Common sanitary drainage

Common sanitary drainage is a system of sanitary drainage pipe work that was an approved method of connecting a sewerage service to multiple dwellings in the early 1900’s. The properties at times had a common title or common family ownership.

What you need to know

When drainage works are to be carried out on a common sanitary drain within the confines of an individual lot, all sanitary drainage works must comply with the Plumbing Code of Australia and AS/NZS3500.2 Plumbing and Drainage.

Need advice?

We do not own or maintain common sanitary drainage systems, however we can investigate the possibility of providing an individual sewer point of connection for each property.

If an individual sewer point of connection is possible, it is the responsibility of the property owner/s to engage a licensed plumber to install and connect the property sanitary drainage to the new individual sewer point of connection. We require formal obligation from the property owners that they will connect to the new sewer point of connection prior to these works being undertaken.

Inspection requirements

Should it be possible for us to provide an individual sewer point of connection for a property previously served by common sanitary drainage, the existing internal sanitary drainage will require to be diverted to the new point of connection.

The works are the responsibility of the property owner and are to be carried out by a licensed plumber.

The works are deemed on-site drainage and all inspections for new and alteration works are under the regulatory requirements of Building Commission NSW. This includes the common main sanitary drainage line.

Thirsty for more advice?

If you need more advice on common sanitary drainage, get your questions answered by contacting our Technical Services team.