and performance of sanitary plumbing and house drainage.
      • approve the use of any water supply fixture, fitting, sanitary or house drainage fixtures, fittings that do not have approval (Water Mark or Australian Standards marking).
      • the use, location, size and type of rainwater tanks, not connected to Hunter Water potable water supply.

    • What plumbing legislation is used to base the assessment on?

      Answer

      Hydraulic Plans shall be  prepared and submitted  in accordance with the NSW Code of Practice: Plumbing and Drainage and Australian Standards AS/NZ 3500 and  the HWC services connection policy. The submitted design shall clearly identify design standards and referenced as AS/NZS3500 or a Deems to Satisfy System. Deems to satisfy systems would require the accompanying independent certification documents. The design shall fully encompass  the scope of works detailed in the HWC services connection policy.

    • What addition information may be required about my minor or major works application?

      Answer

      In some circumstances, the identified minor or major works may require you to have access to an adjoining property. It is your responsibility to provide Hunter Water with a signed ‘permit to enter’ form from the adjoining property owner.

      In addition, some developers will require the creation of an easement for services to be laid. It will be your responsibility to arrange any documentation for the creation of such an easement.

       

    • Can I engage any licenced plumber to conduct minor and major works?

      Answer

      Any licenced plumber can undertake minor works. However, for major works you must engage one of Hunter Water’s approved licenced plumbers. See our list of approved developer works contractors.

    • How long will this minor or major works assessment process take?

      Answer

      Hunter Water strives to have the initial assessment completed within 25 days. A written response will be sent to the applicant with our requirements. 

  • Water Meters

    • Can a water meter run horizontal or parallel to the property boundary?

      Answer

      Pre-laid water services may be installed in a parallel position to the adjoining property all other service connection must ne installed in the horizontal position.

    • How high does the water meter have to be off the ground?

      Answer

      The water meter assembly must be fully supported with minimum ground clearance of 150mm. Water meters shall not be installed above a height of 1.5m due to OHS regulations.

  • Building Over Our Assets

    • Can I build over a sewer main?

      Answer

      We may allow you to build structures over various types of sewer mains subject to certain conditions, which may include piers under the structure and concrete encasement of the sewer main. Submit an application.

    • Can I build over a sewer manhole?

      Answer

      We will not allow you to build over a sewer manhole as they must remain accessible at all times.

      Any structure must be at least 1.5 metres or more from a sewer manhole. Submit an application.

    • Can I build over a sewer rising main?

      Answer

      We will not allow you to build over a sewer rising main, or within an easement containing a sewer rising main.

      However, we may allow you to build adjacent to a sewer rising main or sewer rising main easement, subject to certain conditions, which may include piers under the structure. Submit an application.

    • Can I build over a water main?

      Answer

      We will not allow you to build over a water main, or within an easement containing a water main.

      Council may allow you to build next to a water main or water main easement, subject to certain conditions which may include piers under the structure. Submit an application.

    • What is the process if I want to build over a Hunter Water asset?

      Answer

      When building or renovating, you need to have your building plans checked and stamped by us before they are submitted to your local council. 

      If we identify you are building on or adjacent to any of our assets you are required to submit an application. Find out more about building over our assets.

News

View All