Guidelines for plumbers and drainlayers
There are a number of applications that need to be both lodged and approved prior to the commencement of any works. Where a new building requires a sewerage connection, there are two scenarios and therefore processes. Costs to repair any damage to public lines will be charged to the person causing the damage.
Existing Connection Located
If the property has an existing sewerage connection and its location is known/exposed, the plumber or drainlayer can lay the pipe from the house to that connection. If there is an existing connection, you will only require an inspection from a Building Inspector and not from Council contractors – Broadspectrum - Water Northland. Please ensure you contact us to book a Building Inspection prior to backfilling of the pipe. An (App to Conn) will need to be both lodged and approved and any necessary costs paid. Until this has been done, no such connections should be livened up. If you have any queries about whether a connection can be made or not, please contact us.
No Connection Located
If there is either no sewerage connection contact us as Council may have some as-built plans showing the locations. This information has been provided to Council and therefore we cannot guarantee its accuracy or completeness. It may be necessary to locate the chambers (manhole or dry chamber) upstream and downstream from the site and take a straight line between. Variations from straight lines will also occur (e.g., lines laid "to the contour") and care must still be exercised when digging or piling.
In some instances where the connection location is unknown, it may be more cost effective to install a new one, rather than spending time and money looking for the existing one. Council will not pay the costs of either locating or installing a sewerage connection.
If you are requested to install a new connection directly into Councils main line to service a site, you will need to ensure that correct procedures are followed. An application for a new connection will need to be both lodged and approved and any necessary costs paid. Until this has been done, no such connections can be made. If you have any queries about whether a connection can be made or not, please contact us.
Any new connections will also need an inspection from our contractors. You will need to request an inspection through Councils Water, Wastewater & Refuse Department contact us and advise of the date and time you will be cutting into our main. Do not backfill this work without an inspection. There will also be an additional fee for this inspection.
If you are laying any new reticulation to service more than one allotment, dwelling, unit or any other structures, you will need to ensure these works comply with Council's Engineering Standards & Guidelines
Raising or Lowering Manholes
If you require a manhole to be either raised or lowered when maintenance or upgrading work is being done to driveways, filling sections, developments or earthworks, please contact us and we will organise a quote for such works to be completed by our contractors. Once the quote is received we will contact you again and await payment. Once payment is received in full and any other associated costs, we will send a request to proceed with the works to our contractors.
There is a maximum depth to which an inspection chamber can be lowered and still be operative.