Maintenance and Repair Responsibilities

The property owner is responsible for maintaining and repairing the sewer (wastewater) pipes and fittings inside the property up to and including the point of connection with our wastewater system. 

It is possible that the point of connection with our wastewater system is outside your property. If you do not know where the point of connection is, you should contact us.

Any pipes and fittings on the property owner’s side of the connection point including the boundary trap and inspection shaft are the responsibility of the property owner. This means any repairs, replacement or maintenance costs associated with these pipes and fittings are the responsibility of the property owner.

We do not maintain or repair:

  • wastewater services connecting to privately owned sewer mains such as in some Community Title subdivisions or share private sewer services.
  • private sewer services connecting to our wastewater system under the terms of a "Non-standard Agreement".
  • faults caused by wilful or negligent damage.

The property owner is also responsible for rectification and repair of any illegal services installed contrary to appropriate codes, regulations and standards or Hunter Water's connection requirements. 

Standard Sewer (Wastewater) System Maintenance Responsibilities

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Standard Sewer Service Responsibilities

Pressure Sewer (Wastewater) System (CEP and LPSS) Maintenance Responsibilities

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 Presssure Sewer System Maintenance Responsibilities

 

  • Frequently Asked Questions

    • Where are my sewer pipes located?

      Answer

      The location of our sewermains and your pipes can be hard to identify without plans, although you can usually find an inspection shaft cover somewhere in your yard.

      We can provide you with a plan of your property showing where our sewer mains are located (which includes a fee) or contact Dial Before You Dig. A qualified plumber can provide you with a basic plan of where your sewer pipes are located.

    • What happens when a blockage occurs?

      Answer

      This will depend on the severity of the blockage. Some may only cause sinks to drain more slowly, others can cause sewage to spill from gully traps outside or even spill from the toilet or basin inside the house.

    • What if I call a plumber and the sewer blockage is in Hunter Water pipes?

      Answer

      You should always contact us in the first instance.

      If you arrange for a licensed plumber to attend your property prior to contacting us, they will determine if the blockage is within our pipes or your own pipes.

      If there is a blockage in our pipes, the plumber will contact or ask you to contact us. We will then attend to carry out the appropriate work.

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