Plumbing and drainage work

Most properties will have or need a single water connection and water meter. 

All new water connections must meet minimum requirements.

You must provide details about all existing and new proposed water meters on the plans you submit with your Section 68 Plumbing and Drainage application.

View fees for water meters.

Minimum requirements for water meters

All Council owned water meters must be 400mm from the property boundary.

If this is not possible because of pressures, flows or other circumstances, you must get an agreement approved by Council. This must be done before submitting a Plumbing and Drainage application.

Contact Council's Infrastructure Services if this applies to you 02 6626 7000

Constructing a single dwelling or a single dwelling and granny flat

Typically, only one water meter is required.

You can request a second meter for the granny flat. Details must be provided in your Section 68 plumbing and drainage plans that you submit. 

Other important requirements to include:

• A water meter must be installed before any on-site activity begins which requires water.
• If the proposed water connection is more than 20 meters from Council's water main an extension will be required.
• Water connections are not permitted on a trunk main supply.
• Council is not liable for any problems that arise due to undersized services. It is the applicant’s responsibility to choose the most appropriate water service and meters for the subject property. The customer is responsible for completing hydraulic investigations to assist in determining the correct size requirements.
• If Council believes that connection to the water supply is not practical or equitable the application may be refused.
• No in-ground water meters or water meter boxes (as depicted in the standard drawings) will be accepted, and any existing water meters shall be upgraded to councils' current standards.

Strata Residential 

All residential strata units must be individually metered via a council water meter. This must be applied for and detailed on the Section 68 plumbing and drainage plans.

All Council owned water meters must be 400mm from the property boundary (not strata boundary).

If this is not possible because of pressures, flows or other circumstances, you must get an agreement approved by Council. This must be done before submitting a Plumbing and Drainage application.

Contact Council's Infrastructure Services if this applies to you 02 6626 7000.

Strata Commercial and Industrial Development

For lots containing multiple commercial and industrial units, in order to strata subdivide, each unit shall be individually metered by Council owned water meters and installed  to councils requirements.  

Standard Drawings 

All Council water meters must be detailed on the plans and in accordance with the following standard drawings:

Plumbing and drainage works on private property can include:

• minor alterations
• renovations
• additions
• relocation of an existing drainage line. 

Once approval is given for the works, a notice will be issued with conditions. 

These conditions will identify when inspections will be required before the covering or backfilling of the work.

Council approval is also required for plumbing work being carried out on properties connected to On-site Waste Management Systems.

If you are installing, altering, disconnecting, or removing a Council asset, you need apply for plumbing and drainage work approval. 

Council assets include:

• Water meters
• Water tappings
• Property sewer connections. 

Works must be carried out by a licensed plumber. The applicant must organise the works with the plumber once approved. 

The fee is determined by the size/diameter of the connection required.

The licensed plumber is responsible for having the site ready for Council to make the new connection to the water and/or sewer mains (often referred to as the “tapping”. All other works are completed by the plumber.  

Council will then provide a water meter connection to the site (if applied for).

Email council@byron.nsw.gov.au if you need a copy of a  Council asset map that shows for example:

• location of storm water (pipes swales)
• sewer pipes
• water.