Sewer pumping systems

A sewer pumping system connection or disconnection application may be submitted by the property owner, or a person that has authority to act on behalf of the property owner (e.g. plumber, builder, managing agent).

Some properties within our area of operations are serviced by a sewer connection which requires sewerage pumping. Examples of these systems include:

  • Hunter Water Pressure Sewer System

    This system incorporates a sewerage holding well and grinder/macerator pump (both supplied, owned and maintained by us). The sewer point of connection is the connection stub off the sewerage holding well.

  • Private Pressure Sewerage System

    This system incorporates a sewerage holding well and grinder/macerator pump (both supplied, owned and maintained by the property owner) that discharges wastewater at a designated flow rate to our sewer point of connection (maximum flow rate 2.0 litres/second).

  • Common Effluent Pumping System

    This system incorporates a septic tank and holding well/effluent pump (all supplied, owned and maintained by the property owner). Solids are retained in the septic tank and we receive the pumped effluent wastewater from the holding well at a designated flow rate to our sewer point of connection (maximum flow rate 0.4 litres/second).

  • Individual Sewerage Pumping Systems

    These systems are installed when the topography of the customer’s land or building design does not allow for a gravity sewer connection. The system comprises of 1 or 2 grinder/macerator pumps and a sewerage holding well that pumps via a private rising main into our gravitational sewer point of connection (maximum flow rate 2.0 litres/second).

    Standard connections

    When the sewer point of connection is located inside the property boundary, it is considered a 'standard' sewer connection.

    Non standard connections

    When the sewer point of connection is located outside the property boundary and a rising main transverses private property or council road/roadside reserve, it is considered 'non-standard'. For non-standard sewer services the property owner is required to sign a contract agreement acknowledging and accepting the terms and conditions under which the sewer connection is permitted.

What you need to know

If the property owner, builder or managing agent is to make the application to connect, it is your responsibility to ensure all applications have been submitted and inspections booked prior to any physical water connection works.

Resources

Connecting to a sewerage pumping system

Follow our three step process to connect a sewerage pumping system:

  • Step 1: Application for services connection

    To complete the application, you will need the following information:

    • Your licence number, name and contact details.
    • Book inspection dates for the connection works.

    This process must take place no more than two weeks prior and a minimum two days prior to making the physical connection to sewer.

    At the application stage you will be notified of any special considerations applicable for the sewer connection/s. Examples include sewer connection type and sewer point of connection location.

  • Step 2: Connect to the sewer system

    You must determine the type of sewer connection available for the development.

    Hunter Water Pressure Sewer System (HWPSS)

    • Plumber connects the private sanitary drainage to the inlet stub of the sewerage pump well.

    Private Pressure Sewer System (PPSS)

    • Plumber installs the private sanitary drainage system, pressure sewerage pump well (with macerator pump/s), and rising main.
    • Plumber connects the rising main to the 'boundary kit'.

    Common Effluent Pumping System (CEP)

    • Plumber installs the septic tank, effluent pump well, effluent pump/s and rising main.
    • Plumber connects the rising main to the CEP 'boundary kit'.

    Individual Sewer Pumping System (ISPS)

    • Plumber installs the private sanitary drainage system, pressure sewerage pump well (with macerator pump/s), and rising main.
    • Plumber connects the rising main to:
      • The property internal gravity sanitary drainage system where the sewer point of connection is located inside the property boundary.
      • Our formally approved remote sewerage infrastructure location (generally a sewer access chamber).
      • This connection type requires a non standard wastewater agreement for the rising main being located external of the property boundaries, and a Minor Works Contract for the connection to our sewer access chamber.
      • NOTE: approval is required for location of rising main in public area (roadside reserve) from local council and/or road owner.
  • Step 3: Inspection of the sewer connection

    Hunter Water Pressure Sewer System (HWPSS)

    • Contact NSW Fair Trading for inspection of sanitary drainage pipework connected to the sewerage pump well inlet stub.

    Private Pressure Sewer System (PPSS)

    • Contact NSW Fair Trading for inspection of sanitary drainage pipework connected to the sewerage pump well and rising main connected to the 'boundary kit'.
    • Contact us for inspection of the sewerage pump well.
    • Contact the local council to confirm their requirements.

    Common Effluent Pumping System (CEP)

    • Contact NSW Fair Trading for inspection of sanitary drainage pipework connected to the septic tank, and rising main connected to the 'boundary kit'.
    • Contact us for inspection of the effluent pump well.
    • Contact the local council to confirm their requirements.

    Individual Sewer Pumping System (ISPS)

    • Contact NSW Fair Trading for inspection of sanitary drainage pipework connected to the sewerage pump well and rising main located within the property boundaries.
    • Contact us for inspection of the sewerage pump well.
    • Contact the local council to confirm their requirements.
    • Contact road owner to confirm their requirements.

When is a hydraulic assessment required?

All sewerage pumping systems discharging to our sewerage system are required to have our approval prior to the commencement of works. We require designs of all sewerage pumping stations to be submitted for review and approval (minimum hydraulic assessment – technical review).

Disconnecting from a sewerage pumping system

Where a property’s sewer service has become redundant, or is not to be redeveloped and becomes disused, it can be disconnected from our sewer system. Disused sewer services are to be sealed off at the point of connection using approved materials in the accordance with AS/NZS3500.2 Plumbing and Drainage and our requirements.

Follow our three step process to disconnect a sewerage pumping system:

  • Step 1: Submit an application

    To complete the application, you will need the following information:

    • Your licence number, name and contact details.
    • Book inspection dates for the connection works.

    This process must take place no more than two weeks prior and a minimum two days prior to making the physical disconnection of sewer.

  • Step 2: Disconnect the sewer service

    Hunter Water Pressure Sewer System (HWPSS)

    • Plumber seals the inlet stub of the sewerage pump well with a screwed UPVC cap.

    Private Pressure Sewer System (PPSS)

    • Plumber disconnects the rising main at the “boundary kit” and installs a screwed brass plug/cap.

    Common Effluent Pumping System (CEP)

    • Plumber disconnects the rising main at the “boundary kit” and installs a screwed brass plug/cap.

    Individual Sewer Pumping System (ISPS)

    • Plumber disconnects the rising main:
      • At the internal gravity sanitary drainage system where the sewer point of connection is located inside the property boundary.
      • Our remote sewerage infrastructure location (generally a sewer access chamber). Contact us to confirm specific requirements.

    We require a mandatory disconnection inspection with appropriate fees paid.

  • Step 3: Inspection of the disconnection

    We conduct random inspections of sewer disconnections to ensure compliance with our standards. It is your responsibility to ensure all works comply with our Wastewater Connection Standard and the Plumbing Code of Australia.

Sewer soffit requirements

The soffit is the highest point of the internal surface of a pipe. There are minimum measurements between the soffit of the sewer main and the spill level of the overflow relief gully (ORG).

Thirsty for more advice?

If you need more advice on sewer pumping systems, get your questions answered by contacting our Technical Services team.