Multi residential and commercial water connections and disconnections

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.
• 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.

Application for services 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.

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.

Drillings by Hunter Water (unrestricted water main size)

Our contractors carry out this service and there are no restrictions relating to water main size or location in our area of operations.

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.

Only our representative or accredited driller may perform an under pressure water main drilling.

Drillings by an accredited driller (80mm to 200mm water main size)

The accredited licensed plumber is authorised to drill our mains sized from 80mm to 200mm. The driller is required to notify us of the date and time of works.

Not all water mains are capable of having a property service connection. Where more than one water main is available for connection, the selection of the water main to be used is at our discretion.

Where developments require water connections larger than 65mm a tee and valve connection is used.

All tee and valve connections require the submission of a hydraulic assessment application and a tee and valve installation application.

Technical Services Application Form

Tee and valve connections cannot be undertaken until all mandatory requirements have been completed and formally recognised by us. Requirements include but are not limited to:

• Section 50 approval
• Hydraulic assessment approval
• Tee and valve approval

Technical Services Fees

Methods of connection

Methods of connection may impact on existing customers and are assessed individually. The owner’s agent is informed of the requirements, which will include the nominated connection method. Common connection methods include:

Conventional Method (Valve Shut Down)

Water main connection location isolated using water main stop valves. Excavation, traffic control and insertion of tee and service stop valve at approved location by accredited plumbing contractor.

Direct Tapping (Hot Tap)

Our accredited contractor is to be engaged for pressurised main tapping (100mm and above). Excavation at approved location and traffic control by accredited plumbing contractor.

The following requirements apply to the supply and installation of service stop valves:

• Only 'clockwise closing' service valves shall be used on all water supply installations on drinking water and designated fire hydrant and sprinkler services
• We do not recognise the installation of '¼ turn quick action' butterfly valves or ball valves on any property service water meter frame or back flow prevention site containment assembly above 50mm pipe diameter.

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 water 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. You 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.

For tee and service stop valve connections (65/80mm or larger) the service stop valve shall be removed to our requirements. An individual assessment will be conducted by us to determine if the water main connection tee is to be removed or a blank sealing flange of approved material affixed to the tee fitting branch. An application for tee and valve removal and fee must be made to us prior to works being carried out

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