Single or duplex residential water connections and disconnections

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

• The size of your private water service (standard single residential size is 20mm).
• Your licence number, name and contact details.
• Book inspection dates for the connection works.
• The date when the water meter frame will be ready for our meter contractors to install the meter. This should be within 24 hours of the water connection.

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

At the application stage you will be notified of any special considerations applicable for the water connection/s. For example, pre-laid water service and any drilling requirements.

Pre-laid water services may be configured in two ways.

Type 1

Prior to 2016 pre-laid water services incorporated the water meter frame inlet riser and meter tap which was “laid over” and buried underground.

You are required to:

1. Hand excavate inside the property boundary and locate the water service – inlet riser and meter tap.
2. Rotate the pipework so that the inlet riser and meter tap are in an upright position (this may require loosening a union fitting if installed – tighten union when completed)
3. Construct the property service and water meter frame and install the appropriate metallic water meter spacer ready for Hunter Water’s contractor to carry out the water meter installation.

Type 2

Post 2016 pre-laid water services incorporated a municipal valve which is buried and terminated at the property boundary. It is the responsibility of the engaged licensed plumber to extend the water service from the outlet of the municipal valve.

You are required to:

1. Hand excavate at the property boundary and locate the municipal valve.
2. Extend a copper pulled bend from the valve (using an approved flared compression fitting) and fit an approved meter tap 300mm above finished ground level.
3. Construct the water meter frame and install the appropriate metallic water meter spacer ready for Hunter Water’s contractor to carry out the water meter installation.

We require the installation of a Hunter Water issued and approved water meter (known as the main water meter) to measure the volume of water supplied through each property service pipe to a parcel of land.

Only our staff or metering contractor can affix water meters 20mm to 40mm in size to a property.

Positioning of water meters

• The water meter assembly must be within one metre of the title boundary that fronts the water main.
• The water meter assembly must be installed square to the water main, in line with the tapping.
• Pre-laid water services may be installed in a parallel position to the adjoining property.
• The water meter assembly must be fully supported with minimum ground clearance of 150mm, and should not be greater than 300mm from the finished ground level to the base of the water meter assembly (where the backflow prevention device is a 'reduced pressure zone' type, a minimum 300mm to the device vent is required).
• All meters must be fitted in the upright and horizontal position.
• The water meter assembly pipes must not be encased in concrete surrounds.
• Water meters must be readily accessible for reading, maintenance and replacement.
• Location of water meters inside a development must be approved by us.
• We do not allow water meters to be installed in pits or external to the property boundary.

Only our staff or metering contractor can affix water meters 20mm to 40mm in size to a property.

We conduct random inspections of water connections to ensure compliance with our standards. The licensed plumber must ensure all works comply with our Water Services Connection Standard and the Plumbing Code of Australia. This includes pressure testing of water services at 1500 kPa for a period of not less than 30 minutes as per AS/NZS3500.

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

• The size of the drilling to the water main (20mm or 25mm).
• If you are an accredited driller and doing the drilling for your customer, you are required to nominate the date and approximate time the drilling will be conducted.
• If you are not an accredited driller you may engage our accredited drilling contractor to carry out the water main drilling. View our guideline
• The plumbing licence number, name and contact details.
• Book inspection dates for the connection works.
• The date when the water meter frame will be ready for our meter contractors to install the meter. This should be within 24 hours of the water connection

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

At the application stage you will be notified of any special considerations applicable for the water connection/s. For example, any drilling requirements.

Pressure boosting pumps

If you propose to install a pressure boosting pump, contact our technical services team. A written request for the approval of system pumping must be lodged as part of the application for conditions of connection, and should include details of pump curves and pumps to be used.

The water service is to be installed in compliance with our requirements and the water meter frame constructed incorporating a metallic water meter spacer ready for our contractor to carry out the water meter installation.

Water main drillings can only be undertaken in our area of operations by:

• a licensed plumber who is accredited by us as a water main driller (limited to drilling water mains sized 200mm and less); or
• One of our accredited water main drilling contractors (can drill all sizes of water mains).

Specific fees apply to the drilling of water mains, which are based on the number of drillings and size of the drilling saddle/water main.

We require the installation of a Hunter Water issued and approved water meter (known as the main water meter) to measure the volume of water supplied through each property service pipe to a parcel of land.

Only our staff or metering contractor can affix water meters 20mm to 40mm in size to a property. Meters above 40mm can be installed by the licensed plumbing contractor.

In addition to this, water meters, known as sub or check meters are required to measure the volume of water supplied to certain types of 'dwellings/occupancies' located within that parcel of land as well as possibly measuring water for certain purposes within a property i.e. water used for irrigation, fire services.

Positioning of water meters

• The water meter assembly must be within one metre of the title boundary that fronts the water main.
• The water meter assembly must be installed square to the water main, in line with the tapping.
• Pre-laid water services may be installed in a parallel position to the adjoining property.
• The water meter assembly must be fully supported with minimum ground clearance of 150mm, and should not be greater than 300mm from the finished ground level to the base of the water meter assembly (where the backflow prevention device is a 'reduced pressure zone' type, a minimum 300mm to the device vent is required).
• All meters must be fitted in the upright and horizontal position.
• The water meter assembly pipes must not be encased in concrete surrounds.
• Water meters must be readily accessible for reading, maintenance and replacement.
• Location of water meters inside a development must be approved by us.
• We do not allow water meters to be installed in pits or external to the property boundary.

We conduct random inspections of water connections to ensure compliance with our standards. The licensed plumber must ensure all works comply with our Water Services Connection Standard and the Plumbing Code of Australia. This includes pressure testing of water services at 1500 kPa for a period of not less than 30 minutes as per AS/NZS3500.

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

• Your licence number, name and contact details.
• Book inspection dates for the connection works.
• Return the water meter/meters applicable to the service to be disconnected.

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

Where the property water service with a 20mm/25mm drilling to the water service is no longer required, it must be capped off at the main tap (water main) with an approved cap and/or approved fittings.

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