When do I need to get building over or next to assets approval?

Water authorities spend millions of dollars a year installing and maintaining freshwater, wastewater and stormwater infrastructure including drains, pipes, structures, and easements. Which is part of the reason why the process to build or work anywhere near their systems can require a list of checks and reports, as well as submitting building plans for approval.

If you're building, excavating, or landscaping project in Sydney, in most cases, approval from Sydney Water will need to be achieved prior to your project gaining local council approval.

More information can be found on building plan approvals process here - sydneywater.com.au

When is build approval needed?

Approval from Sydney Water is required when:

• Constructing a building or driveway
• Extending the transport network
• Installing utility services by excavating or non-intrusive means eg boring
• Laying pipes and cables to service the community

For most residents, ‘constructing a building or driveway’ will be the reason to need approval.

If your project does not affect or limit access to water assets approval may be given without further assessment. However, if this is the case your plans will need to be submitted to a Water Servicing Coordinator for assessment.

For example, if a stormwater asset is located within 10 metres of your site you will need to get building plans approved. There are many other instances which necessitate further review especially if your project is classified as an ‘Out of scope’ application.

Building works are classed as:

• any new buildings or structures
• modification to existing buildings or structures
• any work which changes the current form and shape or the ground

Including - residential dwellings, commercial or industrial buildings, swimming pools, carports, non-habitable sheds, decks fences, retaining walls, driveways, pavement, drains, landscaping, roads and infrastructure works. As well as demolition and excavations.

Stormwater assets

In some cases, a CCTV drain survey pre and post-construction or Dilapidation Survey Report carried out by an accredited provider. This will note the condition of the stormwater pipes prior to any building and again after to ensure no damage is caused during construction.

Sydney water has minimum clearance requirements around as well as over assets and pipes. For instance, a stormwater drain requires the clearance is 1 metre around and 0.6 metres above.

Residents and builders can submit their build over applications at Sydney Water Tap in - sydneywater.com.au/tapin

Even though the system of approvals can seem lengthy it's worth the effort. Not following Sydney Water’s approvals process can lead to significant fines or a bill to cover any restoration work.

Specific details on the requirements for building over or next to assets approval as well as the process can be found on the Sydney Water website here - sydneywater.com.au

Please note - Pure Plumbing Professionals is not a Sydney Water accredited provider. A list of accredited providers can be found on the Sydney Water website. However, we can provide a large range of plumbing services.