General plumbing information

To ensure that all plumbing work complies with the Plumbing Code of Australia, only licensed plumbers can do plumbing and drainage work.

NSW Fair Trading regulates on-site plumbing and drainage work and licensed plumbers in NSW. Visit them for more information about:

plumbing and drainage inspections
notices of work (NOW)
certificates of compliance (CoC)
sewerage service diagrams (SSD)
audit inspection fees
plumbing and drainage regulations.

Connection applications

You must apply to connect if you:

need a new water or wastewater connection
want to disconnect an existing water or wastewater connection
are connecting to a pre-laid water connection
want us to fit a water meter on the property
plan to install trade waste equipment
want to connect a residential house to our stormwater system.

You can apply to connect at Sydney Water Tap in™.

Plumbing inspections

What is NSW Fair Trading responsible for?

NSW Fair Trading is responsible for plumbing inspections. Visit them to:

find out what they need to inspect
pay for or book an inspection.

NSW Fair Trading doesn't inspect connections to our pipes.

What is Sydney Water responsible for?

We're responsible for ensuring connections to our pipes meet our standards.

We might inspect the connection if we have specific connection requirements, eg holding tanks, pumps or wastewater treatment equipment. These will be included in our additional services agreement with you.

If we need to do an inspection, we'll organise this after:

you apply to connect
we've approved your connection.

Workers laying pipes in front of a house

NSW Fair Trading regulates all plumbing and drainage work in NSW.

See also

Find answers

How can you get a diagram of the private water pipes on your property?
We don't have records of the private drinking water services on your property. We can't provide these diagrams.

We can supply diagrams of:
- private wastewater pipes on most properties
- our water and wastewater mains.
You can buy these diagrams online at Sydney Water Tap in™ or from Property Link brokers.
How can you find a licensed plumber?
While we can't recommend a licensed plumber, we do recommend you:
- ask family and friends if they have a plumber they trust
- speak to a few plumbers about the work you need done and compare quotes
- ask the plumbers about warranties on their work
- check that the plumber is licensed. You can Search Contractor and Tradespersons with Service NSW.
When your licensed plumber has finished the work, ask for a Certificate of Compliance. This certifies that the plumbing work meets the Plumbing Code of Australia.
How can you get a diagram of the private wastewater pipes on your property?
You can get a sewer service diagram showing the location of private wastewater (sewer) pipes on a property online at Sydney Water Tap in™ or from a Property Link broker.

Plumbers use these diagrams when they're trying to fix a problem with your pipes. Selling agents and conveyancers also use these diagrams when properties are bought or sold.

Older diagrams may also show:
- the point of connection to our wastewater system
- easements over the land
- other information for plumbers.
How much do we charge when you subdivide or develop your land?
You may need to pay fees or charges depending on the work you're doing.

This may include:
- fees to check building plans
- plumbing and drainage inspection and connection fees
- developer charges.
These charges recover your share of our costs in providing:
- water and wastewater treatment plants
- pumping stations
- reservoirs
- the network of pipes that service your development area.
Find out more about Prices for other services that may apply for your building or development and steps for first time builders.

Printed on : 24/04/19 00:56

URL: http://www.sydneywater.com.au/SW/plumbing-building-developing/plumbing/general-plumbing-information/index.htm